FAQ
1. What is a Vocational Diploma?
The Vocational Education Training (VET) diploma is a type of formal education based on learning a specific profession. The vocational diploma in Spain has the following features:
- Duration: 2 academic years.
- Recognition: The diploma is awarded by the Ministry of Education of Spain.
- Practical approach: All vocational diplomas included mandatory internships in companies as part of their curriculum.
2. What is the name of Vocational Diploma in other countries?
Here you have some examples:
USA: Associate degree. It is taught at Community Colleges.
Germany: Ausbildung
The Philippines: TESDA, (The Technical Education and skills development).
India: ITI (Industrial Training Institutes). VET in India is structured under the NSQF, (National Skills Qualifications Framework).
UK: VET (Vocational Education and Training)
Australia: Technical and Further Education and VET (Vocational Education and Training).
Canada: Career and Technical Education
France: VET, (Vocational Education and Training)
China: VET, (Vocational Education and Training)
3. Which are the vocational courses available in Spain?
Here you can access to the entire list of all vocational courses available in Spain.
4. What is the duration of a vocational program?
The vocational program last for 2 academic years. The starting date is September until June. The months of July and August are summer holidays.
5. Which are the benefits of studying a Vocational course in Spain?
These are some of the reasons why studying a Vocational course in Spain is an option that every year is taken for more international students:
- The approach of the course is practical. All vocational courses include mandatory internships at companies as part of the curriculum from the first year.
- All VET courses in Spain are officially recognized by the Ministry of Education of Spain and Vocational Training and Sport as well as the European Commission.
- Education excellence: All courses are strictly regulated by the Spanish Government.
- Affordability: You can study for free (with no tuition fees) at public vocational centers in Spain. Courses are fully funded by the Government. Some public centers require to pay some symbolic amount, around 400€ per year in terms of material required for the course.
- Admission requirements: You do not need to pass an entry exam. IELTS or TOELF is also not required. You need to obtain the academic equivalency of your previous academic qualification. In case you do not know Spanish language, or you are a beginner, you will need to complete a Spanish course in advance, to prepare you to obtain the A2 level. You can find more information about our Spansih online courses here.
Direct access to university with quota reservation: Spanish universities reserve 15% of their seats only for students coming from Vocational studies without the need of taking the university entry exam.
If you plan to access to some degrees that require high score like Medicine, Dentistry or Physiotherapy, you might need to just take to take exam for a few subjects, (to increase your grading score).
6. How many types of vocational school are there?
There are 3 types of vocational schools:
- Public vocational schools:
These schools are funded by the Spanish government. That means that there are no tuition fees. Some of these vocational centers require students to pay a symbolic amount between 70-400€ per year in terms of material. - Chartered vocational schools:
These schools are partially funded by the Spanish government. Tuition fees: 180-500€ per year. - Private vocational schools:
These schools are privately owned. Tuition fees 2,500-5,000€ year. - Football vocational school:
Tuition fees: 1,500€ per level. It has 3 levels which can be completed in 2 academic years. You need to pass a physical test to obtain admission. This diploma provides you the licence for the following:
-Work as a Football coach at La liga and all first division leagues in Europe.
-Opening up your own accredited football academy.
7. Which are the requirements to obtain admission into a vocational course in Spain?
As an international student, you need to fulfil 3 requirements to obtain admission:
- Academic requirements:
You need to obtain academic equivalency of your academic transcripts. That means that whatever you have studied in your home country, it needs to be recognized by the Ministry of Education in Spain.
There are 2 types of vocational courses: Middle level and High level.
Requirements to access middle level vocational courses:
The minimum requirement to access to middle level vocational courses is to hold the equivalent to 10th grade.
Requirements to access high level vocational courses:
The minimum requirement to access to middle level vocational courses is to hold the equivalent to 12th grade.
These are the minimum academic requirements to apply for admission. If you hold a Bachelors degree or masters, that will score additional points in the selection process. - Language requirements:
If your level of Spanish is zero or beginner, you need to take a course of Spanish A2 level (beginner level) of minimum 50h. You can take our accredited Spanish online courses here.Certifying your Spanish level will score extra points for your admission. Also, having your Spanish level certified with at least an A2 level helps for your visa to be granted.
