Master’s in Spain for Indian Students: Top Universities, Popular Courses & Career
Spain is a popular European country for pursuing higher education at much affordable cost. Spain facilitates international students to learn a different language, live a unique lifestyle, and appreciate a different culture, which is hard to find anywhere in the world.
In this blog, we have discussed pursuing master’s courses in Spain for Indian students, including top institutes, tuition fees, application process, career and much more.
- Master’s in Spain for Indian Students: Introduction
- Top Universities in Spain for Master’s Courses
- Study Intakes in Spain 2025
- Popular Master’s Courses in Spain
- Eligibility Criteria to Pursue Master’s in Spain for Indian Students
- Documents Required for Master’s in Spain for Indian Students
- Steps to Apply for a Master’s Course in Spain
- Post-Study Work Visa in Spain
- Highest Paying Jobs after Master’s in Spain for Indian Students
- Cost of Living in Spain
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Master’s in Spain for Indian Students: Introduction
A master’s program offers specialised knowledge and skills relevant to the field of study, e.g., science, engineering, business management, humanities, etc.
There are about 89 universities in Spain, out of which 50 are run by the government, whereas 39 are privately funded. The average duration of a master’s program in Spain for Indian students ranges from 1-2 years, depending on the university and course.
Spain is also well known for its rich cultural heritage, architectural landscape, and marvellous beauty, which attract thousands of international students from all over the world every year.
Top Universities in Spain for Master’s Courses
Some of the top universities in Spain for master’s courses are tabulated below, along with their QS World University Rankings 2025 and average tuition fees.
| University | QS World University Rankings 2025 | Average Annual Tuition Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Complutense University of Madrid | 164 | EUR 200 |
| Universitat de Barcelona | 165 | EUR 498 |
| Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona | 175 | EUR 4,500 |
| Universidad Autónoma de Madrid | 198 | EUR 5,079 |
| Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Barcelona) | 265 | EUR 5,749 |
| Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) | 285 | EUR 338 |
| Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) | 321 | EUR 338 |
| Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech (UPC) | 371 | EUR 6,600 |
| University of Granada | 431 | EUR 821-1,232 |
| IE University | 435 | EUR 25,000 |
| Mondragon University | - | EUR 8,700-10,300 |
| University of Deusto | - | EUR 5,650-41,500 |
Study Intakes in Spain 2025
The most popular study intake in Spain is fall intake, which usually commences in September every year. On the other hand, spring intake commences in January-February every year.
| Intakes | Application Duration | Commencement of Class |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Intake | September 2024-June 2025 | September/October 2025 |
| Spring Intake | October-December 2024 | January/February 2025 |
Popular Master’s Courses in Spain
Job roles in Canada attract lakhs of international students every year. Some popular roles help students gain financial independence, explore diversified fields & work in the top MNCs of the world. Internship opportunities and part-time work help international students manage their expenses readily. All these pull factors make Canada one of the most popular destinations among students. Some of the popular roles & fields in Canada are listed below:
Business & Management
- Human Resource Manager: Human resource managers are responsible for employee training, and tracking their employee progress. They also focus on addressing employees’ concerns and implementing & managing appraisal systems. The average salary of an HR manager falls from CAD 80,000-120,000 (INR 50-75 lakhs).
- Financial Analyst: A financial analyst focuses on creating financial models to predict outcomes, assess risk & assist in decision-making for investments, mergers, & other financial activities. A financial analyst also oversees presentations & analyses financial data such as statements, market trends, & economic trends. The salary of a financial analyst falls from CAD 70,000-100,000 (INR 44-62 lakhs).
- Business Development Executive: A business development executive is responsible for conducting market research, leading generation, monitoring performance & reporting. An average salary received by a BDE falls from CAD 91,000-130,000 (INR 57-80 lakhs).
Humanities & Social Science
- Linguistic Researcher: Linguistic researchers are responsible for analysing the structure of languages, including phonology, morphology, & semantics. They also focus on gathering data through fieldwork, experiments, surveys, or from existing texts & databases. The average salary of a linguistic researcher is CAD 85,000-93,000 (INR 53-58 lakhs).
