Scholarships in Spain at a glance
Quick read
- Spain's public universities already charge relatively low fees, so most scholarships for Indian students are offered by private universities and business schools.
- Esade's MSc Excellence Awards typically cover 10% to 50% of tuition, with an average of about 26% in the last intake.
- IE University's Foundation supports students at bachelor's, master's and doctoral level; check the official page for how awards are decided.
- Erasmus Mundus joint master's with Spanish partners fully fund top applicants, and "la Caixa" funds 30 places per incoming call through INPhINIT.
- Applying in an early admission round at private universities usually gives you the best chance of an award.
Most Spanish public universities set fees by regional decree, and fees for non-EU students are usually much lower than at private schools. That is why scholarships matter most at private universities and business schools, where fees are higher but scholarship budgets are larger.
The awards below are real and open to Indian students. Many are linked to your admission round, so the timing of your application matters.
Types of scholarships in Spain
- 01
Business school awards
Merit and diversity awards at schools such as Esade and IE, often a percentage of tuition.
- 02
EU funding
Erasmus Mundus joint master's with Spanish partners, fully funded for top applicants.
- 03
Research fellowships
Doctoral fellowships such as "la Caixa" INPhINIT at research centres in Spain and Portugal.
- 04
Indian trusts
Inlaks, K.C. Mahindra, J N Tata and Narotam Sekhsaria support postgraduate study abroad.
All scholarships in one table
| Scholarship | Type | Level | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Esade MSc Excellence Awards (opens in a new tab)Esade Business School | University | Master's (MSc) | Typically 10% to 50% of tuition (average about 26% in the last intake) |
| IE Foundation scholarships and financial aid (opens in a new tab)IE University | University | Bachelor's, master's and PhD | Partial awards; the official page does not state amounts or criteria |
| Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's scholarships (opens in a new tab)European Union (Erasmus+, through university consortia) | European Union | Master's | Full scholarships for outstanding applicants; what they cover is set by each programme, so check its own page |
| INPhINIT Incoming doctoral fellowships (opens in a new tab)"la Caixa" Foundation | Foundation | PhD | Paid doctoral fellowship (30 places per call) at research centres in Spain or Portugal |
| Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships (opens in a new tab)Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation | Foundation | Master's, MPhil and PhD | Up to US$120,000 towards tuition, living expenses, one-way travel, visa costs and a health allowance, depending on the course |
| K.C. Mahindra Scholarships for Post-Graduate Studies Abroad (opens in a new tab)K.C. Mahindra Education Trust | Foundation | Master's and PhD | Interest-free loan scholarship of up to ₹10 lakh for the top three, and up to ₹5 lakh for others |
| J N Tata Endowment Loan Scholarship (opens in a new tab)J N Tata Endowment (Tata Trusts) | Foundation | Master's, PhD and postdoctoral | Loan scholarship; the amount is decided case by case after an interview |
| Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation Postgraduate Scholarship (opens in a new tab)Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation | Foundation | Master's | Full or part scholarships given as repayable, interest-free financial assistance (amount not fixed) |
| National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) (opens in a new tab)Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India | Government | Master's and PhD | Tuition, maintenance and other allowances, paid through Indian Missions abroad; amounts are in the scheme guidelines |
Values are as published by each provider on the date of our research. Most awards are competitive and limited in number, so none of them is guaranteed.
Government scholarships in Spain
- GovernmentMaster's and PhD
National Overseas Scholarship (NOS)
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India
- Value
- Tuition, maintenance and other allowances, paid through Indian Missions abroad; amounts are in the scheme guidelines
- Who can apply
- Low-income, meritorious students from the Scheduled Castes, De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, landless agricultural labourers and traditional artisans. 125 awards a year, 30% for women. Income, age and marks limits are in the scheme guidelines.
- Deadline or window
- Apply on the NOS portal (nosmsje.gov.in) when the yearly call opens; check the official page
Get a scholarship shortlist for your profileShare your marks, test scores and budget, and our counsellor will match you to Spain scholarships you can realistically win.
University scholarships in Spain
- UniversityMaster's (MSc)
Esade MSc Excellence Awards
- Value
- Typically 10% to 50% of tuition (average about 26% in the last intake)
- Who can apply
- MSc applicants of any nationality with an outstanding academic record. The Asian Talent Award is for candidates from Asia-Pacific. One award per candidate; not combinable with other Esade prizes.
- Deadline or window
- Apply with your initial MSc application; the page gives no fixed date
- UniversityBachelor's, master's and PhD
IE Foundation scholarships and financial aid
- Value
- Partial awards; the official page does not state amounts or criteria
- Who can apply
- Students at IE, through talent awards and financial aid; contact IE Financial Aid for your case.
- Deadline or window
- Not stated on the official page; contact IE Financial Aid
European Union scholarships
- European UnionMaster's
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's scholarships
European Union (Erasmus+, through university consortia)
- Value
- Full scholarships for outstanding applicants; what they cover is set by each programme, so check its own page
- Who can apply
- Master's students from all over the world, including India, applying to a joint master's run by a group of European universities. Not every programme offers scholarships. Many joint programmes include Spanish universities as partners.
