9 Best Medical Schools in Spain For International Students

It has been a deliberate question to many if there are medical schools in Spain for international students. Although there have been blogs and articles in that context, this article gives a clearer and in-depth understanding that clears the question.

Spain, which is officially called the Kingdom of Spain (Spanish: Reino de España), is a country that is situated southwest of Europe with its territory extending to the Mediterranean Sea offshore in the Atlantic Ocean and northern Africa. 

Its province in the European continent is located on the Iberian Peninsula, and its insular province includes the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea, with several small islands in the Alboran Sea and the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. The Spanish province also includes semi-exclaves of Ceuta, Melilla, and Peñon de Vélez across the Strait of Gibraltar. 

The country’s landmass shares a border with Gibraltar, the Mediterranean Sea, France, the Bay of Biscay and Andorra, the Atlantic Ocean, and Portugal to the south, east, north, and west respectively.

With an expanse of 505,990 km2 (195,360 sq mi), Spain is known to be the vastest country in Southeastern Europe, ranked the second-largest country in Western Europe and the European Union, and has the place of the fourth-largest country by expanse on the European continent. With a total number of people exceeding 47.4 million, Spain has become the sixth-most populous country in Europe and the fourth-most populous country in the European Union. 

Spain has its capital as Madrid which is also its largest city. Other important metropolitan areas comprise Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Zaragoza, Málaga, Murcia, Palma de Mallorca, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, and Bilbao. In Spain, education is governed by the Ley Orgánica 8/2013, de 9 de Diciembre, para la Mejora de la Calidad educativa (LOMCE, Organic Law for the improvement of educational quality) that broadens with the introduction of  Article 27 of the Spanish Constitution in 1978. 

The education structure in Spain is necessary and unrestricted for all lasses from age bracket 6 to 16 years and is funded by the national government jointly with the governments of each of the country’s 17 autonomous communities. Primary school and secondary school are considered basic education in Spain.

These include Primaria (6–12 years old), which is the Spanish equivalent of elementary school and the first year of middle school, and Secundaria (12–16 years old), which would be a combination of the last two years of middle school and the first two years of High school in the United States.

Spain is operating towards improving vocational education and modernizing education to curtail and negate the surging unemployment rates. In 2020–21, it was recorded that Spain had a total number of 9,909,886 students. The largest faction is that of primary education, with a total Of 4,654,727 students followed by secondary education with a total of 2,730,036 and university students with a total number of  1,633,358 students.

The smallest faction belongs to those in vocational education, with 887,710 students. In Spain, higher education establishments are categorized according to whether they oversee university or non-university provisions. The latter is further subclassified into centers that deliver a series of advanced vocational training and specialized education.

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Is Spain Good For Studying Medicine?

Studying Medicine in Spain is absolutely a wonderful opportunity,  especially as Spain is known to be one of the most prominent places in Europe. Besides, Spain is known to have many attractions to people around the globe like its warm climate, the presence of high mountains to hike, the sight of the fascinating old buildings, narrow streets, wonderful coast with numerous beaches.  

Also, in Spain are tasty foods, good wines, very friendly people, and nice music. The medical studies are well structured with intensive practicals and hands-on training as seen in their course outline, with highly qualified medical professionals teaching in different medical universities. 

These universities are well-equipped to enhance and improve worthwhile education in the lives of medical students. Generally, Spain is known for a better quality of life and perfect education.

Can International Students Study Medicine In Spain

Yes, there are many top-notch and best medical schools in Spain for international students. Meanwhile, studying medicine in Spain, and in any other country as an international student, means he or she will have met the specific admission requirements, which are related to previous education, student visa, and language requirements. 

Students who have completed their previous education in other countries besides Spain should first apply to confirm their qualifications at the Spanish embassy in their countries.

More so, studying in Spain as an international student demands that the international students are familiarised with the Spanish language, considering that most programs are taught in Spanish.

How Much Does It Cost To Study In Spain For International Students

Studying medicine in Spain is relatively inexpensive and their fees quite reasonable, especially in comparison to larger international student learning centers, like the US. However, like it is generally known, there are significant differences between tuition fees in public and private universities. Generally, private universities have higher tuition fees across their degree programs.

