Spain is one of the top countries for Nigerians to study abroad, particularly because it has fewer foreign language barriers compared to other EU countries and offers faster visa processing times. If you’re looking to study in Spain, you probably have many questions in mind, whether concerning the fees, accommodation, work opportunities for students, requirements, or application process.
This guide covers everything you need to know before choosing Spain as your study destination and walks you through how to successfully secure a spot, based on our expertise as a leading travel agency in Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria. Here, at Dex Travl, we’re committed to helping international students from Nigeria secure admission for any program or course in Europe (Malta, Germany, Luxembourg, etc.) and beyond.
Reasons to study abroad in Spain
Below are the top benefits of studying in Spain compared to other popular study destinations, such as the U.S.A., Australia, Canada, and the U.K.:
- Affordable tuition fees, which costs between £4,000 and £7,000 for most programs.
- Pleasant weather, often known for being warm and sunny.
- Cultural diversity and friendly residents.
- Can apply without IELTS test score report, depending on your preferred program’s language of instruction.
- Low living expenses for international students.
- High visa approval rate of 97%.
- Competitive work hours, up to 30 hours per week.
- Availability of family reunification visa for dependents.
- Less language barrier for studies in major cities of Spain, such as Madrid and Barcelona.
- Diplomatic representations in Abuja and Lagos, Nigeria.
Tuition fees of popular programs in Spain
Just like every other country in the world, tuition fees vary in Spain, depending on the school and program you want to enroll in. Here are the current fees for the most-enrolled programs by international students in Spain:
| Programs | Program duration | Tuition cost |
| Global MBA + Marketing | One year | £7,000 |
| Ms in Web App Development | 1 or 2 years | £6,000 |
| Ms in Administration and Finance | 1 or 2 years | £6,000 |
| Ms in Teacher of Primary Education | 1 or 2 years | £6,000 |
| Diploma in Spanish language | One year | £4,000 |
Students can pay tuition fees in two installments. You must make a tuition deposit of at least 50% when you receive an admission offer letter from the institution. The second instalment is payable once your visa is approved, before traveling to Spain.
Top 5 Universities in Spain
Here’s a brief description of the best universities in Spain, according to Times Higher Education (THE):
1. University of Barcelona
Founded in November 1450, the University of Barcelona is the #1 higher education institution in Spain and #149 in the world, according to THE’s report of World’s University Ranking as of 2025. They accept Nigerians and other international students into various academic programs, including Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD.
2. Pompeu Fabra University
Established in June 1990, Pompeu Fabra University is another good school you can apply to for your degree studies. They offer English-taught programs across several fields, including Information Technology, Humanities, Social Sciences, Health, and Life Sciences. THE current ranks them 176 in the world.
3. Autonomous University of Barcelona
Founded in June 1968, UAB is a reputable university in Spain, with a world ranking of 199 of over 1,500 higher education institutions worldwide. They have 13 faculties, through which they offer English-taught instructions and award degrees in Arts and Humanities, Medicine, Biosciences, Communication, and so forth.
4. University of Navarra
Established in October 1952, the University of Navarra awards degrees in over 120 subject areas and accepts international students from different world regions. They have four campuses in Spain, offering a vast number of degree and professional programs that are open to all nationalities.
5. Autonomous University of Madrid
Founded in June 1968, UAM is one of Europe’s most prestigious universities, and among the best institutions to study law, nursing, biology, medicine, and physics in Spain. They offer 50 undergraduate degrees, 87 master’s degrees, and 34 doctoral programs across different disciplines.
Our travel consultants at Dex Travel can help you secure admission into any of these schools whenever you are ready. Before then, you can reach out to us to check your eligibility for any institution or program you have in mind.
Cost of living in Spain for international students
Budget the following expenses as you’re planning to study in Spain from Nigeria:
- Tuition Fees: €4,000 – €7,000 per year, depending on your course and school.
- Food and groceries: €150 to €300, depending on family size, season, and lifestyle.
- Student housing or accommodation: From €250 per month.
- Private health insurance: €25 to €50 per month.
- Public transportation costs: Around €50 per month.
- Utility bills, including internet plan: About €100 per month.
- Telephone bill: €30 per month.
- Student visa application: €60 to €80, depending on the embassy or consulate general’s service charge.
- Flight to Madrid, Spain (round-trip): Currently costs ₦1,100,000 for a one-stop flight, and varies depending on the cabin class, time of travel, and inflation.
- Student residence permit: Approximately €20.