Moving from the UK to study in Mexico?

[circle110]

Most universities in Spanish speaking countries require the "DELE nivel superior" (Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera superior level) for non-native speakers to be accepted into the university. It's a fairly tough exam and you have to be fluent and then some to pass it - I know some native speakers who have seen the test and said they would struggle with it too.
I agree with the suggestion of several previous posters to explore study abroad options through English universities because the classes would be in English. You would be studying Spanish as one of your courses and have the awesome opportunity to practice daily with native speakers... and you'd be in Mexico!
Good luck,
Michael

[quinta]

You should go to your nearest Mexican Consulate or Embassy and inquire as to Student Visa's, they might have some information regarding schools for your area. They might also require a school acceptance letter in order to grant your Visa. (Since so many enter the country as students and stay indefinitely).
The private schools are excellent and here in Puebla you'll find schools from France, Germany, the UK and more which have acceptance in all countries- but they are expensive and you would need to arrange for your own room and board + tuition, but maybe you could find some relation within them for grants. While public universities in all Mexican states are free to nationals, you'd need to inquire as to what arrangements they could make for a foreigner. You'd need to have a local address to prove your residency and Visa, I'm sure.
Spanish is a must with a high degree of fluency since classes are in Spanish and all work and tests come from the Secretaria de Educacion and must be in Spanish as well and any textbooks are too. As far as immersion into the language and culture then you could just stay the time allowed by the tourist Visa and live and get along like a local. Mexico is inexpensive to live and safe for women. Lots of cultural activities and plenty for young people to do as well. I would say enjoy several areas like Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara and Puebla, furnsihed rooms and hostels are plentiful and cheap, you'd get to know the country and would have a ball! Once here I'm sure other students could enlighten you as to the opportunities here.....

[blondine_nx]

Hi, I'm just back from mexico and now have the same prospects as you. First of all I'm not sure you must be fluent to study there because when I was there i met a girl who moved from Iran, she spoke no spanish when she arrived and now is fluent after 2 years. The other thing is I was thinking of applying to UNAM, I have some friends who study there and are getting me all the information so if you want I can send it. It's government funded so Mexicans end up paying about 3 pesos for the whole university degree. Obviously for foreigners there's a greater cost bust as far as I know it's about between something like £50-£100 per semester, which is a lot less than the UK! Well that's what my firends think but when they get all the information I'll let you know. I think there's an entrance exam around may or june as well.

[quinta]

I wish you a lot of luck gaining entrance to the UNAM (I graduated from there a long time ago...), there was a report on the Mexico City news a couple of weeks ago regarding the test having been given; there were something like 350 available slots and over 5000 applied, they were sorry to not be able to accomodate everyone but it couldn't be helped. I'm sure you can check on this, also, UNAM is famous for strikes, they happen all the time; mostly for political reasons, to protest an issue or ? but these have been going on since before I was a student there and last months sometimes, you can check on this too. UNAM is the best University in the Americas, something else that's easy to check plus you can live on a very low budget in Mexico City since there is anything and everything you could probably need in one of the most populated cities in the world. Also, there is a very serious water shortage in the Valley of Mexico which leaves you without water several times a week now.... We live hours away and go often, it's still a wonderful place......Good luck.....