Spanish universities are of interest to many applicants from the CIS countries due to their excellent price-quality ratio. If we add here a magnificent warm climate, accessibility to beach holidays, sociable locals and many colorful holidays a year, then Spain turns into an ideal place to combine business with pleasure – study and a comfortable life.
It is worth noting that Spanish higher education diplomas provide the opportunity to get a dream job in any European country, and you can subsequently continue your studies from a bachelor’s degree (almost equivalent to a five-year study at a Russian university) to a prestigious doctorate, which opens up a number of exciting prospects on the career ladder and guarantees a privileged position in society.
If we talk about the cost of higher education in Spain, then on average a course at a state university will cost about 1,500 euros per year. The average cost for taking a course in two directions at once will be 2,500 euros per year. The average cost for technical specialties (medicine, engineering, etc.) is about 2,200 euros per year. The average cost of studying at a private university is from 5,000 euros per year.
As we can see, prices for higher education in Spain are quite affordable, even if we compare them with the cost of study programs at prestigious Russian universities, not to mention educational institutions in France, the USA or Switzerland.
Students at universities in Spain have the opportunity to independently compile a curriculum from the proposed disciplines. In some universities you can choose in which language the training will be conducted. It should be noted here that study programs in Spanish will cost less than similar ones in English.
Free education, grants and scholarships in Spain: who can apply for them
Today we will tell you more about which educational institutions provide scholarships and grants in Spain for their students.
Many universities actively attract the best foreign students by offering them a variety of grants and scholarship programs. A complete list of specialties covered by the bonus system is usually published on the educational institution’s website.
Often, universities sign special agreements with various foundations, financial organizations and corporations, as well as ministries that are interested in sponsoring gifted youth.
Compensation for higher education costs can be obtained not only at public universities in Spain, but also at private universities. As a rule, it is easier to enroll in a private university than in a public one, since the approval of numerous government authorities is not required.
When can you apply to a university in Spain?
There are three options:
1. Immediately after graduation. If we are talking about a foreigner, then an additional eight-month training course organized at a higher educational institution will be required.
2. After completing the first year in your country. In this case, you will not need to take entrance exams. Also, some Russian universities have joint student exchange programs with Spain. For example, the prestigious educational institution RUDN University has agreements with several dozen universities in Spain located in cities such as Valencia, Valladolid, Granada, Las Palmas, Madrid, Malaga and Salamanca. The famous Moscow State University, MGIMO, as well as the Moscow State Linguistic University are not far behind, offering a number of international programs. Also in Russia there is the Southern Federal University (SFU) in Rostov-on-Don, which cooperates with universities in the province of Cantabria and universities in the cities of Cadiz, Santiago and Alcala de Henares.
3. After graduating from university in your country. Postgraduate education at universities in Spain enriches the student’s acquired skills and provides good chances for successful employment in Spain and EU countries.
When should you apply for scholarships in Spain?
To qualify for a scholarship, it is important to submit your application on time. It is better to do this as soon as you receive notification of admission to your chosen university. It is important to note that consideration of applications is carried out on a competitive basis, when applicants who score the highest number of points according to the university’s criteria are selected.
Fixed scholarship awards are typically reviewed by Spanish institutions between December and April, averaging 45 days, while final scholarship applications are typically reviewed by the end of May.
What documents are required to apply for a scholarship in Spain?
To qualify for benefits, you will need to provide the following package of documents:
- Passport and birth certificate.
- Copy of diploma (if applicable).
- Graduated university curriculum (original).
- Record book (copy).
- Motivation letter.
- Brief autobiography.
Recommendations from a previous place of study, if possible certified by teachers at a university in your country, can also be a significant advantage. Especially if, in addition to the personal assessment by the teacher, they list the specific merits and successes of the applicant: the student’s educational activities come first, of course, but his sporting achievements and volunteering will also be appreciated.
All documents submitted in the native language must be translated into Spanish (preferably sworn translator) and notarized.
Alegria specialists are ready to advise you on studying in Spain and enrolling in higher education institutions in the country. Sign up for a consultation today!
What grants and scholarships are offered by universities in Spain in the 2022-2023 academic year?
The 2022-2023 scholarships, awarded by the Spanish Government, are implemented through various official organizations, which are aimed at expanding cultural and educational international exchange, encouraging Spaniards to study abroad and foreign students to study in Spain.
To achieve these goals, independent institutions offer annual economic support programs aimed at Spanish citizens, Latin Americans with Spanish citizenship and applicants with a European Union passport and talented students from other countries. Below we look at some of these institutions and their programs.
Ramón Llull University Scholarships (Becas de Universidad Ramón Llull – URL)
The university pays special attention to promoting talent through various forms of co-financing and grants. For example, during the 2019-2020 academic year, 3,524 students received grants or funding from government agencies, resulting in a total investment of more than €9.3 million. The trend in recent years has been a steady increase in the university’s own funds allocated to programs of this type.
