MBBS in Spain – Fees, Universities, Requirements & More

Updated on 20 February, 2024

The majority of international students consider countries such as the US, UK, Australia, and Canada for pursuing higher education. However, Spain has also made its place the ideal destination globally. 

Pursuing medicine in Spain opens suitable career pathways for medical students. Being home to the best clinical schools that train the students with the right skill set required to set foot in the practical world, Spain welcomes thousands of students every year. The country is known for its flexible and well-structured educational system that offers the students a chance to choose from numerous degree programs. 

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Study Medicine in Spain: Course Highlights

Being one of the most significant countries of the European Union that international bodies have accredited, Spain universities offer affordable education. The country’s education system provides top-notch clinical training that prepares the students for the real world. 

The table below shows some critical course highlights. 

Duration  5 years+ 1-year internship
Mode of instruction Spanish, English
Average salary after MBBS 3,960 EUR/month

MBBS in Spain: Curriculum

Similar to most EU countries, the Spanish medical curriculum lasts for six years. It includes 360 ECTS, wherein 1 ECTS equals ten classroom hours and 15 student workload hours. The year-wise curriculum followed by Spanish universities is given in the table below. 

Year  Curriculum
First and Second Year The first two years of medicine in Spain focus on offering preclinical studies or basic training to the students. They include subjects like Anatomy, Biology, Biochemistry, Physiology, Bioethics, Biophysics
Third to Fifth Year. During the third to fifth year, students learn compulsory clinical subjects, including histology, immunology, pharmacology, genetics, radiology, and Surgery. 
Sixth Year The last year includes clinical rotations where students are given exposure to hospitals, state clinics, and community centres.

Top Universities in Spain for MBBS

Before we dive into the details of studying in Spain, let’s start by knowing about the top universities for MBBS first.

University  QS Ranking 2022 
University of Barcelona 168
Autonomous University of Barcelona 209
Complutense University of Madrid 223
Pompeu Fabra University 248
University of Navarra 266
University of Granada 492
University of Zaragoza 531 to 550
University of Seville 551 to 560
University of Valencia 571 to 580 
University of Salamanca 651 to 700 

Source: QS World University Ranking

Course Intakes in of Medicine Programs in Spain 

The two intakes that Spain offers are given in the table below 

Intake Admission cycle  Application deadline
Fall intake: The fall intake in Spain starts in October.  There are two admission cycles for this intake. The first one falls in early June, and another falls in early September.  The application deadline for the first admission cycle is the first week of June. Whereas the application deadline for another admission cycle in September is the first week of September.
Spring intake: The spring intake in Spain starts in January.  The admissions for Spring intake open in early December  The first week of December

Medicine Programs in Spain for Undergraduates

Category  Duration 
Medicine  6 years 
Neuroscience 4 years 
Dentistry  5 years 
Optics and Optometry 4 years 
Podiatry 4 years 
Nutrition and Dietetics 4 years 

Eligibility Criteria for Medicine Program in Spain 

To be eligible to apply for MBBS in Spain, the applicant must 

  • Be of 18 years of age before commencing the program,
  • Clear the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) test before applying for the course,
  • Fulfil the English language proficiency requirements (IELTS, TOEFL)
  • Qualify for the National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET) exam 

Note: Some specific universities like the University of Navarra and CEU Cardenal Herrera University may also require candidates to take the BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT)

Entry Requirements for Medicine Programs in Spain

To get admission into medical universities in Spain, the students must submit the required documents such as

  • Copy of the Passport
  • Passport Size Photographs
  • Educational transcripts
  • Birth Certificate
  • Medical Certificate
  • NEET Report Card
  • Proof of finances 
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Letter of Recommendation 
  • English language proficiency test scores (TOEFL, Cambridge, and PTE

Since the medium of instruction of the majority of medical schools in Spain is Spanish, students need to prove their proficiency with the Spanish language. The certifications that universities accept include

  • Diploma of Spanish
  • Approved Certificates (UNICERT/CLES)
  • The European Language Certificate

Application Process for MBBS in Spain for International Students.

