Spanish Language and Literature (in Language Schools) Schools and Programs in Spain

Spanish Language and Literature (in Language Schools) Studies in Spain

Spain is the most direct way to learn Spanish in immersion: you study in class in the morning and use the language in shops, bars and homestays for the rest of the day. Spanish language schools teach Spanish as a foreign language to adults, teenagers, university students and professionals, from complete beginners to advanced speakers. This page covers how the courses work, which certificates count, the visa rules and where the schools are.

How Spanish courses are organised

Most schools follow the six levels of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), from A1 to C2, and start new groups throughout the year. Common formats are intensive group courses, semi-intensive courses, private lessons, DELE and SIELE exam preparation, Spanish for specific purposes, courses for over-50s and school groups, and training courses for teachers of Spanish. Academia Berceo in Salamanca, for example, offers semi-intensive and intensive courses, DELE or SIELE extensions, private classes and teacher training, with a maximum of 10 students per class.

Universities also run Spanish courses for foreigners. The Centro Superior de Idiomas of the Universidad de Alicante offers four-week intensive courses of 60 hours per level, worth 6 ECTS credits, in 12 levels from A1 to C2, starting all year.

Instituto Cervantes accreditation

The Instituto Cervantes accredits centres that teach Spanish as a foreign language. Accredited centres pass a thorough evaluation that is repeated every three years, and the Instituto Cervantes publishes the list of accredited centres in Spain. All member schools of FEDELE, the Spanish federation of Spanish-language schools, are accredited by the Instituto Cervantes. Schools in our directory that appear on the list include Academia Berceo in Salamanca, Malaca Instituto in Málaga, Escuela Delengua in Granada, Inhispania in Madrid, Academia Guiu in Barcelona, K2 Internacional in Cádiz and Lacunza in San Sebastián.

Exams and certificates

A school's own certificate shows the course and level completed; official proof of level comes from exams:

• DELE: official diplomas awarded by the Instituto Cervantes on behalf of Spain's Ministry of Education. They cover all CEFR levels, have official validity, do not expire and are recognised internationally. General exams are for candidates from age 16, with school versions for ages 11 to 17, and you can register without taking a course first
• SIELE: a digital exam promoted by the Instituto Cervantes, the UNAM, the Universidad de Salamanca and the Universidad de Buenos Aires, with results within three weeks at most

Visas and admission

Language courses have no academic entry requirements. According to Spain's consulates (checked October 2026), study stays of less than 90 days do not need a study visa, although some nationalities need a short-stay visa. For longer courses, a study visa can be granted for Spanish taught in person at an official language school or a centre accredited by the Instituto Cervantes, provided Spanish is not your mother tongue or the official language of your country. The application includes proof of financial means and health insurance, and for stays over six months you must apply for a foreigner identity card (TIE) within one month of arrival.

Where to study Spanish in Spain

Madrid has the most Spanish language schools in our directory for this subject, followed closely by Málaga and Barcelona, then Granada, Valencia, Salamanca and Sevilla. Smaller places such as Cádiz, El Puerto de Santa María, Alicante and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria also have several schools. Big cities offer more course choice and start dates; university towns like Salamanca and Granada combine Spanish with student life; coastal towns suit summer and holiday courses.

Costs

Each school sets its own prices, so compare the cost per hour of class and what is included. As a reference from a public university centre, the Universidad de Alicante charges €230 for one week and €635 for four weeks of intensive Spanish at three hours a day in 2026; textbooks are not included. Accommodation (homestay, shared flat or residence) is extra.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa to take a Spanish course in Spain?

Not for stays of less than 90 days, although some nationalities need a short-stay visa. Longer courses need a study visa, and the course must be taught in person at an official language school or a centre accredited by the Instituto Cervantes.

Is a language school certificate an official qualification?

No. It records the course and level you completed. Official proof of your level comes from the DELE or the SIELE.

How do I know if a school is accredited?

Check the list of accredited centres in Spain published by the Instituto Cervantes. Accreditation is reviewed every three years.

Can a complete beginner join a course?

Yes. Courses usually start at level A1, and schools place new students with a level test.