Spain offers a wide range of public and private university options for international students. It also has a varied climate, rich culture, and well-known cuisine, making it an attractive place to live and study.
Tuition and living costs vary considerably by university, degree, and city. Public universities can be more affordable than private institutions, but studying in Spain is not automatically free. Prospective students should compare tuition, administrative fees, housing, transportation, insurance, and other expenses. You can learn more through our guides to affordable universities in Spain and the cost of studying and living in Spain.
International students may also qualify for university scholarships, government grants, foundation awards, or other forms of financial aid. Some awards cover all tuition, while others provide only a partial discount. Full-tuition awards may still exclude enrollment, reservation, administrative, housing, and living costs. Review these scholarships in Spain when planning your studies.
Let’s take a look at how to study in Spain for free!
How to Study in Spain for Free
1. Submit a Comprehensive and Detailed Application
Admission procedures vary according to an applicant’s educational system, chosen university, and degree. Start by checking the requirements and deadlines published by each university.
Many international undergraduate applicants use UNEDasiss, which evaluates international academic records for admission to Spanish universities. Applications for UNEDasiss accreditation opened on February 4 and close on December 1. However, individual universities may have much earlier admission deadlines.
Depending on the applicant’s educational system and the university’s admission criteria, UNEDasiss accreditation may need to include an admission score, recognition of specific subjects, or results from Specific Competency Tests, known as PCE exams. Applicants may also need to demonstrate proficiency in Spanish or another language used by the program.
Applicants whose secondary-school credentials must be recognized as equivalent to the Spanish Bachillerato should follow the official recognition or homologation procedure. Consular offices may accept or authenticate documents in some countries, but admission requirements and decisions remain specific to the university.
A strong academic record can improve your chances of receiving competitive financial aid. Submit complete records and highlight relevant academic achievements, awards, extracurricular activities, leadership experience, or other accomplishments requested by the scholarship provider.
2. Apply for Scholarships in Spain
Although some Spanish universities offer comparatively moderate tuition, scholarships may further reduce the cost. Funding can come from universities, the Spanish government, foundations, companies, and other organizations. Most awards provide partial assistance, while a smaller number cover full tuition or additional expenses.
Spain’s general government scholarship may cover the public price of credits enrolled in for the first time for eligible bachelor’s and master’s students. Nationality, residence, academic, and financial conditions apply, and not every international student qualifies. Applicants should consult the current government scholarship rules.
Scholarship requirements vary. Commonly requested materials include academic records, identification documents, financial information, a personal statement, and recommendation letters. Always follow the current instructions and deadline for the specific award.
3. Attend Affordable Universities in Spain
Public university fees are set under regional public-pricing systems and vary by degree and location. As one current example, the University of Granada charges €12.62 per ECTS credit for a first undergraduate enrollment, or approximately €758 for a standard 60-ECTS year. New students also pay a one-time administrative and file-opening fee of €59.10.
The University of Granada estimates that students in Granada may need approximately €650 to €850 per month for living expenses. These figures are examples rather than nationwide rates, so students should check the current fees and cost estimates for their own university and city.
Combining moderate tuition with scholarships for tuition, accommodation, or living expenses can substantially reduce the cost of studying in Spain. Nevertheless, students should prepare a realistic budget for any costs not covered by their award.
Tuition-free Options for Bachelor’s Studies in Spain
The following universities offer competitive undergraduate scholarships that may cover some or all tuition. These awards are not automatic, and a full-tuition award may not cover every university fee or living expense.
CEU San Pablo University
Universidad CEU San Pablo is a private university in Madrid. It was formerly affiliated with the Complutense University of Madrid and was legally recognized as a private university in 1993.
The university’s CEU Merit Program allows the strongest applicant in each eligible degree, provided the applicant has an average grade of at least 9 out of 10, to receive an award covering 100% of teaching fees.
The award does not cover the reservation fee, enrollment fee, or other administrative charges. Renewal is subject to conditions that include completing the required credits, maintaining the applicable average grade, and, for certain award levels, completing university service or Campus Life activities.
Universidad Europea de Madrid
Universidad Europea de Madrid is a private university that began operating in 1995.
The university offers several forms of financial aid for new undergraduate students. Its scholarship for students with a strong academic record currently provides €3,000, while its High Academic Performance Scholarship can cover up to 40% of tuition for most eligible degrees and up to 50% for Medicine.
These awards reduce tuition but do not ordinarily make a degree completely tuition-free. Eligibility, deadlines, and award amounts should be confirmed for the applicant’s program and academic year.
University of Nebrija
Nebrija University is a private university in Madrid named after the Spanish scholar Antonio de Nebrija.
The university’s Matrícula de Honor Scholarship is intended for eligible new undergraduate students who completed their previous studies with the official Matrícula de Honor distinction. It covers 100% of first-year teaching fees but excludes the place-reservation and enrollment fees.
Students should not assume that the award automatically covers every year of the degree. Any continuation or renewal must follow the scholarship regulations applicable to the relevant academic year.
