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Madrid - Language & Area Studies
$5 Million in Scholarships & Aid
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 Spanish Language, and Area Studies, through an in-depth and hands-on approach. Our world-class professors and course options at prestigious local universities enhance your academic experience and provide you with new perspectives each day in class.
While in Madrid, take 15–19 credits per semester and all courses are worth three credits unless otherwise specified. All courses are taught in Spanish.
Craft your own academic experience by selecting from the following required and optional components:
- IES Abroad Spanish language course (required, 4 credits)
- IES Abroad Spanish-taught area studies courses (3–15 credits)
- Universidad Complutense de Madrid courses (3–15 credits)
Language Certificate Students
As an added benefit at no additional cost, IES Abroad Madrid also offers preparation courses for Spanish language students for the Diploma de español como lengua extranjera (DELE) examination that leads to a certificate. The DELE is the most prestigious award for Spanish language skills and will enhance your résumé. This certificate, covering general Spanish abilities, is offered by the Instituto Cervantes. The exam consists of oral expression, writing, reading comprehension, grammar, and vocabulary.
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 312 - History of Spanish Architecture | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| AH 315 - El Greco, Velázquez and Goya in the Prado Museum | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| AH 316 - 20th Century Spanish Painters | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CU/LT 361 - Spanish Civil War in Literature and Performing Arts (since 1975) | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| EC 303 - Modern Spanish Economic Development | Fall | Spanish | 3 |
| EC 396 - Spain and the European Union | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| IR/EC 340 - Spain and the International Economic Organization | Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| FS 320 - Contemporary Spanish Film | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| WS/FS 326 - Almodóvar and His Contemporaries: The Image of Women in Spanish Film | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| SO/GE 341 - Demographic Challenges in a Globalized World: Spain in the International Context | Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| HS 332 - Contemporary Spanish History: Republic to Present | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| HS 358 - History of Madrid | Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| HS 372 - Women in Spanish History | Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| IN 395 - Internship Seminar | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| IR/EC 340 - Spain and the International Economic Organization | Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| PO/IR 350 - International Security and Geopolitics: A Spanish & European Perspective | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CU/LT 361 - Spanish Civil War in Literature and Performing Arts (since 1975) | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| LT 376 - Contemporary Spanish Theater | Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| LT 388 - Cultural Myths and Spanish Literature | Fall | Spanish | 3 |
| LT 444 - Cervantes and His Time | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| LT 480 - García Lorca and His Time | Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| WS/LT 331 - Contemporary Spanish and Latin American Women Writers | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| PO 365 - Legal and Political Structure of Modern Spain | Fall | Spanish | 3 |
| PO 366 - European Political Movements and Ideologies | Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| PO/IR 350 - International Security and Geopolitics: A Spanish & European Perspective | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| SO/GE 341 - Demographic Challenges in a Globalized World: Spain in the International Context | Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| SP 303 - Spanish Language in Context: Emerging Independent Abroad III | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 4 |
| SP 351 - Spanish Language in Context: Independent Abroad I | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 4 |
| SP 353 - Spanish Language in Context: Independent Abroad III | Fall, Spring, Summer | Spanish | 4 |
| SP 380 - Advanced Language Usage for Business | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| SP 401 - Spanish Language in Context: Emerging Competent Abroad I | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 4 |
| SP 402 - Spanish Language in Context: Emerging Competent Abroad II | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 4 |
| SP 403 - Spanish Language in Context: Emerging Competent Abroad III | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 4 |
| SP 410 - Spanish Language in Context: Spanish for Heritage Speakers | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 4 |
| SP 482 - Creative Writing Workshop | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| SP 486 - Spanish for Health Sciences | Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| TH 301 - Theater and Performance Workshop | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| WS/FS 326 - Almodóvar and His Contemporaries: The Image of Women in Spanish Film | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| WS/LT 331 - Contemporary Spanish and Latin American Women Writers | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
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. NOTE: 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 Complutense de Madrid (UCM)
www.ucm.es
The Universidad Complutense de Madrid is the largest university in Spain and one of the best public universities in the country. Registering for courses at UCM enables you to enjoy full privileges of the school’s activities and facilities.
Courses
Courses are available at the following faculties:
- Anthropology
- Biological Sciences
- Business
- Chemistry
- Communication
- Computer Sciences
- Economics
- Education
- Fine Arts
- Geography
- Geological Sciences
- Health Sciences
- History
- Law
- Mathematics
- Modern Languages
- Philosophy
- Physical Sciences
- Political Sciences
- Psychology
- Sociology
When planning, take into account that IES Abroad students are not permitted to take:
- First-year courses
- Medical courses
- Dentistry courses
When choosing your courses, bear in mind that some classes offered by the local university are academic year courses, starting in October and ending in June. Semester students cannot take these academic year courses. You will receive 3 credits for each course taken at the Complutense. Academic year students who take annual classes will receive 6 credits.
