The recent AI craze is truly sweeping the globe, and many younger students and friends have been asking about pursuing a Master’s in Artificial Intelligence in Spain. As someone who’s been living in Spain for a few years, I’d like to share some information I’ve gathered and my thoughts on Spanish university AI programs to discuss this topic. Hopefully, it can serve as a reference for those of you who are still on the fence.
I think there are several compelling reasons to choose Spain for an AI degree. First, the high-quality education, especially in engineering and computer science, with several world-renowned universities. Second, compared to countries like the UK and the US, the tuition and living expenses in Spain are much more affordable, offering excellent value for money. Moreover, the tech scene in major cities like Madrid and Barcelona is booming, providing plenty of internship and job opportunities after graduation.
A Look at Top Universities’ AI Master’s Programs
When it comes to top universities for AI in Spain, the first ones that come to mind are the two top polytechnic universities: the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM) and the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC). Their computer science programs are ranked highly in Europe and globally, so their AI Master’s programs naturally carry significant weight. Of course, comprehensive universities like the University of Barcelona and the University of Granada also offer excellent related programs.
To give you a more direct comparison, I’ve put together a simple table:
| University | Master’s Program Name | Language of Instruction | Course Focus |
|---|
| Polytechnic University of Madrid | Master in Artificial Intelligence | English/Spanish | Machine Learning, Robotics, Computer Vision |
| Polytechnic University of Catalonia | Master in Artificial Intelligence | English | Logic, Multi-agent Systems, Data Science from Spanish AI universities |
| University of Granada | Máster en Ciencia de Datos e Ing. de Computadores | Spanish | Data Science, Computer Engineering, Soft Computing |
A Few Application Tips
For this type of program, your undergraduate background is quite important, ideally in computer science, mathematics, statistics, or a related engineering field. Regarding language, while many programs are taught in English, knowing some Spanish is definitely a huge plus for integrating into local life and for future job hunting. Additionally, a polished CV, a tailored motivation letter, and at least one or two strong letters of recommendation are essential. Don’t be lazy and use a template
!
That’s all for my personal summary and thoughts, and I’m sure it’s not exhaustive. Current students or alumni are welcome to add more information, and prospective applicants are encouraged to join the discussion and exchange ideas!