- Visa requirements:
If you come from a country outside the EU, you need to apply for student visa. You need to make sure you are eligible in terms of visa.
That means that you need to have enough financial means, showing you have at least 10,000€ in your bank account or you have a sponsor (blood related) who is can show in his/her bank account at least 20,000€. You can check out your visa eligibility here
8. When is the intake for Vocational studies in Spain?
There is only one intake per year, which is September. The Vocational Program called “Football coach” is the only one which have different intakes around the year: September, February and May.
9. What is the deadline to apply for Vocational studies in Spain?
We recommend to start the process of application as soon as possible, as the process is long and it involves a lot of paperwork.
The ideal situation is to start the process with at least 8 months of advance. If you don’t need to process visa or you have some of the documents ready, the duration of process might be reduced for you.
Book an appointment here. We will study your case in detail and double check whether you are still on time to meet the deadline for admission.
During the orientation we will explain:
-Process for admission
-Visa requirements
-Course selection.
10. What is the language of communication of Vocational courses?
Classes of vocational program at public centers (with no tuition fees) are conducted in Spanish language.
To obtain admission, you just need to show you have completed an A2 level Spanish course preparation of minimum 50h. You can start preparing for the Spanish course here:
11. Is there any Vocational course conducted in English language?
Yes, the courses are the following ones (both deliver in private vocational centers, with tuition fees):
- Nursery Education (which provides the licence to work as kindergarten teacher in Spain)
- Nursery Care.
12. What is the process for admission for Vocational studies in Spain?
The process of admission into a public vocational course follows this timeline:
1. May-June: Pre-enrollment application
2. July: Pre-admission results
3. End of July: Final resolution of admitted students.
4. Beginning of September: Classes start (there is only one intake per year,
September).
International students need to submit the following documents to obtain admission:
– Application form (online or at the center)
– Academic equivalency (homologation) of their academic qualification.
– NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero), Foreign ID.
– Proof of residency (sometimes).
If you don’t live in Spain already, it is not possible for you as an international student to have NIE, digital certificate or proof of residency. Can you still apply? Yes, the legal
agency Vocational Spain can apply on your behalf, acting as your legal representative.
Book an individual orientation session here: and get informed about the following:
-Admission process
-Visa requirements
-Course selection
13. Can Vocational Spain guarantee admission into a public Vocational School in Spain?
No organization can guarantee admission, as placements are assigned by Spain’s
Education Council. However, Vocational Spain has a 100% success rate as you can see here.
In case you do not get admission into a public vocational school (with no tuition fees), we offer a refund. You can check out the refund policy here.
14. Is Vocational Spain a legit agency?
15. Is it true that you can study for free in Spain with a Vocational program?
Yes, public vocational programs (Formación Profesional – FP) in Spain are
essentially free for students.
However, international students require some additional requirements to obtain
admission, like academic equivalency (homologation) and NIE (Número de
Identificación de Extranjero), Foreign Identification Number to be able to submit their
application.
If you don’t live in Spain, you won’t have an NIE, or proof of residency but you can still apply. How? Vocational Spain can submit your application as your legal representative.
Book a personal orientation session here:
Get guidance on:
-Admission process
-Visa requirements
-Choosing the right course
16. Is there any age limit to apply for vocational studies in Spain?
No, No, there is no age limit. Vocational Spain has obtained admission for students of 50+
years old.
Here you can watch a testimony of Delfin Pura, a senior Filipino student:
–Studying Agriculture Vocational Diploma in Spain for free: my experience
–Interview with Delfin: Filipino Vocational student in Spain:
17. Where can I find testimonies of international students who studied vocational degree in Spain?
You have some examples of testimonies of international students here:
Studying Hospitality for free in Spain:
Free Education in Spain:
From Nigeria to Spain: How to study Vocational Course for free: FAQ:
Studying Agriculture Vocational Diploma in Spain for free: my experience
1. When can I renew my student visa?
Between 60 days before and up to 90 days after your current visa expires.
