How to Study in Spain for Free? What are the Scholarships or Grants Available?

Have you ever dreamt of studying in Spain, the land of Flamenco, tapas, and rich cultural heritage? For Indian students, this higher education dream can become a reality without spending a lot of money. This guide will help you understand how to study in Spain for free get scholarships, public universities, and smart living choices to embark on an affordable and enriching academic journey in Spain. We’ll delve into scholarship opportunities across various Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and Doctoral degree programs disciplines, from Engineering to Renewable energy, and guide you toward specializations that align with your academic goals and Spain strengths. It will show you the best scholarships offered by the Spanish Government, Universities, and Private Organizations, making your higher education dream a possibility.

Type of Scholarship	Fully Funded (Free)
Scholarships For	Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and Ph.D. degree programs
Location	Spain
Target Audience	Indian / International Students
Duration	Full-Time or Varies
Funding Amount	Full

List of Scholarships to Study in Spain for Free

It’s important to clarify that entirely “free” study in Spain might be difficult to achieve, but there are scholarships that can significantly reduce the financial burden. Here are some scholarships to study in Spain for free options for Indian students to consider.

Scholarship Name	Eligibility	Coverage	Focus
Government of Spain Scholarships (Spanish Ministry of Education and Culture)	Indian students pursuing undergraduate, Master’s or PhD degrees in Spain.Demonstrated academic excellence.Meet specific program requirements.	Tuition fees. * Monthly stipends.Health insurance.	Varies across programs, but can include fields like engineering, humanities, social sciences, and business.
Indian Government Scholarships	Indian citizens pursuing higher education abroad.Eligibility varies by program.	Varies by program, but may cover tuition, living expenses, and travel.	Varies by program, but could be relevant to any field of study.
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees	Indian students pursuing specific joint Master’s degree programs offered by universities across Europe (including Spain). Strong academic record. Meet specific program requirements.	Tuition fees. * Living expenses.Travel costs.	Varies depending on the specific joint program chosen.
University Scholarships (Spain)	Eligibility varies by university and program.It May be merit-based or need-based.	Varies by university, but may cover a portion or all of tuition fees.	Varies depending on the university, but could be in any field of study.
Private Scholarships	Eligibility varies by scholarship provider.It May be merit-based, need-based, or specific to a field of study.	Varies by scholarship provider, but could cover tuition fees, living expenses, or travel costs.	Varies depending on the specific scholarship provider.
La Caixa Foundation Scholarships	Indian students with excellent academic records pursuing undergraduate, Master’s or PhD degrees in Spain.Preference for specific fields like science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).	Partial or full tuition fees.Living stipend.	STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics).
Aga Khan University Master’s Scholarships	Indian citizens with outstanding academic potential pursuing Master’s degrees.Financial need considered.	Partial or full tuition fees.Living stipend.	Varies depending on program offerings, but could include social sciences, humanities, and education.
Thematic Scholarships for Indian Students (Government of Catalonia)	Indian students pursuing Master’s degrees in specific fields aligned with Catalonia’s strategic sectors. With a Strong academic record.	Tuition fees.Living stipend.	Fields aligned with Catalonia’s strategic sectors, which may include engineering, renewable energy, and design.
Fundación Carolina Scholarships	Indian students pursuing postgraduate studies (Master’s, PhD, or research) in Spain. With a Strong academic record.	Tuition fees. * Monthly stipend.Health insurance.	Varies depending on program chosen.

Also Read: Cost of Studying in Spain

Scholarships Details to Study in Spain for Free

Dreaming of studying in Spain but worried about the cost of studying? Don’t Worry, Several scholarships can significantly reduce your financial burden. Here are some of the best scholarship options for Indian students.

Spanish Ministry of Education and Culture Scholarships

This government-funded program offers a comprehensive package covering your tuition fees, a monthly stipend for living expenses, and health insurance. It’s open to Indian students pursuing undergraduate, Master’s, or PhD degrees in Spain. You’ll need to show academic excellence and meet specific program requirements. Spanish Ministry of Education and Culture Scholarships application details and deadlines vary by program.

Particulars	Details
Coverage	Covers tuition fees, a monthly living stipend, and health insurance.
Eligibility	You’ll need to demonstrate strong academic credentials and meet specific program requirements.
Application Deadline	Vary by Program

Also Read: Study in Spain for Indian Students

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees

The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees funded by the European Union, this prestigious program offers a complete support package. You’ll receive coverage for tuition fees, living expenses, and even travel costs associated with your joint Master’s degree program at universities across Europe, including Spain. This scholarship program is competitive, so a strong academic record is essential.  Additionally, you’ll need to meet the specific requirements set by the joint Master’s program you choose. The application process is handled by the universities involved in the chosen joint program.

