Spain vs Italy: Which is Better for Study?

Spain vs Italy: Want to study in Spain or Italy and need clarification about what to do next? Here’s a guide for you to decide which is better: Spain or Italy for study. We have covered all major aspects of Spain vs Italy from an Indian student’s perspective. So go check out now Spain vs Italy, comparison guide! 

Indian students form a large community if studying in Spain or Italy. Indian students studying in Spain were 1,383 whereas, Indian students studying in Italy were 5,897 in the year 2022, based on the Indian MEA Report. Studying abroad and in any of these two countries can be an exhilarating experience. Spain and Italy have a rich culture, renowned universities and some of the best tourist spots. So if you are confused between these two, here's your guide to a perfect solution!

Spain vs Italy Country Highlights

Parameters	Spain	Italy
Area	506,030 km sq	302,070 km sq
Capital	Madrid	Rome
Currency	Euros (€)	Euros (€)
Official Language	Spanish	Italian
Top Cities for Study	Madrid Barcelona Valencia Seville Valladolid	Milan Rome Bologna Venice Florence
Average Cost of Living	€7,000 - €12,000	€3,800 - €5,500 approx.
Average Cost of Studying (Annual)	UG: €5,000 to €18,000 PG: €16 to €45 per credits	UG: €3,500 to €9,800  PG: €2,500 to €40,000
Part-time Working Hours	20 hours	20 hours
Total Universities	76 universities	92 universities
Medium of Instruction	Spanish & English	Italian & English
Top 5 Universities	University of Barcelona University of Navarra University of Granada University of Valencia Autonomous University of Madrid	University of Bologna Sapienza University of Rome  University of Padua Politecnico de Milano University of Pavia
PSW Visa Stay Back Period	2 years (can be extended up to 5 years)	2 years

Popular Courses in Spain vs Italy

Want to know about some of the most popularly opted courses in Spain and Italy? Check out the following sections for details. 

Popular Courses in Spain

Spanish universities offer the following courses which are popular for students:

• Natural Science

• Hospitality Management 

• Computer Science & Information Technology 

• Business & Management
• Arts and Humanities 

Popular Courses in Italy

Some of the popular courses offered in Italian universities are as follows:

• Fashion & Design Courses 

• Business & Management
• Technology & Engineering
• Architecture & Design

• Social Science & Humanities

• Hospitality & Tourism

Both Spain and Italy offer a fair share of popular courses across its universities. Students planning to study in either Spain or Italy can compare universities and courses in order to apply for admission. In case you get stuck and need an expert opinion, you can sign up for Shiksha Abroad Counselling. 

Top 10 Ranking Universities Spain vs Italy

If you plan to study in Spain or Italy, you must have a look at the top-ranking universities. Here’s a list of the top-ranking universities in Spain and Italy for international students in the table below: 

Top 10 Spanish Universities	THE - WUR 2024	Top 10 Universities in Italy	THE - WUR 2024
University of Barcelona	#152	University of Bologna	#155
Autonomous University of Barcelona	201-250	Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa	#168
Pompeu Fabra University	201-250	Sapienza University of Rome	#181
University of Navarra	301-350	University of Padua	201-250
Autonomous University of Madrid	351-400	Politecnico de Milano	201-250
Complutense University of Madrid	501-600	Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies – Pisa	201-250
University of Granada	501-600	Humanitas University	251-300
Rovira i Virgili University	501-600	Vita-Salute San Raffaele University	251-300
University of Valencia	501-600	Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore	301-350
University of the Basque Country	601-800	University of Pavia	301-350

Check out the Top Ranking Universities in the World

Admission Requirements to Study in Spain vs Italy

The admission requirements for both Italy and Spain are similar for international students. Some of the common admission requirements are as follows:

• Transcripts
• Statement of purpose (SOP)
• Letters of recommendation (LOR)
• Resume (for MBA courses) to show work experience level
• Portfolio (if required)
• Financial documents
• Standardised test scores of either: 
  • UG: SAT or ACT score 
  • PG: GRE / GMAT  

For bachelor’s admission to either Spain or Italy, students should have a school leaving certificate. Whereas for admission to master’s admission, a bachelor's degree is required. The GPA requirements will vary based on the university and course in question. 

Cost of Studying in Spain vs Italy

The cost of studying in Italy and the cost of studying in Spain varies. We have compared the costs of studying in two of these countries based on popular choice courses. 

Cost of UG Courses in Spain vs Italy

If Indian students plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Italy or Spain, then here’s how much you would need to spend: 

Particulars	Cost of Undergraduate Courses in Spain	Cost of Undergraduate Courses in Italy
Average First-Year Tuition Fee	BSc: ₹ 6.63 L - 6.63 L BTech: ₹ 10.24 L - 15.05 L BBA: ₹ 10.95 L - 18.03 L	BSc: ₹ 4.01 L - ₹ 4.01 L BTech: ₹ 35.62 K - ₹ 17.36 L  BBA: ₹ 35.62 K - ₹ 21.57 L
Average Living Expenses (Annual)	₹ 851 L	₹ 4,40 L
Duration	3-4	3-4 Years
Exams Accepted	TOEFL, IELTS	IELTS, TOEFL

In comparison to Italy, Spain is slightly more expensive when it comes to undergraduate studies. Even the cost of living in Italy is cheaper than the cost of living in Spain. 

