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Studying in Nigeria comes with several challenges, and many people are now looking for opportunities by applying for scholarships to study abroad. The costs of education, living, and accommodation within the Federal Republic of Nigeria is increasing by the day. Also, the incessant industrial actions that plague the education sector are another factor that contributes to people seeking opportunities in other countries.
Spain is one of the destinations for Nigerian students and professionals who wish to further their education or study a new course via the Erasmus+ option or other means. The country is home to several higher institutions that offers various undergraduate and postgraduate certificate degrees in science programs, arts, and humanities.
It is also home to several groundbreaking research and discoveries. The cities are beautiful, has a rich history, and their people are warm and friendly.
If you are a lover of islands and beautiful sceneries, then your stay in this European country might just be more interesting than you realize. Reputed to be one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, Spain's beautiful landscape climate, and museums are offers you don't want to miss!
The climate is also friendly when compared to other European countries. The cost of living in Spain (about 900 Eur per month) is less than some European countries (around 1200 - 2165 Eur per month).
There are several scholarship opportunities for Nigerians that wish to study in Spain. An example is the Erasmus+ program funded by the European Commission. The program offers the opportunity to spend a semester, a year, or more in tertiary institutions across France, Germany, and other European nations. It's not a typical scholarship as the program's bedrock lies in cultural exchange and mobility.
Successful applicants will enjoy a number of benefits, including paid tuition fees and visas, stipends, accommodation, and the opportunity to enrol in various programs and degree courses. This article offers some important information about study in Spain requirements for Nigerians and the places to learn over there.
Here's a link to what you should know about studying in Spain.
Choosing the Best Spanish City to Study In
Learning is a multifaceted endeavour that is not confined to the four walls of a school or within the pages of a textbook. The learning environment is a key aspect that can determine the success and downfall of any educational program.
Thankfully, Spain has several cities that provide the serene atmosphere and ambience required for learning arts, science programs, and the humanities.
You must note that life over there is entirely different from what we have in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. If you'll be spending several months in unfamiliar territory, the best thing is to ensure that you choose the right city for your studies and get good information concerning everything required of you to study there.
Most institutions of higher education offer similar certificate courses and programs and, as such, require that you do adequate research before applying for the school of your choice.
These cities are also home to several state and federal universities that are members of scholarship schemes like Erasmus+. You can stay in the city of your choice for some days to see if it's the best fit for you before making a final decision. However, the following are salient points to consider before choosing a place for your studies.
Read more on a comprehensive guide to studying in Spain as a Nigerian.
Ease of Getting Accommodation
As students intending to run undergraduate or postgraduate programs abroad for a year or less, it is pertinent to note that getting a place to stay should rank first in your list of decisions. Typically, houses in major cities like Madrid and Barcelona are a bit expensive compared to cities on the outskirts. However, if you're travelling abroad through a fully-funded scholarship, then you can consider these major cities.
You must also ensure that your residence is close to or within the university. Some universities offer hostels, while some do not have residential places within the school.
Quality of Life in the City
As a student with a mission of furthering your education, you must have some good information about the quality of life in the prospective city. Major cities like Madrid and Barcelona are usually festive and packed, but if your school is outside these vicinities, you must be ready to adjust to the environment appropriately. You must also ensure that you can settle easily wherever you choose to stay. The people's lifestyle is another essential consideration here as the costs of food, drink, and clothing will significantly influence the quality of your stay.
Costs of Living
Your tuition fees, passport, visa, miscellaneous fees, and travel expenses will take a large toll on your purse if you're not on a scholarship. As such, you need to select a place that will be within your budget. If you're on a scholarship, you will be given monthly stipends, which might not be enough if you choose to stay in very expensive areas.
University Standard
Lastly, most top tier academic institutions in France, Germany, and other European cities like London have schools with standard infrastructure and state of the art facilities. As such, you must ensure that the institute has the requirements for your programs before you get a residence.