2. How early before my new course starts should I apply?
At least 60 days before the course begins.
3. Do I need to complete my current course to renew my student visa?
Yes. You must show proof that you’ve successfully completed the course tied to your current visa.
4. Can I renew my visa by enrolling in a vocational course?
Yes, as long as you’ve completed your previous student course.
5. Can Vocational Spain handle the entire process for me?
Yes. We take care of everything: document prep, legal representation, course advice, and on-time submission — no appointments or paperwork stress for you.
You can book an appointment here and our lawyers will guide you through the process.
6. Which type of visa should I apply for if I want to study Vocational diploma in Spain?
You should apply for student visa.
Do you have any questions about the process of student visa?
Our legal team is specialized on student visa (from country of origin, conversion from Schengen to student visa, or application of student visa from Spain).
Book an orientation individual meeting with our legal experts here and make sure you fulfill all requirements.
7. Which are the main requirements for my student visa to be granted?
The main requirements are the following ones:
-Having an admission letter of official studies approved by the Ministry of Education of Spain. (This is the case of all Vocational studies in Spain).
-Proving you have enough financial means.
Do you have any questions about how much money you can find for financial means or how to submit your application with sponsors?
8. Which are the financial means needed for my student visa to be granted?
To get a Spanish student visa, you must prove sufficient financial means—mainly by showing you can cover monthly living expenses based on the IPREM (Public Multiple Effects Income Indicator) for the duration of your stay:
FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Basic requirement: 100% of monthly IPREM
2025 IPREM: €600/month = €7,200 for a 12-month stay.
Adding family members:
First accompanying family member: +75% of IPREM = €450/month
Each additional family member: +50% = €300/month
Important note: These are the minimum financial means asked. We only recommend to show a higher amount, specially for those students who are 30+. To obtain individual guidance applied to your personal case, you can book an individual orientation with our legal department here.
9. Can I bring my dependents with the student visa?
Yes, you are allowed to bring dependents with the student visa. However, you will need to show you can cover their full expenses during the entire stay, as dependents are not allowed to work.
Book an individual orientation with our legal experts here to make sure your application is submitted as the Consulate requirements.
10. Can I apply for student visa from Spain?
Yes, that option is possible. You need to fulfill the following requirements:
-Applying before the first 30 days of your arrival to Spain.
-Showing you have an admission letter of studies (that mentions that your study course will start at least 60 days after your application).
This option is specially good if you hold a citizenship that allows you to travel to Spain without visa and you are 35+. You can check if you can travel to Spain without visa here:
Usually it is very hard to get available slots in less than 30 days. Our legal team can apply on your behalf (without the need of you booking appointments) and making sure you don´t miss the deadline.
You can book an individual orientation session with our legal team here.
1. Can I work while studying?
Yes, with the student visa you are allowed to work up to 30h/week.
2. Do Vocational Degree program include internships?
Yes, internships take part of the curriculum and they are mandatory. Interships are conducted during the entire program, first and second year.
If you perform well during your internship, there are high chances that the company hires you later on.
3. Which are the options to stay in Spain after I complete Vocational studies?
After you finish your studies, you can opt for any of the following options:
-Applying for employment visa (if you have a job contract).
-Applying for job seeker visa, (if you still don´t have a job offer).
-Applying for entrepreneurship/freelance visa (if you plan to start up your own venture).
4. What is the vocational course with the highest job demand in Spain?
Vocational courses with the highest job demand in Spain currently are the following ones:
-Culinary Arts
-Hospitality & Tourism
-Wine studies (Viniculture)
-Bakery and Pastry
This is due to the fact that Spain is the hub of Tourism of the world.
Other high-demand vocational areas include:
–Care giver: Spain is one of the top 3 countries with the highest life expectancy
in the world, that means there is aging population and need for social services.
–Beauty care & Professional make-up: Personal care and advanced aesthetics is something in the
culture of Spain at any age, that is the reason there are always demand for
these professionals.
–Fashion design: Spain is a fashion hub, birthplace to global brands like Zara or Mango. Fashion designers are always on demand.
–Civil construction: Spain is experiencing a boom in this industry that demands
a lot of professionals in the field.
