While Mexico may be famous for its Aztec and Mayan ruins, it is slowly gaining footing as one of the best destinations for higher education. Thanks to its colorful culture and low cost of living, it’s the number one choice for students on a budget.

And speaking of budget, Mexican university tuition fees are very cheap compared to its neighboring countries. Public institutions cost as low as $400 a year, while private school tuition starts at $1,600.

Despite this low price, Mexican institutions don’t skimp on quality education. Currently, 16 of them are listed in the World University Rankings.

While studying in Mexico is already affordable, there’s a way for students to get in for free. With the help of these seven scholarships, you can finish your Mexican education without paying steep prices.

Top Scholarships in Mexico for International Students

1. Mexican Government Scholarship Program for International Students

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: 25% to 100% of the tuition amount each year (max $3,500) for 2-5 years
  • Eligible Degree: Master’s or Doctorate degree

Funded by the Ministry of Foreign Relations and the Agency for International Development Cooperation, this scholarship in Mexico is open to foreigners who wish to study in Mexico. Citizens of 180 countries are eligible to study in any of the 90 institutions participating in this scholarship program.

Applicants must have a degree that matches the admission requirements. Likewise, they should have a grade of at least 80 (on a scale of 100.)

Other requirements include an accomplished application form, statement of purpose, curriculum vitae, letter of commitment, plus a letter of acceptance from a Mexican institution.

Awardees are chosen according to programs that can help develop their home countries – as well as Mexico. Likewise, those who hold government, faculty, or research positions in their native nations will be highly considered.

Grantees will receive a full-tuition subsidy, stipends, health insurance, roundtrip airfare, and transportation fees (if studying outside Mexico City).

2. CONACYT OAS AMEXCID Scholarship Program

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: Partial to full tuition amount
  • Eligible Degree: Science or Engineering Master’s/Doctorate degree at Mexican universities that are part of the OAS Consortium

Together with a handful of other organizations, the Organization of American States offers this annually-funded scholarship program for graduate students. Exclusive to citizens of OAS states, it is given to applicants who wish to pursue their Master’s or Doctorate in Science or Engineering in Mexico.

Outside of tuition discounts, the CONACYT OAS AMEXCID scholarship program provides living stipends, basic medical insurance, and a one-time grant of $1,200.

Students may apply to any of the participating universities in this Mexico scholarship program.

The basic requirements include a Bachelor’s degree for Master’s applicants and a Master’s degree for Ph.D. students. Additionally, the applicant must have a grade of 8 (on a scale of 1 to 10).

Depending on the program, the applicants may need to meet the language requirements (either Spanish or English.)

Awardees are chosen according to their academic records and level of study. The student’s home country is considered, as the selection criteria include the nation’s geographic distribution and human development index.

Gender diversity is also considered in the scholar selection process.

3. UDEM Excellence Scholarship for Foreign Students

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: 90% tuition discount
  • Eligible Degree: Bachelor’s degree at the University of Monterrey

High-achieving international students in dire financial need may offset their tuition with the UDEM Excellence Scholarship.

This Mexico scholarship award, which covers 90% of the total tuition amount, is awarded to applicants with a high school grade of 95 (over 100). Additionally, scholars must get an entrance exam score of 1,300 to be eligible.

Additionally, these students should submit a recommendation letter from their previous schools.

After meeting these requirements, applicants may file for admission. Once admitted, they must fill up the Application for Excellence Scholarship for out-of-state students.

4. Brotherhood Ricardo Guajardo Award

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: 40% of tuition amount (must have 60% socioeconomic grant to qualify)
  • Eligible Degree: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree at Tecnologico de Monterrey

The Tecnologico de Monterrey offers a variety of scholarship and assistance programs to its foreign enrollees. One such example is the Brother Ricardo Guajardo Award. It is a private scholarship funded by former Tecnologico students who lived in the namesake residence building.

The award was designed to shoulder the remaining amount of the student’s current grant.

This scholarship in Mexico is given to admitted students who demonstrate socioeconomic need. Additionally, applicants should have a cumulative grade of >85 and an academic aptitude test result of 1,300 or more to qualify.

Application requirements include an accomplished form, a curriculum vitae, a 2-page essay (for lodging support), and a signed letter.

The list of awardees will be finalized following a quick interview of shortlisted applicants.

5. National Quality Postgraduate Program Scholarship

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: Monthly maintenance payment for the program duration
  • Eligible Degree: 1,800 Master’s or Doctorate degree

The National Quality Postgraduate Program Scholarship is open to all foreign students who wish to complete further studies in Mexico. Currently, applicants may choose from a variety of 1,800 programs in various Mexican universities.

The eligibility requirement for this Mexico scholarship includes enrollment/admission to a participating full-time program. Applicants also need to have a grade average of 8 (out of 10) in their previous studies to be considered.

Applications, which should include a recent curriculum vitae, may be sent through the Conacyt portal.

Scholarship benefits include monthly maintenance payments and medical coverage.

6. CEP Scholarship (Formerly DGEP)

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: undisclosed
  • Eligible Degree: Master’s or Doctorate degree at the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM)

The CEP Scholarship, one of the top scholarships in Mexico for international students, is offered to international students who wish to take their Master’s or Doctorate program at UNAM.

Eligibility requirements for applicants include a minimum GPA of 9 (out of 10) – or equivalent as validated by the Dirección General de Incorporación y Revalidación de Estudios.

Applicants also need to submit a structured research project and their work plans for the entire scholarship duration.

On the other hand, documentary requirements should include a birth certificate copy, a diploma or exam certificate, and proof of address. Scholars will also need to submit their curriculum vitae and official identity document (i.e., passport).

Apart from the documents above, international students need to present the valid paperwork granted to them by the Mexican Ministry of the Interior. This serves as their authorization or permits to study at UNAM.

 

We hope that this article on the best scholarships in Mexico for international students was helpful. To know more information like this, check out the Available Programs for International Students!

About the Author: Hyun Lee

Hyun is the founder at Global Scholarships. He has received a full-tuition scholarship at Birmingham-Southern College as well as $1,000 Burger King Scholarship for his undergraduate degree and has been offered a fully funded scholarship consisting of tuition, living stipend, and health insurance for computer science Ph.D. program at North Carolina State University. Read more about his scholarship journey here.

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