Please note that some faculties have specific requirements for visiting students: https://www.ucm.es/condiciones-especificas-de-facultades
Complutense Final Exams
In the fall, official UCM exams take place through the end of February; IES Abroad students must arrange to take exams early (mid-December) at the time of course registration and subject to professor approval.
Spring students enrolled in UCM courses may not arrange for early exams and will need to stay through early June to complete courses and final exams.
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 internships are supervised and earn IES Abroad credit. You participate in a seminar to complement the practical experience you gain during the internship.
Customize Your Internship
Once you indicate your interest in an internship, we work with you to determine your academic and career goals and try to match you with an appropriate internship placement. We place students with a wide variety of organizations and businesses; if we don’t currently work with a business or organization in your field of interest, we will search out a placement.
Placement Examples
Past students have interned in the following fields. Don’t see your field listed here? Just talk to your IES Abroad Advisor—new internships are always being added.
- Arts
- Business
- Education
- International Relations
- Marketing
- Museums
- Political Science
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 & Spring
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.
Extremadura: La Ruta de Carlos V
3 Days | Spring
Travel the last route of the Emperor Charles V on his last journey to his retreat in Yuste Monastery, Extremadura. You will be amazed by the natural beauty of this region.
Bilbao y San Sebastián
3 Days | Fall
Two beautiful cities located in the basque region.
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.
Note: IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and lengths of stay may vary according to term and availability.
Course-Related Trips
Course-related excursions are academic trips associated with courses and are organized to complement IES Abroad courses and contribute to a general knowledge of Spanish culture and society. Participation is based on course registration.
Past course-related excursions are listed below:
- Local theater performances and concerts
- Architectural walking tours
- Visits to Madrid’s most famous museums—the Prado, Reina Sofía, Sorolla, Cerralbo, Museo de América, and Bornemisza
- Visits to Spain's National Congress
- Visits to local television stations
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. IES Abroad also organizes guided visits around Madrid with Spanish university students and hosts a welcome lunch. There are also a range of cultural events, such as Intercambios, cooking classes, Flamenco workshop, and sports.
During orientation, IES Abroad organizes guided visits around Madrid with Spanish university students, as well as a welcome lunch for students. There are also a range of cultural events, such as intercambios, cooking classes, flamenco workshop, and sports available for you to participate in.
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 will receive a meal credit. A very limited number of these placements are available.
Apartments – Share apartments located in residential areas near the IES Abroad Madrid Center. Apartments are furnished, including a fully-equipped kitchen. Utilities, regular cleaning, and wireless Internet access are included. Space is limited, and meals are not included.
Colegios Mayores – 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:
- Volunteer opportunities and teaching assistant program
- Lessons in Spanish cooking and dance
- Sports activities such as soccer games
- Tour of the Real Madrid Stadium- Estadio Santiago Bernabéu
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.
Scholarships & Aid
Program-Specific Scholarships
Robert McNeill Need-Based International Business Scholarship
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.
Dr. William Louis Gaines Need-Based History or International Relations Scholarship
This scholarship is named in honor of Dr. William Louis Gaines, President of IES Abroad from 1974-1992. Dr. Gaines was dedicated to strengthening IES Abroad's academic framework, broadening the scope of IES Abroad locations, and securing the financial foundation of the organization.
Open to students majoring in History or International Relations.
William E. & Mary M. Dwyer Need-Based Spanish Scholarship
These scholarships are intended for students interested in studying in a Spanish-speaking country.
Kathleen Kervin Diamond Endowed Scholarship
Kathleen Diamond is a consultant, entrepreneur, and business leader in the language services industry. In 1979, she founded Language Learning Enterprises, Inc. (LLE®), a full-service language company based in Washington, D.C. She is recognized as an early pioneer in Telephone Interpreting, launching LLE-LINK in the early 1990s. Over the next 20 years, under her leadership, the company grew into a dynamic, multimillion dollar corporation, serving a wide range of clients, in both the private and public sectors, across the United States, and worldwide. In 2009, Ms.
Use our budget worksheet to calculate your costs
$5 Million in Scholarships & 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
Latest from Madrid
Contact a Past Student
From budgeting tips to housing insight, IES Abroad Ambassadors volunteer their study abroad and internship experiences and advice.
