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Studying in Madrid | Discover How to Live in Spain’s Capital City!
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Studying in Madrid | Discover How to Live in Spain’s Capital City!

Charlotte Koks
Charlotte Koks

If you haven’t done it yet, this is your opportunity to study abroad. Taking this step is what you need to succeed like the best. And, we assure you that while studying in Madrid, adventure, fun, and growth will be easy to achieve.

Madrid is a Spanish city full of extraordinary opportunities. After all, it is the national capital of a gorgeous country. On the one hand, its institutions have a strong reputation in and out of Europe. Also, Madrid is full of cultural life, party nights, and a multicultural atmosphere.

For many reasons, studying in Madrid is simply a great idea. To help you achieve your goal, we will tell you the steps to take to study in Spain. Additionally, we will tell you what to do to study and work in Spain, and… keep reading! We have a surprise for you at the end of this post.

4 Reasons why you should be studying in Madrid

young people in Madrid

We’ve already said that as the national capital of Spain, there is a wide range of things to do in Madrid. Going to the movies, the theater, or visiting museums are just a few examples. The city also offers high-quality education, with world-class universities and private schools. Also, it is well known that people from Madrid really know how to party!

Thus, we have made a list of 5 reasons why you should study in Madrid. When you finish this post, it will be crystal-clear why this capital city may be your ideal destination to study abroad. Let’s begin!

1. Madrid is a student city

Madrid has been attracting students throughout the years. This is not surprising since education in Madrid invests in innovation and technology, which means that students have access to state-of-the-art education and more professional opportunities.

Besides, schools in Madrid are closely monitored by the government, which guarantees higher academic standards. We believe that this is why four local universities are in the ranking of the best institutions in the country and worldwide.

The most important universities are the Polytechnical University, the Complutense, the Autonomous University of Madrid, and the King Juan Carlos University. The academic authorities are committed to keeping up the educational system to offer top-quality programs.

Also, these institutions are famous for their history and innovation and because the study programs are regularly updated. The quality of the teaching staff is remarkable as well. School and university teachers in Madrid are highly prepared and qualified.

If that is not enough for you, some Madrid-based institutions offer financial support and scholarships for national and international students. This means that if you have good grades, you can check out the financial support programs at the Website of the Spanish Agency of International Cooperation for Development.

2. Schools in Madrid allow students to study and work

Schools in Madrid stand up for a high-quality education combined with working time. This is why many schools have internship agreements with more than 7,000 companies and institutions. Students can work a couple of hours per week and build-up their professional profile.

Some institutions require to combine academic programs with compulsory internships to obtain a degree. This is actually good since the capital city hosts several transnational corporations where you can put your knowledge into practice.

Along with your degree, you will have some work experience, which will give you a greater outreach in the professional market in Europe and the rest of the world. This is why we say that studying in Madrid brings numerous benefits for your academic and professional life.

3. Lifestyle in Madrid is cheerful and laid-back

Studying in Madrid is so much fun! The city has a good climate, with more than 200 days of sun. You can walk down Gran Vía to admire some attractive landmarks like Puerta del Sol, the Bank of Spain, and the Metropolis Building.

If you enjoy cultural activities, Madrid is home to more than 30 museums and art galleries. Some of the most famous museums are El Prado, the Reina Sofía, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza. These museums foster works like “Las Meninas” by Velázquez or “Guernica” by Picasso. Also, students have free access some days of the week!

Some more places where you can spend your free time are the magnificent Royal Botanical Gardens and San Jerónimo Real, a 15th-century masterwork. If you love sports, you can take a look at the stadiums of Santiago Bernabeu and Wanda Metropolitano, where you can take a guided tour or watch a soccer match.

Another highlight of Madrid is its nightlife. Like in other cities of Spain, the capital’s social scene is very lively. Quarters such as La Latina, Chueca, Malasaña, and Salamanca are full of restaurants, bars, and nightclubs where you can party until dawn.

There are many festivals and outdoor performances throughout the year: concerts, plays, and circus. Once you have settled in, take a look at the calendar of events, so you won’t miss a single one.

4. Madrid’s public transport system works very well

Madrid has a public transport system that keeps the city well connected through a very efficient network of trains, subway, and cabs. Also, the tickets are affordable. Many times, using public transport is much cheaper than driving.

Traveling out of Madrid is also very easy since trains connect the capital with the main cities and towns. You can get to know other tourist attractions at an affordable price while traveling in a fast and safe way. For example, you can take the AVE train and get to Barcelona in less than three hours!

Requirements to Study in Madrid

student in Spain

Thinking about studying in Madrid? Not only will you have access to a world-class, state-of-the-art education, but you will also earn an internationally renowned degree. To make that dream come true, you need to comply with a few requirements.

First of all, make sure you have a valid passport; you may also need a visa, but we’ll go back to that later. Other requirements to study in Madrid are enrolling in a certified institution and obtaining international healthcare insurance for students.

First of all, depending on your nationality, you may need a visa to study in Madrid. If you are a citizen of the European Union, you won’t need any visa! You can live in Madrid for as long as you want, provided that you obtain your Foreign Citizen Identification Number (N.I.E.).

