Study Abroad Programs in Granada, Spain
Granada was once an important cultural and political center of the Islamic caliphate that ruled the south of Spain in the 10th and 11th centuries. This heritage has been preserved over the centuries in the food, streets, and architecture of the city, most notably in the stunning halls of the Alhambra palace. This has made Granada a particularly unique city in Spain.
But this is not the only thing that makes Granada interesting. The University of Granada draws a large, vibrant, and diverse student population of almost 50,000. This makes Granada an old city filled with young people. Student life here is walking centuries-old streets covered in urban street art, trips to snowy peaks and sunny beaches, languid days in the Andalusian sun and tapas hopping late into the night.
Different types of study abroad courses will offer different levels of support and assistance. Make sure you know exactly what you’re getting before making a choice.
Course Types
There are three main types of study abroad course: direct enrollment, direct exchange, and third-party provider. Direct enrollment means you apply directly to a university course in Granada, direct exchange means you attend a local university as part of an exchange program with your own full-time university, and a third-party provider organizes everything for you.
Each option has its pros and cons. A third-party provider offers much more support for things like housing, visas, and travel, but is usually more expensive. Direct enrollment is the most authentic (and usually cheapest) experience, but more or less leaves you to figure things out by yourself. An exchange program usually has good support and structure, but you need to go to specific partner universities.
Housing
If you study abroad with a third-party organization or an exchange program, you will usually not have to arrange your own housing. For direct enrollment students, there are various options, including university residences, private flats, and staying with a host family. The accommodation office of the University of Granada can provide some guidance.
Third-party providers have several funding options for students who cannot afford to pay the full fees.
- API offers about $500,000 in study abroad scholarships, with students receiving anywhere between $250 and $1,000.
- The Center For Cross-Cultural Study offers a merit-based scholarship and a diversity scholarship for students going to Spain.
- ISA offers the Dr. Carlos Castañeda Memorial Scholarship, which provides $2,000 to students on a merit or needs-based basis.
You can find other great scholarships to apply for here.
