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BEDA Enrollment Fee
Confirming Your Placement as a
BEDA Language Assistant

If you’re reading this, you’ve probably been accepted to the BEDA Language Assistant Program in Spain.

Congrats!!

Once you’ve received your acceptance letter, you have just 7 days to confirm your placement as a BEDA Language Assistant, so it’s time to act fast!

Here you can find all the information you need about:

1. What the BEDA Enrollment Fee covers
2. How to pay as a first year from abroad (outside of Spain)
3. How to pay as a first year or a renewal from Spain

1. What is the BEDA Enrollment Fee?

As a BEDA Language Assistant, you’ll be living in Spain on a student visa and required to complete some post-grad coursework to maintain your status as a student. 

The BEDA enrollment fee isn’t a deposit, and you won’t get it back at the end of the year. The enrollment fee covers the academic portion of the BEDA Program sponsored through the Universidad Pontificia Comillas, a private Catholic university in Madrid.

BEDA Language Assistants placed within Madrid are required to attend weekly classes at the Universidad Pontificia Comillas. Language Assistants placed outside of Madrid must complete an online course sponsored through Cambridge English and pass an exam in Madrid in spring. This is what your course fee covers.

BEDA requires future Language Assistants to pay the enrollment fee within seven days of acceptance to confirm their placement and to prove that they’re serious about coming to Spain, otherwise your placement will be given to the next person on the waiting list.

Enrollment Fees

First Year BEDA Language Assistant: €175
Second Year BEDA Language Assistant: €150
Third Year BEDA Language Assistant: €125
Fourth Year BEDA Language Assistant: €125

The enrollment fee is not a deposit and whether you complete the program or not,
you will not get this money back.

** Fees are correct as of 2017. Refer to your acceptance letter to confirm offical, up-to-date fees.

2. How to Pay from Outside of Spain

If you’re a first year Language Assistant applying from outside of Spain, you’ll have to send the fee internationally via:

1. TransferWise (recommended)
2. Bank Transfer

BEDA doesn’t accept payments through PayPal, so scratch that idea if that was your plan.

Pay the BEDA Enrollment Fee via TransferWise

The best and least expensive way I’ve found to transfer money internationally is with TransferWise.

TransferWise is reliable, trustworthy and offers very competitive rates to transfer money internationally. Since I discovered it a few years ago, it’s the only thing I use to transfer money between Spain and the US. If you use my referral link to sign up, your first transfer up to £500 is free!

The process is fast, easy and TransferWise will walk you through the process in just a few easy steps.

Once you’ve made the transfer, you’ll need to send proof of payment to BEDA to show that your money is on the way. Don’t stress about how long the transfer will take – as long as you send BEDA proof of payment and they know the money is coming and when to expect it, your place will be held.

Pay via International Bank Transfer

International bank transfers tend to be expensive, especially from US banks.

All banks process international transfers a bit differently, so you’ll need to contact your branch to find out their individual fee and transfer rates. Most US banks charge a fee of around $50 USD for a single transfer (as opposed to about $4 via TransferWise).

Once you’ve made the transfer, you’ll need to send proof of payment to BEDA to show that your money is on the way.

3. How to Pay from Within Spain

If you’re currently living in Spain as an Auxiliar de Conversación or through another program, you’re probably ya acustombrado to making payments via bank transfer.

Pay via Spanish Bank Transfer

Making a bank transfer to BEDA via a Spanish bank account is simple and painless. You can do so in person by visiting your local branch, or via your banks’ online banking platform. Fees are usually quite reasonable (just a few euros).

Be sure to include your full name and NIE number in the concept.

Pay via TransferWise

If you’re already living in Spain but wish to pay the enrollment fee from a bank account in your home country, TransferWise is your best bet. (And if you’re already living abroad and haven’t yet discovered TransferWise, this is your lucky day!)

It’s quick, cheap and easy, and your first transfer up to £500 is free if you use my referral link.

What’s Next?

Once you’ve paid the enrollment fee and sent proof of payment to BEDA, they’ll send you a confirmation email to let you know that you’re good to go!

Now the ball’s in your court.

If you’re a first year:

• Check out this post about what you should be doing now to be ready for the big move in September.
• Make an appointment at the Spanish consulate to obtain your Spanish visa. Remember that the consulate keeps your passport while processing your visa, so you cannot travel internationally during this time.
• Start looking at flights to Spain. BEDA orientation will be held in early or mid September and will send official dates in the coming months.
• Start thinking about the logistics of moving to Spain, like what to pack and how to find an apartment abroad.

If you’re renewing:

• BEDA will send detailed information shortly about how to renew your visa.

If you’re switching to BEDA from another program:

You might have to go home to get a new visa.

Or you might not.

Most programs will tell you that it’s requred to get a new visa from your home country if switching programs, but apparently that’s not always the case. I suggest getting in touch with people who have been through the situation via auxiliar Facebook groups, and decide for yourself what you feel most comfortable and confident with.

Missed the Application Deadline?

The application for the 2018-2019 school year is now closed, but there’s always next year! Applications are usually live for the upcoming school year in December, so bookmark the BEDA website and be ready for next year!

Hungry for More?

My goal is to make this blog a one stop shop for everything you need to know as a BEDA Language Assistant. Having been in Spain nearly seven years, I sometimes forget what burning questions I had as a newbie, but I’m sure I can help. Feel free to ask me anything in the comment seccion below! 👇😊 Or check out these posts related to moving to Spain:

BEDA Language Assistant Program

BEDA Language Assistant Program: Teach English in Spain

Moving to Spain

Language Assistants: Getting Ready for the Big Move 
Packing Dos & Don’ts for a Year Abroadd
The Shelter Games: Apartment Hunting in Spain
Finding a Flat in Spain 101: The Basics
No One Says Apartamento: A Piso Glossary for Spain

Expat Life

11 Ways to Overcome Homesickness While Living Abroad
Six Years in Spain: Reflections of a Life Abroad

In the meantime, you can find me soaking up the sun at Las Canteras beach in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands.

Hasta luego!
Erica

For more information on the BEDA Language Assistant Program in Spain and how to apply, please visit this post or their official website.

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