Spain · Various Spanish universities
MAEC-AECID Scholarships
IELTS Requirement & Application Guide
- IELTS
- 5.5
- Components
- L 5 / R 5 / W 5 / S 5
- Level
- PG, PhD
- Deadline
- February–May
Last verified: 2026-03
About MAEC-AECID Scholarships
MAEC-AECID Scholarships are funded by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs for nationals of developing countries. They support postgraduate and doctoral studies at Spanish universities, covering tuition, monthly allowances, health insurance, and return airfare. Some programmes are taught in Spanish, while others are available in English.
IELTS Required
| Overall | L | R | W | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Accepts: Academic ✓ / General ✗
Also accepted: TOEFL iBT 60, DELE B2
Tips for Meeting the Requirement
- 1MAEC-AECID requires IELTS 5.5 overall with 5.0 in each band for English-taught programmes. Some programmes require Spanish proficiency (DELE B2) instead. Confirm the language of instruction for your target programme.
- 2Spain offers an excellent quality of life at lower costs compared to Northern Europe. The scholarship's monthly allowance, combined with Spain's affordable living costs, provides a comfortable student experience.
- 3The application window is February to April. If your programme is taught in Spanish, focus on Spanish language preparation. For English-taught programmes, the IELTS 5.5 requirement is highly achievable with focused preparation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What IELTS score is needed for MAEC-AECID Scholarships?
MAEC-AECID requires IELTS Academic 5.5 overall with a minimum of 5.0 in each component for English-taught programmes. TOEFL iBT (60+) and DELE B2 are accepted alternatives depending on the language of instruction.
Does MAEC-AECID accept IELTS General Training?
No, only IELTS Academic is accepted for English-taught programmes. For Spanish-taught programmes, DELE certification is required instead of IELTS.
Can I apply for MAEC-AECID without Spanish language skills?
Yes, you can apply for English-taught programmes using your IELTS score. However, many MAEC-AECID funded programmes are taught in Spanish. Check the language of instruction carefully before applying.
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