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Australia vs Spain: which should you study in?
Both are strong destinations, and the honest answer depends on your budget, your grades and whether you want to stay on after graduating. Here is the side-by-side.
Australia vs Spain, line by line
| Metric | Australia | Spain |
|---|---|---|
| Living cost | ≈ $20,500 | ≈ $11,500 |
| Tuition from | ≈ $21,500 | ≈ $450 |
| Average tuition | ≈ $29,000 | ≈ $7,000 |
| Total per year | ≈ $49,500 | ≈ $18,500 |
| Post-study work | 2 years | 1 years |
| Work while studying | 24 h/week | 30 h/week |
| PR pathway | strong | moderate |
| Institutions | 31 | 12 |
| Courses listed | 120 | 32 |
| World rank | #19 | #164 |
| Typical entry grade | 77% | 72% |
| English requirement | IELTS 6.5 | IELTS 6.3 |
Which one fits you?
Choose Australia if…
- ✓you want longer post-study work rights (2 years)
- ✓you want more institutions to choose from (31 here)
- ✓settling permanently matters to you
- ✓you are targeting a higher-ranked university
Choose Spain if…
- ✓you want lower living costs (about $9,000 a year less)
- ✓you want cheaper tuition (from $450 a year)
The short version
Spain is the cheaper route on total annual cost, while Australia gives you longer to work after you graduate. If you are optimising for permanent residency, Australia has the stronger pathway.
Australia
Subclass 500 student visa. Financial capacity requirement is AUD 29,710/yr of living costs. The Temporary Graduate visa (485) gives 2 years for bachelor's/coursework master's and 3 for research degrees and PhDs; skilled occupations feed a points-based PR system.
Spain
Student visa (Type D). Students may work up to 30h/week, and graduates can take a 12-month job-search stay.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to study in Australia or Spain?
On total annual cost — tuition plus living — Spain works out cheaper. Tuition in Australia starts around $21,500 a year against $450 in Spain, and living costs run $$20,500 versus $$11,500 a year.
Which gives better post-study work rights, Australia or Spain?
Australia allows 2 year(s) of post-study work and Spain allows 1. During term, students can work up to 24 hours a week in Australia and 30 hours in Spain.
Which is easier to get into, Australia or Spain?
Across the courses we list, the typical competitive grade is about 77% in Australia and 72% in Spain, with English requirements of IELTS 6.5 and 6.3 respectively. Entry difficulty varies far more by institution than by country.
Other comparisons
Estimated figures. Tuition, living costs and entry benchmarks on this page are estimates for guidance and comparison. Always confirm exact figures with the institution before you apply.
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