About studying medicine in Spain for international students, it is fair to say Spanish universities have the lowest tuition fees in Europe. Particularly, undergraduate programs can range from 750 EUR to 2,500 EUR per year. In private universities, these programs can go as high as €20,000 per year.

Can I Study Medicine In Spain In English

Currently, few medical programs in Spain use the English language. Spain is popularly known for its language. So, it is expected that any student who wishes to study in Spain should at least have a common understanding of the Spanish language. 

Irrespective of the fact that Spain’s medical schools are respected internationally, if a student is fluent in different languages including the Spanish language, then Spain is considered the right country for the International student.

How To Study Medicine In Spain In English

Studying in Spain in English is a considerable preference when it comes to studying abroad. The country’s affluent cultural and historical ancestry plus the affordable cost of living in it makes it a choice for international students. Studying in English in Spain is no longer difficult especially now there are English cities.

Some courses are taught in English in Spain but they are very few, which is the reason why an international student should directly contact the university’s admission center to find out whether it offers its courses in English or not. 

Admission Requirements For Medical School In Spain

The necessary documents that are needed to apply successfully to the best medical schools in Spain for international students include

  • An official document that is approved by the student’s embassy or a certified copy that is displaying the student’s passport or a Spanish residence permit (if the student has one).

  • The student’s academic record, has the details of all the subjects the student studied, the years in which the student studied, and the degrees awarded.
  • A document that is issued and sealed by the department of choice in the student’s college, or university in which the student has studied for his or her degree.
  • The student’s certificates of the academic subjects/years include information like competencies, skills, number of credits carried, hours, or weeks for each semester.
  • A document that provides detailed information on the degree system used by the university that issued the document described above.
  • The curriculum of the degree taken by the applicant, with the subjects that compose it, and the duration of the course in academic years. It must bear the foreign university stamp.
  • Any other paper that is considered important to support the above.

Note:

The applicant’s documents have to be submitted from an authority or authorized official body and must be stamped.

The papers must be presented in Spanish or English with an official translation into Catalan if the papers issued are not presented in the Catalan language (for the University of Barcelona).  

9 Best Medical Schools In Spain For International Students 

In no special order, below is a list of nine (9) best medical academies in Spain for international students. They are: 

  • University of Barcelona
  • College of Navarr
  • College of Granada
  • College of Seville
  • University of Zaragoza
  • Pompeu Fabra University
  • The Complutense University of Madrid
  • University of Valencia
  • University of Salamanca

  1. University of Barcelona

The University of Barcelona is one of the best medical schools in Spain for international students that was created in 1450 and has been considered as Spain’s best medical institution. This institution is the best in Spain and has consistently ranked in the top 100 in the world, which makes it easy to determine where International students can further their education. 

The University of Barcelona is one of the best medical schools in Spain that is situated in Barcelona. Barcelona is popularly known as one of Spain’s most attractive and wild cities, where one may get the best education while being fascinated by the city’s beauty.

This university is one of the best medical schools in Spain for international students that place value on diversity, critical thinking, and research. International students enjoy a variety of student benefits in the form of scholarships, and they remain firm in their viewpoint that education comes first.

This is one of the best medical schools in Spain for International students where most lectures are in Spanish and Catalan. It is only a few courses that are totally in English at the University of Barcelona, and it has a population that is as large as over 5,000 international students. They give an understandable and practical teaching strategy as well as a welcoming learning atmosphere for all students.

See their website for more info

  1. College of Navarra

This is one of the best medical schools in Spain for international students. It was founded by St. Josemaria Escrivá de Balaguer as a private college in the year 1952.

Although the University of Navarra is known to be one of the best medical schools in Spain, it is also one of the best in the world. They take in international students and collaborate with some other universities in the world.

This university is one of the best medical schools in Spain for International students that also has a teaching hospital where medical students can receive practical experience under the supervision of well-known medical professionals and scholars.

Clinical education is offered to the students toward ensuring that they are prepared for any future issues. Because degrees from Spain are recognized worldwide, this mix of theoretical and clinical instruction may be useful in future employment searches.

