Spain has for years been the most popular destination for European Erasmus students. The climate, a relatively easy language, the social life and a lower cost of living than northern countries make it a highly sought-after experience. The programme is now called Erasmus+ and includes study mobility, from three to twelve months, and traineeships (see internships in Spain).
Choosing a city
- Madrid: Complutense, Autónoma, Carlos III and Politécnica; huge numbers of international students and an intense cultural life (see Madrid).
- Barcelona: University of Barcelona, Autònoma, Pompeu Fabra, Politècnica de Catalunya; sea and a cosmopolitan city, but note that many courses are in Catalan and rents are high (see Erasmus in Barcelona).
- Valencia and Granada: two Erasmus capitals, affordable with a very lively student life; from Granada you can ski in the Sierra Nevada and reach the sea in an hour.
- Seville, Córdoba, Salamanca, home of Spain's oldest university, founded in 1218, and Santiago de Compostela (see the University of Santiago).
- Bilbao, San Sebastián and Oviedo for those who prefer the green, rainy north (see Erasmus in Bilbao).
Before you go
- Apply through your university's Erasmus call, checking partner institutions and language requirements (often B1 or B2 Spanish).
- Prepare the Learning Agreement with your coordinator, listing the courses to take abroad that will be recognised.
- Get a European Health Insurance Card and consider additional insurance.
- Look for accommodation early: halls of residence (colegios mayores), shared flats (pisos compartidos) through sites such as Idealista, Badi or Uniplaces, or Erasmus student groups.
The Erasmus+ grant is a monthly contribution of a few hundred euros, varying by country and programme year, sometimes topped up by universities, regions or for low-income students. It does not cover everything, especially in Madrid and Barcelona: plan your budget (see the cost of living).
On arrival
For stays over three months, EU students must register and obtain an NIE (see moving to Spain); many universities help with the paperwork. Join welcome events and ESN (Erasmus Student Network), which organises trips, parties and language exchanges. Spanish is learned quickly, but it is worth taking the university's language courses.
Spanish grades
In Spain grades run from 0 to 10, with a pass mark of 5:
| Spanish grade | Description |
|---|---|
| 0-4.9 | Suspenso (fail) |
| 5-6.9 | Aprobado (pass) |
| 7-8.9 | Notable (good) |
| 9-10 | Sobresaliente (excellent) |
| 10 with distinction | Matrícula de Honor |
Each home university applies its own conversion tables, often based on the statistical distribution of grades (ECTS system). At the end of your stay the Spanish university issues a Transcript of Records, to be handed to your Erasmus office for recognition.
Erasmus life
Late nights, tapas, parties and weekend trips: Spain is perfect for meeting people from all over Europe. Make the most of high-speed trains and low-cost flights to explore the country (see getting around Spain) and discover the local food and festivals.