Application Steps and Eligibility

Total tuition for the two-year Master Program is € 15,980.-

A non-refundable processing fee of € 300 is requested approximately 30 days after you accept admission into the program and locks in your slot.

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Fall 2027 and Fall 2028 First Semester:      Tuition in the amount of 3,995€ is due by no later than September 1.

Spring 2028 and Spring 2029 Second Semester:     Tuition in the amount of 3,995€ is due by no later than February 1. 

Once you have paid the initial 300€ to lock in your slot, you will be provided a specific gateway to access your online account. 
If you need assistance accessing the link or wish to set up customized payments, please contact Roberto Pelazas Manso (pelazas@usal.es) who heads the MGIS business office.

Should you wish to pay up-front tuition for the entire two-year program, please ask about payment in advance discounts.

Once you arrive in Salamanca, there is no additional travel requirement as part of your academic studies.

Any additional expenses for class materials depend on your emphasis of study and course requirements.

Professors will recommend books and other readings; a virtual library may be accessed online.

Yes, we offer Merit, Economic Need, Back to School and University of Salamanca scholarships (for students already attending the university).

At this time, MGIS does not grant full tuition scholarships.

All scholarships for this academic year are designed to provide students with reduced tuition opportunities or specific payment plans that adjust to their needs.

Once you have received an offer of admission and have accepted that offer, students may apply for one MGIS/USAL scholarship.

The 3000€ scholarships are a discount on the total tuition for the two-year program.

Please refer to your welcome package for detailed information on scholarships.

Scholarship requests must be submitted to Graduate Advisor, Melody Johnson, mjohnson@usal.es, and she will forward to the scholarship committee for consideration.

You may get a steady income of 300-400€ a month depending on your skills. The difficulty is being hired because you need to have a residence permit. What you need to do is to go to asking for a NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) as soon as possible. That will ease every step to get a contract. That link goes to the General Consulate of Spain in New York. Please find the closest consulate for you and complete that procedure.

Once you pick a study abroad program, Google to find financial aid options available through that specific program. Check with the government of the country you want to study abroad in — some give financial support to international students. Ask your study abroad advisor if there are any scholarships specific to your major.

Ask Melody Johnson, MGIS Graduate Advisor, for more specific information on opportunities to teach English in Salamanca.

See other links below: 

https://www.gooverseas.com/blog/study-abroad-scholarships-grants#paragraph-item-38436-target

https://www.scholarshipportal.com/scholarship/private-students-loans-for-college-with-repayment-period-of-more-then15-years 

https://www.iie.org/en/Programs

 https://www.unigo.com/scholarships/graduate-students/scholarships-for-masters-degree

https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/what-is-student-loan-forgiveness

One award is available to pursue a full-time Master’s degree in Global and International Studies (MGIS) at the Universidad de Salamanca (USAL), 
one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Spain.

For more information, please visit:

https://us.fulbrightonline.org/countries/europe-and-eurasia/spain/1847

Classes usually begin mid to the last week in September or the first week in October. Each academic year varies. You will be notified as information becomes available.

Classes usually begin mid to the last week in September or the first week in October. Each academic year varies.
You will be notified as information becomes available.

For MGIS, the University of Salamanca finalizes its academic calendar in April of each year. You will be provided a copy of the academic calendar when it is available.  

Class schedules will be determined early summer based on confirmed numbers of students in each track. 
However, you may not receive a copy of your class schedule until just before you arrive or at orientation in September.

The number of students participating in each track is determined by the number of applicants/acceptances each academic term. We strive to keep the size of the classes small, usually no more than 10 students per professor in a given track.

Our Global and International Studies courses are taught only in English.

English Language Proficiency

If English is not your first language, please indicate your current proficiency level. A minimum TOEFL score may be required before final acceptance.

Most of our classrooms are located in the Law School building. 
Information will be provided at orientation.

There are many options. The University of Salamanca offers intensive Spanish language courses to all students. 
One option requires students to pay for class materials and the language consulting service. 
Students receive a certificateupon completion of the course, provided they have attended at least 90% of the classes. 
Additional less intensive Spanish class options also are available.

Information may be provided at orientation but Spanish classes are not part of our MGIS/USAL curriculum.

You will receive a post-graduate certified Master Degree from the University of Salamanca, a university with the autonomy to issue degrees that follow their own procedures.

These degrees, known in Spanish as “título propio”, or “own degree”, are approved by the University itself and have more flexible regulatory standards than degrees issued under the Spanish Ministry of Education.

The requirements for the degree follow the regulation approved by the ministry for universities to generate their own degrees according to national and European regulations following the European credit system.

The degree is a Master Titulo Propio but it is a professional degree which means if you are interested in knowing how to navigate (and do things!) in your field of interest, you come to us for a mix of academics and practitioners.

We are able to have faculty members from outside the University of Salamanca while other official master’s program must have nearly 100% of their faculty from USAL.

All degrees are valid in all job places except to work for the Spanish government.

In order to work for the Spanish government, it is necessary to pass state-level competitive examinations and civil service exams for the State Administration.