Citizens of certain Latin American countries can travel to Spain without a visa but are allowed to stay for up to 90 days. If that is your case, you’ll be authorized to study in Madrid. However, if you want to stay more time, you should apply for a student visa.

Citizens of non-exempted countries must apply for a visa to study in Spain, either for a tourist visa to enroll in a 90-day or less course or a student visa to stay in Madrid for longer. Keep reading to learn more.

Tourist visa or short-term visa

As we said lines above, a tourist visa allows you to study in Spain for up to 90 days. However, you can renew it and stay for up to 90 more days. Keep in mind that this visa won’t enable you to work in Spain. Doing so would be illegal! These are the requirements you have to meet for this visa:

  • Tourist visa application.
  • 2 recent photographs.
  • Valid passport.
  • A flight reservation that specifies traveling dates.
  • Accommodation booking.
  • Travel healthcare insurance.

Depending on your country of origin, you may be asked to comply with a few more requirements. Call the Spanish Embassy in your country or visit the official Website of Spain’s Immigration Bureau.

Student visa

If you want to study in Madrid for more than 90 days, you will need to apply for a student visa, which will enable you to stay in Spain for as long as your course lasts. This visa also allows you to work! Keep in mind that the process to obtain this permission is a bit complicated, and you will need to fulfill a few more requirements.

  • Student visa application.
  • Color photos.
  • Valid passport.
  • Acceptance letter issued by an accredited institution.
  • Medical insurance.
  • Medical certificate.
  • Proof of financial solvency and accommodation in Spain.
  • Criminal record clearance.

Universities publish their seats available around the middle of the year. Before making any plans, check the availability of the program of your choice, as well as the application process.

Remember that after you arrive in Spain, you will have to obtain your Foreign Citizen Identity Card. You have one month to get it, starting the day you land in Spain. Getting this document is a step necessary since it will accredit your legal status as an international resident in Spain.

Non lucrative visa

This visa also allows you to study in Madrid. What makes this visa different is that it is a residency valid for one year. Just like a tourist permit, this visa won’t allow you to get employed unless you get an intern position. We will explain that below.

Studying and working in Madrid

friends in Madrid

Yes, you can study and work in Spain. The first and most crucial step to take is obtaining a student visa, which will enable you to work, pay attention, up to 20 hours per week! Just never try to exceed this limit, or you may get yourself into trouble.

One more thing to keep in mind is that you won’t be allowed to work in any place you want. The government will authorize you to work specifically through an internship agreement. These internships must be related to the field you are studying and might or might not be remunerated.

Besides, if the internship schedule overlaps with your school time, you will have to find another agreement. This is one of the most important requirements to be able to study and work in Madrid. However, there are a few more things you will have to keep in mind:

  •  Having a work permit.
  • Having a valid student visa.
  • Presenting a letter signed by your institution. The letter must state that the internship won’t interfere with the completion of your academic program.
  • You will also have to prove that the money you earn at your internship will not be used to cover your living expenditures.

If you comply with all these requirements, you can study and work in Madrid. Now the last step is finding an internship agreement you like and suits what you need.

There are cases where these professional practices are part of the academic program, though. If that is your case, you won’t need to get a permit to work in Madrid. The school will be in charge of handling the agreement, and your only duty will be to comply with the schedule.

How to find a job while you study in Madrid

Studying in Madrid has many advantages. The city is full of international students, and that will allow you to make friends and have support to settle in, get advice to find attractive internship opportunities, and be educated on how to move around town… none of that will be a problem.

However, taking this step can be intimidating, no matter how accompanied you are. We prepared a list of tips to live in Madrid that will make your life a lot easier. Take a look at them!

  • Share the rent. Living on your own can be a hard blow to your wallet. Having a roomie is a good idea.
  • Organize your time! You will have plenty of space to visit the best landmarks to see in Madrid, go partying and complying with your academic duties.
  • Get a transportation card. These cards are quite useful and allow you to save a lot of money. They come with a credit of 20 euros for one month for students.
  • Before your trip, do some research on Spanish customs, when you start studying in Madrid. It will be clear to you what is ok to do and what is not.

And some last advice: have fun! We can tell you that living in Spain is a whole adventure, so don’t let the fear of stepping out of your comfort zone tarnish your trip. Make friends, learn some new Spanish customs, visit as many places as you can, and return home being a citizen of the world.

About the author

Charlotte Koks
Charlotte Koks

Hey there! My name is Charlotte, and I'm working as an International Project Manager at GrowPro Experience. My goal is to help students all around the world to live the experiences of a lifetime 🙌🏽. I'm trying to inspire students by means of telling the story of former growers, showing what we are doing at each destination and writing about our cities and tips on our blogs. I got a big passion for adventures, doing sports in the park, learning new languages and seeing new places 🌏. That's one of the reasons why I studied European Studies and why I currently work for GrowPro, to expand my horizons. Hopefully, I can inspire you to do the same!

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