Studying in Spain can be more affordable with the right scholarship. For 2027, international students can explore Spanish government grants, university scholarships, and foundation-funded awards for undergraduate, master's, and doctoral studies. This guide covers the main scholarships in Spain for international students in 2027, including available funding, eligibility requirements, application timelines, and how to apply.
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Overview of Scholarships in Spain for International Students
Spain offers several scholarship opportunities for international students, although not all government-funded grants are available to non-EU applicants.
Scholarships generally fall into three categories:
- Government scholarships: Funding administered through Spanish government agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID). Some programmes target applicants from specific countries or professional backgrounds.
- University scholarships: Financial assistance offered directly by Spanish universities, including merit-based tuition reductions, research funding, and doctoral positions.
- Foundation scholarships: Funding from organizations such as Fundación Carolina and Fundación ”la Caixa”, which support postgraduate education and research.
Most comprehensive funding opportunities are concentrated at the master's and doctoral levels. Undergraduate students can also explore university-specific scholarships, although fully funded bachelor's opportunities are more limited.
Before applying, check whether the scholarship covers tuition, living expenses, health insurance, travel, or only selected costs. A scholarship described as fully funded may not necessarily cover every expense associated with studying abroad.
Spanish Government Scholarships for International Students in 2027
Several Spanish government-funded programmes support international education and academic cooperation. However, eligibility is often restricted by nationality, academic level, professional background, or the intended programme of study.
The following are important opportunities to look into for 2027.
University and Foundation Scholarships in Spain
In addition to government scholarships, international students can explore funding opportunities from Spanish universities, research institutions, and independent foundations.
These awards can be particularly valuable for students pursuing master's degrees, doctoral research, and specialized academic programmes.
Fundación ”la Caixa” INPhINIT Fellowships
Doctoral funding in Spain and Portugal open to all nationalities via Incoming and Retaining tracks. The award covers official doctoral tuition, €3,500/year for research expenses, and a €35,800/year institutional employment-cost allocation.
University Merit & Master’s Scholarships
Institutional aid administered directly by individual Spanish universities. Typical awards include merit-based tuition fee reductions and dedicated scholarship schemes for high-achieving international master’s applicants.
Research & Institutional Fellowships
Specialized scientific positions at independent Spanish research institutes (such as ICIQ). These opportunities function primarily as paid employment contracts with doctoral training and project funding rather than standard grants.
University Emergency & Discretionary Aid
Need-based financial support and hardship allowances offered by selected universities to provide safety-net funding for enrolled international students experiencing exceptional or unforeseen circumstances.
Eligibility Requirements for Scholarships in Spain
Eligibility requirements vary by scholarship provider, university, and study program. International applicants should review the official call for applications carefully, as documentation, academic, and language requirements are not the same for every award.
Common requirements may include:
- Academic Records and Grade Equivalency: Applicants are generally expected to provide official academic transcripts and certificates. Depending on the scholarship or university, documents may need to be officially translated into Spanish and legalized or apostilled. Some competitive scholarship applications also require a Spanish grade-equivalency statement (Declaración de Equivalencia de Nota Media) to convert foreign university grades to Spain's grading scale.
- Language Proficiency: Applicants to Spanish-taught programs may need to demonstrate Spanish proficiency through a recognized certificate, such as DELE or SIELE. English-taught programs may require IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge English, or another accepted qualification. Minimum scores and exemptions depend on the institution and program.
- University Admission or Pre-Admission: Some scholarships require applicants to have an admission offer or proof of application to a Spanish university, while others allow students to apply for funding separately. For example, Fundación Carolina manages applications through its own online platform, with requirements varying by scholarship category and program.
- Additional Scholarship-Specific Criteria: Applicants may also need to meet nationality, residency, age, academic achievement, professional experience, or field-of-study requirements. Government and foundation scholarships can have particularly specific eligibility conditions.
Planning to bring family? Learn who qualifies, financial proof requirements, and step-by-step procedures in our dedicated guide: Spain Student Dependent Visa: Who Qualifies and How to Apply.
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How to Apply for Scholarships in Spain
Applying for scholarships in Spain requires careful preparation, particularly for international applicants who need to coordinate university admission, funding, and immigration applications.
Follow these steps to prepare your application.
Step 1: Research Programs and Universities
Research accredited universities and degree programs across Spain on ApplyBoard to find funding options that align with your field of study.
Step 2: Check Scholarship Criteria and Deadlines
Review specific scholarship eligibility requirements, funding coverage, and application deadlines 6 to 9 months before your intended start date. Major funding windows often open early in the year.
Step 3: Prepare Required Documents and Test Scores
Gather certified academic transcripts, degree certificates, recommendation letters, and personal statement essays. Ensure non-Spanish documents are translated and legalized via apostille, complete the official GPA Equivalency Statement, and complete necessary DELE, IELTS, or TOEFL language exams.
Step 4: Submit University and Scholarship Applications
Submit your official university admission forms alongside your scholarship application through the appropriate ministry, foundation, or institutional application portal before the deadline.
Step 5: Receive Award Letter and Apply for Student Visa
Once accepted, obtain your formal scholarship award notification and university acceptance letter to apply for your Spanish student visa at your local Spanish embassy or consulate.
Tips for Securing a Scholarship in Spain
Competition for fully funded scholarships in Spain can be high. These strategies can help strengthen your application.
- Apply to multiple eligible opportunities: Do not rely on one scholarship. Explore government, university, and foundation funding that matches your academic profile.
- Demonstrate academic and research potential: Highlight relevant achievements, research experience, publications, and professional experience where applicable.
- Write a targeted motivation letter: Explain why you selected Spain, your chosen university, and how the programme supports your long-term academic or professional goals.
- Prepare documents early: Obtain academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and language certificates well ahead of application deadlines.
- Follow application instructions carefully: Scholarship providers may reject incomplete applications or applications that do not meet specific documentation requirements.
FAQs About Scholarships in Spain for International Students
- No. General scholarships from the Spanish Ministry of Education (Becas MEC) are generally not available to international students moving to Spain solely on a student visa.
- Eligibility is restricted to Spanish citizens, qualifying EU citizens meeting residence or employment conditions, and non-EU nationals who already hold legal Spanish residence authorization. A student stay authorization alone does not qualify.
- Most comprehensive and fully funded scholarship opportunities in Spain are concentrated at the master's and doctoral levels (such as Fundación Carolina and Fundación ”la Caixa”).
- Undergraduate applicants can explore university-specific merit aid and tuition fee reductions, but fully funded bachelor’s opportunities are much more limited.
- It depends on the scholarship program. Some programs (such as the AECID Africa-MED call) require you to already hold an admission offer or pre-admission proof from a Spanish university before applying.
- Other providers, including Fundación Carolina, handle admissions and scholarship selections simultaneously through their own centralized online application portal.
- It is an official grade-equivalency certificate issued online through the Spanish government portal that converts foreign academic grades into Spain’s standard 0-to-10 grading scale.
- Many competitive Spanish scholarship programs and university postgraduate admissions committees require this statement alongside your legalized or apostilled academic transcripts.
- Not necessarily. Funding coverage varies widely; some awards include full tuition, monthly living stipends, accommodation support, flights, and health insurance, while others only cover tuition fees or partial living allowances.
- Certain research awards—like the INPhINIT fellowship—provide an annual employment-cost allocation rather than a guaranteed net take-home amount, meaning actual income is subject to local employment taxes and social security deductions.
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