Castellón · CEU UCH University · Students from more than 85 nationalities, with full support from your visa to your arrival.
Choosing where to study is choosing how your career will begin. Here's what each layer of that decision brings.
The world's leading gastronomic destination. Spain means credibility in any kitchen on the planet, with an unmatched ecosystem of produce, technique and culture.
45 minutes from Valencia by train. Over 300 days of sunshine a year. One of the most affordable cities in Spain for students, without giving up quality of life.
The only university gastronomic campus in Spain, backed by CEU UCH University, training students not only in gastronomy but also in gastronomic business management, research, R&D and entrepreneurship.
The path is different depending on where you're from. Find your case in 10 seconds.
Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Chile and the rest of the region. Spanish is your language (the main challenge is logistics and timing).
Student visa (type D) · Apostille and certified translations · Start the process as soon as possible
France, Italy, Germany, Portugal and all EU/EEA countries. No visa required. NIE registration needed within the first 3 months.
NIE registration · European health card or insurance · Erasmus+ scholarship options
Post-Brexit UK, the US, Canada, Asia and other non-European countries. A visa is required (plan with as much lead time as possible).
Student visa · Bank statement (€6,000+) · Private medical insurance · Start the process well in advance
Transferring from another university, a gap year, or a second degree on top of an existing one. We assess each case individually.
Credit recognition (case by case) · Academic transcript · Direct call with the Academic Advisor
From your first search to your first day of class.
Organized, no surprises.
Download the International Guide. Understand the full picture before committing to anything.
We map out your profile, country of origin, prior education and target timeline.
Complete the admission process: application, academic documentation, interview and formalization of your place.
Once admitted, we guide you through the specific documentation for your country: apostilles, certified translations, required records.
We issue the official documents you need (admission letter, enrollment certificate) and guide you through the deadlines and consular process.
Welcome pack, NIE guidance, SIM card, buddy program and international community from your first week.
We're not legal counsel and we don't replace the consulate (but we know the process well and help you prepare).
Important: Visa requirements vary by country and can change. This information is for guidance only. Always check with the Spanish Consulate or Embassy in your country for current, specific requirements.
As soon as possible
Contact the GASMA team. Start gathering documents. Consulate waiting times vary a lot by country (don't leave this step for last).
With enough lead time
Submit your visa application. In some countries waiting times can be months. Book early.
Before arriving
Confirm your accommodation. Get medical insurance. Let the GASMA team know your arrival date.
Week 1 in Spain
Register with the town hall (empadronamiento). Start the NIE/TIE process with GASMA's guidance.
We issue the admission letter and enrollment documents you need to submit at the consulate. Managing the file with the consulate, and meeting its requirements and deadlines, is the student's responsibility.
We explain how the process works, the deadlines to keep in mind, and the documentation consulates usually request. Always for guidance purposes.
Online session with the International Advisor to review your case, answer questions and map out an action plan tailored to your country and timeline.
Most delays and complications for international students come from documentation errors. Here's what you need to know.
Two different things that are easily confused: the documents for academic admission (what GASMA and CEU UCH need to enroll you) are different from the official recognition of a foreign qualification in Spain. The first is always required. The second depends on your situation and is handled through the Ministry of Education (we guide you on what applies to your case).
Most common mistakes: submitting documents without an apostille, providing records without an official translation, or underestimating the time needed to obtain documents in your home country. Plan for 4 to 8 weeks to gather the complete documentation.
GASMA's methodology is practical, in-person and project-based. Language proficiency matters, but the kitchen is a universal language.
For programs in Spanish: minimum B2 level (CEFR) to follow classes normally. For the English Track: B2 in English. If your level is still developing, contact us to assess your case individually.
Most of the time is spent in the kitchen, the restaurant or on real projects. Theory supports practice, not the other way around.
Work groups are small and personal. You get direct access to faculty and the chance to progress with personalized attention.
No single final exam. Assessment is ongoing, based on projects and performance throughout the course (which better reflects the student's real progress).
One-on-one academic tutoring, small-group learning and a buddy program to support your adjustment during the first few weeks.
The question everyone has but few ask directly. Here's an honest breakdown.
| Item | Estimated monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Shared apartment | €250–400 |
| Studio / individual apartment | €500–700 |
| Food and groceries | €180–260 |
| Local transport | €15–30 |
| Mobile and internet plan | €15–30 |
| Leisure and social life | €80–150 |
| Estimated total | €540–1,170 / month |
The most common option for students. Rooms from €250/month. Neighborhoods: Centro, Rafalafena, Grapa.
All-inclusive option with meals. Prices from €550/month. Ask the Advisor about current partner residences.
More independence. From €500/month. Recommended once you know the city. Good availability for students.
Castellón is a mid-sized city, calm and welcoming.
Everything is close by and you'll find your way around quickly.
From your first pre-arrival session to your first month in Castellón, GASMA is with you.
Online session before you arrive. We review your documentation, confirm your accommodation and answer any last questions.
In-person orientation at GASMA. Help with your NIE appointment, bank account, SIM card and settling-in logistics.
We introduce you to a student from your country or region who can support you, answer your questions and help you settle in during your first few weeks.
Campus tour, introduction to the international student community and first integration events. Your network from day one.
"I arrived from Mexico without knowing how to handle the visa or find housing. The GASMA team worked through it with me from the start. By the first week I already felt at home."
"Coming from France I thought the process would be simple — and it was, but it also helped to have someone explain the NIE, the empadronamiento and how the Spanish system works."
"The buddy program made all the difference. Having someone from Colombia who already knew Castellón saved me weeks of adjustment, and I could focus on learning from the start."
The program is designed to be simple, transparent and mutually beneficial. If you still have questions, our admissions team is here for you.
Yes. Once you have a confirmed place at GASMA, we issue the admission letter and enrollment documents in the format you need to submit at the consulate. Managing the consular process is the student's responsibility; we guide you and provide GASMA's official documentation.
The average student budget is €540–1,170/month, including accommodation, food, local transport and everyday expenses. It does not include tuition fees. Castellón is one of the most affordable cities in the Valencian Community for students. See the cost of living breakdown above.
Yes. The International Advisor guides you on how and where to look for housing in Castellón, recommended neighborhoods, what to check in a rental contract, and can put you in touch with partner student residences. We don't act as a real estate agency, but we know the market well.
Every international student goes through the Welcome Journey: an online pre-arrival session, in-person orientation on the first day, administrative guidance (NIE, SIM card, bank account) and a buddy program with a student from your country or region. The goal is that by the end of the first week you feel settled and ready to focus on learning.
Non-EU students applying for a student visa must show private medical insurance with coverage in Spain for the entire length of their studies. EU/EEA students can use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), though it's worth checking its coverage. We recommend having full medical insurance regardless of your situation.
Non-EU students with a student visa can apply for authorization to work part-time. However, GASMA's programs are intensive and mostly hands-on — we recommend thinking it through before combining full-time studies with work. Check the specific conditions of your visa with the consulate, as regulations can change.
Castellón Airport (CDT) is the closest one, with domestic and international flights connecting directly to the city. Valencia Airport (VLC) is the most common option for international flights — 45 minutes by taxi or about 60 minutes combining bus and train, with Ryanair, EasyJet and Vueling connections from almost every European city.
For programs in Spanish: minimum B2 level (CEFR) to follow classes normally. For the Bachelor's Degree English Track: B2 in English. Master's and diploma programs are taught in Spanish with English-language support. If your level is still developing, contact us to assess your case individually.
A call with the International Advisor. No pressure, no commitment. Just clarity on your path to GASMA.
