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Academics
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 engineering, architecture, and science, as well as other topics, through an in-depth and hands-on approach. World-class professors and course options at the prestigious Universidad Carlos III enhance your academic experience and provide you with new perspectives each day in class.
You must take 15-19 per semester (16 credits recommended). All courses are taught in English except for the language courses.
Craft your own academic experience by selecting from the following required and optional components:
- IES Abroad Spanish language course (required, 4 credits)
- IES Abroad English-taught engineering elective courses (up to 8 credits)
- IES Abroad Spanish-taught elective courses (up to 9 credits)
- Universidad Carlos III engineering courses (up to 15 credits)
- Universidad Carlos III English-taught elective courses (up to 15 credits)
Some courses are available in Spanish for students with advanced language skills. You must meet the program’s specific requirements, including a GPA of 3.0 or above, and, in certain university courses, prerequisites and junior or senior standing.
Because of the high academic rigor of these courses, we recommend you take the following courses in your U.S. home institution:
- Thermal Engineering
- Fluid Mechanics
Courses
This is a list of planned course offerings. A final list of course offerings will be made available to you in your MyIESabroad account.
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.
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| AH 249 - Spanish Art And Architecture | Fall, Spring | English | 4 |
| RL/AH 350 - The Iberian Peninsula: Cultures and Religions Through the Arts | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CU/HS 250 - Spain and the Americas | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CU/HS 250 - Spain and the Americas | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| IN 395 - Internship Seminar: Leading Across Cultures | Fall, Spring | English | 6 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| MT 330 - Linear Algebra | Spring | English | 4 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| RL/AH 350 - The Iberian Peninsula: Cultures and Religions Through the Arts | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| SP 101 - Spanish Language In Context: Novice Abroad I | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 4 |
| SP 201 - Spanish Language in Context: Novice Abroad III | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 4 |
| SP 301 - Spanish Language in Context: Emerging Independent Abroad I | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 4 |
| SP 303 - Spanish Language in Context: Emerging Independent Abroad III | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 4 |
| SP 333 - Spanish for Science and Engineering | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 4 |
| SP 351 - Spanish Language in Context: Independent Abroad I | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 4 |
| SP 352 - Spanish Language in Context: Independent Abroad II | Spring | Spanish | 4 |
| SP 402 - Spanish Language in Context: Emerging Competent Abroad II | Spanish | 4 |
Partner Institution(s)
Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
www.uc3m.es
Although the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) is a relatively new institution, it has already established leading programs in the areas of Economics, Business Administration, and Law, while its efforts in Engineering and research are becoming quickly recognized internationally. In addition, it is among the first universities in Spain to comply with the new European Higher Education Area requirements (part of the Bologna Process). Faculty and students come from around the world to join UC3M in its role as a truly global institution.
Courses
Local university courses are available in the following disciplines and most are taught in English. Spanish is an option for some. In addition to attending the standard class sessions at Universidad Carlos III, IES Abroad students will also participate in a required weekly tutoring program that provides additional academic support and practice for each class.The tutoring program is managed by Universidad Carlos III and is factored into the overall number of credits; the student’s performance in the tutoring program forms part of the overall final grade of the course. Disciplines include:
- Aerospace Engineering
- Audiovisual System Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Communication Systems Engineering
- Computer Science and Engineering
- Electrical Power Engineering
- Energy Engineering
- Industrial Electronics and Automation
- Industrial Technology Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Telecommunication Technology Engineering
- Telematics Engineering
Location & Commute Time
The Universidad Carlos III de Madrid has three campuses, with its Engineering school located on the campus in Leganés, a cozy suburb just south of Madrid's city center. The campus is easily accessible by public transportation. The commute time from IES Abroad Madrid Engineering housing to UC3M is approximately 45 minutes by train.
Internships
Interning abroad as part of your study abroad experience will help distinguish your application for graduate school or a job opportunity in today’s competitive market. It’s an exhilarating challenge, and we’re here to help guide you in securing your placement and succeeding in your internship.
Participating in an internship abroad helps you:
- Add international experience to your résumé
- Gain real work experience and skills
- Build your confidence
All of our engineering internships are supervised and earn IES Abroad credit. You participate in a seminar to complement the practical experience you gain during the internship.
Field Trips & Events
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. Some of these one to three-day trips are subsidized by IES Abroad, while other trips are available and may be subsidized by IES Abroad. Here are a few possible destinations.
Alcalá De Henares
1 Day | Fall
Famous for being the birthplace of the illustrious Miguel de Cervantes, author of “Don Quixote,” and home to one of the most prestigious universities in Spain. It has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO due to its monuments, historic churches,convents and university buildings.
El Escorial
1 Day | Fall & Spring
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.
Córdoba-Almagro
2 Days | Spring
Córdoba has the World Heritage designation: it is a living legancy of different cultures that settled here throughout its history. The most important symbol of the city is the Mosque-Cathedral, it is one of the most beautiful examples of Muslim art in Spain. A visit to the Medina Azahara , the city of the Caliphs, is included.
Segovia
1 Day | Fall & Spring
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.