- Deadline or window
- Most programmes take applications between October and January for the following academic year
Trusts and foundations (including Indian trusts)
- FoundationPhD
INPhINIT Incoming doctoral fellowships
"la Caixa" Foundation
- Value
- Paid doctoral fellowship (30 places per call) at research centres in Spain or Portugal
- Who can apply
- PhD candidates of any nationality in science, technology, engineering and maths.
- Deadline or window
- The 2026 incoming call closed on 28 January 2026; the official page does not state the next call date
- FoundationMaster's, MPhil and PhD
Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships
Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation
- Value
- Up to US$120,000 towards tuition, living expenses, one-way travel, visa costs and a health allowance, depending on the course
- Who can apply
- Indian passport holders resident in India, born on or after 1 January 1996, with a degree from a recognised Indian university, for a top-rated university in the UK, Europe or the US. Excluded: business and finance, computer science, most engineering, MBA, medicine and dentistry, fashion, hospitality and some other fields.
- Deadline or window
- Applications closed for 2026; check the official page for the next round
- FoundationMaster's and PhD
K.C. Mahindra Scholarships for Post-Graduate Studies Abroad
K.C. Mahindra Education Trust
- Value
- Interest-free loan scholarship of up to ₹10 lakh for the top three, and up to ₹5 lakh for others
- Who can apply
- Indian citizens with a first-class degree (or equivalent diploma) from a recognised university, starting a postgraduate programme at an overseas university. Final-year students can apply with proof of a first class before the end of June. At least 50 awards a year.
- Deadline or window
- The 2026 round closed on 30 April 2026; the next round usually opens early in the year
- FoundationMaster's, PhD and postdoctoral
J N Tata Endowment Loan Scholarship
J N Tata Endowment (Tata Trusts)
- Value
- Loan scholarship; the amount is decided case by case after an interview
- Who can apply
- Indians who have completed their undergraduate studies at a recognised Indian university, going abroad for higher studies. Selection is on merit only.
- Deadline or window
- The 2026–27 form window ran from 5 January to 29 March 2026; expect a similar window in early 2027
- FoundationMaster's
Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation Postgraduate Scholarship
Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation
- Value
- Full or part scholarships given as repayable, interest-free financial assistance (amount not fixed)
- Who can apply
- Merit-based, for Indian students of academic excellence going on to postgraduate study in India or abroad. Check the official page for fields and other conditions.
- Deadline or window
- Applications are closed for now; check the official page for the next call
Scholarship calendar for 2027 entry
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| September to November 2026 | Early admission rounds at private universities. Apply early, as awards are given round by round. |
| October 2026 to January 2027 | Erasmus Mundus deadlines. The 2026 INPhINIT calls closed in January and February; watch for the next call. |
| January to April 2027 | Later private-university rounds; check the trusts' own dates. |
| February to June 2027 | Public university pre-registration phases; check for any regional or university grants. |
Eligibility and documents
What selectors usually look for
- Strong academic results and a competitive admission profile.
- Admission, or an application in an active round, at the institution.
- For need-based awards: financial documents.
- For Erasmus Mundus and INPhINIT: excellent grades and a strong research or career plan.
Documents to keep ready
- Transcripts and degree certificate
- English test score report
- CV and motivation letter
- Scholarship essay (where required)
- Financial documents for need-based awards
- References
How to apply, step by step
- Pick your programmes and note their admission rounds.
- Apply in an early round; many awards are given round by round.
- Complete the scholarship form or essay, if one is required.
- Submit financial documents for need-based awards.
- Accept the award and check whether it is renewed each year.
Want help with your scholarship essay?Our counsellor will review your statement and references so they match your course application.
Tips to improve your chances
- 01
Apply early
Business schools give out scholarship money round by round. Early rounds have the biggest budget.
- 02
Explain your story
Diversity and talent awards look for what you will add to the class, not just your marks.
- 03
Consider public universities
Fees for non-EU students at public universities are often low enough that you may not need a large scholarship.
- 04
Budget for the visa
You must show €600 a month (2026) for living costs, whatever your scholarship covers.
Scholarships in Spain: FAQs
Are there government scholarships in Spain for Indian students?
Few are open to Indian students. Most awards come from universities, EU programmes and private foundations.
Does Esade give scholarships to Indian students?
Yes. Esade's MSc awards are open to all admitted candidates, and its Asian Talent Award targets strong applicants from Asia.
Are Erasmus Mundus scholarships open to Indians?
Yes. Applicants of any nationality can apply, and many programmes include Spanish universities.
When should I apply for scholarships in Spain?
As early as possible in the admission cycle, usually from September to January for a September start.
Sources
- Esade: MSc fees and financing (opens in a new tab)
- IE University: scholarships (opens in a new tab)
- IE University: admissions rounds (opens in a new tab)
- "la Caixa" Foundation: INPhINIT doctoral fellowships (opens in a new tab)
- EACEA: Erasmus Mundus catalogue (opens in a new tab)
- Study in Catalonia: fees (opens in a new tab)
Researched on 26 Oct 2026. Scholarship values, eligibility and deadlines change every year; always confirm on the official page before you apply.