If you want to study mechanical engineering in Spain, you can choose between a bachelor's degree and a master's degree. The path, entry rules and costs depend on your level, your passport, and whether you study in Spanish or English.
This guide gives you a practical starting point. Always check the university's admissions page and the official Spanish immigration or education source for the latest rules.
What you can study
In Spain, mechanical engineering is usually offered as part of engineering schools or technical faculties. You will often see these study names:
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
- Bachelor's degree in industrial engineering with a mechanical track
- Master's degree in mechanical engineering
- Master's degree in industrial engineering, energy, automotive, or robotics with mechanical modules
A bachelor's degree is the first full university degree. A master's degree is for students who already have a relevant bachelor's degree, or a very similar background.
For exact programme names, check each university's website. The title can change from one university to another.
Typical admission requirements
The entry rules are not the same everywhere, but these are the usual ones.
For a bachelor's degree, universities often ask for:
- Secondary school diploma or equivalent
- Transcript or grades from your final school years
- Proof that your qualification gives access to higher education in your country
- Language proof if the course is taught in Spanish or English
- Sometimes math, physics, or science background
If you are from outside Spain, you may need a formal recognition or access procedure. The exact process depends on your country and education system. Check the university admissions page and the Spanish official education or recognition authority.
For a master's degree, universities usually ask for:
- A relevant bachelor's degree
- Transcript with credits and grades
- CV
- Motivation letter
- Language proof
- Sometimes references, a portfolio, or specific course modules
Some programmes are selective. Others admit students if they meet the minimum academic and language requirements.
Spanish or English
You can find both Spanish-taught and English-taught options, but the number of English programmes is smaller than in some other countries. Many schools offer a mix: some courses in English, some in Spanish.
If you choose English, universities often ask for proof such as IELTS, TOEFL, or another accepted test. Each university sets its own minimum score. Check the programme page, because the accepted tests and required level can change.
If you choose Spanish, many universities ask for Spanish proof, often around B2 level for degree study, but this depends on the programme. Some universities offer preparatory language courses or accept students conditionally while they improve their Spanish.
Useful checks before you apply:
- Is the full degree taught in English, or only some modules?
- Does the university accept your language certificate?
- Is the programme on a public or private campus?
- Will you need both technical English and daily Spanish?
Tuition and living costs
Tuition in Spain is usually lower at public universities than at private ones, but the exact price changes by region and by programme. Costs can also differ for EU and non-EU students.
As a realistic planning guide:
- Public universities: often a few hundred to a few thousand euro per year for bachelor's studies, depending on the region and number of credits
- Master's degrees: often higher than bachelor's, and can range from moderate public fees to much higher private fees
- Private universities: often several thousand euro per year, sometimes much more
For the exact fee, check the programme page and the university's official fee table. Do not rely on older blog posts, because fees can change.
Living costs depend on the city. A large city like Madrid or Barcelona usually costs more than a smaller university town. A common monthly budget for a student may include:
- Room in shared housing or residence
- Food and groceries
- Local transport
- Phone and internet
- Books, lab materials, and personal expenses
Many students plan for roughly 700 to 1,200 euro per month, but the real amount can be lower or higher. Check local rental prices before you decide.
Timeline and application steps
Start early. For competitive engineering programmes, a good plan is to begin 9 to 12 months before classes start.
A simple timeline looks like this:
- 9 to 12 months before - compare programmes and check language requirements
- 6 to 9 months before - collect grades, diploma copies, translations, and language tests
- 4 to 6 months before - submit your application
- After admission - arrange housing, insurance, and visa or residence steps if needed
If you need a student visa, check the official immigration authority or embassy website for your country. Visa rules depend on your nationality, study length, and where you apply from.
Also check whether the university has its own portal, separate deadlines, or document legalisation rules. Some schools ask for apostilles, certified translations, or scanned documents first, then originals later.
How universities find candidates
Spanish universities usually do not search random websites. They use their own application systems, education fairs, agents in some countries, and student databases.
This is useful for you because you can make yourself easier to find. Look for ways to show:
- Your study level
- Your field, such as mechanical engineering
- Your grades or expected graduation date
- Your English or Spanish level
- Your documents, such as transcript, CV, and diploma
If a university or admissions office can quickly see that you match a programme, they can contact you sooner. That can help you hear about suitable options before deadlines fill up.
Still, you should always apply yourself through the official channel. A profile or database does not replace the real application.
Common questions
Can I study mechanical engineering in Spain in English?
Yes, some universities offer English-taught or partly English-taught programmes. The number of options is smaller than Spanish-taught ones, so you should compare several universities and check the programme page carefully.
Do I need to speak Spanish?
Not always for admission, but Spanish helps a lot in daily life, housing, part-time work, and some internships. Even if your degree is in English, learning Spanish will make your studies and student life easier.
Can I work while studying?
International students may be able to work under visa or residence rules, but the conditions depend on your nationality and permit type. Check the official Spanish immigration source and your university's international office before you plan any work.
How Eduuro helps
Create a free profile with your field, education, English level and documents, and admissions offices that search for exactly that can find you and write first.
That means you can be visible to the right universities while you compare programmes and prepare your official application yourself.
Rules, fees and deadlines change. Check the university's own admissions page and the official immigration site of the country before you act on anything here.