Esade Talent Scholarships — Complete Guide

Quick summary

The Esade Talent Scholarships (often referred to under Esade’s broader “Turn Your Talent into Transformation” or “Need-based Talent Scholarships” programmes) are merit- and/or need-focused awards offered by Esade (part of Ramon Llull University) to help talented students whose financial situation might otherwise prevent them from studying at Esade. The scholarships can cover partial to full tuition and — in some programmes — living costs or lodging, depending on the specific award and intake. Esade offers different scholarship streams for undergraduate, MSc, MBA and research programmes, with award amounts and application procedures that vary by degree. esade.edu+1

Who the Talent Scholarships are for

• Talented applicants with strong academic records, leadership potential, or proven professional impact.

• Students with financial need — many Talent Scholarships are explicitly need-based (Esade evaluates household finances and requests supporting documents).

• Available to domestic and international students, across Esade’s undergraduate, MSc/Master and some research programmes; some awards are specific to particular degrees (e.g., undergraduate vs MSc vs MBA).

What the scholarships cover

Coverage varies by award and programme, but commonly includes:

• Tuition fee reductions ranging commonly from 60% to 100% for many Talent Scholarship variants; some lists mention grants covering 50%–90% or other ranges depending on the scheme.

• Living or lodging support for certain full-need scholarships (particularly for multi-year undergraduate or research programmes). For example, some Esade MRes scholarships reported for a given intake included full tuition plus a living stipend.

• Programme-specific variations — MBA scholarships at Esade (including need-based and partner awards) often specify different coverage bands (commonly 50%–85% for some need-based MBA awards per programme pages).

Bottom line: award levels differ across degree types and intakes. Always check the scholarship page for your specific programme for exact percentages and whether living costs are included.

Types of Talent / Related Scholarships at Esade

Esade’s financial aid ecosystem includes several mutually supportive categories; Talent Scholarships are often part of this suite:

1. Need-based Talent Scholarships — awarded to talented applicants who demonstrate financial need. Applicants normally submit financial documentation; selection balances merit and need. esade.edu+1

2. Academic-achievement (merit) awards — high-achievement awards for top applicants; can be one-year or multi-year depending on the programme.

3. Targeted diversity / regional awards — such as African Talent Awards or other regionally focused grants that aim to increase access for under-represented geographies. These typically have defined coverage levels (e.g., 10%–50% or higher) and specific eligibility rules.

4. Partner & foundation scholarships — Esade partners with external foundations and organisations (e.g., Forté, Fundación Princesa de Girona, Colfuturo) to provide additional scholarships for eligible students. These may require separate applications or documentation.

Eligibility — common requirements

Although each scholarship has its own rules, common eligibility elements include:

• Admission to the chosen Esade programme (you typically must be admitted before a need-based award can be processed).

• Strong academic record — transcripts, awards, or test scores demonstrating high potential.

• Financial need documentation for need-based Talent Scholarships: tax returns, income statements, bank statements, or a financial aid application form.

• Specific nationality or residency criteria for some regional or partner awards (e.g., scholarships targeted at Ibero-American, African or Colombian students).

How to apply — step-by-step

1. Choose and apply to the programme: submit your full admissions package to the specific Esade degree (undergrad, MSc, MBA, MRes, etc.). In most cases scholarship consideration follows admission.

2. Check scholarship forms: once admitted, consult the programme’s financial aid or scholarship page for the Talent Scholarships and download/complete the scholarship application or financial aid form if required. Some scholarships are automatic, others require a separate submission.

3. Prepare supporting documents: transcripts, CV, statement of purpose/motivation, recommendation letters (if requested), and financial documents to demonstrate need. Provide translations if documents are not in the requested language.

4. Meet deadlines: scholarship application deadlines often align with or follow the admissions timeline — apply early and respect the scholarship deadlines shown on the programme page.

5. Wait for committee decision: the Esade Scholarship Committee reviews applications and notifies successful candidates; award letters typically spell out coverage, conditions and whether awards are renewable.