Cost of PG Courses in Spain vs Italy

Similarly, we have discussed the PG course fees for both Spain and Italy in the table below for reference: 

Particulars	Cost of Postgraduate Courses in Spain	Cost of Postgraduate Courses in Italy
Average Tuition Fee	MBA: ₹ 3 L to ₹ 99 L MIM: ₹ 3 L to ₹ 40 L MS:₹ 2 L to ₹ 4 Cr	DMBA: ₹ 2.23 L - ₹ 66.78 L MIM: ₹ 35.62 K - ₹ 18.34 L MS: ₹ 35.62 K - ₹ 22.26 L
Average Living Expense	₹ 8.51 L	₹ 4.40 L
Duration	3-4	3-4 Years
Exams Accepted	TOEFL, IELTS	IELTS, TOEFL

The cost of pursuing a PG course in Italy is cheaper in comparison to Spain. Also note, that the cost of living in Spain and the cost of living in Italy do not change irrespective of the choice of course opted. Check out and read about Top Public Universities in Italy.

Please note: The fees are dynamic and are subject to change. Thus, students must check the exchange rates and calculate thoroughly before making any transactions. 

Student Visa for Spain vs Italy

Since both Spain and Italy are European countries, the student visas for these countries do not differ. There are two types of visas if studying in Europe - Type C and Type D which are either long-term or short-term visas based on study. Check out the following table for more details: 

Parameters	Student Visa in Spain	Student Visa in Italy
Student visa applicable	University admission confirmation	Upon admission from the university
Types of student visas	Type C Visa or Type D Visa (based on course duration)
Cost of Visa	Short Tem Visa: €60 | Long Term Visa: €80
Duration of Visa	UG: 3-4 years PG: 2 years	UG: 3-4 years PG: 1-2 years
Extendability	Yes	Yes

Check:

• How to Get Student Visa for Italy?
• Spain Student Visa Guide

Part-Time Work in Spain vs Italy

The part time working permissions for international students is more or less the same. Have a look at the number of working hours permitted for students and if they can extend their working hours below.

Part Time Work in Italy

International students from non-EU/EEA/Swiss countries are allowed to work part-time while studying in Spain, subject to certain conditions:

• Students can only work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year.
• During university holidays (like summer, Christmas, and Easter), students can even work full-time (up to 40 hours per week).
• They need to obtain permission from the Spanish immigration authorities to work legally.

Check: Part Time Work Options in Spain

Part Time Work in Italy

Non-EU/EEA/Swiss Students: International students from non-EU/EEA/Swiss countries are allowed to work part-time while studying in Italy, subject to certain conditions:

• They can work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year.
• During holidays, students can work full-time (up to 40 hours per week).
• They need to obtain a specific permit for subordinate work ("permesso di lavoro subordinato") from the Italian immigration authorities to work legally.

Check: Part Time Work Options in Italy

The rules for part-time work for international students studying in Italy or Spain are more or less the same. Since they are both European countries, some rules are common. 

Scholarships in Spain vs Italy

Studying abroad can be expensive, so universities abroad offer scholarships. There are a plethora of scholarships in Italy and a handful of scholarships in Spain. Some of the most popular scholarships are given below in the table: 

Scholarships to Study in Spain	Scholarships to Study in Italy
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarships	Scholarship For Masters (Milano Fashion Institute)
UIC Barcelona Scholarship	Bologna University Study Grants for International Students
Women in Tech Scholarships	Bocconi Merit and International Awards
European University of Atlantic	Padua International Excellence Scholarship Programme
Spanish Studies Abroad Financial Aid	Politecnico di Torino International Scholarships
The Fulbright Program	Università Cattolica International Scholarships
La Caixa Foundation Scholarships:	ACM Master Scholarships
Santander Scholarships	Italian Government Scholarships for Foreign and IRE Students
Esade Scholarships (Esade Business School)	Scuola Normale Superiore PhD Scholarships
UPM Scholarships (Technical University of Madrid)	Università Cattolica International Scholarships

Spain vs Italy: Which is better for Students?

While the debate for Spain vs Italy can go on, we can conclude based on four-pointers, which is better. These are as follows:

• Rankings: Italian universities outrank Spanish universities closely and at better positions. Thus, here Italian universities win.
• Cost of Studying: Based on the cost of studying at both UG and PG levels, Italy wins in close competition to Spanish universities. Again, Italy wins in this aspect.
• Cost of Living: Again Italy is cheaper than Spain when it comes to the cost of living. Which again makes Italy a better option for study. 
• Scholarships: There are slightly more scholarships offered in Italy in comparison to Spain. Students can study for free in Italy also, which is not the case in Spain. So again, Spain loses here. 

Overall, both are leading countries which attract numerous international students for study. Thus, students must choose their country for study wisely and not get stuck between the Spain vs Italy debate at the cost of their interests.

While both are European countries, Spain and Italy have some things in common. The languages are Indo-European, and Romance languages. But once you decide on one country in particular, do begin learning the language. You can also check out our coverage for:

• How to learn Spanish Language?
• 100+ Spanish Words for Students
• 100+ Italian Words for Students

Both Spanish and Italian are some of the world’s easiest languages to learn for students. Thus, there will not be much of a hassle.