I’ve been browsing forums and seen a lot of posts about studying in Europe. I was wondering if any of my fellow UESTC students are considering Spain? I’m currently in Madrid, a senior alumnus myself, and I’d like to offer some unofficial, down-to-earth info. You could say I’m part of the ‘UESTC in Spain’ community here. Everyone is welcome to join the discussion and add their own insights.
Compared to the UK or the US, studying in Spain offers fantastic value for money, especially for those of us with an engineering background. The tuition fees for master’s programs at public universities are quite reasonable. Moreover, several of Spain’s top polytechnic universities have excellent international reputations, particularly in fields like telecommunications, computer science, and electronics, which align perfectly with our majors at UESTC. Instead of attending a mid-tier university in a more mainstream country, why not aim for a top-tier engineering school in Spain? Plus, the cost of living is low, which means you can afford to eat Iberian ham every day.
Some Personal Thoughts on Choosing a University
When applying for a master’s degree, most people focus on the three major polytechnics: the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM), the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC), and the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV). I’ve put together a brief breakdown for your reference, but of course, this is just my personal opinion.
| University | City | Strong Programs/Fields | Personal Tips |
|---|
| Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM) | Madrid | Aerospace, Telecommunications, Energy | Known as the “Tsinghua of Spain,” it’s the most prestigious and consequently, harder to get into. |
| Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC) | Barcelona | Architecture, Computer Science, Civil Engineering | Its CS program is excellent. Barcelona is a vibrant city, but be mindful that it’s in the Catalan-speaking region. |
| Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) | Valencia | Computer Science, Information Management, Fine Arts | The city offers a relaxed lifestyle with a lower cost of living. The university is also well-ranked, making it a great value-for-money choice. |
When choosing which university to attend, besides looking at program rankings and the existing UESTC community in Spain, the city itself is a very important factor. Madrid, as the capital, offers more opportunities and has a more traditional feel, while Barcelona is more international and artistic. I recommend watching some videos about each city to get a feel for their atmosphere.
In terms of daily life, the biggest challenge is the language. Although many master’s programs are taught in English, if you want to truly integrate into local life and make Spanish friends, learning Spanish is essential. People here are generally warm and outgoing, but when it comes to administrative efficiency… let’s just say you’ll need some patience and a zen-like attitude. For things like renting an apartment or getting your residency permit, doing thorough research on forums beforehand can help you avoid a lot of common pitfalls.
Spain is a destination well worth considering for your studies. If you’re looking for a unique cultural experience, want to pursue advanced studies in a solid professional field, and have a relatively limited budget, then this is definitely an excellent choice. I hope this information is helpful. If you have any questions, feel free to ask in this thread, and I’ll do my best to reply when I see them! ¡Ánimo!
