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Frequently asked questions

Find Answers to Common Questions About Our Master's Programs.

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.

Fall 2025 and Fall 2026 First Semester: Tuition in the amount of 3,995€ is due by no later than September 1. Spring 2026 and Spring 2027 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. 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, johnsonglobalstudies@gmail.com or 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


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.

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 certificate upon 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. 

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

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 third semester. Together, with faculty and staff, students are advised, provided workshops, and helped 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.

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.


GRADES IN UNITED STATES  

GRADES IN SPAIN (0-10)

GRADES IN SPAIN

A+ 

9.5-10 

SOBRESALIENTE

A

9.5

SOBRESALIENTE

A-

9.0

SOBRESALIENTE

B+

8.3

NOTABLE

B

7.7

NOTABLE

B-

7.0

NOTABLE

C+

6.3

APROBADO

C

5.7

APROBADO

C-

5

APROBADO

F

0-4.9

SUSPENSO


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 mjohnson@usal.es to indicate your nationality; this information is needed for the official visa letter from 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 date the study program in Spain begins. 

Also include in a PDF the following: 

  1. Acceptance letter from School as student
  2. Copy of your valid ID/Driver’s license (as proof of residence in consular jurisdiction)
  3. Copy of your valid passport 
  4. 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 Subdelegacion 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
or 
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.

For questions related to problematic visa issues, please reach out directly to our MGIS/USAL team member Andrea Paola Escalera Penaranda aescalera@usal.es


  Check out the full FAQ document :     Download it here

 

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