How to study in Spain as a Colombian student

EAE Business School has an agreement with ICETEX that provides access to scholarships covering up to 60% of tuition fees, with application periods opening annually depending on the call for applications. This partnership offers a direct financing option for Colombian students who want to study on campus at EAE Barcelona. Find out more here.

Requirements for studying in Spain

Before starting the application process, it is important to understand the legal, financial and academic requirements for studying at a Spanish institution.

Legal requirements: student visa
Colombian students planning to take programs lasting more than 90 days, such as master’s degrees or postgraduate programs, must apply for a long term study visa at the Consulate General of Spain in Bogotá.
The required documents include:

• A passport valid for at least one year.
• An admission letter from a recognized institution in Spain, such as EAE Barcelona.
• A criminal record certificate, apostilled and issued less than three months earlier.
• Private medical insurance with no copayments, valid for the entire stay.
• A medical certificate confirming that the applicant does not suffer from any disease that could have serious public health implications.

Financial requirements: proving sufficient funds
The Spanish government requires students to demonstrate sufficient financial means to cover their expenses during their stay. In 2025, the minimum amount was set at 100% of the IPREM, equivalent to €600 per month or €7,200 per year.

• Financial means can be demonstrated through:
• Bank statements in the student’s name from the previous six months.
• A notarized declaration of family sponsorship with supporting financial documents.
• An official or institutional scholarship award letter.

Academic requirements: simplified access
Following the mutual recognition agreement between Colombia and Spain, Colombian students who have passed the Saber 11 exams with a score of 250 or higher can gain direct access to Spanish universities. The process is completed digitally through the UNEDasiss platform of the National University of Distance Education (UNED).

Advantages of studying in Spain as a Colombian student

Studying in Spain is a professional investment with tangible benefits in terms of employability, recognition and international career prospects.

• Educational quality and international recognition: Spain is home to some of the universities and business schools with the strongest positions in international rankings such as the Financial Times and QS World University Rankings. Qualifications obtained in Spain are recognized across the 40 countries of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), expanding access to the European labor market.
   
• Employability and professional development: Data from the Spanish National Statistics Institute (INE) indicates that the unemployment rate among people with higher education is 6.9%, compared with 13% among those with basic education. This shows that advanced education can improve job stability and opportunities for professional growth.
   
• Salary ranges and areas with the highest demand: Master’s degrees and postgraduate programs in Spain offer a strong relationship between investment and professional return. Some of the areas with the best prospects include:
   
  • Project management: salaries ranging from €31,000 to €52,000 per year, for professionals who have studied programs such as the Master in Project Management.
  • STEM and data analysis: salaries of more than €70,000 per year, particularly for graduates of programs such as the Master in Management STEM.
  • Digital marketing: average earnings of €41,500 per year, according to Glassdoor studies.

Scholarships for studying in Spain

There are several scholarships and financing programs designed to support Colombian talent at Spanish institutions.
Institutional scholarships

• Fundación Carolina: offers scholarships for master’s degrees, doctoral programs and short study periods at prestigious institutions.
• MAEC AECID scholarships: aimed at public sector employees and Latin American academics, covering tuition fees, living expenses and medical insurance.

EAE ICETEX agreement
EAE Business School has an agreement with ICETEX that provides access to scholarships covering 50%, 70% or 100% of tuition fees, with application periods opening annually depending on the call for applications. This partnership offers a direct financing option for Colombian students who want to study on campus at EAE Barcelona.

EAE Barcelona internal financial aid

• Academic Excellence Scholarship, for students with outstanding academic records.
• Women in Leadership Scholarship, based on professional experience and leadership.
• Inclusive Talent Program, offering a 10% discount.
• Barcelona HomeAway discount, offering 10% for international students.

These forms of financial support reinforce EAE’s commitment to inclusion and to educating global leaders from Latin America.