Valencia is a coastal city in eastern Spain with two large public universities, low tuition by European standards and living costs well below Madrid or Barcelona. Non-EU students without Spanish residence pay double the regional price per credit, which still works out to roughly €1,500 to €2,200 for a bachelor’s year and around €4,200 for a typical master’s year at the Universitat de València (UV) and the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV). For a student visa, Spain asks you to show €600 a month, and most programmes are taught in Spanish or Valencian, so language matters. This guide explains how studying in Valencia works for Indian students. Last reviewed on 11 November 2026.
Why Students Choose Valencia
- Low tuition for Western Europe. The Valencian government sets public university prices per credit, and even the doubled non-EU rate is a fraction of fees in the UK, US or Australia.
- Lower living costs than Madrid and Barcelona. A room in a shared flat near the campuses commonly costs about €280 to €450 a month.
- Two large public universities. UV covers a very wide range of subjects, and UPV is a leading technical university in engineering, architecture and design.
- Work rights. Students can work part time while studying, up to 30 hours a week, if it does not interfere with their studies.
- The trade-off. You need Spanish for most degrees, and the bachelor’s entry route for Indian students has extra steps.
Top Universities in Valencia
| Institution | Known for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Universitat de València (UV) | Business, law, sciences, health sciences, humanities and social sciences | Public; most programmes are taught in Spanish and Valencian. The International Business bachelor’s has an English-taught group with a level test |
| Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) | Engineering, architecture, design, computing | Public; no English-taught bachelor’s, but several English-taught master’s programmes |
| Private universities and business schools | Business, health, communication, design | Set their own fees and admission rules; compare them separately from public universities |
Teaching languages, entry requirements and deadlines differ by programme, so read each programme page before you apply.
Tuition Fees at Valencia’s Public Universities
The Generalitat Valenciana sets public university prices per ECTS credit by decree, and a bachelor’s or master’s year is normally 60 credits. Foreign students who are not EU nationals and do not have Spanish residence pay double the base price, and a student stay authorisation does not count as residence.
| Level | Approximate cost for a non-EU student without residence (60 credits) |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s at UV (depending on the degree’s price band) | About €1,535 to €2,160 a year |
| Engineering or architecture bachelor’s at UPV | About €2,080 a year |
| Typical non-professional master’s at UV or UPV | About €4,240 a year |
These figures come from the universities’ fee pages and education portals and assume first enrolment in each subject. Repeating a subject costs more, and specialised or professional master’s programmes can cost far more. Prices are updated by decree, so check the university’s current fee page before you budget. Private universities and business schools charge much more than public ones.
Cost of Living in Valencia
| Expense | Typical cost (estimate) |
|---|---|
| Room in a shared flat near the campuses | About €280 to €450 a month, depending on the area |
| University hall of residence | About €700 to €1,000 a month, according to UPV’s international office |
| Food, transport and personal costs | Varies widely; cooking at home is far cheaper than eating out |
Rent is the biggest cost, and rooms near the universities fill quickly in late summer. Budget for a deposit of one or two months’ rent and a few weeks of temporary accommodation while you search. Check the current prices and student passes for the local bus and metro networks, because fares change.
How Admission Works for Indian Students
Master’s. You apply directly to the university, usually through its online pre-enrolment system, and upload your degree, transcripts and any language certificates. At UV, master’s applications ran in several phases between late March and early September in 2026, and popular programmes can fill in the earlier phases. Check whether your Indian degree length and grading are accepted for the master’s you want.
Bachelor’s. Non-EU applicants generally need an accredited credential from UNEDasiss, Spain’s national distance university, and then take specific competence tests (PCE) to build an admission mark, because places are competitive. The process has deadlines and costs of its own, so start months ahead and check each university’s current rules.
Language. Most degrees are taught in Spanish or Valencian, so expect to show language proof, such as DELE, for those programmes. English-taught options exist mainly at master’s level and in a few bachelor’s groups, and they ask for an English test.
Student Visa and Funds
- Where to apply: through the Embassy of Spain in New Delhi or the Spanish consulate that covers your state, and its authorised application centre. Apply well before your course starts; at least two months is the usual guidance.
- Proof of funds: 100% of Spain’s monthly IPREM for each month of your stay, which is €600 a month in 2026, so €7,200 for a full 12 months. Tuition does not count towards this living-cost figure.
- Other documents: admission or enrolment letter, passport, health insurance from a company authorised to operate in Spain, medical certificate and a police clearance certificate. The consulate lists the exact set.
- After you arrive: apply for your student residence card (TIE) within the time limit stated on your visa.
Spain’s rules, forms and amounts are set by the Government and can change. Check the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs website and the Embassy’s page before you apply.
Working While You Study and After Graduation
- During your studies: higher-education students can work as employees or freelancers if the work is compatible with their studies, up to 30 hours a week under the current immigration regulation.
- After your degree: graduates of university-level programmes can generally apply for a job-search or entrepreneurship permit for up to 12 months, and you must show enough funds for that period. Confirm the current duration and conditions with the immigration authorities before you rely on it.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
- University scholarships and fee reductions: UV and UPV publish their own calls for international students. Check each university’s page for current offers.
- Spanish government and regional programmes: aimed at specific groups and countries. Check the Spanish Embassy and the universities’ international offices for those open to Indian students.
- Education loans from India: compare interest rates and collateral rules, since tuition is modest but living costs and funds proof still matter.
Where Students Live
- Blasco Ibáñez and the UV campuses. The most student-heavy area, with shared flats and many cafés. Rooms are commonly about €280 to €420 a month.
- Ruzafa. A lively, central area with restaurants and cafés, with rooms around €300 to €450 a month.
- Near the UPV Vera campus. Practical for UPV students, with rooms about €300 to €400 a month.
- Residences. University and private residences are more expensive but simpler to arrange from abroad.
Rental scams are common, so never pay a deposit before you have seen the contract and, where possible, the flat. Our student accommodation page explains how we can help.
FAQs About Studying in Valencia
Public university tuition for non-EU students without Spanish residence is roughly €1,500 to €2,200 a year for a bachelor’s and about €4,200 for a typical master’s, because they pay double the regional price per credit. Rent for a room in a shared flat is commonly about €280 to €450 a month.
100% of Spain’s monthly IPREM for each month of your stay, which is €600 a month in 2026, so €7,200 for a full year. Tuition is not counted towards this figure.
For most degrees, yes. Most programmes are taught in Spanish or Valencian, so expect to show language proof. English-taught options exist mainly at master’s level and in a few bachelor’s groups.
Yes. Higher-education students can work up to 30 hours a week, as long as the work does not interfere with their studies and follows the current immigration rules.
University-level graduates can generally apply for a job-search or entrepreneurship permit of up to 12 months, if they can show enough funds. Confirm the current rule with the immigration authorities.
Yes. Our counselling is free for students and covers study in Spain and elsewhere. Start with the free profile assessment.
Get Help Choosing a Spanish University
Eduvisor’s counselling is free for students. We are paid by partner universities and colleges once a student enrols and pays tuition fees, and we still show you options that suit your profile, including ones that are not with our partners. Start with the free profile assessment or contact us. You can also compare other Spanish cities in our guides to Madrid and Barcelona.
Sources: Valencian Government fee decrees as summarised on the Universitat de València and Universitat Politècnica de València pages, the Embassy of Spain in New Delhi guidance as reported for 2026, Royal Decree 1155/2024 and education-portal summaries. Fees, funds and permit rules change, so confirm them with the university and the Spanish authorities before you apply.
