Public scholarships
The public system is the main source of support for thousands of university students every year. These general scholarships are usually based on family income and academic achievement, and are a right you should be aware of.
MEC Scholarships
Scholarships from the Ministry of Education, known as MEC Scholarships, are the main source of funding for students in Spain. Their aim is to ensure that no one is prevented from studying for financial reasons. The requirements to bear in mind are:
- Financial requirements: your household’s financial situation in 2025 will be taken into account, covering both income and assets.
- The award and amount of the grant are determined by three family income thresholds set for each call for applications, which are weighted according to the number of members in the household. Exceeding the third income threshold is grounds for immediate exclusion from the call for applications.
- Nationality requirement: you must be a Spanish national or a national of a Member State of the European Union.
- If you are an EU citizen, you or your family must provide proof of permanent residence or employment in Spain to receive the full grant; otherwise, only the tuition fee portion will be awarded.
- If you are not an EU citizen, you must be under 18 years of age or hold a valid residence permit in 2025.
- Academic requirements:
- You must not hold a qualification at the same level or higher than the course for which you are applying for the grant.
- It is essential to enrol for 60 ECTS credits. If you enrol for between 30 and 59 credits, you may still be eligible for partial funding.
- If you are starting your first year of an undergraduate degree, you will need a minimum mark of 5 points in the entrance exams and assessments. If you gained entry via the PAU, the specific phase is not taken into account for this requirement.
- To renew the grant in the second year and beyond, you are generally required to have passed a high percentage of the credits from the previous year.
The grant can cover the full cost of the credits for which you enrol for the first time. In addition, fixed and variable amounts are awarded:
- Income-related fixed amount: direct financial support of €1,700 if your family falls within income threshold 1.
- Fixed amount linked to accommodation: if you need to live away from your family home during the academic year, you can receive €2,700.
- Variable grant: an additional amount calculated based on your average mark, family income and whether you are entering university aged over 25. The minimum amount is €60.
In the most favourable cases, the grant can exceed €4,000.
The deadline for applying for the MEC grants for the 2026–2027 academic year will open on 26 March and close on 14 May at 3.00 pm.
Grants from the Community of Madrid for students with disabilities
The autonomous communities supplement the national grant system. The Community of Madrid, for example, offers annual grants to students studying at universities in the region who have a certified disability of 33 per cent or more.
The grant is awarded directly in accordance with the degree of disability. It is not a fixed-amount grant, but is calculated by multiplying the percentage of disability by a coefficient in euros set by the Community of Madrid in each call for applications.
The application period is usually fifteen working days following publication in the BOCM. The total amount allocated to these grants is distributed amongst the applicants until the funds are exhausted.
UAX’s own scholarships and grants
At Alfonso X el Sabio University, we care not only about your academic excellence, but also about your personal journey and your future. That is why we have developed our own financial support programme.
Financial support for former students
We value the trust you place in our educational model. If you have already completed a degree at UAX and decide that the Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Management is your next step, the support programme for former students offers you a discount of up to 10 per cent on tuition fees.
This support is currently available to new students for the 2025/2026 academic year who enrol for the full programme (or a minimum of 30 ECTS credits via the online mode).
Support for concurrent study
If you are an ambitious person and are considering studying for two degrees at the same time, at UAX we reward your efforts in an exceptional way. If you enrol in two degree programmes simultaneously, we offer you a 100 per cent discount on the enrolment fee and/or place reservation fee for the second degree programme.
This means that, for example, you could study the Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Management and complement it with another degree such as Law or Marketing, and the tuition fees for this second degree would be completely free.
Early payment discount
Planning ahead pays off at UAX. If you are a new student and complete your enrolment in advance, you can benefit from the early payment discount. The amount of this discount is limited and may vary depending on the month in which you make the payment, so we recommend that you contact your university adviser to find out the exact discount you are eligible for.
Continuing Studies Grant
To reward new students who are transferring from another UAX degree programme, we offer a discount of up to 25 per cent. To be eligible, you must have completed your previous degree in the academic year immediately preceding the one in which you enrol on the Business Administration and Management programme, and you must enrol for a minimum of 30 ECTS credits. This is our way of helping you to complete your studies and continue developing your career within the university.
Financial support for elite athletes
At UAX, we firmly believe that academic and sporting excellence can go hand in hand. That is why we have a specific grants programme for athletes:
- High-Level Athletes (DAN): if you have recognised DAN status (in accordance with Royal Decree 971/2007 ) and this status is published in the Official State Gazette (BOE), you are eligible for a 50 per cent discount on the tuition fees for your Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management.
- High-Performance Athletes: if you have been crowned Spanish champion or runner-up in your sport, as accredited by your federation, we offer you a 20 per cent discount.
To retain this support year after year, we simply ask that you continue to demonstrate your commitment to your studies by failing no more than one module per year.
