Master's Degree in Spain

As one of the most visited countries in Europe, Spain does not attract tourists only; rather the country has become one of the most popular destinations for international students who want to pursue a degree abroad. 

Aside from the many advantages that come with studying in the sunny, vibrant country such as Spain, the biggest appeal is the affordable tuition and low living costs.The number of job opportunities during and after graduation along with the quality education are also some of the many reasons why Spain is a popular study abroad destination. 

Students wishing to pursue a master’s degree in Spain have a large number of options to choose from, considering Spain is home to some of the best and popular universities in Europe. 

However, the actual process of applying to study abroad can be quite difficult. This article will guide you through finding the ideal degree program and university for you, with detailed information to help you plan your studies accordingly.

Master’s Degree Programs and Admissions

First things first, before you jump into the application procedure, you must carefully decide on the university and degree that best suits your education expectations and goals. Whether you want to pursue a master’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Economics, Education, Linguistics, Law or Journalism, the options are endless, yet overwhelming.

Here are some of the best universities that offer master’s degree programs in Spain:

• University of Barcelona

• Pompeu Fabra University

• Autonomous University of Barcelona

• University of Navarra

• Autonomous University of Madrid

• Complutense University of Madrid

• University of Valencia

University of Barcelona

The University of Barcelona is one of the best universities in Spain, and as such an increasing number of both European and international students are enrolled at all degree levels each year. Specifically, there are more than 50 master’s degree programs available, and a large portion of those are offered entirely or partially in English, making it easier for international students who have no knowledge of Spanish. 

Here are a few of the master’s degree programs that the University of Barcelona offers: 

Pompeu Fabra University (PFU)

With 17% of the student body consisting of international students, the Pompeu Fabra University is a public university located in Barcelona. It is highly recognized for degrees in social sciences, humanities, health, life sciences, communication and ICT. Students will also have the opportunity to choose from one of the three campuses that PFU has across Barcelona such as Ciutadella, Poblenou, and Mar, depending on the degree program you choose. 

Here is a list of some of the many master’s programs available at PFU (mostly taught in English):

*The lectures are given in Spanish. Good knowledge of English is required for reading criminological articles.

Autonomous University of Barcelona

Only 25 minutes away from the center of Barcelona, the Autonomous University of Barcelona is a public university with 13 faculties mainly known for their department in translation and interpretation.

One of the main reasons why it is so popular especially among the master’s candidates is the large number of programs available, specifically 315. Another reason why it is considered a go-to for international students is that they offer many programs taught entirely in English. 

These are the master’s degree programs available at the Autonomous University of Barcelona:

University of Navarra

In contrast to the universities listed above, the University of Navarra is a private university. Founded in 1952, the University of Navarra is one of the most renowned higher education institutions in Spain. With around 14 faculties as part of the university, the University of Navarra offers more than 120 degrees. 

What makes the University of Navarra stand out is their partnerships with prestigious universities such as University of Washington, University of Edinburgh, and the University of Hong Kong. 

Listed below are some of the master’s degree programs available at the University of Navarra:

Autonomous University of Madrid

Located just outside the city of Madrid, students can easily access the city center by a commuting train. Some of the alumni that graduated from the Autonomous University of Madrid include former government ministers of Spain such as:

• Gaspar Llamazares (former leader of the United Left Party). 
• HM King Felipe VI of Spain (graduated with a degree in law).

The Autonomous University of Madrid offers a wide range of campus facilities to ease the stress of students including food courts, indoor and outdoor pools, medical service, beach volleyball and other sports courts, and more.

In the table below you can find a few master’s degree programs available at the Autonomous University of Madrid:

Complutense University of Madrid (UCM)

Another very popular university located in Madrid, the Complutense University of Madrid has a long history which makes it highly socially recognizable. The faculty of arts and humanities at this university is constantly top ranked among the best faculties in Europe and sometimes even in the whole world. 

The UCM is known for their distinguished professors who are highly committed to serving their students and helping them with their academic journey. They also provide students with hands-on training to prepare for the real world after graduation and pursue their dream career. 

Here are some of the master’s degree programs taught in English by UCM:

• English Linguistics: New Applications and International Communication

• Erasmus Mundus: Molecular Nano and Biophotonics for Telecommunications and Biotecnoligies/Nano
• Erasmus Mundus 4 Cities: Unica Euromaster in Urban Studies
• North American Studies

Here are a few of the rest master’s degree programs available at UCM:

• Faculty of Fine Arts:
• Art Education in Social and Cultural Institutions
• Cultural Heritage Conservation
• Design
• Research in Art and Creation
• Drawing and Contemporary Graphics
• Contemporary Sculpture

• Faculty of Education - Teacher Training Centre
• Art Therapy & Education for Social Inclusion.
• Faculty of Geography & History
• Advanced Studies in Museums and Historical-Artistic Heritage.
• Advanced Studies in the History of Spanish Art.
• Archaeological Research.
• Contemporary History.
• Cultural Heritage in the 21th Century: Management and Research.
• History and Anthropology of America.

• Faculty of Philology
• Audiovisual Translation and Localization.
• Classical Studies.
• Contemporary Studies on the Arab World and Muslim Communities: Social Mediation and Conflict Management.
• Digital Letters: Advances Studies in Electronic Textualities.
• English Linguistics: New Applications and International Communication.
• Latin-American Literature.
• Linguistics and Technologies.
• Literary Studies

University of Valencia

One of the oldest universities in Spain, the University of Valencia is a public institution with the study system mainly focused on research. The majority of the University of Valencia alumni have successfully found jobs immediately after graduation, highlighting the university’s high-quality education. The high chances of employability after graduation extend beyond Spain,but also Europe and worldwide. Moreover, the university comprises more than 50,000 students across its degree programs as of the latest enrollment data.

Below are some of the master's degree programs available at UCM: