Madrid calle gran via stree sunrise
Madrid, Spain

Engineering + Society

Study Program Part-Time Internship

Dates

-

19 weeks

Costs

Credit

15 – 18 semester hours

22.5 - 27 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

The application deadline has passed.

Apply Now

Request Information

Contact Us

Dates

-

16 weeks

Costs

Credit

15 – 18 semester hours

22.5 - 27 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

Apply Now

Request Information

Contact Us

Dates

TBD

Credit

15 – 18 semester hours

22.5 - 27 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

Apply Now

Request Information

Contact Us

Tentative Dates

-

18 weeks

Credit

15 – 18 semester hours

22.5 - 27 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

Apply Now

Request Information

Contact Us

Overview

Students from all academic backgrounds are invited to study abroad in Madrid on this exciting Engineering + Society program. Designed for academically motivated students, this program is held at CIEE's award-winning research partner school, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M), where students can enroll in aerospace, energy, or biomedical engineering courses, all delivered in English. Students can also enroll in any level of Spanish language courses as an elective or gain insight into Spanish business culture by getting real-world work experience through a for-credit internship in Spanish. All courses are complemented with CIEE cultural activities and excursions that delve deeper into Madrid's various urban and green infrastructures.

Unique Experiences

Study at a Prestigious Local University

No reason to worry about your Spanish language level if you enroll in English-taught courses in science, engineering, business, communications, arts, and social sciences with local Spanish students at one of Spain’s academically rigorous universities, the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M).

Take Elective Spanish Language Class

Enroll in a Spanish language course at UC3M appropriate to your level, from novice to advanced.

Create International Professional Skills

Build your international network of peers by delving into group projects and social activities, apply problem-solving, cross-cultural and critical-thinking skills in a variety of disciplines including Science, Technology, Engineering, Business, Social Sciences, and Mathematics

500

Art Galleries and World-Class Museums

23

Square Miles of Green Parks in Madrid

6 M

Residents in the Greater Metropolitan Area

Experience
  • Gran Via in Madrid at night
  • open campus madrid spain students outside building tour

Your Destination

Madrid’s influence in politics, education, science, entertainment, media, fashion, and arts makes it an important international metropolis, and a major hub in Southern Europe. Spain’s capital city is also its largest, with a historic center dating back to the Habsburg Empire, and world-renowned art museums. A wide variety of tapas bars, dance shows, concerts, outdoor parks, soccer matches, and contemporary theater and cinema make it a lively place to live and learn.  

Only steps away from the historic Puerta del Sol, CIEE Madrid is located in the heart of downtown with its vibrant cultural offering. The UC3M Leganés and Getafe campuses are a 40-60 minute commute by train to the south end of Madrid.

CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Madrid.

The Culture

madrid study abroad students with local cereal boxes

Other Excursions & Activities

  • Visit UNESCO World Heritage sites such as the medieval city of Alcalá de Henares or hike the trails in the Guadarrama Mountains on a CIEE-organized day trip. 
  • Soak up Spanish culture with museum visits, dance classes, urban art and graffiti tours, and popular neighborhood visits to Lavapiés, Malasaña or La Latina. 
  • Savor down-time with Spanish students while you play basketball, frisbee, hike, kayak, swim, or catch a theater, dance, or music performance.  
madrid students in classroom

Projects

In CIEE-sponsored workshops, learn about issues like culture shock, LGBTIQI+ life in Madrid, stress management, navigating the Spanish university, and how to put your study abroad experience on your resume, among other topics.

Students taking STEM courses at the local university are strongly encouraged to sign up for one additional tutoring course (1 US credit) taught by UC3M faculty that prepares students for exams and reinforces the material studied in lecture with additional problem sets. Learn how to sign up for STEM tutorials during the UC3M course selection process.  

Apply for an Internship ( Spanish only) before arrival. Earn credit and beef up your resume with international experience in design, marketing, or supporting an NGO – there are plenty of options. Students applying for an internship are required to submit additional materials during the course selection process.  

madrid student with host family

Local Engagement

Campus Life. Our students benefit from all the services and campus facilities provided for UC3M students, including access to gyms, sports centers, and libraries, as well as cafeterias, Wi-Fi, and student clubs and organizations.

Home Life. Students in homestays and residence halls can enjoy meals with their Spanish families or other international and Spanish university students, making for cultural immersion. Try practicing your Spanish with your new family and friends abroad.  

Volunteering. Give back and create a deeper connection to Madrid. Students have opportunities to volunteer at local organizations, youth centers, schools, and more. If the local health and safety regulations permit, in-person volunteering will be offered. 