Scholarships for Academic Excellence
Through the Alfonso X el Sabio University Foundation (FUAX), we offer scholarships for academic excellence to new students with the most outstanding academic records. If you have achieved a final university entrance exam mark of 8.5 points or higher, you are eligible for this prestigious scholarship, which consists of a 40 per cent discount on tuition fees during the first year of your Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management.
To reward your consistent performance, this scholarship may be renewed in subsequent years if you meet the criteria for excellence, which include passing 100 per cent of the credits you have enrolled in and maintaining an average mark of 8.0 or above.
Scholarships for international students
UAX is a hub for talent from all over the world. We understand the needs of international students and collaborate with leading organisations to facilitate their arrival in Spain.
OEI Scholarships
Thanks to our agreement with the Organisation of Ibero-American States (OEI), students who are nationals of and/or legally resident in OEI member countries are eligible for a scholarship covering a 50 per cent reduction in the total tuition fees.
This scholarship applies solely to the cost of the study programme, excluding expenses such as the admission fee, materials or degree-related administrative fees. To be eligible, applicants must have been previously admitted to UAX and have paid the place reservation fee.
Applications will be assessed on the basis of the applicant’s academic profile, their potential impact upon completion of the programme, and their professional profile.
Senescyt Scholarships for students from Ecuador
For students with Ecuadorian nationality and/or residence, we work closely with the Secretariat for Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (Senescyt).
As with the OEI scholarships, this grant covers a 50 per cent discount on tuition fees. It is aimed at official online Master’s programmes. For a recent graduate in Business Administration, this represents an exceptional opportunity to fund a postgraduate programme in high-demand fields such as the Online Master’s in Digital Marketing , Big Data and Analytics , or Human Resources Management , all of which are covered by the call for applications.
To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must meet the entry requirements for their chosen master’s programme, have been admitted to the UAX study programme, and have paid the place reservation fee.
Scholarships from private organisations
Beyond the public and university sectors, large companies and foundations are committed to supporting young talent through their own scholarship programmes.
Santander Scholarships
Banco Santander, through its global platform Santander Open Academy, is one of the world’s leading promoters of university talent. Throughout the year, they launch hundreds of open calls offering not only financial support but also training in digital skills, languages and leadership, as well as access to international experiences. For a Business Administration student, this platform is an invaluable resource for complementing their academic training and continuously enhancing their professional profile.
Santander’s collaboration goes one step further for our university community. At UAX, this partnership takes the form of the ‘UAX Talento en Prácticas’ programme, a specific and exclusive call for applications aimed at our students. This initiative offers direct financial support to help you undertake your curricular or extracurricular work placements, covering the costs associated with this experience so that you can focus on giving your very best.
This dual support system makes the partnership with Santander particularly valuable: you have access to a world of global opportunities through its platform and, at the same time, to personalised, tangible and exclusive support simply because you are a UAX student.
Final checklist for applying for your scholarship
The process of applying for a scholarship may seem complex, but good organisation is the key to success. Always bear these crucial points in mind before submitting your application:
- Check the deadlines in advance. Deadlines are not flexible. Note the closing date and time in your calendar and get everything ready in good time to avoid last-minute complications.
- Read each requirement carefully. Before you begin, make sure you meet all the criteria (academic, financial, age, etc.) and that you fully understand each document you are asked to provide. A mistake here could invalidate your application.
- Prepare your documents well in advance. Don’t wait until the last day to request your academic transcript, letters of recommendation, language certificate or any other official documents. Some of these procedures may take several days or weeks.
- Tailor your application. Avoid generic responses. Adapt your personal statement or essays to the values and objectives of the specific scholarship you are applying for. Research the awarding body and demonstrate why you are the ideal candidate for that particular scholarship.
- Pay attention to presentation and spelling. A well-written, error-free application with a neat layout demonstrates professionalism and attention to detail.
Summary
Funding your studies in Business Administration and Management is entirely possible. As you have seen, the range of scholarships is extensive and is structured across different levels: state grants (MEC), regional grants (Community of Madrid), those offered by UAX itself in recognition of your loyalty or to support your future, and those we provide to our international students (OEI, Senescyt). The key is to be proactive: do your research, plan ahead and don’t miss the deadlines. At UAX, we not only offer you a cutting-edge curriculum, but we also provide you with the support and tools to ensure that financial barriers do not hold back your future.
Official sources
- MEC (Ministry of Education) grants
- Santander Scholarships
- OEI Scholarships
- Senescyt Scholarships
- Scholarships for former UAX students
- Financial assistance for students undertaking multiple courses simultaneously
- Financial assistance for early payment of tuition fees
- Financial assistance for continuing studies
- Financial support for elite athletes
- Scholarships for academic excellence
- Official Gazette of the Community of Madrid: Extract from Order 394/2025.
Note: Some of these calls for applications are annual and may have closed by the time you read this.