Particulars	Details
Coverage	Receive coverage for tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs
Eligibility	This scholarship program is competitive, so a stellar academic record is crucial.
Application Deadline	Vary by Program

La Caixa Foundation Scholarships

The La Caixa Foundation Scholarships are offered by a private foundation, these scholarships aim to support talented students.  Financial aid can cover a portion or all of your tuition fees, along with a living stipend to help manage your expenses in Spain. his scholarship targets students with excellent academic records, with a preference for those pursuing degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields.

Particulars	Details
Coverage	Cover a portion or all of your tuition fees, along with a living stipend to help manage your expenses in Spain.
Eligibility	Targets students with excellent academic records, with a preference for those pursuing degrees in STEM fields.
Application Deadline	Vary by Program

Thematic Scholarships for Indian Students (Government of Catalonia)

The Catalan government offers these scholarships specifically for Master’s degrees aligned with their strategic sectors.  Financial support includes full tuition coverage and a living stipend to ease your financial burden while studying in Spain. Academic excellence is a must, along with pursuing a Master’s program relevant to Catalonia’s strategic areas, which may include engineering, renewable energy, and design.

Particulars	Details
Coverage	Covers tuition fees for the chosen Master’s program.
Eligibility	Strong academic performance and your past academic achievements will be evaluated during the selection process.
Application Deadline	Varies

Fundación Carolina Scholarships

This scholarship by a Spanish foundation provides comprehensive support for postgraduate studies.  Depending on the program you choose, it can cover your tuition fees, offer a monthly stipend, and even include health insurance. Students have to show academic excellence as a basic requirement to get Fundación Carolina Scholarships.

Particulars	Details
Coverage	Covers the tuition fees for your chosen postgraduate program at a Spanish university.
Eligibility	A strong academic record is a must. This will likely involve demonstrating good grades in your previous studies.
Application Deadline	Varies

Top Universities in Spain for International Students To Study in Spain for Free

Here are some top public universities in Spain that are renowned for their academics and are budget-friendly for Indian and international students to Study in Spain for Free.

University Name	Scholarship	Coverage	Academic Focus
University of Barcelona (UB)	Spanish Ministry ScholarshipsErasmus Mundus Joint Master DegreesLa Caixa Foundation Scholarships (for STEM fields)	Tuition fees * Monthly stipend Health insurance (some programs)	Humanities, Social Sciences, Law, Economics, Medicine
Complutense University of Madrid (UCM)	Spanish Ministry ScholarshipsErasmus Mundus Joint Master DegreesFundación Carolina Scholarships	Tuition fees * Monthly stipend Health insurance (some programs)	Arts & Humanities, Sciences, Health Sciences, Law, Social Sciences
Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB)	Spanish Ministry ScholarshipsErasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees La Caixa Foundation Scholarships (for STEM fields)	Tuition fees Monthly stipend Health insurance (some programs)	Humanities, Social Sciences, Law, Economics, Science
Pompeu Fabra University (UPF)	Spanish Ministry ScholarshipsErasmus Mundus Joint Master DegreesPrivate Scholarships (explore foundations & NGOs)	Tuition fees (partial or full) Monthly stipend (varies) Travel costs (some programs)	Social Sciences, Humanities, Communication, Economics & Business, Translation & Interpreting
University of Valencia (UV)	Spanish Ministry ScholarshipsErasmus Mundus Joint Master DegreesThematic Scholarships for Indian Students (Catalonia) (if program aligns)	Tuition fees Monthly stipend Health insurance (some programs)	Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences, Law, Economics, Engineering, Medicine
Carlos III University of Madrid (UC3M)	Spanish Ministry ScholarshipsErasmus Mundus Joint Master DegreesFundación Carolina Scholarships	Tuition fees Monthly stipend Health insurance (some programs)	Social Sciences, Law, Engineering, Humanities, Communication
Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC)	Spanish Ministry ScholarshipsErasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees * Private Scholarships (explore engineering-focused foundations)	Tuition fees (partial or full) Monthly stipend (varies) Travel costs (some programs)	Engineering, Architecture, Sciences, Social Sciences
University of Seville (US)	Spanish Ministry Scholarships Erasmus Mundus Joint Master DegreesPrivate Scholarships (explore Andalusia-focused foundations)	Tuition fees (partial or full) Monthly stipend (varies) Travel costs (some programs)	Humanities, Social Sciences, Law, Economics, Engineering, Experimental Sciences

FAQ’s

Is education free in Spain for international students?

In Spain, you can’t usually study for free, whether you want to learn Spanish or English. But the cost of college is less than in many other European countries.

How much does it cost to study in Spain?

Bachelor’s programs cost between 750 and 2,500 EUR per year in tuition, while Master’s programs cost between 1,000 and 3,500 EUR per year.

Do I need IELTS to study in Spain?

For English skills, either a test is given or marks from the IELTS or TOEFL are looked at.

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