Medical Schools in Spain
If you are planning on attending a medical school in Spain, there are plenty of things to first consider. Are there English medical schools in Spain? What are the entry requirements for enrolling in a Spanish medical school? Can you transfer over previously earned medical credits from your home country? Are the schools you are considering accredited medical schools in your home country? Does the medical school you are considering even accept students from your country? What kind of fees can you expect when attending an international medical school?
These questions are looked at more closely below.
Are there English medical schools in Spain?
There certainly are! Which is excellent news if you don't speak Spanish. Unfortunatly, even the ones which do offer courses in English, however, don't always offer the full curriculum in English. Here are some medical schools in Spain that do offer English courses with links, if you are interested in learning more information about them.
CEU: Universidad Cardenal Herrera (Medicine) – Bilingual courses in English and Spanish. Students receive free Spanish training. Click here for more information about this particular international medical school.
Universidad de Navarra (Medicine International Program) – Nearly 50% of courses in the first two years of the program are taught in English. For more information about this program, click here.
That said, it can really be beneficial to learn some Spanish since you'll be living in the country for a long time while earning your medical degree. You are bound to pick up some of the language just from immersing yourself in the local culture, but taking a Spanish language course or two can help speed things along and make your life quite a bit easier. Plus, if you learn enough Spanish, you could even enroll in a Spanish-speaking medical school, which are obviously far more plentiful, which will expand your overall choices.
What are the entry requirements for enrolling in a Spanish medical school?
First, you'll need to take an exam – the Selectividad exam is no longer a requirement for foreign students wishing to study in Spain, so long as you possess a certification recognized as equivalent. Language proficiency and other tests may also be required before applying. Getting into Spanish medical schools is often easier than later transferring out.
Can you transfer over previously earned medical credits from your home country?
Sometimes. It really depends on the school and their transfer policies, but thankfully, those of you who have had some previous medical instruction, may be able to transfer over certain credits from your previous program to your new program in Spain. If no credits are able to be transferred, however, you will probably need to enroll as a first year medical student.
Are the schools you are considering accredited medicals in your home country?
Always inquire about a particular school's accreditation before enrolling, unless you are planning to remain in Spain after your studies to practice medicine. It's usually an uphill battle to return home after finishing your program, because the medical programs offered in Spain will likely be quite different to those offered in your home country. More often than not, repeating your residency will be required, but some programs may not even be recognized at all, leaving you back at square one when you return home.
Does the school you are considering even accept students from your country?
Not all foreign medical schools will accept international students. Obviously, if you are planning to study abroad, this is something you'll have to consider when making your decision about where to study. If the Spanish medical school you were considering doesn't accept international students, then it will be time to look into attending a different international medical school.
What kind of fees can you expect when attending an international medical school?
International medical school tuition fees vary depending on the type of school, but as a foreign student, you'll likely be paying quite a bit more than the locals. Fees can also depend on if the school is private or public, if it has certain accreditations, and quite often if the school itself has a certain level of prestige. Do keep in mind, tuition fees might also not be listed in your home country's currency, so to get an accurate figure, you may need to check the current exchange rates and make some calculations. If you feel money could be an issue when attending an international medical school in Spain, keep an eye out for scholarship opportunities that can help lessen the financial costs of obtaining your degree.
As you can see, there are plenty of things to consider before taking the plunge and enrolling in a medical school in Spain. Hopefully the points above have given you some direction in the matter, but of course, these won't be the only considerations you'll have to make when undertaking this rewarding career path. More things to consider will be added to the list later on as we think of them. For now, best of luck on your medical studies in Spain!
