Study in Spain

Study in Spain

Studying in Spain is a truly enlightening experience that leaves students filled with new attitudes and concepts about life. Spanish people are known to be very friendly and open, it helps international students to settle very quickly. With world renowned colleges & universities and academic excellence help to get with your qualifications with great ease and stress-free environment. Spain is rich in history and culture, it provides the total package of a new and enriched lifestyle. Spain has beautiful cities, marvellous countryside and vast coastline to explore.

• Among top 15 study abroad destinations in the world
• Spain is the third most popular country for international studies with around 36% of those people from the USA.
  
• Spain historically sporting country
• You'll be able to brush up on the world's second most spoken language
• Fascinating southern European culture and society
• Spanish is a world language, and learning it gives access to Latin America
• Spanish is the second most commonly spoken language in the world
• Beautiful geographical contrasts – white beaches and snow-covered mountains
• Increasing emphasis on interdisciplinary studies

Types of Visa

• For European Economic Area countries (EEA), European Union (EU) countries student no visa required to Spain
• If US students want to study in Spain under 90 days, they do not require a visa
• Short term visa- ‘180- days total studies’: Students who wish to come and study (language courses or short-term training) or carry out academic research in Spain between 3 months to 6 months.
  - Students are allowed to stay given period of the visa and cannot extend their stay
  - In this type visa type students cannot change their visa category within Spain, if you want to different category visa, you required to go back your home country and get another category of visas to Spain (including other student visa types)
  - Students have no right to work while studying in this short-term visa category
  
• Long term visa- Student visa (type D): Non-EU students want to study in Spain more than six months this category visa is required - In this category student are allowed to obtain the Residence Card for Foreign Students (TIE)
  - TIE is a temporary permit the will allow you to stay in Spain for one academic year(maximum) and it allowed you to extend your visa until you finish your course.
  (Conditions to get TIE is once you get a long-stay visa to Spain you need to get TIE within the 3 months of your arrival)
• Working while studying in Spain: International student are allowed to work part-time while studying or full-time in semester breaks
• Important to know the Spanish working conditions are known to have a long lunch-break, around 3 hours, during the heat peak time (Spanish Siesta)
• Family members: Spouse, Registered partner, and Children under 18 are allowed to join while you are studying in Spain if you have Long-stay visa. Other family members need to reunification after one year, but if you fulfil some conditions, they can have chance to visit you immediately (to get a visa for an extended family you need to have enough money to support them and required to show enough place to stay along with their Medical insurance).
  - Family members are not allowed to work or get any work permit while they are in Spain.
• You need to apply your visa 7 – 10 weeks before the start of your programme

Documents Required for Student Admission

• A copy of your passport (s)/Birth certificate/National identity card
• Applications for European Students takes place through SNUUDE, the Spanish National University for Distance Education. Generally, the application (Solicitud de inscripcion) opens during the month of April every year.
• Identity card or School leaving certificates/Educational qualifications (Translation required)
• Note: In the past, any international students from outside Europe were required to pass the Spanish university entrance test or examination called "Selectividad". However, this exam is no longer required and students are able to apply for any Spanish higher education institution provided they meet the eligibility criteria.
  
• Your Social Security Card (Specific application are required)
  
• Resume /A cover letter/SoP (Statement of Purpose)
  
• English Language Proficiency Test- TOEFL or IELTS scores (in general there is no compulsory language fluency to get admission/visa, but many universities/institutions required language fluency to get admission)
  Note: Teaching in English is Spain’s national strategy to attract a larger number of international students so, there are many study fields available entirely in English. Although, becoming fluent in Spanish is another major goal for students studying in Spain.
  
• Spanish Language Proficiency Test- DELE exam score (Diploma de Español Como Lengua Extranjera)
  
• Two professional references
• Employment records (in case you were working in the past)
  
• Exam results (in case of exchange programme)

Documents Required for Student Visa

• Visa application form
• National ID valid for at least six months
• Original passport (it must be valid for the intended period of your stay in Spain)
• Two recent passport size phots
• Acceptance letter from University or institution (Detailed programme is required such as Name of the Training programme, Course Title, Research details, Duration and number of hours per week of study)
  
• Proof of your medical Insurance (a minimum coverage equal to 30,000 EUR during the whole period of your studies)
  
• Medical certificate required prior to your journey, certificate a confirming that you don’t have any diseases that would require you to be quarantined
• Proof of financial means during your stay in Spain (900 EUR per month)
  
• Financial evidence: Students required to prove (financial recorded proofs) that you have the funds to support you for the duration of your stay in Spain such as scholarship details, a bank showing sufficient funds or letter from parents/guardians
• Accommodation details: Information about where you’ll be living in Spain
  
  
• Police clearance certificate: ‘A criminal record certificate’ issued in the last five years by the relevant authorities in your home country.

Important weblinks for more information

• http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/MIAMI/en/InformacionParaExtranjeros/Pages/Visa%20Requirements/Student-Visa.aspx - Visa information
• www.gostudyspain.es – Go Study Spain: Information on student visas, accommodation
• www.studying-in-spain.com/ – Overview of benefits and requirements for studying in Spain
• www.topuniversities.com/where-to-study/europe/spain/guide – Information about study options in Spain