IE University
IE University is a private institution with undergraduate facilities in Madrid and Segovia. It offers degree programs taught in English, Spanish, or a combination of the two, depending on the program.
IE University and the IE Foundation provide several undergraduate awards and scholarships. Current options include:
- The IE Foundation Parents Young Talented Leaders Scholarship, a highly competitive award that can cover full tuition as well as educational, accommodation, and living expenses for the duration of the degree.
- IE Awards, which generally cover between 10% and 60% of undergraduate tuition and are awarded after considering academic merit, personal achievements, and financial circumstances.
- The IE United World Colleges Scholarship, which is intended for eligible applicants completing the International Baccalaureate at a United World College. Applicants should check the current scholarship catalog for the applicable award amount and conditions.
Universidad Europea del Atlántico
Universidad Europea del Atlántico is a private university based in Santander, Cantabria.
Under the university’s currently published Merit and Academic Excellence Scholarship information, new undergraduate students who completed their previous qualification with an official honors distinction may receive a 100% tuition exemption. Applicants with an average grade between 9 and 10 may receive a 75% exemption.
Because the detailed regulations linked from the university page are specific to an academic year, applicants should verify that the percentages, deadlines, and renewal requirements remain applicable to their intake.
The university also offers Collaboration Scholarships connected with the Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering. The published program offers 20 places and may provide a tuition exemption of up to 100%. Renewal depends on satisfactory academic progress and performance in the assigned collaboration activities.
Application materials may include the scholarship application, a valid identification document or passport, academic records, and a résumé. Students should follow the document list in the current call.
Universidad Loyola
Universidad Loyola has campuses in Córdoba, Seville, and Granada.
Under the university’s 2026–2027 Academic Excellence Awards, new students with a university-access grade of at least 9 out of 10 may apply. For most degrees, the award percentage ranges from 15% to 90%, depending on family income. The maximum calculation covers up to 60 ECTS for a single degree and 72 ECTS for a double degree.
The award is initially structured as an interest-free loan. It is converted into nonrepayable aid when the student completes the degree at Universidad Loyola under the program’s conditions. Students who leave the university before graduating may have to repay it. The award applies for one academic year, and students must apply again for subsequent years.
Tuition-free Options for Master’s Studies in Spain
The following universities offer competitive funding for master’s students. Some awards are partial, while selected foundation scholarships may reach full tuition or include living assistance.
University of Deusto
The University of Deusto was founded in 1886 and has campuses in Bilbao and San Sebastián. It is generally recognized as Spain’s oldest private university.
The university offers several postgraduate scholarships and grants. For example, Deusto Business School scholarships can provide a tuition discount of up to 50%. Therefore, this scholarship alone does not normally make a master’s degree tuition-free.
Required materials may include an undergraduate academic record, résumé, motivation letter, financial documentation, and other records specified in the applicable call. Students seeking full funding may need to combine university aid with external scholarships or other resources.
IE University
IE University offers master’s awards and scholarships. Standard IE Awards generally cover between 10% and 40% of tuition. Separate IE Foundation scholarship programs may cover up to full tuition and, in selected cases, living expenses.
The Forté MBA Award is available to eligible women admitted to participating MBA programs. Current awards generally range from €10,000 to €25,000 rather than automatically covering the full cost of an MBA.
The IE–Kistefos Young Talented Leaders Scholarship Program supports selected candidates from Norway and specified African countries. The current African eligibility list includes Ethiopia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, South Africa, and Tanzania. Awards may be full or partial and can include tuition and room and board, depending on the candidate and program.
The José María Cervelló scholarship initiative supports qualified students in eligible legal programs who combine a strong academic record with demonstrated financial need. Applicants should consult the current call because the number and value of awards may vary.
Tuition-free Options for Ph.D. Studies in Spain
Doctoral students may reduce or cover their study costs through competitive research contracts, university grants, government fellowships, and externally funded projects. Funding conditions vary, so admission to a Ph.D. program does not by itself guarantee a tuition waiver or stipend.
University of Deusto
The University of Deusto’s Research Training Grants Programme provides for a maximum of 10 predoctoral grants. Applicants must meet the call’s academic and research requirements and obtain the required support from a Deusto research team.
The program prioritizes international doctoral development through an international doctorate or co-supervised thesis arrangement. Because the grants are competitive and subject to a formal call, applicants should review the current funding, employment, research, and renewal conditions before applying.
FAQs: Studying in Spain as an International Student
Are Universities in Spain Free for International Students?
Generally, no. Spanish universities charge tuition or academic fees, including public universities. Eligible students may receive scholarships or statutory exemptions. Under Spain’s general government scholarship, the tuition component can cover credits enrolled in for the first time, subject to nationality or residence, academic, and financial requirements. International students should check both the national eligibility rules and their university’s current fee and scholarship pages.
Spain can be an affordable destination for higher education, particularly for students who choose a moderately priced public university and secure financial assistance. However, scholarships are competitive and do not always cover every expense. Compare current tuition and mandatory fees, prepare a realistic living-cost budget, and apply early for several suitable scholarships.
We hope this article on how to study in Spain for free was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs in Europe!
