Study in Segovia, Spain

About Segovia

Segovia is the capital of the province of the same name in Castilla y León, about 90 km from Madrid. It had 52,375 registered residents on 1 January 2025, according to Spain's national statistics institute (INE). The city sits at an average altitude of 1,005 metres, between the Castilian plateau and the Sierra de Guadarrama, and in December 1985 UNESCO added the old city of Segovia and its Roman aqueduct to its World Heritage list.

Students choose Segovia for a small, walkable historic city with two university campuses, a strong arts and design tradition and a fast train link to Madrid. It suits students who want a quiet place to live and study, with the capital close enough for day trips and internships.

Studying in Segovia

This directory lists three active schools in Segovia: two higher-education institutions and one official language school. IE University, a private university, has a campus in the city at Calle Cardenal Zúñiga 12. In 2016 it opened a creativity centre in the Real Casa de Moneda, the city's old mint, as a space shared by its students and young people from Segovia, according to the city's tourism office. IE's programmes and admission requirements are published on its own website.

The Escuela de Arte y Superior de Diseño "Casa de los Picos" works in a fifteenth-century house in the historic centre, which has hosted an art school since 1977. It offers:

• a higher arts education degree in Product Design, which has the same level as a university bachelor's degree
• higher vocational cycles (grado superior) in Illustration, Textile Art and, from the 2026-27 academic year, Animation
• an intermediate cycle (grado medio) in Mural Coatings, including the sgraffito typical of Segovia's walls
• the arts track of the Bachillerato

According to the school, it is the only centre in Segovia that offers the Product Design specialty, and it takes part in Erasmus+ mobility.

Learning languages in Segovia

The Escuela Oficial de Idiomas de Segovia is the public language school of the city. It teaches German, French, Italian, English and Chinese, and Spanish for foreigners from level A1 to C1, mostly in afternoon classes. According to the school, it is one of only three official language schools in Castilla y León that teach Chinese, with Valladolid and León. Students must be at least 16 in the year they start. Admission and enrolment follow the regional rules for official language schools, so international students should check the dates for each academic year.

Cost of living for students

No official source publishes typical student rents for Segovia. Ask your school about residences, shared flats and homestays before you arrive, and compare prices in the old town and the newer districts.

City buses are run by Avanza. According to the operator's tariff page, checked in October 2026:

• a single ticket costs €1.15
• a ticket on the bus to the AVE station costs €2.25
• with the youth pass (bono joven) on the rechargeable card, each trip costs €0.22
• the card needs a €2 deposit and is topped up in multiples of €5, with a free transfer within one hour from Monday to Saturday

Getting around and daily life

The historic centre is compact and easy to walk. High-speed trains reach Segovia from Madrid and Valladolid in about 30 minutes, according to the city's tourism office. They stop at Segovia-Guiomar station, 6 km from the centre; Renfe's first train from Madrid Chamartín Clara Campoamor leaves at 06:20. A slower regional train links Madrid Atocha with Segovia's other station, and Avanza coaches connect Segovia with Madrid, Ávila and Salamanca. The nearest large airport is Madrid-Barajas, 102 km away.

Because of its altitude, Segovia has cold winters and warm, dry summers. At the AEMET Segovia station (normals for 1988-2010), the average temperature is 4.3 °C in January, with about 14 frost days that month, and 22.2 °C in July, when average daily highs reach 29.7 °C. Annual rainfall averages 479 mm, so warm winter clothing matters more than an umbrella.

Frequently asked questions

Which universities are in Segovia?

IE University, a private university, has a campus in Segovia. The Escuela de Arte y Superior de Diseño "Casa de los Picos" offers a higher arts education degree in Product Design, which has the same level as a university bachelor's degree.

Can I learn Spanish in Segovia?

Yes. The Escuela Oficial de Idiomas de Segovia teaches Spanish for foreigners from A1 to C1. Students must be at least 16 in the year they start.

How long does it take to get from Madrid to Segovia?

About 30 minutes by high-speed train to Segovia-Guiomar station, according to the city's tourism office. The station is 6 km from the centre and is linked by city bus.

Is Segovia cold in winter?

Yes. AEMET normals give an average of 4.3 °C in January, with about 14 frost days, and 22.2 °C in July.