Spain is an increasingly attractive destination for international education, but the presence of Gulf students remains relatively small. In 2022–2023, Spain recorded 275 Saudi students, while ICEX estimates 324 Emirati students studying in Spain.
The comparison with other destinations highlights the opportunity. The UAE sent around 6,004 students to the UK, 2,388 to the US and 881 to Australia, compared with just 324 to Spain. Spain therefore remains a secondary destination for Gulf families.
Students who choose Spain are mainly attracted by universities in Madrid and Barcelona, although Valencia, Málaga, Bilbao and Salamanca are also relevant options. Popular fields include Business, Engineering, Health Sciences, Medicine, Architecture and Law.
For Gulf families, the decision goes beyond the degree itself. Safety, university reputation, international recognition, English-language programmes, quality of life and accommodation are important considerations.
Spain offers a strong combination of European education, quality of life, connectivity and, in many cases, lower costs than the UK or US. The main challenge is visibility: many Gulf families still look first to the UK, US, Canada or Australia.
The current numbers are modest, but they also reveal significant potential for Spanish universities willing to develop a more targeted approach to the Gulf market.
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