You will receive an official diploma for the Masters in Global and International Studies and your MA concentration will appear on the diploma.

There is a required professional development course, Global Experiential Learning: Context, Self-Reflection and Professional Development, taught in the third semester.

Together with faculty and staff, students are advised, provided workshops, and helped to facilitate internships that fit professional goals.

MGIS does not place students in internships; our role is to advise and mentor.

At USAL there usually isn’t a graduation ceremony for masters and graduate programs. The “defense days’ celebration” is the equivalent to graduation. If MGIS students opt to have an official graduate ceremony, it will be considered.

With a TItulo Propio degree, students can gain access to the doctoral program at USAL, provided their home university

meets certain requirements. We have former and current students enrolled in the USAL doctoral program. 

Please keep  in mind that receiving a master’s degree in our program does not guarantee you entrance into a USAL PhD program.

Acceptance into any PhD program is determined by the department at the university where you apply, USAL or

elsewhere.

In this link https://doctorado.usal.es/en/preregistration-matriculation you can find all the information you need if 
wishing to explore a PhD at USAL (in English).

There is a 3-semester residency requirement in Salamanca. Online and distance course options may be available during the fourth semester when optional internships take place. 
However, remaining in-residence in Salamanca is highly encouraged for the full two years.

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You should apply at the Spanish Consulate in your country. It usually takes at least two to three months to process student visas to Spain, so make sure to allow ample time. Your letter of admission (verification letter provided by Melody Johnson, Graduate Advisor, when accepted) and some sort of proof of financial solvency is required, among other details that are explained on the consulate website: [www.interior.gob.es]

Note: Please email Melody Johnson at mjohnson@usal.es to indicate your nationality; this information is needed for the official visa letter from the University of Salamanca. To obtain a visa you must check with your local consulate. The usual process is to request an appointment for a Student Visa and include your last name, first name, and the date the study program in Spain begins.

Also include in a PDF the following:

* Acceptance letter from School as student

* Copy of your valid ID/Driver’s license (as proof of residence in consular jurisdiction)

* Copy of your valid passport

* Airline itinerary

On the date of your appointment you will be required to bring all the required documents listed in the instructions for your visa. Should you have difficulty obtaining a student visa, there is a Subdelegación office in Salamanca that usually can process and switch students’ visas that either need to be extended or switched from tourist visas into student visas.

Original documents must be presented when working with the office. For specific information, check out this link:

• ​https://www.linguaschools.com/blog/2020/09/24/how-to-apply-for-a-student-visa-while-in-spain
• ​https://balcellsgroup.com/student-visa-in-spain/#How\_to\_Get\_a\_Student\_Visa\_in\_Spain

For those of you who are unable to move ahead because you are waiting for the Apostille to arrive, former students have recommended that you have it delivered to your home address and then have a trusted contact priority mail it to your address in Spain with tracking information. It is NOT recommended that the Apostille be sent to your address in Spain because it may arrive months later.

Please keep in mind that non-European students must get their medical certificate apostilled as well.

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For questions related to problematic visa issues, please reach out directly to our MGIS/USAL team member Andrea Paola Escalera Penaranda email address: escalera.andreapaola@gmail.com.

Please check with the Spanish consulate in your country since each consulate has different requirements.

See http://www.studying-in-spain.com/visa-and-entry-requirements-into-spain/.

MGIS staff is always available to assist and we have a dedicated USAL Graduate Student who can help you on campus. 

In addition, there is The "Servicio de Relaciones Internacionales" office.

Yes, provided that the work is compatible with the activity for which the visa was granted, and that the income derived

from such work is not required to support you in the country. If you wish to be employed or self-employed, you must

first apply for a work permit and must meet the requirements according to the activity you want to engage in. 
Further, If you are interested in working part-time information regarding procedures can be found at https://www.inclusion.gob.es/en/web/migraciones/

while studying in Spain, please be sure to ask about restrictions related to your visa. 

The links below may be helpful:

• https://www.global-business-school.org/announcements/can-work-student-visa-barcelona
• https://studying-in-spain.com/living-in-spain/working-in-spain/#:~:text=International%20students%20on%20a%20student,pursuing%20your%20studies%20in%20Spain

• http://extranjeros.empleo.gob.es/es/InformacionInteres/FolletosInformativos/archivos/triptico_estudiantes_eng.pdf
  

When the authorized stay exceeds six months, non-EU citizens holding a visa for study, research, training, unpaid internships, student exchange programs, or volunteer activities must apply for a Foreigner Identity Card at the corresponding Foreigners Office or police station in Salamanca.

There are two separate institutions:

• For the University of Salamanca, use MEC Code 014.
• For the General Foundation of the University of Salamanca, which is responsible for the financial management of the master’s program, use Tax ID ES G37338118.

The embassy asks for proof of basic public or private health insurance for all students and even tourists. Students

without a European Health Card but holders of a private health insurance should take into account the rules and

procedures of their particular health coverage. Regarding dental care, the Spanish social security system only covers

tooth extraction. If you require any other treatment you will have to go to a private dentist and at your own expense.