See their website for more info

  1. College of Granada

The University of Granada is another distinguished school among the best medical schools in Spain for international students. It is one of Spain’s oldest universities, created in 1531. The university started way back in 1349 when it was popularly known as a school for calculus, geometry, logic, medicine, and astronomy.

The University of Granada is one of the best medical schools in Spain for international students that has about 47,000 students, with over 4,000 of them being international students. They teach some English education, but the majority of subjects are still taught in Spanish.

See their website for more info

  1. College of Seville

The University of Seville, initially known as Colegio de Santa Mara de Jess, was founded in 1505 and has been one of Spain’s most prestigious educational institutions for nearly 500 years, delivering high-quality education and experience. 

This university is also a museum, with an incredible legacy and history depicted in immaculately preserved artifacts. It is one of the best medical schools in Spain for international students. 

The university’s slogan is “Equality, liberty, justice, and pluralism,” and to that end, international students, instructors, and staff are welcome. They also work with several hospitals and universities, including Harvard which can be quite beneficial for students who desire to continue their studies here.

See their website for more info

  1. University of Zaragoza

Although Zaragoza University was founded in 1542, it has been existing since the 12th century. They are currently proudly recognized as one of Spain’s leading technical innovation centers, attracting students and scientists to this university. 

It is also one of the best medical schools in Spain. They offer Spanish classes to international students, which implies that the language is developed to fulfill the needs of a full beginner. Because this is one of the only colleges in Spain with such advantages, it’s no wonder that they have nearly 2,000 international students.

See their website for more info

  1. Pompeu Fabra University

Pompeu Fabra, another prominent and one of the best medical schools in Spain for international students, is a public university founded by the Autonomous Government of Catalonia in 1990. Its name is a tribute to the linguist and Catalan language expert Pompeu Fabra. 

This university is well-known around the world and is one of Spain’s top three universities, alongside the University of Barcelona and the Complutense University of Madrid. The medical degree is delivered in a multidisciplinary context in collaboration with the Autonomous University of Barcelona. 

It is located on the Parc de Salut Mar site, which also houses key research centers including the Hospital del Mar and the Parc de Recerca Biomédica de Barcelona. This program accepts a small number of students each year – approximately 60.

See their website for more info

  1. The Complutense University of Madrid

Complutense University is another great university on this list of best medical schools in Spain for international students. It was founded in Alcalá in 1293 and moved to Madrid in 1836, making it one of the world’s oldest institutions. 

It is a large university with approximately 86,000 students and a diverse range of disciplines offered on a sprawling campus in Madrid’s Ciudad Universitaria region. The Hospital Clinico Universitario de San Carlos, Hospital Gregorio Maranon, and Hospital 12 October are all run by the School of Medicine. 

On-campus, several specialty clinics work in collaboration with the Ministry of Health or conduct specific research for the Ministry. As a result, the School of Medicine collaborates closely with the government and receives substantial financing as a result.

There are several entry choices for Complutense University, depending on where you received your high school diploma. To complete the full-time degree, there are entrance examinations and a prerequisite to speak fluent Spanish.

See their website for more info

  1. University of Valencia

The University of Valencia is a renowned academic institution in Spain and one of the country’s oldest universities. It was founded in 1499 and is based in Valencia. It has three campuses, one of which is the Faculty of Medicine, which is located on Avenida de Blasco Ibanez.

The University of Valencia is one of the best medical schools in Spain for international students. The medical degree is offered full-time over six years, with classes delivered in a mix of Spanish, Valencian, and English.

On the one hand, it emphasizes knowing the fundamentals of biology and the relevance of humans’ relationships with their physical and social environments, while on the other, it emphasizes gaining a high level of clinical experience.

See their website for more info

  1. University of Salamanca

This is another distinguished university that is on the list of best medical schools in Spain for international students. This institution is one of the oldest institutions in the world, the Hispanic world to be precise, with its origin to be dated as far as 1134. 

Salamanca University has a long history of distinguished graduates and strong religious ties, but it has gradually become more secular over time. Salamanca today has the biggest number of students from all across Spain, as well as a sizable international student population. A Cancer Scientific Center, the Castile and Leon Institute of Neuroscience, and the Ultrashort Ultraintense Pulse Lasers Center are among the research institutions that support education.

See their website for more info

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