Scholarships and Fees
Each year, IAAC dedicates more than €500.000 to Scholarships as part of its commitment to social outreach and open impact, supporting students interested in studying within its educational platforms.
If you apply to a Scholarship at IAAC, these will allow you to cover part of your tuition fees. If you are granted one, you will be informed of the amount in your acceptance letter. For those who don’t receive funding from IAAC, there are also funding opportunities from external organizations, research councils and governments around the world.
IAAC Scholarships & Funding Opportunities
Each year IAAC offers generous scholarships to its applicants. There are also funding opportunities from external organisations, research councils and governments around the world.
Approximately 25% of taught master’s offer holders are successful in obtaining some form of financial support from the Institute.
The value of support ranges in value depending on the background of the applicant and/or the need for support.
IMPORTANT:
- Applicants cannot obtain more than one of the scholarships listed below.
- Applicants must adhere to the Opening and Closing scholarship application deadlines. If an applicant wishes to apply for a scholarship they must submit their general IAAC application during an open scholarship period.
- Applications received outside of a scholarship period will not be considered for one.
Applicants interested in applying to a particular scholarship can contact [email protected] before the scholarship closing date.
Merit-based Scholarships
Scholarship | Value | Who can apply | Opening Date | Closing Date |
IAAC Scholarship Competition
For applicants who submit a design proposal for the competition. |
20%, 30% and 50% discounts on the programme tuition fees | All programme applicants (except Fab Academy) | December 1st, 2023 | January 31st, 2024 |
Industry Funded Scholarships for on-campus programmes
For applicants who want to receive industry funding to join one of IAAC’s on-campus programmes. |
20%, 30% and 50% discounts on the programme tuition fees | All on-campus programme applicants (except Fab Academy) | February 1st, 2024 | March 31st, 2024 |
Industry Funded Scholarships for online programmes
For applicants who want to receive industry funding to join one of IAAC’s online programmes. |
20%, 30% and 50% discounts on the programme tuition fees | All online programme applicants | May 1st, 2024 | June 30th, 2024 |
IAAC Advanced Architecture Contest (for entry in the year 2024/25)
For MAA, MaCT, MRAC, MAEBB, MDEF and MaAI applicants who submit a design proposal for the competition. The AAC content runs every 2 years. |
1st Prize: 3,000 € + Master at IAAC
2nd Prize: 2,000 € + Master at IAAC 3rd Prize: 1,000 € + Master at IAAC |
Only MAA, MaCT, MRAC, MAEBB, MDEF and MaAI applicants | October 2nd, 2023 | February 2nd, 2024 |
Needs-based Financial Support
Applicant Support Plan
The Applicant Support Plan (ASP) is aimed at providing financial support to applicants and students who are no longer able to fund their studies at IAAC. The financial support is given in the form of a discount on the tuition fees.
IAAC Applicants can apply for the ASP through the IAAC Applicant Financial Support form which can be submitted as an optional document in the IAAC Application Portal.
IAAC Students can apply for the ASP through the IAAC Applicant Financial Support form by sending via email to IAAC’s Academic Secretary and the program coordinator.
You can access the IAAC Applicant Financial Support form here.
Eligibility
Points of note:
- The ASP assesses on financial need, applications are means-tested, it is not assessing academic merit.
- ASP discounts are intended to supplement funding already secured or expected, and not to provide a full funding package to applicants.
- Attempts to secure financial support from other sources (eg help from households, non-IAAC scholarships, government awards, loans, etc) are therefore viewed very favorably.
- Your chances of securing a discount will increase if you provide as much information as possible about your individual financial situation.
- Concealing information or being dishonest normally only disadvantages an applicant. This is because we can only assess if we are able to assist an applicant, and the appropriate level of an award if we have a full picture of an applicant’s financial situation.
- The ASP is a competitive process, due to the large number of applicants applying, the means test threshold is set at a particularly low level.
- Access to the online IAAC Applicant Financial Support form is provided here and in the IAAC application portal.
- If you are offered an ASP discount, the Applications Coordinator will contact you and ask you to provide supporting documentation. If you are not able to provide the documentation or the documentation is not consistent with the information you supplied on the ASP form, we may amend or withdraw your ASP discount.
Scholarship Amount
The normal maximum discount available is €3,000. Larger discounts may be made in very exceptional cases.
This plan is aimed at supplementing applicants who already have some form of funding secured and need a bit more to cover all the costs at IAAC. If you have a greater need, and you submit a personal statement with your IAAC Applicant Financial Support Form, you will be considered for other IAAC scholarships which can offer a higher level of funding.
Application Process
Download the IAAC Applicant Financial Support Form here (in English, Spanish or Portuguese) or through the IAAC Application Portal and submit it as an optional document.
During the application process in the IAAC Application Portal, you will also be given access to the IAAC Applicant Financial Support Form.
