Taking individual courses as a visiting student

Key rules

• Where to start: Contact the international office or the faculty office before the semester; each university sets its own procedure.
• Acceptance letter: If you are not an EU citizen, you need the acceptance letter to apply for a student visa.
• Deadlines: Deadlines are usually several months before each semester, so apply early.
• Price: Public universities charge per credit and private universities set their own prices, so check the host university's current list.

Requirements, course limits, deadlines and prices differ by university and year, so confirm them with the host university's international office before you apply.

The short version

You apply directly to the university as a visiting student. You contact its international office, send your documents, get an acceptance letter, then enrol in your courses. Each university runs this its own way, so ask the office for its exact steps before you start.

Who can take courses

Most universities expect you to be in a university programme at home. You normally also need to have finished, or be enrolled in, secondary education.

Courses are taught in Spanish unless the university offers an English-taught option. Ask which courses have one.

How to apply

1. Contact the university. Write to the international office, or the faculty office for the course you want. Do this well before the semester.
2. Send your application. Include your transcript, your passport or national ID, and proof of your language level. The documents box below gives the full list.
3. Wait for the acceptance letter. The university issues it if you are accepted.
4. Get your visa if you need one. If you are not an EU citizen, you need the acceptance letter to apply for a student visa.
5. Enrol. Once you are in Spain, sign up for your chosen courses at the faculty secretariat.

Deadlines are usually several months before each semester. Send your application early, because the visa step adds time.

Limits on courses

Universities set their own limit on how many courses or credits a visiting student can take. Ask for this limit before you choose your courses, so you do not plan more than you are allowed.

What it costs

Public universities charge a fee per credit (ECTS). The regional government sets the prices each year, and the amount depends on the degree, the region and how many times you have enrolled in the course. Private universities set their own prices. Look up the host university's current price list before you enrol, and ask the office whether visiting students pay the same rate.

The timeline, documents, checklist and questions below cover the rest.

Timeline and deadlines

• Contact the international office or the faculty office: before the semester starts, usually several months ahead

• Receive the acceptance letter and, if you are a non-EU student, use it for your student visa: after the university accepts your application

• Enrol in your chosen courses at the faculty secretariat: once you have your acceptance letter

Documents you need

• Transcript of your studies so far, from your home school or university

• Passport or national ID

• Proof of your language level, usually for Spanish or for English if you choose an English-taught course

• Acceptance letter from the Spanish university, which you receive after applying and which non-EU students need for a student visa

Checklist

• Check that you are in a university programme at home and have finished or are enrolled in secondary education

• Ask the international office which courses you can take and whether any are taught in English

• Ask for the limit on courses or credits for visiting students

• Send your application several months before the semester starts

• Enrol in your courses at the faculty secretariat

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to be enrolled at a university at home to take individual courses?

Yes, visiting students normally need to be in a university programme at home, and to have enrolled in or finished secondary education, though this depends on the university. Ask the international office of your chosen university whether it makes exceptions.

Will my individual courses be taught in English?

No, courses are taught in Spanish unless the university offers an English-taught option for that subject. Ask the international office which courses have an English option, and what proof of language level it wants.

How much will individual courses cost at a public university?

Public universities charge a fee per credit (ECTS), and the price depends on the degree, the region and how many times the course has been taken. The regional government sets the prices each year. Private universities set their own prices, so check the host university's current price list.

Is there a limit on how many courses or credits I can take?

Yes, many universities cap the number of courses or credits a visiting student can take, and the limit varies by university. Ask the international office for its cap before you apply.