Madrid - Engineering, Math & Science | IES Abroad

Madrid - Engineering, Math & Science

The program evaluation date for this program has passed, and we have determined that this program can run this spring. Learn more about the programmatic details on the Spring 2022 tab.

Tips for Navigating This Page

As you explore the details of this program across the Overview, Field Trips, Daily Life tabs and more, know that these tabs are reflective of our future programming once COVID-19 regulations allow us to resume. If you’re considering studying abroad in the nearer future, look for term-specific tabs like Fall 2021 or Spring 2022 to see how we’ve adjusted program details to give you that IES Abroad experience you’re looking for, while keeping you safe and healthy.

Why Madrid?

As the leading center of industry and technology research in Spain, Madrid is an ideal city to study Engineering, Math, and Science and their applications in the professional world.

What You'll Study

This program offers the rare opportunity to take courses taught in English or Spanish at the prestigious and academically challenging university, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. Universidad Carlos III ranks in the QS Top 50 under 50 ranking, which measures the top 50 universities in the world established in the last 50 years.

Specialize your studies with a range of Engineering courses, from Aerospace to Mechanical. Science courses provide you with the chance to study Pharmaceutical Science, as well as Food Sciences, with courses in Biology and Chemistry, too. You can mix disciplines or focus on a single field for more concentrated studies. Succeed in challenging STEM courses with the help of tutors—a free resource built into this program. Engineering internship opportunities (with a 3-credit seminar) are also available to gain hands-on, international work experience in your field. You can round out your studies with elective courses in Art History and other disciplines to enhance your experience in Madrid.

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Daily Life

Madrid will be your classroom. Take trips to research centers as part of your studies. Enjoy an architectural walking tour to see Madrid’s many beautiful buildings, churches, and monuments. Visit the city’s famous museums like the Prado and Sorolla to inspire your coursework.

We want you to feel at home in Madrid, so we do everything we can to help you integrate into life in the city. From an informational orientation to cultural activities, our job is to make sure you have the most authentic study abroad experience possible. Enjoy some of our many field trip opportunities to explore your Spanish surroundings, too.

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$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid

We firmly believe that financial limitations should not prevent a qualified student from participating in an IES Abroad Program. This is why we commit more than $6 million to our scholarship and aid programs.

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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, Math, 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 Madrid (UC3M) enhance your academic experience and provide you with new perspectives each day in class.

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.

IES Abroad Spanish language course (required, 4 credits)
IES Abroad English-taught area studies courses (optional, 3 or 4 credits each)
IES Abroad Spanish-taught area studies courses (optional, 3 credits each)*
Universidad Carlos III English-taught courses (optional, credits vary)
Internship placement and seminar (optional, 3 credits)

*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 university courses.

Because of the high academic rigor of these courses, we recommend you take the following courses at your US home institution:

Thermal Engineering
Fluid Mechanics

Courses

These courses are taught at the IES Abroad Center by local faculty.

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.

Art History
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

Cultural Studies
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
CU/HS 250 - Spain and the Americas	Fall, Spring	English	3

Data Science
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
DT 332 - Applied Data Science	Fall, Spring	English	3

History
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
CU/HS 250 - Spain and the Americas	Fall, Spring	English	3

Internship Seminar
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
IN 395 - Internship Seminar: Leading Across Cultures	Fall, Spring	English	3

Literature
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
LT 444 - Cervantes and His Time	Fall, Spring	Spanish	3

Management
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
PS/MG 322 - Organizational Behavior: Psychological Approaches in a European Perspective	Fall, Spring	English	3

Mathematics
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
MT 330 - Linear Algebra	Spring	English	4

Psychology
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
PS/MG 322 - Organizational Behavior: Psychological Approaches in a European Perspective	Fall, Spring	English	3

Religious Studies
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
RL/AH 350 - The Iberian Peninsula: Cultures and Religions Through the Arts	Fall, Spring	English	3

Spanish
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 352 - Spanish Language in Context: Independent Abroad II	Fall, Spring	Spanish	4
SP 402 - Spanish Language in Context: Emerging Competent Abroad II	Fall, Spring	Spanish	4

Partner Institution(s)

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.

Partner university courses are not guaranteed to be offered in the coming semesters as IES has no control over the courses offered by partner institutions.

Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
With a reputation for academic and research excellence throughout Spain and Europe, the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) is also known as a leader in innovation and internationalization.

In the past, courses have been available in the following disciplines and are taught in English or Spanish (if available):

Only first year and second year courses available in:

Only first year, second year, and third year courses available in:

Data Science and Engineering

Location & Commute Time
Engineering courses are offered at the Leganés campus of UC3M, which is approximately 45 minutes outside of the city center of Madrid by train. UC3M also offers a free bus service between their campuses.

Internships

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:

Take an important step in your career development by navigating the professional world with our support.
Learn more about yourself both personally and professionally and build confidence in the process.
Experience what working in Madrid is really like and gain an authentic understanding of the workplace culture while developing real, applicable job skills that will bolster your career readiness.
Begin building an international network by making connections with coworkers and peers.

