fbpx
Market intelligence for international student recruitment from ICEF
22nd Jan 2025

Foreign enrolment in Spanish higher education reached a record high in 2022/23

Short on time? Here are the highlights:
  • International enrolment in Spanish universities expanded by nearly 8% in 2022/23
  • Many of those students are from key European sending markets, but Spanish-speaking markets outside of Europe also figure prominently

Following strong growth in the 2021/22 academic year, the number of international students in Spanish universities reached a record high in 2022/23, according to the latest data release from Spain's Ministerio de Universidades.

The ministry says that there were 241,775 foreign students in Spain's universities in 2022/23. That represents a nearly 8% year-over-year gain. It also adds up to an impressive 16% increase from a pre-pandemic base of 208,320 students in 2019/20.

The 2022/23 total includes 180,565 foreign students enrolled in degree programmes and another 61,215 in exchange programmes.

Top sending markets

The broad pattern in terms of the top countries of origin for Spanish higher education is largely the same in 2022/23 as it was the year before. European markets are well represented with Italy, France, Germany, and Romania comfortably in the Top 10.

Outside of the European senders, Spanish-speaking markets also figure prominently, including Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, and Chile. In fact, much of the year-over-year growth for 2022/23 appears to have been driven by a couple of key Spanish-language markets, notably Colombia and Mexico.

The top 40 sending markets for Spanish universities, 2021/22. Values shown include total student numbers by market, enrolment in academic exchange programmes ("programas de movilidad") and degree enrolments ("de matricula ordinaria"). Source: Ministerio de Universidades

For additional background, please see:

Most Recent

  • The number of students in higher education abroad has more than tripled since the turn of the century Read More
  • US warns of expanded travel ban that could affect key African markets Read More
  • Breaking: US resumes student visa processing Read More

Most Popular

  • Which countries will contribute the most to global student mobility in 2030? Read More
  • Research shows link between study abroad and poverty alleviation  Read More
  • Beyond the Big Four: How demand for study abroad is shifting to destinations in Asia and Europe Read More

Because you found this article interesting

The number of students in higher education abroad has more than tripled since the turn of the century The latest figures from UNESCO indicate continued strong growth in higher education enrolments globally. From the year 2000,...
Read more
US warns of expanded travel ban that could affect key African markets “The United States is considering restricting entry to citizens of an additional 36 countries in what would be...
Read more
Breaking: US resumes student visa processing On 18 June, the US State Department sent a cable to all US diplomatic posts abroad instructing them...
Read more
Is Canada valued more as a “pathway to immigration” or as a destination for education? During a 12 June 2025 webinar presented by the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) and IDP, IDP...
Read more
Japanese outbound numbers reached 90% of pre-pandemic levels in 2024 An annual survey of Japanese education agents finds that outbound student numbers from this key sending market are...
Read more
UK: Study visa applications up by nearly a third year to date The early data we are seeing so far this year makes a couple of things clear. First, there...
Read more
Real-time insights on shifting international student interest in the US ICEF and NAFSA co-hosted a featured webinar on 11 June, and the session showcased some important data reflecting...
Read more
What are the latest developments for international students in the United States? An update like this needs a time stamp as the events reported are unfolding quickly. It was first...
Read more
What are you looking for?
Quick Links