Toledo
1 Day | Fall & Spring
Known as the “city of three cultures”— Christian, Muslim, and Jewish—Toledo preserves an artistic and cultural legacy that makes the city an open-air museum.
Alarcón-Valencia
2 Days | Fall
Visit Spain’s third largest city, 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.
Note: IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and lengths of stay may vary according to term and availability.
Daily Life
Part of making you feel at home in Madrid is doing our best to help you feel safe and cared for. Whether it is an orientation program that makes you feel prepared, housing that is well-located and comfortable, or the field trips that take you places off the beaten path—we’re all about our student services.
Orientation
The program begins with an orientation that introduces you to the IES Abroad Madrid staff, your fellow students, and the city of Madrid.
Additionally, CORE™, IES Abroad’s Comprehensive Orientation & Re-entry Experience, begins during orientation and continues throughout the semester with activities focusing on cultural adjustment, goal achievement, and preparing for the return home.
Take course-related excursions to high-tech companies throughout Madrid to become familiar with the Spanish work culture. Participate in intensive Spanish language classes throughout your first two weeks.
Housing
We want to make sure that your greatest challenge is deciding which landmarks to see first or discovering the best café-not finding a place to live where you feel comfortable. We do our best to locate housing that is reflective of how the local students are living. Our goal is that when you leave Madrid, it will feel like home.
Homestays – Live in Spanish homes with señoras or families and eat breakfast and one additional meal per day (either lunch or dinner) with your hosts when the program is in session. In many cases, more than one IES Abroad student is placed with a señora or family.
Homestays with Kitchen Privileges – If you are interested in a homestay but prefer to purchase your own food and prepare your own meals, you may wish to consider this option. With this option, you receive a meal credit. A very limited number of these placements are available.
Apartments– Share apartments located in residential areas in Madrid. Apartments are furnished and feature fully-equipped kitchens. Utilities, regular cleaning, and wireless Internet access are included, as well as the support of a Spanish compañero. Space is limited, and meals are not included.
Colegio Mayor - Colegios Mayores are dorms located on the Complutense campus and throughout the city. This housing option includes up to 20 meals per week in student cafeterias.
Colegios Mayores are ideal for outgoing students with a high level of Spanish language who want to integrate into local, more traditional student culture, participate in Colegio activities, and are willing to abide by the rules of the Colegio. This housing option is limited and requires an additional fee.
Extracurricular Activities & Cultural Events
Redefine the way you live and learn in Madrid through our cultural activities, such as:
- Language intercambios and bilingual debates with Spanish students
- Volunteer opportunities
- Lessons in Spanish cooking and dance
- sports activities such as soccer games
- Weekend activities with Spanish students
University Clubs & Events
There are many opportunities for you to participate in the life of the city alongside local Spanish students at the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M). We encourage you to take advantage of the any extra-curricular activities open to you at UC3M. More information will be given on-site.
Get to Know Your New City
Catch a free concert or art show at La Tabacalera, an old tobacco factory turned funky cultural center.
Spend a lazy Sunday afternoon walking down la Gran Via and la Calle, then picnic and people watch in Parque del Retiro.
Witness the breathtaking architecture and history found in la Plaza Mayor—Madrid’s central square. A must-have photo!
Stop by the farmers' market in Casa de Campo the first Saturday of every month to taste the best local products.
Include Museo del Prado, Museo Thyseen-Bornemisza, and Centro de Arte Reina Sofía on your to-do list while in Madrid. You don’t want to miss some of the top art museums in the world!
Program Cost
Consider these prices as a starting point. We encourage you to contact your study abroad office to determine the actual cost to you when factoring in financial aid, scholarships, your home school policies, and other factors.
Use our budget worksheet to calculate your costs
$5 Million in Financial Aid
Our Center
The IES Abroad Madrid Center is located in the heart of the Universidad Complutense’s main campus, inside the Colegio Mayor Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. There are two museums — the Museo de América and the Museo del Traje - within walking distance of the Center. Features include:
- High-speed wireless internet and printer access
- A student lounge and garden
- A small gym
- A library, classrooms, and offices
Our Staff
Elvira Munoz, Ph.D.
Center Director
Dr. Elvira Muñoz has been the IES Abroad Madrid Center Director since 2005. She served a two-year appointment as Associate Director for the Education Abroad program at the University of California Madrid. Her association with the University of California began at UCLA, where she was a Lecturer and Associate Undergraduate Vice Chair of the Mathematics Department, 2000–2002, and visiting Assistant Professor, 1995–2000. Dr. Muñoz received two Distinguished Teaching awards during her career at UCLA. She also has taught mathematics at State University of New York at Stony Brook, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, and Universidad Complutense de Madrid. She holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Mathematics from Université Paris XI, and a B.S. in Mathematics from Universidad de Salamanca. Her considerable experience abroad also includes work and study in Germany, Sweden, and Brazil.
IES Abroad Staff
IES Abroad Staff
María José Cacho
Assistant Administration and Student Services
Marta Camacho
Academic Advisor
Yolanda Charlán
Student Affairs Coordinator
Angel López
Student Affairs Coordinator
Gemma Muñoz Garcia
Senior Academic and Internship Coordinator
Yolanda Real
Assistant Director of Administration
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