In order to be considered for a discount, you must have received an offer of a place in an IAAC program.
Discounts are limited and we recommend you apply for funding as soon as possible.
Your financial information will not be considered as part of your application for a place at IAAC.
Women have been at the centre of IAAC’s innovative research environment for many years now, supporting their presence in our academic research environment. Achieving a world with gender equality and diversity requires social innovations that work for all genders and leave no one behind. We believe that innovation can bring the race for gender equality to an end by 2030, as stated by UN Women.
That is why IAAC has been focusing on developing opportunities for innovations that advance gender equality; integrating gender issues within innovation; promoting those who identify as women as innovators and entrepreneurs; and directly supporting technology-driven innovative solutions that meet the needs of women and girls.
As part of this ongoing mission, IAAC has created the IAAC Women in Tech Fund with the aim to open new opportunities for people who identify as women to become part of the technology sector, with a particular focus on robotics, data science, computation and digital fabrication.
The fund aims to close the gender gap, help those who identify as women embrace technology and to promote their empowerment around the world, by providing financial support to IAAC’s outstanding women applicants. The fund will be given in the form of a discount (up to 50%) on the tuition fee of the selected programme.
This fund is open throughout the application period and is distributed upon deliberation by the IAAC Academic Committee to IAAC’s women applicants.
To apply, all women applicants who wish to be considered for this fund will have to submit an additional document that describes their vision for gender equality in the sectors of technology and innovation (Format: A4 PDF, 2 pages max including text and images up to 5MB).
Each woman applicant will be individually considered and the financial awards will be given based on their academic merit. If the academic committee chooses to support an applicant, it will be communicated with the acceptance letter sent by the applications coordinator.
IAAC is fully committed to eliminating discrimination and actively promoting equality of opportunity for staff and students. Women candidates and applicants with diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
The Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC), is pleased to introduce the IAAC-Colette Fund, an initiative aimed at empowering the next generation of African architects.
Starting 2023, Colette is becoming a permanent private fund within the Institute, which will provide financial support to deserving candidates from Africa interested in pursuing a Postgraduate in 3D Printing Architecture (3DPA) in Barcelona, Spain. Its goal is, once again, to offer educational opportunities in architecture and design, focusing on 3D printing with natural materials and its applications in the construction field.
The fund exclusively covers tuition costs (travel, visa processing fees and living costs in Barcelona are not included).
Applicants residing in Africa and not in possession of a visa to study in Spain are required to apply by the 22nd March, 2024. This deadline allows candidates sufficient time to secure a visa to study in Spain.
Find more information about the fund and application instructions here.
Below are a few resources you may find useful when doing your independent search for scholarships:
- Spanish Studies Abroad Merit-Based Scholarship
Spanish Studies Abroad has awarded over $230,000 in scholarships since 2001 via its two scholarships, the Merit-Based Scholarship and the Diversity Scholarship, for academic programs in Spain, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Argentina.
More information can be found here: https://spanishstudies.org/ - International Studies Abroad (ISA) Diversity Scholarship
ISA has been granting scholarships for students to study in Spain since it launched its first program in Salamanca in 1987.
More information can be found here: https://www.studiesabroad.com/en/admissions/funding-your-program/scholarships-and-grants - The Fulbright Program (Spain)
The Fulbright Program offers grants to qualified U.S. students and young professionals to pursue independent research in Spain.
More information can be found here: https://us.fulbrightonline.org/about/fulbright-us-student-program - CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
CIEE’s need-based grants offer support to students who face financial barriers to studying abroad. The application processes for these grants all require proof of Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Estimated Family Contribution (EFC), as displayed on the applicant’s FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR). That’s because the CIEE awards need-based grants based on students’ EFCs and program selection.
More information can be found here: https://www.ciee.org/go-abroad/college-study-abroad/scholarships/how-apply?utm_source=gooverseas&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=study&utm_content=spain-scholarships-article - Diversity Abroad & CISI Planning Scholarship
These planning scholarships are awarded to students of diverse backgrounds at Diversity Network Member institutions, and they cover often overlooked costs like passport fees, visas, flights, program deposits, and more. Applicants should be freshmen, sophomores, and juniors who are able to demonstrate financial need, and preference is given to those who’ve not yet studied overseas.
More information can be found here: https://www.diversityabroad.com/partners/diversity-abroad - Santander grants
http://www.becas-santander.com/ - Grant from the Latin-American Postgraduate University Association (AUIP)
This association offers various programmes such as the Movilidad entre Universidades Andaluzas y Latinoamericanas (Mobility between Andalusian and Latin-American Universities) and the Movilidad Académica entre Instituciones Asociadas a la AUIP (Academic Mobility between Institutions associated to the AUIP).