To apply for MBBS in Spain, students can follow the steps given below 

  • Choose a suitable university 
  • Fill in the application form on the official website of the university
  • Pay the application fee
  • If their application gets accepted, the students will receive an offer letter 
  • Upon receiving this offer letter, they must pay the acceptance fee to ensure that they have accepted the offer letter.
  • Does the final step involve applying for a student visa?
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Who Should Study Medicine in Spain? 

Those looking for global exposure in one of the world’s biggest and most flourishing healthcare economies should aim for Spain. Also, it is for those who want to study at comparatively affordable rates. Spain also offers suitable training and a globally recognized degree that will come in handy if you wish to build a global career in the future. 

Why study MBBS in Spain? 

There are many reasons for studying MBBS in Spain including the following: 

1. Student-friendly campuses with good infrastructure and facilities. 

2. Highly-ranked universities for medicine with global accreditation. 

3. Innovative curriculum that is built around hands-on learning methods. 

4. Qualified and experienced teachers. 

5. Comparatively affordable medical courses in Spain than many other countries. 

MBBS in Spain: Tuition Fees

The tuition fees of private universities in Spain are slightly higher than public universities. The table below shows the range of each university. 

University  Tuition fee
Public university  € 150 to 3,500/year
Private university  € 20,000 to 30,000/year

Source: masters portal 

Cost of Living in Spain

The cost of living covers the accommodation costs, utilities, transportation, and food expenses.

Though the cost of living in Spain depends on the city you want to live in, the average costs for each category are mentioned in the table below. 

Category Costs 
Accommodation costs

On-campus accommodation – € 360 to 650/month 

 

Off-campus accommodation – € 200 to 1,000/month  

Utility costs  €115/ month
Food expenses  € 200 to 400/ month 
Transportation costs  € 42 to 54/ month 

Other costs 

 

Health insurance

Books 

€ 70 to 180/year

 

€ 900/year

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Scholarships for MBBS in Spain

Here are the scholarship options available for students: 

1. Spanish Studies Abroad Financial Aid

This scholarship is merit-based and given to those sharing their personal life story that demonstrates dedication to learning Spanish and how they have tried to learn the same, in 400-500 words. The award amount is roughly $500-1,500 (approximately INR 37,500-1,12,500). 

2. MOPGA Scholarships

The Make Our Planet Great Again Scholarships offer 1,190 Euros (INR 1.01 lakh) per month to students for 12-24 months. 

Universities may also offer their respective grants and financial aid to students in need.

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Job Prospects and Salary of MBBS in Spain

Full-time doctors at public hospitals may earn up to 4,130 Euros each month or. They may make up to 4,852 Euros per month, without including bonuses and other allowances, including overtime.

Aspiring doctors will have to go through appropriate licensing for working in Spain. They can expect rewarding careers in Spain’s healthcare system, encompassing public and private hospitals, medical research centres, and other establishments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the MBBS course duration in Spain?

The course duration of MBBS in Spain is six years. The last year includes clinical rotations in which the students gain practical experience by working with hospitals, state clinics, and community centers

Is Spain a good place to study medicine?

Yes, Spain is a good place to study medicine. Being a home to top universities of medicine, the country offers six types of medical programs. These programs are comparatively cheaper than other study destinations.

What is the average salary after pursuing MBBS in Spain?

The average salary that MBBS graduates can monthly earn in Spain is around 3,960 EUR, including housing, transport, and other benefits.

What is the medium of instruction for medical degrees in Spain?

The medium of instruction of most medical universities in Spain is Spanish. However, certain universities offer English-taught courses. These universities are the University of Barcelona, Autonomous University of Madrid, Autonomous University of Barcelona, University of Navarra, and the Complutense University of Madrid.

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Yashita Sinha

An aspiring writer making the most out of every opportunity and growing from challenges on the way. Yashita is a mass communication graduate who has tried her hands on freelancing, worked as a creative content writer and has now stepped into the corporate

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