Program Blogs

From CIEE

The Ultimate Guide to Studying Abroad in Madrid

By College Study Abroad at CIEE

Magnificent Madrid . The most Spanish of all Spain’s cities. The best place to live. The finest people. That is , if you take Ernest Hemingway’s word for it. The... keep reading

From CIEE

Madrid Mountains Coming Alive

By Eero Jesurun at CIEE

Who wants to climb up a mountain? Madrid is surrounded by spiked sierras and green landscapes that contrast with the concrete architecture of the city. On one of our daytrips... keep reading

From CIEE

Rock Music and Techno Scene Next to Leganés Campus

By Eero Jesurun at CIEE

Leganés is not only known as a popular university town in Madrid for Engineering students but also has a fantastic reputation for its street terraces, gastro bars and a rocking... keep reading

Housing
Academics

Academics

The Engineering and Society program is designed for engineering students who want to learn Spanish and gain insight into Spanish and European culture while immersing themselves in Spanish university life. This program also allows students with no knowledge of Spanish to take classes at a Spanish university in English in a variety of topics not only in the area of Engineering but in Business or Economics, among others. Choose from CIEE elective courses and Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) courses in audiovisual, communication, computer, electrical, electronic, industrial, material, mechanical, telecommunication, and telematics engineering. Engineering courses follow a lecture format for the first four to six weeks then switch to lab work or smaller group sessions. CIEE students may also take UC3M International School courses, which focus on Spanish language and culture courses with other US college students in English h  

Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) was established in 1989 and is recognized as Spain’s most prestigious institution of higher education. It follows a U.S. academic calendar and has one of the highest percentages of full-time and tenured female faculty in Spain. Students take engineering classes on the Leganés campus. Students can also take classes at the main campus, Getafe, which offers a wide variety of disciplines, from business courses to sociology, economics, communications, political science and law. Both the Leganés and Getafe campuses are 30-40 minutes outside of downtown Madrid via efficient and modern public transit.

CIEE courses are offered at CIEE Madrid, near the Puerta del Sol – a well–known public square in the city's center. 

GPA

3.0

Additional Requirements

Please refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Requirements

Students must enroll in a minimum of 4 courses. 

Program Credit

Total credit: 15-18 U.S. semester/22.5-27 quarter credits 

Course Credit

  • CIEE courses: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours 
    • CIEE Language Courses: 3 – 4 U.S. semester/4.5 – 6 quarter credits; 45 – 60 contact hours
  • CIEE Internship: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 15 seminar hours, 100-120 internship placement hours 
  • UC3M courses: 4 U.S. semester/6 quarter credits; 60 contact hours 
  • UC3M International School English-track courses: 4 U.S. semester/6 quarter credits; 60 contact hours 

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Academic Culture

Engineering courses are academically challenging and involve daily reading and homework assignments. Attendance at lectures is required. Classes range in size from 25 to 80 students, and classrooms are modern and comfortable. Coursework and exams are to be completed as assigned, on schedule. Interns meet regularly with the course coordinator and other CIEE students, in addition to time on the practicum site. UC3M courses run from early September until early December in fall, and from late January to late May in spring. CIEE students enrolled in UC3M courses in the fall can arrange to take early exams in December. Early departure is not allowed in spring. 

Class Format

UC3M classes are taken in English or Spanish, depending on student language level – regular university classes are open to Spanish and other international students. Engineering School courses are taught in English and follow lecture format for the first four to six weeks, and then switch to lab work or smaller group sessions. It’s common for a course coordinator to instruct with a co-teacher who alternates teaching lectures with performing lab research. Most courses also incorporate online coursework. 

Grading

Students are graded on class participation, class activities, homework assignments, exams, papers, and/or oral presentations. Professors give numeric grades based on a 10-point scale, which are converted to U.S. letter grades. 

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Language of Instruction

English and/or Spanish 

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Courses

Course Information

  • Spanish-taught courses are available to heritage or advanced-level speakers only. Interested students are subject to a proficiency assessment. 
  • Internships are only available in Spanish to eligible students.

Academic Projects

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Communication, Journalism, and Media

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Visual and Performing Arts

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Business, Economics, Management, and Marketing

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Social Sciences

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Natural Resources, Conservation, and the Environment

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Academic Projects

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Communication, Journalism, and Media

Course
Language
Semester Credit

UNIVERSIDAD CARLOS III DE MADRID COURSES
Please visit the university website for more information.

ENGINEERING DEPARTMENTS (Leganés campus) 
Offered in English

  • Aerospace Engineering 
  • Applied Mathematics and Computing 
  • Biomedical Engineering 
  • Computer Science and Engineering 
  • Data Science and Engineering 
  • Electrical Power Engineering 
  • Energy Engineering 
  • Engineering Physics 
  • Industrial Electronics and Automation Engineering 
  • Industrial Technologies Engineering 
  • Mechanical Engineering 
  • Mobile and Space Communications Engineering 
  • Sound and Image Engineering 
  • Telecommunications Technology Engineering 
  • Telematics Engineering 

NON-ENGINEERING DEPARTMENTS (Getafe campus)
Offered in English and Spanish.

  • Business Administration 
  • Cultural Studies 
  • Economics 
  • Employment and Labor Relations 
  • Film, Television, and Media 
  • Finance and Accounting 
  • History and Politics 
  • Humanities 
  • International Studies 
  • Journalism 
  • Law 
  • Management and Technology 
  • Management of Information and Digital Contents 
  • Philosophy, Politics and Economics 
  • Political Science 
  • Sociology 
  • Statistics and Business 
  • Tourism 

UC3M International School COURSES (Getafe Campus)
UC3M International School courses are available to U.S. university students and are offered by UC3M International School. Courses are taken with other American / international students and focus on Spanish language and culture. Unlike traditional UC3M courses, UC3M International School courses do not involve coursework with Spaniards. 

