Study Abroad | Madrid

Universities

Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) 

Renowned for its excellence and international reach, Carlos III University de Madrid is one of Spain’s most prestigious public universities, excelling in business, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and social sciences. It offers a wide range of courses taught in English and boasts a dynamic and diverse student body. Students will be in a high-level academic environment, recognized for its rigor and global perspective. 

Located southwest of the city, students attend classes at the Getafe or Leganés campus, approximately 30 to 45 minutes from the center of Madrid and easily accessible by train. 

The campuses feature modern facilities, including libraries, sports complexes, green spaces, and collaborative learning areas. Students study alongside Spanish and international students, creating a truly multicultural and bilingual academic experience. 

Business students benefit from internationally recognized programs with AACSB-accredited departments and a strong reputation in economics and finance, while the STEM offering includes leading fields such as data science, telecommunications, biomedical engineering, and robotics. 

Areas of Interest

Eligibility

Eligibility requirements for STEM, Social Sciences and Hispanic Studies

• Open to Sophomore, Junior, Senior
• Minimum of 3.0 GPA

Sophomore and above with at least three full time semesters by the program start date. Students with Humanities or Social Science course interest, must have completed at least three semesters of Social Science, Business, Economics, or Humanities coursework at their home institution before the program start date. Students with STEM tract must be a STEM field major and have completed at least three terms in their major before the program start date. Some UC3M courses may have specific or strict prerequisite requirements.

Program Options

STEM, Social Sciences and Hispanic Studies  

This program is designed for highly motivated, high-achieving sophomores, juniors, and seniors, who are eager to excel academically and immerse themselves in a Spanish university setting. Participants on this program can take English and Spanish taught STEM, Social Science and Humanities courses that are part of current Carlos III academic degrees (Free Mover undergraduate program), as well as Hispanic Studies courses designed specifically for visiting study abroad students (Study Abroad C3IS department). Students can mix courses from across the tracks offered in English and Spanish, and will be in classes with international students and Carlos II students working towards their undergraduate degree.

Students take a minimum of two Hispanic Studies courses and then up to two Social Science, Humanities or STEM courses from the regular undergraduate degree course offerings for a total of four courses. When selecting courses, applicants will identify their primary choices and alternate courses since enrollment in each course is subject to availability and must align with the scheduling of other courses. Many upper division courses have pre-requisite course requirements, and students should review sample syllabi to confirm if their intended course is suitable for their academic level.  

Each Carlos III course is 45 contact hours which is recommended as equivalent to 3 U.S. credits. Students will enroll in 4 courses, for a total of 12 U.S. Semester Credits. Classes are held Monday through Friday. 

No previous knowledge of Spanish is required for this program. Students wishing to take a Spanish language course take an online placement test with UC3M prior to arriving in Madrid to ensure that they are placed into the correct level.

Students wishing to take undergraduate courses taught in Spanish must have a certified Advanced Spanish level, equivalent to a minimum B2.1 CEFR language level.