Imagine yourself studying abroad in Spain’s capital and largest city—Madrid. Warm summer evenings attract throngs of Madrileños to the streets of the city, where they sip coffee on terrazas and watch a parade of fashionable Spaniards— now is your chance to experience it, too. Madrid is a leading cultural center in Europe and home to many world-famous museums including the Prado, Reina Sofia, and Thyssen-Bornemisza.
This program offers intermediate and advanced Spanish language courses and area studies courses taught in Spanish. Classes integrate the best of Madrid’s historic and cultural opportunities, allowing you to improve your Spanish skills while also discovering Spain’s rich artistic, theatrical, and film heritage.
After you are admitted, refer to the Travel Dates section of the Predeparture Information in your MyIESabroad account before booking travel.
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 learning and area studies courses through an in-depth and hands-on approach. Our world-class professors enhance your academic experience and provide you with new perspectives each day in class.
While in Madrid, you enroll in one Spanish language course and one area studies course for a total of 6 credits. All courses are conducted in Spanish. Course disciplines include:
Highly advanced students, as determined by the language assessment taken on-site in Madrid, may enroll in a second area study course instead of the required Spanish language course. Our goal is to make sure your academic needs are met.
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.
IES Abroad Madrid organizes course-related excursions that complement what you’re learning in the classroom, and contribute to your general knowledge of Spanish culture and society.
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. You have breakfast and one additional meal daily with your hosts. In many cases, two IES Abroad students are placed with a señora or family.
Homestays with Kitchen Privileges - If you prefer to purchase your own food and prepare your own meals, you may wish to consider this housing option. If you choose this option, you receive a meal credit. A very limited number of these placements are available.
Apartments - Share an apartment located in a residential area near the IES Abroad Madrid Center. Apartments are fully furnished, including a fully-equipped kitchen. Utilities and regular cleaning are included, as well as the support of a Spanish apartment guide. Space is limited and meals are not included.
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 to places off the beaten path—we’re all about our student services.
The program begins with a 2 day orientation that introduces you to the IES Abroad Madrid staff, your fellow students, and the city of Madrid. Topics such as academics, housing, transportation, extra curricular activities, and health and safety are covered during this time. Your Spanish language placement is also administered during orientation.
Additionally, CORE™, IES Abroad’s Comprehensive Orientation & Re-entry Experience, begins during orientation and continues throughout the program with activities focusing on cultural adjustment, goal achievement, and preparing for the return home.
Redefine the way you live and learn in Madrid through our cultural activities, such as:
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. Here are a few possible destinations.
Rascafría1 Day | SummerHike Spain’s central mountain range, known for its vistas and outdoor sports.
Segovia1 Day | Summer 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.
Valencia3 Days | SummerVisit Spain’s third largest city, rich with delicious cuisine, excellent weather, and countless cultural outlets, such as one of Europe’s newest cultural and scientific complexes, Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències (the City of Arts & Sciences).
Note: IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and lengths of stay may vary according to term and availability.
About the 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:
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 María José CachoAssistant Administration and Student Services
Marta CamachoAcademic Advisor
Yolanda CharlánStudent Affairs Coordinator
Angel LópezStudent Affairs Coordinator
Gemma Muñoz GarciaSenior Academic and Internship Coordinator
Yolanda RealAssistant Director of Administration
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