Madrid, Spain’s capital and a major center for business, economic, and financial activity in Europe, is the perfect city in which to study Business, Economics, and Social Sciences. This beautiful and bustling city provides ample opportunities for you to contextualize what you're learning through course-related trips, internships, and local university enrollment.
Once you’ve applied for a program, one of us will be your direct point of contact. From housing to course registration and everything in between, we're here to help you prepare to study abroad. Once you’re accepted to your program, you’ll find even more detailed information about what you need to know before you depart in your Predeparture Guide. Let’s get started!
Madrid will be your classroom. Depending on the courses you choose, you may visit international businesses, financial organizations, and even an animation studio in Madrid, as part of your coursework. Other course-related trips include architectural walking tours and visits to the city’s world-famous museums like the Prado and Sorolla that will round out your experience in Madrid.
Looking back on my semester abroad!
Spring 2024:
If you are planning on taking UC3M courses, we recommend purchasing flexible tickets or easily changeable tickets as partner university exams could take place after the official departure date; your exams could be as late as June 4, with June 5 as the latest departure date.
Our mission is simple: to provide you with the best study abroad program possible—which includes the highest quality academic and cultural experiences.
We offer unique courses that explore Business, Economics, and Social Sciences, as well as other topics, through an in-depth and hands-on approach. World-class professors and course options at the prestigious, AACSB-accredited Universidad Carlos III Madrid (UC3M) enhance your academic experience and provide you with new perspectives in each day in class.
Enrolling in courses at a local university is a great way to meet Spanish students and improve your language skills. You are strongly encouraged to enroll in at least one local course. Course offerings vary each semester.
A relatively new institution, the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) has already established leading programs in the areas of Economics, Business Administration, and Law, while its efforts in Engineering and Research are gaining international recognition. Faculty and students come from around the world to join UC3M in its role as a truly global institution.
Business and Economics courses are offered at the Getafe campus of UC3M, which is located approximately 45-60 minutes outside of the city center of Madrid by train.
Create your own academic experience by selecting from the following program components. You must take 15-19 credits per semester. All program-specific courses are taught in English except for the language courses. Academic programming is scheduled five days a week.
To learn more about IES Abroad’s innovative theoretical and pedagogical approaches to teaching language abroad, refer to the IES Abroad MAP for Language & Intercultural Communication.
*With approval, students with an advanced level of Spanish can take IES Abroad area studies courses taught in Spanish (list available on the Madrid - Language & Area Studies Program academics page) and Spanish-taught UC3M courses.
****Per our Academic Policy Guidelines, “At host country institutions where the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) is in effect, IES Abroad translates two ECTS credits as one IES Abroad credit
NOTE: This is a list of planned course offerings. After you are accepted, you will see a list of final course offerings in your MyIESabroad account. Additionally, IES Abroad reserves the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or circumstances beyond our control.
| Course name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| AN/SO 320 - Sports and Society in Spain | Spring | English | 3 |
Courses are available in the following disciplines and most are taught in English.
The Center is where our highly trained local staff provide on-the-ground support throughout your time abroad.
The IES Abroad Madrid Center is located on the Universidad Complutense de Madrid campus. Nearby, you'll find Madrid staples like the bustling area of Sol. Wherever you are, the Center is your study abroad hub.
We offer single room student apartments which resemble upscale student residence halls with private bathrooms that are located near the city center of Madrid. Student apartments are furnished, including a fully equipped shared kitchen. Utilities and Wi-Fi access are included. Gym facilities may be available. Meals are not included in this option and are ideal for students who wish to prepare their own meals. This option is ideal for students who are looking for a more independent experience.
The student apartment has two options: one option carries no additional fee while the other option carries an additional fee for a placement in a larger room.
Even though your adventure starts in Madrid, our field trips take you beyond the city to discover the culture and traditions of your host country. All trips are included in the program fee unless otherwise noted with ($).
NOTE: IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and lengths of stay may vary according to term and availability.
Visit Spain's third-largest city, Valencia, rich with delicious cuisine, excellent weather, and countless cultural outlets, including the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències (the City of Arts & Sciences), one of Europe's most unique cultural and scientific complexes. Includes a stop in the beautiful town of Alarcon for a delicious breakfast at its 8th-century Moorish Castle.
The birthplace of the illustrious Don Quixote author Miguel de Cervantes, Alcalá de Henares is home to one of the most prestigious universities in Spain.
This city, close to Madrid, was the Spanish kings' chosen location for their spring palace, due to the good weather and vast, stunning gardens. Aranjuez was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2001.
Ávila has the most emblematic and spectacular city walls in Spain. Built during the Medieval ages, they surround the old town that is full of monasteries, palaces and churches.
Visit this royal site that was once the residence of the King of Spain, as well as a monastery for the Roman Catholic Church. The palace is also the burial site for nearly every king and queen since the 16th century.
Segovia is known for its Romanesque and Gothic architecture, and for having one of the longest and best preserved Roman aqueducts in all of Europe.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Córdoba is a living legacy of different cultures that settled here throughout its history. The most important symbol of the city is the Mosque-Cathedral: one of the most beautiful examples of Muslim art in Spain.
Did you know that, while in Madrid, you can intern as part of your study abroad experience? With a part-time internship, you’ll gain global work experience that will increase your job readiness and give you an advantage after graduation. With an internship, you will:
All of our internships are supervised and earn IES Abroad credit. You participate in a 3-credit seminar to complement the practical experience you gain during the internship for a greater understanding of work life in your host country.
Students may assist businesses or NGOs with accounting, auditing, or other administrative works.
Internship includes social media management, video & photo editing, or fundraising campaigns for NGOs.
Students can participate in research groups for universities or public organizations.
Students may help provide care for disadvantaged groups, children, or persons with special needs.
When you volunteer in Madrid, you have the chance to make a difference in the local community while meeting new people and gaining a new perspective on the world. If you are passionate about volunteering abroad, just let the on-site staff know at the beginning of your term.
Past volunteer opportunities in Madrid include:
Collect food for the underprivileged
Help chronically sick children
Work with the elderly
We firmly believe that financial limitations should not prevent a qualified student from studying abroad. This is why we commit millions of dollars to our study abroad scholarships and aid.
With 75 years of experience, we are proud to set the standard for health and safety in study abroad. Our Chicago-based and on-site staff are all highly trained and experienced in the matters of health, safety, and crisis management. We are here for you from predeparture to your return, and are ready to support you—no matter which time zone you’re in. We plan for "what ifs" so that you don’t have to. From international health insurance included in your program cost to highly trained local staff who can connect you with English-speaking healthcare providers, we work around the clock to ensure your health and safety while abroad.
Getting your passport is a crucial step for studying abroad. With processing times taking longer than usual, consider this a gentle reminder to not procrastinate on getting or renewing your passport.
No one knows the IES Abroad experience better than a student who has lived it! From budget tips to housing experiences, our volunteer Ambassadors are here to share it all.
A brief description of how I chose to study abroad with IES Abroad and how I chose Berlin before I depart!
In this blog, I discuss my experience traveling to Rarotonga with the IES Abroad program!
Looking back on my semester abroad!