–Sustainable Agriculture: Spain’s growing focus on eco-friendly farming boosts
demand for experts in sustainable agriculture.
–Aero-mechanics Maintenance of Airplanes with Turbine Engine: The expanding aviation sector needs skilled technicians to maintain and repair modern turbine-engine aircraft.
–Electricity and Renewable Energy: Spain’s commitment to clean energy
drives strong demand for professionals in electricity and renewable
technologies.
–Vehicle maintenance: The increasing number of vehicles and advances in
automotive technology drive strong demand for skilled vehicle maintenance
technicians in Spain.
–Dental Prosthesis: Increasing dental care awareness and aging populations
create more jobs for dental prosthesis specialists. This course also gives direct
access to study Dentistry University degree in Spain later on, if you want to.
–Nuclear Medicine: Advances in medical diagnostics and treatments raise
demand for experts in nuclear medicine technologies.
–Nursery Education: Spain is experiencing a boom for Kindergartens (with full immersion in English language). Additionally, only this Vocational diploma will provide you licence for you to work in a Nursery school.
The first step to start the process is to book an individual orientation session. We will explain:
-Admission process
-Visa requirements
-Course selection
-Answer all your questions
Book your individual session here:
If you decide to continue the process later on, this amount will be deducted from the
admin fees payment.
5. How many years do I need to obtain Spanish nationality?
To apply for Spanish nationality by residence, the general requirement is:
-10 years of legal residence in Spain.
Exceptions with shorter residence periods:
-5 years: For refugees.
–Double nationality: 2 years: For citizens of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines,
Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, or people of Sephardic origin.
-1 year: For those married to a Spanish citizen, born in Spain.
Student visa does not count toward the residency requirement for Spanish nationality.
However, other types of visas like employment visa, seek employment visa or
entrepreneurship visa do count for double nationality.
1. What is the first step to start the process to study Vocational course in Spain?
The first step to start the process is to book an individual orientation session. We will explain:
-Admission process
-Visa requirements
-Course selection
-Answer all your questions
Book your individual session here:
If you decide to continue the process later on, this amount will be deducted from the admin fees payment.
2. Why are there admin fees if Vocational studies are tuition free?
Even though public vocational schools don’t charge tuition free (they are fully funded by
the Spanish government), as an international student you still need to meet certain
requirements to apply:
1. Having your academic qualifications officially recognized (academic
equivalency).
2. Obtaining your NIE (foreigner ID number)
3. Be registered as a resident in Spain (empadronamiento)
Without these requirements, your application cannot be submitted.
Vocational Spain can act as your legal representative and therefore obtain admission
for you as an international student.
Vocational Spain gets in charge of the following:
-Applying on your behalf as your legal representative.
-Processing your academic equivalency (sworn translations included)
-Guiding you through the entire visa process.
You can get more information about the admin fees here:
The first step to start the process is to book an individual orientation session, where we
will explain you the following:
-Admission process
-Visa requirements
-Course selection
You can book your individual session here. If you decide to continue the process later on, that amount will be deducted from the admin fees payment.
3. Why an individual orientation meeting is needed to start the process?
Every student has different academic background, financial situation, and visa needs. The individual orientation session helps you:
✅ Understanding the admission process and knowing your chances to get admitted into a public vocational course (with no tuition fees).
✅ Selecting the vocational courses that best match your interests, and job prospects.
✅ Getting clarity on visa requirements, having into account your nationality, financial status and personal situation (whether you need sponsors or not, whether you travel with dependents, etc).
✅ Learning the best pathway for you to get visa granted. There are many ways you can get student visa:
-Applying from home country.
-Transferring Shengen to student visa while you are in Spain.
-Applying for student visa from Spain (only available for some nationalities which can enter Spain without visa)✅ Getting answer to all your questions directly. Also, as Spanish locals, we can also guide you on ways to obtain accommodation and cities that better match your expectations.
This session is designed to give you a personalized road-map, so you don’t waste time or risk rejection due to missing information or lack of understading of the process.
It’s not just a meeting, it’s the foundation for your successful application and future in Spain.