Selection criteria — what the committee looks for

Common selection factors used by Esade scholarship committees include:

• Academic excellence (GPA, awards, relevant standardized test scores when applicable).

• Demonstrated financial need (for need-based Talent Scholarships).

• Leadership and impact — extracurriculars, community involvement, entrepreneurial initiatives or notable work achievements.

• Fit with Esade — clarity of motivation, program fit and future plans expressed in essays or interviews.

Note: committees often take a composite view — an applicant with strong leadership and clear need can be competitive even if a test score is not perfect.

Deadlines & timing — practicalities

• Programme-dependent: scholarship deadlines commonly follow admissions cycles, and recommended timelines are posted on each programme’s scholarship page. For example, some undergraduate calls recommend completion before end of March for the following intake; some research programmes publish exact numbers and application windows for each year.

• Apply early: strong applications submitted early are easier for committees to review — and some limited awards are first-come-first-assessed within rounds. Always confirm exact dates on the official programme page.

Examples & program-specific notes

• Undergraduate (degree) Talent Scholarships: Esade’s undergraduate Talent programme advertises coverage from 60% to 100% of tuition or lodging support, and separate short-term grants for professional solidarity internships. Applicants often apply for need-based scholarships after conditional/unconditional admission.

• MSc / Master programmes: Need-based scholarships for MSc students typically cover sizeable portions of tuition; some MSc or research-track programmes (e.g., an MRes intake noted for 2025–26) explicitly listed a limited number of Talent Scholarships covering 100% tuition plus living stipends for selected candidates. These are competitive and limited.

• MBA scholarships: Esade’s MBA scholarship suite includes need and merit awards plus partner fellowships; need-based awards for MBA have appeared in the range of 50%–85% for certain intake descriptions. Partner or foundation awards (e.g., Forté) add additional funding routes.

Tips to improve your chances

1. Apply for admission early and complete scholarship forms as soon as you are eligible.

2. Prepare a clear financial case for need-based awards — provide accurate, well-organized documentation and a narrative explaining how the scholarship will make your studies possible.

3. Show measurable impact in CV and essays — quantify achievements, responsibilities, and outcomes.

4. Tell a compelling story: use your statement of purpose to link past achievements, future goals, and how Esade (and the scholarship) uniquely enable that roadmap.

5. Use referees strategically: ask recommenders to highlight potential, resilience and specific examples of leadership or impact. esade.edu

6. Explore partner & regional awards: if you’re from a specific region or part of a partner programme (e.g., UWC), check for stacked awards that can combine need and merit in some cases.

Common FAQs

Q — Do I need to be admitted before applying for Esade Talent Scholarships?
A — Yes. For most need-based scholarships, you must submit a complete admission application and be conditionally or unconditionally admitted before applying for the scholarship, or use the scholarship application portal linked from your admissions page.

Q — Can scholarship awards be combined?
A — It depends. Some awards (e.g., certain need-based and merit awards) may be combined in specific cases, although Esade sometimes limits stacking for fairness and budget reasons; check the terms of any award. Particular partner programmes (e.g., UWC-Esade links) may allow stacking and lodging supplements.

Q — Are scholarships renewable?
A — Some scholarships cover the whole programme if students meet continuing performance conditions; others are one-year awards. Terms vary — confirm renewal conditions in the official award letter.

Q — Are international students eligible?
A — Yes. Esade awards are generally open to international students but some regional awards target specific nationalities. Financial documentation requirements still apply.

Where to confirm the latest details

Always verify the current, program-specific scholarship terms on Esade’s official pages:

• Esade Scholarship Program & Financial Aid pages and your chosen programme’s “Fees & Financing / Admissions & Scholarships” section. These pages list the exact application process, deadlines, required documents, and award terms for each intake. esade.edu+1

Final thoughts

Esade’s Talent Scholarships are a powerful way to make a top European business education more accessible — combining merit recognition with need-based support in many of the school’s programmes. The scholarships are competitive but structured to reward not just grades, but leadership, impact and genuine financial need. If you’re applying, focus on a crisp admissions package, clear financial documentation, and persuasive essays that show why Esade is the right next step for you.