The types of grants offered by URL institutions are as follows:
- grants for studying in Spain and benefits for partial payment,
- loans for scholarships,
- grants for outstanding academic achievements,
- preferential loans from financial institutions and reduction in the cost of academic loans depending on family income.
In addition, students can apply for scholarships and financial grants from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities.
- Learn more about grants and scholarships from this university here.
ITESM Scholarships
The program is financial assistance offered to former students of the Technological Institute of Monterrey, Mexico, to study abroad for Spanish students.
- Detailed information here.
Scholarships of the Ibero-American University Alumni Association (Becas de la Asociación Universitaria Iberoamericana de Posgrado)
The scholarship is offered to those university graduates who wish to continue their studies by enrolling in postgraduate studies. The benefit provided includes payment for air tickets and delivery to the place of study.
- Available programs can be seen here.
Scholarships of the Ibero-American University Foundation (Becas Fundación Universitaria Iberoamericana)
This is financial assistance for students to obtain a master’s degree and enter doctoral studies. A variety of training programs are offered, including distance learning programs.
- More details here.
Fulbrigth Scholarships
This scholarship offers students a choice of 160 educational programs in which they can pursue a new specialization or continue their studies.
- Program website here.
Santander Bank Ibero-American Scholarships (Becas Iberoamérica Santander)
The major Spanish bank Santander provides scholarships for the development of research, including scholarships for foreign students who decide to continue their education in Spain. The allocated training bonus ranges from 3,000 to 5,000 euros.
- More details here.
Women’s Talent Scholarships (Becas Talento Mujer)
This educational assistance is offered to women pursuing graduate studies who wish to major in science, engineering, and mathematics. The scholarships are sponsored by Santander Bank.
- Bank program website here.
Reina Sofia Scholarships (Becas Reina Sofía)
These scholarships, intended for students studying art and culture, are offered by the Reina Sofia National Museum of the Arts. The program consists of providing the student with an experienced mentor who will share with him his knowledge and experience in the field of art. The scholarship continues for 12 months of study.
- More information here.
European Funding Guide (Guía Europea de la Financiación – European Funding Guide)
The organization offers students a platform to find suitable scholarship opportunities for European students.
european-funding-guide.ed is powered by a technology platform that brings together information on approximately 12,000 scholarship programs and other forms of financial assistance for students from 16 European Union countries wishing to pursue undergraduate, graduate, master’s or doctoral studies.
- Portal website here.
Fundación Carolina
It is an institute that offers fellowship programs for graduate students and PhDs, postdoctoral programs to promote cultural relations and cooperation in education and science between Spain and the rest of the world, especially the countries of the Ibero-American Community of Nations.
The headquarters of the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation is located in Madrid. Its sponsorship aims to support the continued education of university graduates, as well as the acquisition of new specializations and retraining of students from Latin American countries.
- More details here.
Erasmus Mundus Program
Erasmus is perhaps the most famous and widespread educational foundation, collaborating with many universities and offering a range of different programs. One of them, indicated above, offers educational programs as part of student exchange for European and Latin American citizens with Spanish citizenship.
The benefits provided include exemption from tuition and university admission fees, as well as free access to the laboratory and library services of the host institution. Participants in the program can be those who were previously enrolled in higher education institutions connected to Erasmus programs, among them, for example, the University of Salamanca, the University of Seville and many others.
- More information is available here.
Spanish Agency for International Cooperation (Agencia española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo – AECID)
This is an organization operating in the field of international cooperation under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Spanish educational agency offers the Maec-Aecid scholarship program for graduate, doctoral and postdoctoral studies.
- Agency website here.
La Salle University Scholarships (Becas de Universidad La Salle)
La Salle University operates scholarship programs for students from La Salle’s own university centers, providing them with a flat 10% tuition discount.
- More details here.
Latest news regarding grants and scholarships in Spain
According to the europapress.es portal, on February 22, 2022, the Spanish Government approved a new decree on grants and scholarships for studies within the 2022-2023 course.
Last Tuesday, the Council of Ministers issued a decree on scholarships and training allowances, as announced on Monday by the Minister of Education and Training of Spain, Pilar Alegría, before taking part in the regular plenary meeting of the State School Council.
The main innovation of this new decree pertaining to the 2022-2023 course for all educational institutions is that students will have 4 months to submit their respective applications so that they can submit their applications in a timely manner and receive notifications as to whether they are recipients of the scholarship at the time of enrolment.
The government plans to allocate a total of 2.138 million euros for the next academic year – an amount that is intended for almost a million students in Spain.
According to the Education Minister, since Pedro Sánchez became prime minister, the budget allocated for scholarships has increased by 43% compared to the budget allocated by the previous Popular Party government.
Do you have any questions? Do you want study in Spain and learn more about educational programs and additional opportunities? Contact our specialists who will help you become a student at one of the best universities in this hospitable and cheerful country.