In terms of popularity, Madrid, which is the country's capital, ranks high. The city is known for its festive and cultural ambience. It also has good roads, quality infrastructure, and exquisite restaurants. Next in the line is Barcelona. This place is a capital city itself and is home to a beautiful landscape with an interesting history.
The caveat is that you must have a good knowledge of Spanish if you wish to interact with the locals with ease. Seville is also a common destination for students and culture lovers. The famous Andalusian capital is a great place to visit and stay if you need to unwind or enjoy nature's beauty.
There are many language degree programs and institutions here and abroad if you need to work on your Spanish. We insist on having a good knowledge of Spanish because the more you go deeper into the country, the more Spaniards you'll meet.
A significant amount of people living in major cities understand English to an extent, but most residents of places like Granada, Cadiz, and Valencia will converse in Spanish.
You can learn Spanish with a Superprof private tutor near you.
Which Spanish University Should You Choose?
If you have obtained a new study in Spain visa for Nigerians, you should also know the institutions over there. It is a very crucial deliberation if you wish to study in Spain as an international student. First and foremost, you must know that the country has some of the best institutions globally, and many of them are present on the world rankings.
If you wish to go through the Erasmus+ option for international students, you must first know which institutions are partners in the scheme. Some new institutions that are world-class are yet to join the scheme and as such won't be available for selection. For those who wish to go through the Erasmus+ option for international students, the following institutions are new students' favourites:
- University of Barcelona
- Autonomous University of Madrid
- The University of Granada
- University of Salamanca
- University of Seville
- Universitat de València
Other institutions in Spain that are not necessarily within the Erasmus+ program include the Universities of Avila, Cadiz, Leida, Murcia, La Coruna, Burgos, Catalonia, Alicante, Oviedo, and Santiago, respectively. However, entry into them is quite easy if you have the right information and follow the correct application procedures.
Most of these institutions are friendly to foreign pupils, and their teaching prowess is undoubtedly top-notch. As such, it isn't easy putting one of them as the gold standard.
Some pupils travel to a city like Toledo due to its lovely and serene environment, proximity to major cities. and overall reputation. Some other pupils choose to go to institutions in Granada due to their cultural dynamism.
Read on how to prepare yourself to study in Spain.
How to Enrol in a Spanish University as a Nigerian
The study in Spain requirements for Nigerians differs based on programs or scheme structure. If you're going without affiliation to scholarships or sponsors, the enrollment procedure and entry requirements are different for those that wish to travel through sponsors.
If you wish to apply for the Erasmus+ scheme, you must have a good level of Spain's lingua Franca and a certificate to show your proficiency in some instances.
Some top-tier schools will teach in English but also require that you know the local language. You must also have your results ready and translated. This applies to those who wish to apply for any undergraduate or postgraduate degree programs outside Nigeria.
Your results must be duly signed and stamped before you begin the application process. Also, you must have letters of recommendation from your faculty dean or lecturers as part of the application process. You must also read the requirements for specific courses or degrees before you apply.
Here's what you need to know in becoming a student at a Spanish university.
Usually, for an undergraduate, you should have your 0-levels and necessary international exam results showing your English proficiency. On the other hand, the requirements for Master's students start with their first degree results and certificate.
Lastly, you should ensure that there are free slots for you before you start your application to any top tier institution. Ensure that you know the deadline and the required documents to send online and offline.
You must also have a good knowledge of the tuition fees and miscellaneous application costs before you proceed. You should also have your passports, visa, and other immigration documents necessary for hitch-free travel.
To sum it up, studying in Spain as an international student is a multifaceted endeavour. You must have a study in Spain visa for Nigerians and other immigration documents like a passport to start with.
No matter the number of years you spend studying, you must also plan for your post-school life after completing your course. You can start a business if you're business-oriented or work in different establishments across Europe. If you're an Erasmus+ scholar, the scheme will cater to your work, business, or other employment needs as you graduate.
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