Do international students pay higher fees in Spain?

Key rules

• Public grados: No Spain-wide surcharge exists, so most public grados charge non-EU students the regular price.
• Public master's: Some regions and universities charge non-EU students more, so check the price for your exact programme.
• Doctorates: Nationality does not normally change the public doctorate fee.
• Private programmes: Private universities set their own prices, which can differ for international students.

The short answer

For a public grado (undergraduate degree), you usually pay the same per-credit price as an EU student. There is no Spain-wide surcharge for foreigners. Exceptions exist, so check the exact price with the university before you apply.

Public grados

In most regions, non-EU students pay the regular public price, whether or not they live in Spain. A few regions, including Madrid, Catalonia and Andalusia, have used different prices for non-resident non-EU students in limited cases. A university can also apply its own surcharge.

Your nationality does not change the entry requirements much, but you still need an accreditation of access for foreign school qualifications, such as the one issued by UNEDassis, and a study visa.

Public master's

Here the risk of paying more is higher. Some regions and universities charge non-EU students more for an official master's. Many charge the same as for EU students. Higher prices for non-EU students are more common in Catalonia, where non-EU students who do not live in Spain pay more, and in Madrid for certain programmes. The extra amount depends on the programme and the university.

Look for the non-EU price in the university's fee schedule for your exact master's, and ask the admissions office if it is unclear.

A master's costs more than a grado in any case. Each region sets its annual precios públicos (public prices) by decree. Official master's are priced higher per credit than grados. The first enrolment is usually the cheapest, and repeating a subject costs more. Masters that qualify you for a regulated profession, such as law, engineering or teaching, are often priced closer to grado levels in some regions. Regions differ a lot: Madrid and Catalonia are among the dearer, Galicia and Andalusia among the cheaper.

Public doctorates

Nationality does not normally change the fee. EU and non-EU students pay the same at public universities, though some regions apply a surcharge to non-EU students in some cases. You pay an annual tutela académica fee, which is usually a few hundred euros a year, roughly 200 to 500 euros in most regions. You also pay a small one-off fee for thesis evaluation and administration.

Private universities

Private universities set their own prices. They can charge international students differently, and their fees are usually much higher than public ones. Ask for the full fee list for your nationality and programme.

What to do

1. Find the university's current fee schedule for your programme.
2. Look for a separate line or note for non-EU or non-resident students.
3. If you can't find one, email admissions and ask for the price you would pay, in writing.

The questions below cover common cases.

Frequently asked questions

Do non-EU students pay more for a public master's?

Sometimes, because some regions and universities charge non-EU students higher fees for official master's degrees, while many charge the same as for EU students. Catalonia charges a higher master's price to non-EU students who are not residents, and Madrid does the same for certain programmes. Ask the university for the exact amount for your programme.

Is a master's more expensive than a grado at a public university?

Yes, official master's programmes cost more per credit than a grado at public universities. The first enrolment is usually the cheapest, and later ones cost more.

How much does a public doctorate cost, and does nationality change it?

A public doctorate usually costs roughly 200 to 500 euros a year in tutela académica, which is the yearly fee for supervision and enrolment.

Can a non-EU student still be charged extra for a grado?

Yes, in limited cases, although most regions charge non-EU students the regular public price for a grado. Spain has no national surcharge, but some universities or regions apply one to non-resident non-EU students. Madrid, Catalonia and Andalusia have used different prices in some cases, so check your university's fee schedule.