- Historian: A historian’s responsibilities include research, source evaluation, teaching, and giving public lectures. They also interpret and analyse historical data, advocate for preservation, and participate in preservation. The salary range for a historian is CAD 115,000-150,000 (INR 72-93 lakhs).
- Sociologist: A sociologist focuses on surveying policies, studying societal structures, and suggesting changes in existing structures. Sociologists are also responsible for teaching in universities/colleges & conducting campaigns, seminars, and presenting research papers. A sociologist earns an average salary of CAD 61,000-98,000 (INR 38-60 lakhs).
As discussed above, Spanish universities provide top-quality academic and research opportunities to international students in fields like science, humanities, arts, business management, engineering and technology, etc. The academic curriculum in Spain is designed to help students develop their creative thinking, communication abilities, leadership qualities, critical thinking skills, etc., by exposing them to real-life challenges. Some of the most popular master’s courses in Spain are listed below.
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Master’s in Finance
- Master’s in Tourism & Hospitality Management
- Master’s in Computer Science
- Master’s in Architecture
- MAaster’s in Data Science
- Master’s in Product Management
- Master’s in Nanotechnology
- Master’s in Electrical Engineering
- Master’s in Product Management
- Master’s in Biomedical Engineering
Eligibility Criteria to Pursue Master’s in Spain for Indian Students
Some of the general entry requirements for Indian students to pursue a master’s in Spain are given below. It should be noted that there might be specific requirements for each university and course.
- First-class bachelor’s degree of 3-4 years, obtained from a government-recognised university.
- Candidate must hold a citizenship of India.
- Proficiency in the English language.
Documents Required for Master’s in Spain for Indian Students
To proceed with the application, certain documents are required to authenticate the eligibility criteria. A general list of the required documents is given below. However, they may vary depending on the university and the specific course requirements.
- Academic transcripts of previous qualifications (marksheets, passing certificates, degree certificates, etc.)
- Certificate of DELE test (Diploma de Espanol Como Lengua Extranera), if required.
- English language proficiency scorecards (TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo etc.)
- Scorecard of standardised tests such as GMAT and GRE (if required)
- University in-house test/entrance test scorecard
- University application form
- 1 CV/Resume
- Passport
- 2 recent passport-size photograph
- 2-3 Letters of recommendation
- 1-2 Statements of purpose
- Last 6 months’ bank account statement (if required)
- Declaration/consent letter from the parents (in case student is a minor)
Steps to Apply for a Master’s Course in Spain
The application process for the particular course and university generally depends on the type of intake. Students must prepare to apply for the master’s courses in Spain at least 1-1.5 years before the commencement of the classes to avoid chaos at the end. Here, we have listed some important steps which can help applicants.
- Shortlist at least 6-7 universities providing the desired master’s program, depending on the academic reputation of the institute, tuition fees, location, etc.
- Explore the specifications of the desired course, such as tuition fees, career, entry requirements, etc.
- Appear in standardised tests such as GMAT or GRE and English proficiency tests such as TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, and other required university in-house or entrance exams to acquire eligibility.
- Fill out the university application and upload the required documents.
- Pay the application fee, if applicable.
- After submission of the application form, the university usually responds to applicants within 2-7 weeks for the second round of evaluation.
- The second round of evaluation might include online or offline interviews.
- After the successful interview, candidates will get an offer letter, after which they have to deposit the tuition fees in installments.
- Now, they can proceed with the visa application process.
Post-Study Work Visa in Spain
Spain provides a non-extendable 2-year post-study work visa to Indian graduates after the completion of their studies so that they can stay in the country for searching suitable employment or start some business project. However, they are not allowed to work during that period. It was amended by law, which came into force on April 12th, 2023.
Eligibility
- The applicant must hold a study visa or an extension thereof.
- The applicant must have completed their studies in a government-accredited Spanish university.
- The applicant must have public or private health insurance.