More information can be found here: http://www.auip.org/index.php/es/becas-auip - Reina Sofía grants
These are aimed at Spanish emigrants whose spouses and children live abroad and wish to pursue university studies in Spain, and do not have the financial resources.
More information can be found here: http://www.mecd.gob.es/portada-mecd/
In terms of loans, please note that Bank loans are a common means of financing postgraduate study in Spain. Banks to look at: Banc Sabadell, BBVA, CatalunyaCaixa, La Caixa. However, you may look into the option of applying for a loan in their home country first as many bank loans require evidence of Spanish residency or a long-standing relationship with that bank. You will need to obtain an NIE (Spanish residence permit) for applying for a Spanish loan or other financial activities, such as opening a bank account. Many loans require monthly payments during the study period.
Programme Enrolment & Tuition Fees
If accepted, applicants will have to confirm their enrolment by proceeding with the payment of a non-refundable enrolment fee within a maximum of 3 weeks after they receive the acceptance letter. Below you can see the enrolment fees for IAAC´s programmes:
On Campus Programmes | Enrolment Fee |
MAA01, 02, MAA+3DPA – Master in Advanced Architecture | 3800€ |
MaCT01 & 02 – Master in City & Technology | 3800€ |
MAEBB01 & 02 – Master in Advanced Ecological Buildings & Biocities | 3800€ |
MRAC01, 02, MRAC+3DPA- Master in Robotics & Advanced Construction Full Time | 3800€ |
MDEF01 & 02 – Master in Design for Emergent Futures | 3800€ |
MaAI01 & 02 – Master in AI for Architecture & the Built Environment | 3800€ |
On Campus Postgraduate Programmes | Enrolment Fee |
3DPA – Postgraduate in 3D Printing Architecture | 2800€ |
Fab Academy BCN | 2800€ |
Fabricademy- Textile and Technology Academy | 3000 $ (USD) |
On-line Programmes | Enrolment Fee |
MACAD – Master in Advanced Computation for Architecture & Design | 2800€ |
MACAD Module 01 – Environmental and Structural Design | 1400€ |
MACAD Module 02 – BIM and Smart Construction | 1400€ |
MACAD Module 03 – Artificial Intelligence in Architecture | 1400€ |
MDDI – Master in Design for Distributed Innovation | 2800€ |
MoEC – Maestría Online en Ciudades | 2800€ |
OPTION 1 | OPTION 2 | ||||||||
Programme | Full tuition *excluding Enrolment Fee* (no later than 1st September, 2024) | Before September 1st 2024 | Before December 1st 2024 | Before September 1st 2025 | |||||
Master in Advanced Architecture (MAA01)
Master in City and Technology (MaCT01) Master in Design for Emergent Futures (MDEF01) Master in Robotics and Advanced Construction (MRAC01) Master in AI for Architecture & the Built Environment (MaA01) Master in Advanced Ecological Buildings & Biocities (MAEBB)** |
Non EU | 20,050€ | 12,030€ (60%) | 8,020€ (40%) | – | ||||
EU | 16,000€ | 9,600€ (60%) | 6,400€ (40%) | – | |||||
Spanish* | 8,125€ | 4,875€ (60%) | 3,250€ (40%) | – | |||||
Master in Advanced Architecture 01 +3D Printing Architecture (MAA01+3DPA)
Master in Robotics and Advanced Construction + 3D Printing Architecture (MRAC+3DPA) |
Non EU | 28,400€ | 17,040€ (60%) | 11,360€ (40%) | – | ||||
EU | 22,930€ | 13,758€ (60%) | 9,172€ (40%) | – | |||||
Spanish* | 12,300€ | 7,380€ (60%) | 4,920€ (40%) | – | |||||
Master in Advanced Architecture (MAA02)
Master in City and Technology (MaCT02) Master in Design for Emergent Futures (MDEF02) Master in Robotics and Advanced Construction.(MRAC02) Master in AI for Architecture & the Built Environment (MaA02) Master in Advanced Ecological Buildings & Biocities II (MAEBB02) ** |
Non EU | 28,000€ | 11,200€ (40%) | 8,400€ (30%) | 8,400€ (30%) | ||||
EU | 22,600€ | 9,040€ (40%) | 6,780€ (30%) | 6,780€(30%) | |||||
Spanish* | 12,100€ | 4,840€ (40%) | 3,630€ (30%) | 3,630€ (30%) | |||||
3D Printing Architecture (3DPA) | Non EU | 9,125€ | 9,125€ (100%) | – | – | ||||
EU | 7,100€ | 7,100€ (100%) | – | – | |||||
Spanish* | 3,163€ | 3,163€ (100%) | – | – | |||||
*IAAC assesses the fee status based on the applicant’s passport information.