The following lists are samplings of courses that may be available. Not all courses are offered each semester. The final list of courses will be available upon arrival in Madrid. 

UC3M INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ENGLISH TRACK COURSES
Offered in English. More information can be found on the university’s UC3M International School website.

  • Gender Perspectives in Contemporary European and Spanish Literature 
  • Latin American in a Post- Colonial Perspective, and its Relationship with Spain 
  • Spain and the European Union: Political and Economic Issues 
  • Spain in Progress: Spanish Society Today 
  • Spanish Art Masters in Madrid Museums 
  • Cultural Studies: Spanish Culture/s from 1940 to the present 
  • Spanish Language: Basic Level I 
  • Spanish Language: Basic Level II 
  • The Sociology of Migrations: The Context of Spain and the European Union 

UC3M INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL SPANISH TRACK COURSES
Offered in Spanish. More information can be found on the UC3M International School website

  • Cine Español 
  • Economía Española y Europea 
  • El Terrorismo y Sus Víctimas: Un Desafío Global Desde 11-S 
  • Español en el entorno académicoEspañol Coloquial 
  • Español para Hispanounidenses 
  • Estudios Culturales 
  • Historia de España 
  • Historia del Arte Español 
  • Historia del Presente: España de Hoy 
  • Instituciones Españolas y Europeas 
  • La España Literaria de Cervantes (Siglos XVI – XVII) 
  • Literatura Española (siglos XIX y XX) 
  • Literatura Hispanoamericana (siglo XX) 
  • Religión y Sociedad en España 
  • Teoría y Práctica del Cuento en Español 

Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.

Dates & Fees

Dates & Fees

You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.

Program

Application Due

Start Date

End Date

Fees & Housing

Program Spring 2024 19 weeks Application Due Deadline Passed Start Date End Date Fees & Housing $20,950
Program Fall 2024 16 weeks Start Date End Date Fees & Housing $20,950
Program Academic year 2024-2025 Start Date * End Date TBD*
Program Spring 2025 18 weeks Start Date * End Date *

*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.

To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Participation Confirmation = $300*

Educational Costs = $14,956**

Housing = $5,500

Insurance = $194

Total Fees = $20,950

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Meals not included in program fee = $1,330

International Airfare = $1,200††

Local Transportation = $125†††

Books & Supplies = $50††††

Visa Fees = $160†††††

Potential travel to consulate for visa = $500††††††

Personal expenses = $300†††††††

Total Costs = $3,665

Optional Housing

CIEE accommodation options are detailed in the Housing section. Based on availability, Select or Select Plus Housing can be chosen during the application process for an additional fee:

Select Housing Fee = $750^

Select Plus Housing Fee = $1,500^^

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

*non-refundable

**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

For students in homestays, families provide 2 meals (breakfast and dinner). For students in apartments, you should budget approx. $260 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.

††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

†††The youth public transportation for under 24 year olds has a significant discount for local bus metro travel

††††Most university courses is available online

†††††Students staying a full semester in Madrid require a visa

††††††If no consulate in your home area

†††††††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries

^first-come, first serve, based on availability

^^first-come, first serve, based on availability

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Participation Confirmation = $300*

Educational Costs = $14,956**

Housing = $5,500

Insurance = $194

Total Fees = $20,950

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Meals not included in program fee = $1,190

International Airfare = $1,200††

Local Transportation = $125†††

Books & Supplies = $50

Visa Fees = $160††††

Potential travel to consulate for visa = $500†††††

Personal expenses = $260††††††

Other = $30†††††††

Total Costs = $3,515

Optional Housing

CIEE accommodation options are detailed in the Housing section. Based on availability, Select or Select Plus Housing can be chosen during the application process for an additional fee:

Select Housing Fee = $750^

Select Plus Housing Fee = $1,500^^

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

*non-refundable

**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

For students in homestays, families provide 2 meals (breakfast and dinner). For students in apartments, you should budget approx. $260 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.

††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

†††The youth public transportation for under 24 year olds has a significant discount for local bus metro travel

††††Students staying a full semester in Madrid require a visa

†††††If no consulate in your home area

††††††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries

†††††††Covid test fees for entry to the US, if required

^first-come, first serve, based on availability

^^first-come, first serve, based on availability

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

What's Included

Tuition

Housing

Pre-departure Advising

Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions

Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet

Orientation

Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city

On-site Staff

Full-time program leadership and support in your city

Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities

Excursions and/or Study Tours

Travel Protection

CIEE iNext travel protection

24/7 emergency on-site support

Staff

Our Staff

Eero Jesurun

CENTER DIRECTOR

Eero Jesurun, Ph.D. completed his B.S. and M.A degrees from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service. Eero studied at the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid where he obtained a Ph.D...

Get Started Steps

Get Started

Here’s what you need to do to take the next steps:

1

Start an Application 
You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience!

2

Connect With Your Campus Study Abroad Office 
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad. 

3

Contact Us 
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.

Request Info