UAB Equity Grant (Beca Equitat)

Overview

The UAB Equity Grant, known in Catalan as Beca Equitat, is a need-based tuition-fee reduction for students at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB). It is administered through AGAUR, the Catalan Agency for Management of University and Research Grants, which runs the scheme across Catalan public universities on behalf of the Generalitat de Catalunya. Rather than paying out cash, it lowers the tuition fees you owe by a percentage that depends on your family's income bracket.

The reduction is bigger for bachelor's students than for master's students. In income bracket 1, a bachelor's student gets an 80% cut and a master's student gets 25%; in income bracket 2, those figures are 70% for bachelor's and 20% for master's. The grant is designed as a backstop: it is available after the academic year has started for students who did not apply for the general grants, or who applied but did not meet their requirements. If your award is confirmed within the expected deadlines, UAB applies the discount in December.

This is a practical option if you are paying public-university tuition at UAB and your family income is modest. It will not cover living costs or non-tuition expenses, but a 70% to 80% cut on bachelor's tuition is a meaningful saving. The application period is expected to open in September 2026, after the year begins, and you apply through AGAUR. International and non-EU eligibility is not spelled out on the UAB page, so confirm your status with UAB for the specific call before counting on it.

Key Facts at a Glance

Item	Detail
Funding Body	AGAUR (Generalitat de Catalunya), via the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Host Country	Spain
Degree Levels	Bachelor's and Master's
Value	Tuition-fee reduction by income bracket: bachelor's 80% (bracket 1) or 70% (bracket 2); master's 25% (bracket 1) or 20% (bracket 2)
Deadline	Annual call after the academic year starts; the application period is expected to open in September 2026
Eligible Nationalities	Varies; international and non-EU eligibility should be confirmed with UAB for each call
Official Website	uab.cat – apply for grants

Eligibility Criteria

Enrolment

You must be enrolled in a bachelor's degree or a qualifying official master's degree at a UAB centre. The grant applies to tuition at UAB, so your enrolment there is the starting point.

Income

The grant is need-based and tied to your family income bracket. Bracket 1 brings the larger reduction and bracket 2 a smaller one. AGAUR sets the income thresholds for each bracket, so the bracket you fall into decides your percentage.

Prior degrees

You generally cannot already hold an official degree of the same or higher level, unless you obtained it entirely at a private institution. This keeps the grant focused on students working toward their first qualification at each level.

Relationship to general grants

The Equity Grant is meant for students who did not apply for the general grants, or who applied but did not meet their requirements. It works as an alternative route to fee support rather than something you stack on top of a general grant.

International students

The UAB page does not state whether international or non-EU students are eligible. If that is your situation, confirm directly with UAB for the specific call before you rely on it.

What the Scholarship Covers

• A percentage reduction in UAB tuition fees based on family income bracket
• Bachelor's: 80% reduction in income bracket 1, 70% in income bracket 2
• Master's: 25% reduction in income bracket 1, 20% in income bracket 2
• The discount applied by UAB in December when the grant resolution is confirmed within the expected deadlines
• A funding route for students who did not qualify for, or did not apply to, the general grants

It covers tuition only. It does not provide a stipend, living costs, or coverage of non-tuition expenses.

How to Apply

1. Enrol at UAB. Make sure you are registered in a bachelor's or qualifying master's degree at a UAB centre.
2. Check the income brackets. Review the AGAUR income thresholds to see which bracket you fall into and the reduction it carries.
3. Wait for the call to open. The application period opens after the academic year starts, expected in September 2026.
4. Apply through AGAUR. Submit your application on the AGAUR website during the open period.
5. Provide income evidence. Supply the family income and household details AGAUR asks for so your bracket can be assessed.
6. Wait for the resolution. If your grant is confirmed within the expected deadlines, UAB applies the discount to your tuition in December.

Required Documents

• Valid identity document (passport or national ID)
• Proof of enrolment at a UAB centre
• Family income and household documentation for bracket assessment
• Tax or income records as requested by AGAUR
• Any additional supporting documents named in the specific call

Key Dates & Deadlines

Stage	Timing
Application period opens	Expected September 2026, after the academic year starts
Discount applied	December, if the resolution is confirmed within the expected deadlines

Dates can shift between calls, so confirm the exact window with AGAUR and UAB once the call is published.

Tips for a Strong Application

What helps

• Confirm your enrolment at UAB before the call opens
• Gather family income and tax documents early so your bracket can be assessed without delay
• Check the AGAUR income thresholds so you know which bracket and percentage to expect
• Apply promptly once the September window opens, so the discount can be applied in December
• If you are international or non-EU, confirm your eligibility with UAB before applying

Common mistakes to avoid

• Assuming the grant pays cash; it only reduces tuition
• Expecting bachelor's-level percentages on a master's, where reductions are smaller
• Trying to combine it with a general grant rather than treating it as an alternative
• Missing the after-term-start window because you expected a summer deadline
• Applying when you already hold a degree of the same or higher level from a public institution

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UAB Equity Grant (Beca Equitat)?

It is a need-based tuition-fee reduction for UAB students, administered through AGAUR, that lowers your tuition by a percentage based on your family income bracket.

Who administers the UAB Equity Grant (Beca Equitat)?

It is administered by AGAUR, the Catalan Agency for Management of University and Research Grants, on behalf of the Generalitat de Catalunya, via UAB.

How much does the UAB Equity Grant (Beca Equitat) reduce tuition?

Bachelor's students get 80% in income bracket 1 and 70% in bracket 2. Master's students get 25% in bracket 1 and 20% in bracket 2.

Who is eligible for the UAB Equity Grant (Beca Equitat)?

Students enrolled in a bachelor's or qualifying master's degree at a UAB centre, assessed on family income bracket, who do not already hold an official degree of the same or higher level (unless earned entirely at a private institution).

When does the UAB Equity Grant (Beca Equitat) open?

The call opens after the academic year starts. The application period is expected to open in September 2026.

Where do I apply for the UAB Equity Grant (Beca Equitat)?

You apply through the AGAUR website during the open application period. Start from UAB's apply-for-grants page for guidance.

Does the UAB Equity Grant (Beca Equitat) cover living costs?

No. It only reduces tuition fees. It does not provide a stipend or cover living and non-tuition expenses.

When is the UAB Equity Grant (Beca Equitat) discount applied?

UAB applies the discount in December, provided the grant resolution is confirmed within the expected deadlines.

Can international students get the UAB Equity Grant (Beca Equitat)?

The UAB page does not specify international or non-EU eligibility, so confirm your status directly with UAB for the specific call.

Can I combine the UAB Equity Grant (Beca Equitat) with a general grant?

It is designed for students who did not apply for the general grants or did not meet their requirements, so treat it as an alternative rather than something you stack on top.

What documents do I need for the UAB Equity Grant (Beca Equitat)?

You typically need an identity document, proof of UAB enrolment, and family income and tax documentation so AGAUR can assess your bracket, plus anything else named in the call.

Why is the UAB Equity Grant (Beca Equitat) smaller for master's students?

The scheme sets lower reduction percentages for master's study (25% or 20%) than for bachelor's study (80% or 70%), reflecting the different fee structure and policy priorities for each level.