How to Study in Madrid for International Students

Madrid, one of the beautiful cities in Spain, is a city that needs to be considered when planning on studying abroad. Here, you can immerse yourself in a rich local culture and learn about its history and the factors that make it unique.

When it comes to the choices that are available, Madrid currently has 15 universities, from which 7 universities are a part of the public sector and 8 universities are private institutions.

Suppose you’re not just looking for any school but a well-performing school. In that case, the top universities in Madrid you should definitely check out are IE University, Complutense University of Madrid, and Autonomous University of Madrid.

Being able to study in Madrid as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in Madrid, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!

1. Cost of Studying in Madrid

When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in Madrid, it’s best to have a general knowledge of the tuition fees there. The annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from 1,015 Euros to 25,000 Euros, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 1,015 Euros and 4,544 Euros.

Cost of Studying in Public Universities in Madrid

To give you an idea of how much it costs to study in Madrid, here are the tuition fees in these public and private universities:

Cost of Studying in Private Universities in Madrid

If you’re looking for the most affordable universities in Madrid, check out the Cheap Universities in Madrid!

Besides tuition fees, you also need to consider other expenses like books, accommodation, and living expenses.

2. Requirements to Study in Madrid for International Students

Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Madrid, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.

Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.

In Madrid, English and Spanish are the languages of instruction. If you’re looking to study in any of the academic institutions here, you might need to prove language proficiency by taking standardized tests, such as TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo for English. Depending on the institution and the language of instruction for your program, you might also have to prove your language proficiency by submitting DELE for Spanish.

To give you an idea, here are some universities in Madrid and their required minimum scores for each program level.

IE University

Bachelor’s degree

• TOEFL: 90
• IELTS: 7
• Duolingo: 115
• Bachelor's English Language Requirements Page

Master’s degree

• TOEFL: 90
• IELTS: 7
• Duolingo: 115
• Master's English Language Requirements Page

CEU San Pablo University

Master’s degree

• DELE: B2
• Master's Spanish Language Requirements Page

Complutense University of Madrid

Bachelor’s degree

• DELE: B2
• Bachelor's Spanish Language Requirements Page

Master’s degree

• DELE: B2
• Master's Spanish Language Requirements Page

Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.

Application Procedure to Study in Madrid

The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Madrid have online applications available on their websites, like IE University and Complutense University of Madrid. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Madrid.

IE University

• Official Website
• International Bachelor's Admissions Page
• International Master's Admissions Page

Complutense University of Madrid

• Official Website
• International Bachelor's Admissions Page
• International Master's Admissions Page

Autonomous University of Madrid

• Official Website

Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.

After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!

The admission process in Madrid differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.

The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in Madrid.

The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.

4. Visa Application for International Students in Madrid

If you’re going to study in Madrid, you will need to apply for a student visa in Spain

In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in Spain. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a Long-Term Student Visa.

To start your student visa application in Madrid, you will need to present the following:

1. Completed and signed visa application form
2. Passport-sized photos
3. Valid and unexpired passport
4. Proof of acceptance to an accredited school or university
5. Proof of financial capability
6. Health insurance
7. Criminal record check and medical certificates
8. Proof of residence

Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in Spain is 60 EUR.

After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:

1. Submit visa application and requirements at a nearby embassy or consular within 90 days before the planned travel date.
2. If requested, submit supporting documents and appear at the consulate or embassy for an interview.
3. Wait for a decision.
4. Once approved, wait for the consulate or embassy instructions on how to collect your visa, passport, and other original documentation.

For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.

That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in Madrid. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!