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.

Personalized Job Placements
Once you indicate your interest in an internship, we work with you to find the ideal placement that satisfies your interests and goals. We’ve placed students with a wide variety of organizations and businesses. If we don’t currently offer placements in your field of interest, we will look for one that’s right for you.

Field Trips & Events

Even though your adventure starts in Madrid, our field trips take you outside the city to discover the culture and traditions of your host country and beyond. All of these trips are included in your program cost.

Alarcón-Valencia
2 days | Fall
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.

Alcalá De Henares
1 day | Fall
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. It has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its monuments, historic churches, convents, and university buildings.

Aranjuez
1 day | Spring
The palace of this city close to Madrid was the place chosen by the kings of Spain to spend the spring months due to the good weather and the vast and stunning gardens. Aranjuez was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2001.

Ávila
1 day | Spring
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.

Córdoba-Almagro
2 days | Spring
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; 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. We will stop in the picturesque town of Almagro (declared a Historic-Artistic Site) to eat at the Parador.

El Escorial
1 day | Fall
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
1 day | Fall & Spring
Famous for its Romanesque and Gothic architecture, Segovia has 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 openair museum.

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

Our Comprehensive Orientation & Re-Entry Experience (CORE™) begins at home with our virtual orientation to help you prepare for your IES Abroad experience. Our orientation introduces you to the IES Abroad Madrid staff, your fellow students, and the city of Madrid. Orientation continues throughout the semester with activities focusing on academic and cultural adjustment. Detailed information about housing, public transportation, culture, health and safety, and other important topics are also covered.

During your in-person orientation, IES Abroad organizes guided visits around Madrid with Spanish university students, as well as a day trip to Segovia. There is also a range of cultural events, such as intercambios, cooking classes, a flamenco workshop, and sports available for you to participate in. Some of these activities include visits to high-tech companies throughout Madrid, where you will become familiar with the Spanish work culture.

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 in the same homestay.

Homestays with Kitchen Privileges – If you are interested in a homestay but prefer to purchase your food and prepare your 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 – Shared apartments located in residential areas in Madrid. Apartments are furnished and feature fully equipped kitchens. Utilities and WiFi 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 UCM campus and throughout the city. You will have a single room with a shared bath. This housing option includes 18-21 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.

Extracurricular Activities & Cultural Events

Take advantage of the cultural events we organize in Madrid, such as:

Visit the Palacio Real and other heritage sites in Madrid
Lessons in Spanish cooking and flamenco workshop
Tour local museums
Activities with Spanish students such as "Intercambios", tapas, and more!

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 extracurricular activities open to you at UC3M.

Volunteering Abroad

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:

Collecting food for the underprivileged
Helping chronically sick children
Working with the elderly

Get to Know Your New City

Visit La Tabacalera

Catch a free concert or art show at La Tabacalera, an old tobacco factory turned funky cultural center.

Take a Walk in the Park

Spend a lazy Sunday afternoon walking down la Gran Via and la Calle, then picnic and people watch in Parque del Retiro.

See La Plaza Mayor

Witness the breathtaking architecture and history found in la Plaza Mayor—Madrid’s central square. A must-have photo!

Enjoy Fresh Foods

Stop by the farmers' market in Casa de Campo the first Saturday of every month to taste the best local products.

Explore Must-See Museums

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.

Term: Spring 2022
Term	Tuition	Housing	Insurance	Total
Spring 2022	$16,732	$4,791	$230	$21,753

Term: Fall 2021
Term	Tuition	Housing	Insurance	Total
Fall 2021 Academic Year	$15,567 $28,005	$3,960 $7,920	$230 $455	$19,757 $36,380

Scholarships & Aid

Featured Scholarships

Robert McNeill Need-Based International Business Scholarship

Up to $3,000; awarded to 2 students each year

This scholarship is named in honor of Robert McNeill, member of the IES Abroad Board of Directors for 25 years (6 years as Chairman). Open to students who have an interest in international business. Majors might include management, marketing, economics, finance, international relations, and social and behavioral sciences.

William E. & Mary M. Dwyer Need-Based Spanish Scholarship

Ranges up to $1,000; awarded to 4-6 students each year

These scholarships are intended for students interested in studying in a Spanish-speaking country.

Study Abroad Scholarship for Future Engineers

Up to $10,000; awarded to 6 students each year

The Study Abroad Scholarship for Future Engineers was established by an anonymous donor to encourage more engineering students to have the enriching, life changing experience of study abroad.

Use our budget worksheet to calculate your costs

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$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid

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Our Center

The IES Abroad Madrid Center is located in the heart of Universidad Complutense’s main campus, inside the Colegio Mayor Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe residence hall. It’s in easy walking distance of two museums—the Museo de América and the Museo del Traje.

Our Center is your connection point for all things IES Abroad.