MGIS students have used Swisscare Student Insurance or Caser, a Spanish health insurance company, which fulfills the

requirements to obtain a Spanish student visa. Other suggestions include Sanitas, Adeslas, Allianz or those listed below.

• https://www.seguromedicoextranjeros.es/seguro-medico-estudiantes-extranjeros/•
• https://www.visitorscoverage.com/student-health-insurance/
• https://www.spainmadesimple.com/insurance/companies/caser-seguros/

There are a variety of accommodation options in Salamanca. Students can choose to live with a Spanish host family to

deepen their experience of Spanish culture or live in a shared student flat, which provides an economical option and a

great way of meeting fellow international students. 

Also offered are individual studio apartments for students who prefer living on their own. Please keep in mind that University of Salamanca offers subsidized housing for students and professors. If considering residing in a USAL residence hall, be sure to tell them you are a graduate student – not undergraduate! 

See the links below for more information:

Colegio Mayor San Bartolomé

El Colegio Mayor San Bartolomé, fundado en 1.401, combina las modernas instalaciones en las que actualmente se encuentra, junto al Campus Unamuno,

con el sabor de la tradición que nos da el ser el Colegio Mayor más antiguo de España.

Colegio Mayor Fray Luis de León

The Colegio Mayor Fray Luis de León, created in 1954, is a center of the University of Salamanca that provides accommodation for academic courses and

short stays to students, researchers and professors.

Colegio Mayor de Oviedo

The Colegio Mayor de Oviedo was inaugurated in 1995. It has a total of 345 beds, 254 in a double room and 89 in a single room. There are 2 rooms

suitable for people with mobility issues.

RUCM Hernán Cortés

After a careful and complete remodeling, the historic Colegio Mayor Hernán Cortés reopened its doors. It has single and double rooms.

R.U. Colegio de Cuenca

The Colegio de Cuenca University Residence, located on the Miguel de Unamuno University Campus, has been in operation since October 2001 and was officially inaugurated on October 3, 2002.

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Colegio de Cuenca Residencia Hall:

http://www.resa.es/en/residences/salamanca/residence-hall-colegio-de-cuenca/residence

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Hernán Cortés Residence Hall:

http://www.resa.es/en/residences/salamanca/residence-hall-hernan-cortes/residence

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Our partner "Cursos Internacionales" can also assist you with home stays:

https://cursosinternacionales.usal.es//en/accommodation-salamanca-0

Other options:

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• https://erasmusplay.com/en/salamanca.html
• https://housinganywhere.com/s/Salamanca--Spain/student-accommodation
• https://www.uniplaces.com/accommodation/salamanca
• https://www.spanish-town-guides.com/Salamanca_Accommodation_Student_Room_Rental.htm
• https://www.nestpick.com/salamanca/
• https://www.student.com/es/salamanca

Check with residential services to see if food is included in the overall cost. For those who prefer living in an apartment,

there are many markets, restaurants, coffee shops and pubs throughout the city. Food is usually organic and offered at

very reasonable prices (e.g., a coffee will cost €1.50 and an average meal approximately €7). The hour at which meals

are served may be different from your current schedule. In Salamanca, breakfast is usually coffee and toast or pastry.

Midmorning coffee is served somewhere between 11 a.m. and noon. Lunch is primarily composed of soups, vegetables,

pasta, meat or fish and starts between 2 and 3 pm. After lunch there is a siesta and afternoon coffee hour begins at 5

p.m. Dinner is usually served at 9 p.m. or later. It goes without saying that your actual cost of living depends a lot on

your spending habits. If you enjoy eating out for most meals or insist on living alone, your monthly expenditures will

obviously be much higher than a thriftier person who is willing to compromise and cut some corners. For more

information on the cost of living in Salamanca, please see https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Salamanca.

The Office of Cultural Activities organizes film festivals, concerts, plays, dance, jazz, art exhibits, chamber music, and

other activities. You can consult the program of cultural activities organized for each term at accult.usal.es.

The University of Salamanca has two main sports complexes: the Miguel de Unamuno University Sports Centre and the Salas Bajas Sports Complex. Both are within walking distance of the historic city centre and offer a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities, including tennis, football, badminton, rugby and volleyball.

Students can participate competitively or simply for recreation. Other activities include fitness classes, hiking, skiing, mountain biking, biodanza, chess, fencing, kayaking, archery, golf, rock climbing and music classes.

In order to open a banking account, you must have a foreign resident card which may take up to a month or more to

receive. We strongly recommend you have a way to access money easily in the interim. 

Note: The Post Office in Salamanca works with Western Union.

In Salamanca there are city buses; taxis use the app Pide Taxi. RENFE and Blabla are long distance car rental companies.  See our Transport guide here

The University of Salamanca is home to a diverse and inclusive community of approximately 40,000 students and professionals from more than 60 nationalities, creating a vibrant environment where different cultures, perspectives and experiences come together.

You are encouraged to reach out to Melody Johnson, Graduate Advisor, MGIS/USAL, at  mjohnson@usal.es. 

or via our contact page