Spanish Courses Schools and Programs in Spain

Spanish Courses Studies in Spain

Spain is one of the most popular places to learn Spanish. Courses are offered by private language schools and by language centres that belong to universities, in big cities, smaller university towns and on the coast and islands. Students range from teenagers on a summer course to adults taking a full academic year before university or work.

Types of Spanish courses

Most schools organise courses by the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), from A1 for beginners to C2, and place new students with a level test: Proyecto Español, for example, asks every student to take a free level test before the course starts. The usual formats are:

• Intensive group courses, often around 20 class hours a week; the Gran Canaria School of Languages, for example, teaches 20 hours a week in its standard course
• Semester and academic-year courses, often run by university language centres
• Private and small-group lessons
• Exam preparation for the DELE and SIELE
• Spanish for specific purposes, such as business or tourism
• Long full-time programmes for students who need a study visa

Some schools award ECTS credits: Escuela Montalbán in Granada offers an Intensive 30 course with ECTS credits, and the Universitat de Barcelona's Estudios Hispánicos says its intensive programme leads to a final certificate and ECTS credits.

Official exams and accreditation

The DELE diplomas are official qualifications awarded by the Instituto Cervantes on behalf of Spain's Ministry of Education. They cover all CEFR levels from A1 to C2, are valid indefinitely and are recognised internationally, and candidates can sit them without taking a specific course first. A DELE A2 or higher is one of the ways to meet the Spanish language requirement for Spanish nationality for people from non-Spanish-speaking countries.

The SIELE is an online exam promoted by the Instituto Cervantes, the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), the Universidad de Salamanca and the Universidad de Buenos Aires. Each test combines at least three varieties of Spanish, and results arrive within three weeks at most.

For schools, the Instituto Cervantes runs an accreditation system (SACIC) for centres that teach Spanish as a foreign language; accredited centres are reassessed every three years. Escuela Montalbán states that it has been accredited since 2002, and Proyecto Español describes itself as a centre recognised by the Instituto Cervantes. Check a school's current status in the Instituto Cervantes' own directory.

Where to study Spanish in Spain

Barcelona has the most schools in our directory for Spanish courses, followed by Valencia and Granada, then Alcalá de Henares, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Madrid. Examples:

• University centres: Alcalingua at the Universidad de Alcalá, Estudios Hispánicos at the Universitat de Barcelona and the Centro Superior de Idiomas of the Universidad de Alicante
• Private schools: Escuela Montalbán (Granada, since 1986), the Gran Canaria School of Languages (Las Palmas, since 1964) and Proyecto Español, which has schools in Alicante, Granada, Barcelona and Madrid

University centres are often close to university life and offer semester courses and official exams: the Universitat de Barcelona's centre is an exam centre for the DELE and the CCSE nationality test, and the Universidad de Alicante's centre offers the DELE, CCSE and SIELE. Many schools also arrange accommodation. Alcalingua lists a student residence, shared flats and host families, and the Universidad de Alicante offers shared flats, host families and university residences.

Student visa for long courses

Stays of less than 90 days do not require a study visa, although some nationalities need a short-stay Schengen visa. For longer stays, Spanish consulates issue a study visa that also covers Spanish language studies. According to the Spanish consulate in London, applicants need proof of acceptance at an authorised centre for a full-time study programme, proof of financial means equal to at least 100% of Spain's IPREM indicator, and full health insurance; travel insurance is not accepted. Several schools offer courses designed for visa students, such as Montalbán's Intensive 20 + Study visa D and the Universitat de Barcelona's 580-hour full-time programme, and some, such as Alcalingua, help with the visa process. Requirements vary by consulate, so check the page of the consulate for your place of residence.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa for a Spanish course in Spain?

Not for stays of less than 90 days, although some nationalities need a Schengen visa. For longer courses you need a study visa, which requires acceptance at an authorised centre for a full-time programme.

Which official Spanish exam should I take?

The DELE is an official diploma for one CEFR level and does not expire. The SIELE is taken online and certifies your level across the scale, with results within three weeks.

How many hours a week is an intensive Spanish course?

Many standard intensive courses have about 20 class hours a week, and some schools offer 25 or 30 hours with extra lessons.

Can I get university credits for a Spanish course?

Some centres award ECTS credits, for example Escuela Montalbán's Intensive 30 course and the Universitat de Barcelona's intensive programme. Check with your home university first.