Take your IES Abroad courses in the Center’s classrooms
Meet with staff in their offices
Study in the student lounge
Have lunch in the cafeteria
Relax with the friends in the garden
Burn some steam off in the small gym

Other features include WiFi, printer access, and a library.

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 Madrid 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

Health & Safety

With 70 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 what time zone you’re in.

In response to COVID-19, enhanced safety guidelines will be implemented this year—such as social distancing and personal protective equipment (PPE) in on-site classes, in-country field trips and travel only, and apartment or residence hall housing (no homestays) that ensures proper space should self-quarantining be necessary.

programpage-Granada_Sevilla_Sunset at Orientation_Hannah Geller.jpg

student in denim jacket looking over shoulder and smiling

How We Support You

We plan for "what if" so that you don't have to. From international health insurance included in the cost of your program to highly-trained local staff who can connect you to English-speaking healthcare providers, we are working around the clock to ensure your health and safety while abroad.

Learn more about the support you can expect to receive on our programs, including:

International health insurance through CISI in the case you need to see a doctor or mental health professional
24/7 emergency support whether you encounter an issue while traveling or in your host city
Location-specific health and safety information presented at orienation by on-site staff
TripTracker system allowing you to share independent travel plans in case you need to be contacted swiftly in a crisis
A mandatory cell phone policy so that you can be contacted locally and receive any emergency updates via call or text
Crisis drills so that you feel prepared to respond to an emergency should one arise
And more!

LEARN MORE

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Health & Safety Resources

You safety begins with being accurately informed from the moment you're considering study abroad through to the day you return home.

Take note of ways you can maintain your health and stay safe abroad while reviewing our resources, including:

IES Abroad MAP for Student Health, Safety & Crisis Management
Study Abroad Safety Tips for Traveling
IES Abroad Student Blogs on Safety and Mental Health
And more!

BROWSE RESOURCES

Fall 2021

We all know that Fall 2021 is going to look a bit different from other study abroad terms, but that doesn’t mean it still won’t be the most incredible semester of your life!

We’re working hard to keep you safe and well, so you can focus on what you came to do—live and learn abroad (and have some fun along the way!). Below is a summary of the main tweaks to the program this semester, which may be updated as more details become known. You can learn even more about our measures for all programs on our Fall 2021 Health & Safety page.

Academics & Partner Universities

Know that you’ll be learning from the best of the best this fall. On our Engineering, Math & Science program, you’ll have the option to take courses taught by world-class IES Abroad faculty at our Center or Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M).

IES Abroad Courses Available in Fall 2021:

AH249 Spanish Art and Architecture
AH/RL350 The Iberian Peninsula: Cultures and Religions through the Arts
CU/HS250 Spain and the Americas
DT332 Applied Data Science
FI/IB355 International Finance Management (ONLINE)
IN395 Internship Seminar: Leading Across Cultures
PS343 Psychology of Health and Well-Being (ONLINE)
SP101 Spanish Language in Context Novice Abroad I
SP201 Spanish Language in Context: Novice Abroad III
SP301 Spanish Language in Context: Emerging Independent Abroad I
SP303 Spanish Language in Context: Emerging Independent Abroad III
SP333 Spanish for Science and Engineering
SP351 Spanish Language in Context: Independent Abroad I
SP352 Spanish Language in Context: Independent Abroad II
SP402 Spanish Language in Context: Emerging Competent Abroad II

Explore all the course options from UC3M and find IES Abroad course syllabi on the “Academics” tab.

Health & Safety Protocols

We’re making sure that your learning experience is a safe one so you can focus on the topic at hand. So, to enhance effective social/physical distancing, IES Abroad is taking proactive measures in the classroom, including:

limiting class enrollment sizes
adjusting space layout and room choice
and promoting student/faculty use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Learn more about our health and safety measures for Fall 2021.

Housing

You’ll stay in a clean, comfortable residence hall or apartment (space is limited in apartments) where we’ve taken the utmost safety measures, including single occupancy rooms. At this time, homestays will not be offered through IES Abroad programs this fall. Learn more about the overarching housing policies for Fall 2021.

Field Trips

Across all IES Abroad programs, field trips will stay local and regional this fall. Your fields trips will all take place in Spain, which means you’ll get fully immersed in the culture(s) you came for! Possible trips include:

Ávila - 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.
Aranjuez - The palace of this city close to Madrid was the place chosen by the kings of Spain to spend the spring months due to the good weather and the vast and stunning gardens. Aranjuez was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2001.
Alcalá De Henares - 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. It has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its monuments, historic churches, convents, and university buildings.
El Escorial - 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 - Famous for its Romanesque and Gothic architecture, Segovia has one of the longest and best preserved Roman aqueducts in all of Europe.
Toledo - Known as the “city of three cultures”— Christian, Muslim, and Jewish—Toledo preserves an artistic and cultural legacy that makes the city an openair museum.
Córdoba - 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; it is one of the most beautiful examples of Muslim art in Spain.