With its sun-soaked southern beaches and fishing ports, green mountains, and dramatic coasts to the north, Spain has something for every study abroad dream. You can hit the books in cities rich with history and culture or get into local life in quaint small towns, complete with medieval walls or seaside views.
Spain comes through for students seeking affordable living, culinary delights, and resume-enhancing academics. But it’s not just programs focused on Spanish immersion that set Spain apart as a top study abroad destination. You can study in Spain in English too—and treat yourself to a variety of courses that keep you moving toward your graduation requirements without missing a beat.
From STEM subjects to art history to international relations with a dash of Spanish immersion (and maybe some wine and tapas) on the side, Spain’s assortment of programs with English-taught courses put studying abroad in reach for any student.
How to Study in Spain in English
Studying in Spain in English is possible!
Whether you’re looking to immerse yourself in a hub of culture, politics, and history by studying abroad in Madrid or searching for charming student cities like Seville or Salamanca, Spain makes it easy to take courses in English while getting the full study abroad experience. Here’s how to make it happen:
1. Find programs with courses in English
First things first: You’ll need to identify programs that have courses you want to take. Many of the best study abroad programs in Spain focus on intensive language immersion or offer subject courses in Spanish. You’ll also be able to find a wide range of programs that let you sign up for a full courseload of English-taught classes.
Get started by asking your study abroad advisor about programs approved by your university that’ll let you study in Spain in English. And while at it, do some research on programs that intrigue you to see if they have interesting courses that keep you on track for your degree.
You might also consider programs that offer most courses in English with the option to take a Spanish course at your level. That way, you can immerse yourself more in the culture while still taking the courses you need in English.
2. Choose a location in Spain
Where you decide to study abroad will have a huge impact on your overall experience. Fortunately, you can study in Spain in English in a number of great study abroad destinations.
From the capital city Madrid to cosmopolitan Barcelona, Spain boasts cities popular with international students where you can get by speaking English while you’re out and about. You can also consider traditional cities like Seville and Granada for top-notch academics and a deep dive into Spanish culture, or go a bit further off the beaten path to regions like the Basque Country.
Looking for a study abroad program can be easier with friends or in a session.
3. Figure out who offers courses taught in English
Research American universities, providers that offer courses in English, and Spanish universities with English-language programs
The more choices you have, the more likely you’ll find something that meets your needs—and you certainly have choices when it comes to programs in Spain that offer courses in English. You’ll find American universities with campuses or programs in Spain as well as Spanish universities with a wide range of courses that fit the bill.
Many study abroad providers conduct programs in Spain in English, too. Research the possibilities and think about the type of experience you want before you start applying.
4. Carefully assess your accommodation options
Different programs may come with different student housing options, so consider if the program you have your eye on has the right type of housing for you. Some programs may even offer more than one choice.
Living with other students in your program can make things easier if you’re worried about using Spanish in your day-to-day life. A homestay will force you to use the language more, but that might not be a bad thing! Living with a host family can be a great way to get in some Spanish practice without the pressure of getting graded for classes in the language.
5. Decide when to study abroad
Once you have a sense of programs that let you study in Spain in English and places you might like to study, you can figure out when you should study abroad. Finding programs that meet your needs will also help you narrow down how long you should study abroad.
Many fall and spring semester (and even academic year) opportunities offer enough courses in English for you to fill your schedule. But if you can only find one or two applicable courses you want to take in English in Spain, don’t write off shorter summer or winter programs—they’re totally worth it!
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3 ways to study in Spain in English
Spain has so much to offer international students!
Figuring out how to study in Spain in English starts with researching programs that offer the courses you need. Fortunately, this country has you covered with English-language study options all over the map. You’ll find programs focusing on a range of subjects, too, so you can live out your dream of studying in Spain no matter your major. These are three of our top picks:
1. IES Abroad Madrid – Engineering, Math & Science
- Why it’s great: Think you can’t study abroad and take classes for your STEM major? Madrid will have you rethinking those expectations. This program makes finding engineering, math, or science courses a breeze so you can stay on track for graduation back home while experiencing all that the Spanish capital offers to students. When you’re not in class, you’ll have the city’s museums and galleries, parks and palaces, and traditional cuisine (not to mention bustling nightlife) to keep you busy.
- Where? Madrid
- Read IES Abroad reviews
2. CIEE Business and Culture in Barcelona, Spain
- Why it’s great: You don’t need to choose between city life and beachside paradise when you study abroad in Barcelona. The city known for stunning architecture and gorgeous weather also makes for an ideal place to earn credits in a range of subjects. Barcelona’s reputation as a startup hub and center of culture means it’s particularly suited to students interested in those subjects, and the chance to complement your study abroad semester with an internship or a volunteer opportunity lets you immerse yourself in local life even more.
- Where? Barcelona
- Read CIEE Study Abroad reviews
Seville is a complete gem tucked away in Spain.
3. Study in Seville, Spain with World Endeavors
- Why it’s great: Andalusia’s capital city offers an affordable destination complete with opportunities for cultural immersion around every corner. Courses available in both English and Spanish let you customize your experience while enjoying the impressive architecture and all those tasty tapas that come with studying abroad in Seville. You don’t need to come in speaking Spanish to take classes at Universidad Pablo de Olavide, a public university with a close-knit community, but you’ll have plenty of opportunities to boost your language skills while taking courses taught in English.
- Where? Seville
- Read World Endeavors reviews
Why you should consider learning Spanish
Even if you’re set on taking all your classes in English, making an effort to learn some Spanish while you’re studying abroad can only enhance your experience. You can be a more thoughtful, responsible traveler with some basic words and phrases in your back pocket.
You’ll also reap the benefits. Learning the language can help you make friends while you’re traveling, gain a deeper understanding of the culture, and grow in your career down the road.
Some programs may offer (or require) a language course in addition to their courses taught in English. Whether you’re required to take a Spanish class or not, signing up is a good move—learning a language abroad is one of the best ways to learn. Make the most of the opportunity to practice your Spanish in Spain, no matter the level you’re at when you first arrive.
Explore English-speaking study abroad programs in Spain
Whether you speak a lot of Spanish (or none at all), there’s a program for you!
Experience all the fun awaiting you in Spain!
Maybe you’ve had plenty of Spanish practice but want to take courses for your major while getting some language immersion in your daily life. Maybe hola and gracias are completely new to you. Whatever your reasons for studying in Spain in English, you’ll quickly see how studying abroad impacts your life for the better when you study abroad in Spain.
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