Documents Required for Post-Study Work Visa
- Duly completed application form.
- Proof of sufficient funds to cover expenses
- Previous academic documents (passing certificates/transcripts/degree certificates)
- Passport
- Documents of health insurance
How to Apply?
Indian graduates can apply for a post-study work visa on the Mercurio Iniciales Immigration platform during the 60 calendar days prior to the expiry of their study permit.
Exceptions
- Family cannot accompany graduates until they have already accompanied them during their stay for studies in Spain.
- Graduates are not allowed to work during the validity of residence permit for job search.
Highest Paying Jobs after Master’s in Spain for Indian Students
Some of the highest paying jobs after a master’s in Spain for Indian students are tabulated below, along with their job roles and average annual salary.
| Job Roles | Average Salary (Per Year) |
|---|---|
| Doctor | EUR 102,000-105,000 (INR 91 Lakhs-1 Crore) |
| Surgeon | EUR 114,720-120,000 (INR 1 Crore-2 Crore) |
| Barrister | EUR 132,000-140,000 (INR 1 Crore-2 Crore) |
| Lawyers | EUR 84,000-95,000 (INR 80 Lakhs-90 Lakhs) |
| Bank Manager | €72000-90,000 (INR 55 Lakhs-75 lakhs) |
| Chief Financial Officer | €82,800-95,000 (INR 70 Lakhs-90 Lakhs) |
| Orthodontist | €138,000-145,000 (INR 1 crore-2 Crore) |
| Pilot | €80,000-95,000 (INR 75 Lakhs-90 lakhs) |
| Academicians | €120,000-125,000 (INR 1 crore-2 Crore) |
| Mechanical Engineer | €115,000-120,000 (INR 1 crore-2 Crore) |
Cost of Living in Spain
On average, the cost of living in Spain for Indian students ranges from EUR 900-1,200 or INR 84,000-1.12 Lakh per month. It depends on the living conditions, amenities requirements, location, local taxes, etc.
In major cities like Madrid and Barcelona, the expenses can shoot up. Below, we have tabulated the average living expenses for Indian students in Spain.
| Type of Expenses | Expenses (Per Month) |
|---|---|
| Accommodation Rent | EUR 400-650 (INR 37,560-61,035) |
| Meals | EUR 350-500 (INR 32,000-46,000) |
| Transportation | EUR 80-100 (INR 7,000-9,000) |
| Utilities | EUR 50-70 (INR 4,000-6,000) |
| Leisure/Entertainment | EUR 100-150 (INR 9,000-14,000) |
Conclusion
Pursuing a master’s in Spain for Indian students is more affordable compared to other major European countries like the UK and France. With 89 universities in the country, students get access to top-notch education, quality research and high-paying employment opportunities.
STEM, economics, business management, creative arts, etc., are some of the popular fields of study in the country that promote the personal and professional growth of a student.
The academic year in Spain usually commences in September-October every year, which marks the start of fall intake. To facilitate student enrollment, universities provide several internships and part-time work opportunities to help them afford their stay in the country.
FAQs
What is the duration of a master’s in Spain?
A master’s in Spain for Indian students can take around 10–24 months to complete and represent between 60-120 ECTS credits.
Can an Indian student work part-time in Spain?
During the academic tenure, students can work up to 20 hours per week. The length of the part-time work contract should not be longer than the study visa timeframe.
Do Spanish universities need IELTS?
Indian students are required to submit their IELTS scorecard if they have completed their previous academic course in a language other than English.
How easy is it to get a part-time job while pursuing a master’s in Spain?
A part-time job in Spain can be obtained by actively seeking employment through external sources, such as Xpat Jobs, Reed, The Local, and EURES. Additionally, they can approach the university’s career development team for further assistance.
How long can I stay in Spain after my master's?
After completing a master’s in Spain, students can stay up to 12 months to search for employment opportunities or launch their entrepreneurial program in the country.
If you are an aspirant looking to study at your dream university, book an appointment with AdmitX today and start your applications early to avail yourself of all the benefits.
