Studying in Spain: quality of education

Studying in Spain: quality of education

Spain is increasingly becoming internationally recognized country for providing quality higher education. Two Spanish universities are ranked in the Top 200 of the 2011 QS World University Rankings. Universitat de Barcelona was ranked 176, and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona 194,

Spanish universities usually have two four-month periods (October to February and February to June), although postgraduate courses often follow a different calendar.

Exams form the most common assessment system and some teachers use modular exams (ex'menes parciales), where students are tested on a specific part of the subject in question.

Once you have passed a modular exam, you never have to study that topic again and, if you fail the modular exam, you can retake it with the official June or September exam.

Although written tests are more frequent, some teachers test their students orally. Continuous assessment based on coursework and tutorials are uncommon in Spain.

To help international students integrate, some universities provide services for foreign students. Checking out how organized and helpful an International Relations Office is before accepting a place on a course is probably one of the most important things that an international student can do.

Make sure they are helpful and keep asking them questions. It is their job.   

Student accommodation in Spai

Like most other study abroad destinations, accommodation for undergraduate students is relatively easy to come by in Spain.

There is a range of options available, including residential colleges (Colegois Mayores), halls of residence (residencias universitarias), student flats and private accommodation.

Student flats tend to be the most popular option, for international students studying in Spain, because of their price and the independence they provide.

Weather/Climate

Spain is located on the Iberian Peninsula in south-western Europe. While Portugal lies to the west, Spain is separated to the northeast from France by the Pyrenees Mountains.

Although much of the country is elevated plains, Spain is also a country of deserts, wetlands and mountains, as well as beautiful coastlines along the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea.

The southern tip of the country is separated from Morocco in North Africa by the narrow Straits of Gibraltar, which serve as a gateway to the entire Mediterranean.

Though some locations can be quite hot during the summer, Spain generally has a temperate climate. During the summer, Spain's capital of Madrid experiences high temperatures (average temperature 85 degrees Fahrenheit/29 degrees Celsius), so native Spaniards and tourists head for the moderate weather of the coasts.

Winter tends to be cold in the interior of the country, and cool and cloudy along the coast (average temperatures are about 50 degrees Fahrenheit/10 degrees Celsius). Also during this time, the rain (and snow) tends to fall mostly in the north.