** Valldaura Accommodation fees not included
Programme | Tuition Fee excluding Enrolment Fee (€) | Tuition Due on: |
Master in Advanced Computation for
Architecture & Design (MaCAD) with 60 ECTS credits |
9,200€ | 7.400€ No later than
September 1st, 2024 |
Module 1 (MACAD) in Advanced Computation
for Environmental and Structural Design with 15 ECTS credits |
3,100€ | 3,100€ No later than
September 1st, 2024 |
Module 2 (MACAD) in Building Information
Modelling and Smart Construction with 15 ECTS credits |
3,100€ | 3,100€ No later than
December 1st, 2024 |
Module 3 (MACAD) in Artificial Intelligence in
Architecture with 15 ECTS credits |
3,100€ | 3,100€ No later than
March 1st, 2025 |
Master in Design for Distributed
Innovation (MDDI) |
9,200€ | 9,200€ No later than
January 1st, 2025 |
Maestría Online en Ciudades (MoEC) | 3,800€ | 3,800€ No later than December 15, 2024 |
In some cases, the amount of tuition fees you will need to pay, and any financial support you are eligible for, will depend on whether you are classified as a Spanish, EU or Non-EU student, otherwise known as your fee status.
IAAC assesses the fee status based on the applicant’s passport information.
There are two ways to submit a payment for your tuition fees:
Through Bank Transfer
Bank: CaixaBank
Account number: 2100 5000 54 0200037560
IBAN (electronic format): ES5121005000540200037560
IBAN (paper format): ES51 2100 5000 5402 0003 7560
SWIFT/BIC: CAIXESBBXXX
Holder : Institut d’Arquitectura Avançada de Catalunya
Address: Calle Aribau, 185 08021 Barcelona
Note: Make sure that bank transferring SUBJECT is the applicant’s name, and not the person who orders the transfer. Also make sure to select the SWIFT instructions code “OUR” when ordering the bank transfer. This means that you have to pay the transfer charges.
Through Flywire
It is also possible to submit a payment through IAAC’s Flywire platform.
You can access it here: iaac.flywire.com
Students who successfully graduated from the IAAC Master Programme in the past will have an automatic fee reduction on the tuition fees to enroll in another Educational Programme at IAAC. The fee reduction is as follows:
For IAAC’s On-Campus Programs:
- 10% for Alumni who completed a Postgraduate program
- 20% for Alumni who completed a 1-year Master’s program
- 30% for Alumni who completed a 2-year Master’s program
For IAAC’s Online Programs:
- 10% for Alumni who completed a Postgraduate program
- 15 % for Alumni who completed a 1-year Master’s program
- 20% for Alumni who completed a 2-year Master’s program
For IAAC´s Post graduate Programs:
- Alumni who have completed a Master’s Programme and want to enroll in the 3D Printing Architecture Postgraduate Programme (3DPA) will receive a discount of 15% on tuition fees.
- Alumni who have completed a Master’s Programme and want to enroll in Fab Academy or Fabricademy Postgraduate Programmes will receive a discount of 10% on tuition fees.
We estimate that you should allow about €1,200-€1,300 per month for all living expenses, including accommodation, travel, food, laundry, study costs, and other personal expenses. This will vary depending on your lifestyle and requirements, so it’s important you do your own research.
Please note that if you will be applying for a visa, you will have to provide evidence of sufficient funds, and these amounts may vary.
Pre-course Fees
In the acceptance letter applicants will receive a list of mandatory modules with the respective fee:
-
- If the mandatory modules assigned by the Academic Committee are 3, the mandatory fee will be 1200€. The applicant can choose a fourth module at the additional cost of 200€.
- If the mandatory modules assigned by the Academic Committee are 2, then the applicant must select one more module to attend from a list of specific modules, at the additional cost of 400€, making the total cost 1200€. The applicant can choose a fourth module at the additional cost of 200€.
- If the mandatory module assigned by the Academic Committee is 1, then he applicant must select two more modules to attend from a list of specific modules, at the additional cost of 400€ per module, making the total cost 1200€. The applicant can choose a fourth module at the additional cost of 200€.
- If no mandatory modules have been assigned by the Academic Committee then the applicant has the option to select three modules to attend from a list of specific modules, at the cost of 1200€ for three selected modules or 1400€ for 4 selected modules.
Find out more about the different modules here.
The cost of the 3DPA Pre-course modules is a total of 500€ for all three modules.
Note: Applicants cannot add, remove, or change modules for the 3DPA Pre-courses.
Find out more about the different modules here.
The MaCAD pre-course fee is not included in the master tuition fee. The tuition fees for the MaCAD pre-course modules are:
- 1 module: 200€
- 2 modules: 300€
- 4 modules: 400€
Since the MaCAD Programme is an online programme, access to the recorded modules of the pre-course will be given to students as soon as the pre-course payment is received.
Find out more about the different modules here.