Liberal Arts
Unique Experiences
Perfect Your Spanish
by taking courses in Spanish at the local campus of one of Spain’s most prestigious, international research universities, the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M).
Add Relevant Work Experience
to build up your international peer network in a variety of ways by delving into class group projects, social activities, or an internship in Spanish for credit that aligns with your major.
Take Advantage of a Variety of Cultural Opportunities
for maximum immersion at the host university, from student organizations and theater groups to wellness workshops and small-group tutoring that offer you insights into Spanish society and its multiple perspectives
500
Art Galleries & World-Class Museums
23
Square Miles of Green Parks in Madrid
5 M
Residents in the Greater Metropolitan Area
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 Hapsburg Empire and world-renowned art museums. A huge variety of tapas bars, dance shows, concerts, outdoor parks, soccer matches, ethnic neighborhoods, 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 Getafe campus is 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
Featured Excursion
Visit the world heritage site of El Escorial´s Royal Palace, Kings´ Pantheon and Monastery built under the reign of King Philip II of Spain in the 1500s. Located in the mountains about a one-hour drive north of Madrid, El Escorial’s impressive architecture offers visitors a glimpse into the daily life of the royal court, where decisions were made at the height of the Spanish Empire as a global powerhouse. Students have free time to explore the neighboring 18th-century village San Lorenzo.
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.
Projects
- In CIEE sponsored workshops, learn about issues like culture shock, LGBTIQ+ life in Madrid, stress management, navigating the Spanish university, and how to put your study abroad experience on your resume, among other topics.
- Apply for an internship (Spanish only) before arrival. Earn credit and beef up your resume with international experience in design, marketing, or by supporting an NGO – there are plenty of options. Students applying for an internship must submit additional materials during the course selection process.
Local Engagement
Language Immersion. Practice your Spanish speaking skills and make new friends through the local language exchange and the Spanish student Buddy Program at the host university.
Campus Life. Our students have access to all the same 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
Climbing up a Madrid Water Tower and Art Gallery
The advantage of Madrid´s capital city is the numerous art galleries that are free and, at times, in the most curious of places. Recently several CIEE students visited the city´s... keep reading
Madrid Cable Cars with a Bird’s Eye View of Madrid
Many locals comment on the crisp blue skies of Madrid´s skyline. Our CIEE students enjoy this view close up with one of the multiple (optional) cultural activities that goes on... keep reading
DOLPHINS AND THE VOLCANO: STUDY TRIP TO THE CANARY ISLANDS
Exploring the diverse Spanish geography always brings new discoveries to our group of students who find unexpected places they instantly enjoy and appreciate. Our weekend excursion give students a break... keep reading
Housing & Meals
Housing
CIEE Madrid offers many housing options to maximize your study abroad experience, including homestays, student residence halls, or shared apartments in several city districts. All housing options are located near supermarkets, restaurants, gyms, and public transport and provide the convenience of urban living in one of Europe´s largest cosmopolitan city settings.
Standard Housing: Includes a single or double room at a homestay or a double room at a shared apartment located within a 70-minute commute from CIEE Madrid. Homestays offer socially active hosts who allow for a lot of student independence, no curfew, kitchen access for food storage, living room, Wi-Fi, weekly laundry, and a bathroom shared with the host. Hosts provide two meals a day during the week.
Shared apartments are modest in size, featuring fewer amenities with basic furniture, laundry facilities, Wi-Fi access, maintenance repair services, bed linens and towels, and a kitchen. Meals are not included in the dorms or apartments.
Student dorms are modern, offer Wi-Fi access, and typically house students in single or shared bedrooms with an individual or shared kitchen.
Select Housing: Includes a single room at a shared apartment or residence hall with a commute time between 30 and 70 minutes from CIEE Madrid. Shared apartments are modest in size, featuring a few amenities with basic furniture, a laundry machine, Wi-Fi access, maintenance repair services, bed linens and towels, and a kitchen. Meals are not included in the dorms or apartments. Student residence halls are modern, offer Wi-Fi access, and typically house students in single or shared bedrooms with individual or shared kitchen. Select housing requires an additional fee.
Select Housing Plus: Includes a single room at a shared apartment or residence hall with an average commute time of 30 minutes from CIEE Madrid. Shared apartments are modest in size, featuring a few amenities with basic furniture, a laundry machine, Wi-Fi access, maintenance repair services, bed linens and towels, and a kitchen. Meals are not included in the dorms or apartments. Student Dorms are modern, offer Wi-Fi access, and typically house students in single or shared bedrooms with individual or shared kitchen. Select Plus housing requires an additional fee.
Meals
Homestays: Hosts provide two meals a day during the week.
Residence Halls/Shared Apartments: Meals are not included. Residence halls and apartments have direct access to supermarkets, restaurants, public transport, and independent dining halls. Students have the option to purchase dining hall meal plans on their own if offered by the residence hall management.
Academics
The Liberal Arts program is designed for students with advanced Spanish language skills – five semesters of college-level Spanish or equivalent – who want to immerse themselves in Spanish university life. Students may also choose to complete a for-credit internship in Madrid. Liberal Arts students choose from CIEE elective courses and a wide range of courses at one of CIEE’s partner institutions: Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) or Universidad Antonio Nebrija (UAN). Courses range in areas of study, including humanities, social sciences, journalism, psychology, linguistics, or communications. Students at UAN take courses from the Centro de Estudios Hispanicos, and UC3M students can also take International School Spanish track courses; these departments are open to international students and focus on the Spanish language and culture.
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 classes on the Getafe campus, which is the main UC3M campus, located 25-40 minutes outside of downtown Madrid via efficient and modern public transit.
Universidad Antonio Nebrija (UAN) is internationally recognized and has offered Spanish language course instruction since 1985. The UAN academic calendar aligns with the U.S. semester calendar, and students attend classes on the Madrid, Princesa campus. The campus is quiet and centrally located in Madrid. It has excellent connections by public transport and is only 10-15 minutes from the CIEE Madrid Center.
CIEE courses are offered at CIEE Madrid, near the Puerta del Sol – a well-known public square in the city's center.
Course Information
Course notes:
- Through Fall 2023: Students who place at the near-native or heritage-speaker level during the on-site placement test will be exempt from this language course requirement with home school approval.
- Through Fall 2023: Academic year students are not required to take a Spanish language class during their second semester if they complete Advanced Spanish during their first semester and may substitute with an additional UC3M course.
Academic Projects
Communication, Journalism, and Media
Academic Projects
Communication, Journalism, and Media
UNIVERSIDAD CARLOS III DE MADRID COURSES
All UC3M courses are taken on the Getafe campus, final enrollment with occur on site. Please visit the university website for course information.
UC3M GETAFE Departments
Liberal Arts students may only enroll in courses taught in Spanish. Students must enroll in at least one course from the department of their choosing:
- Art History
- 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
REQUIRED LANGUAGE COURSES
Through fall 2023, students are required to enroll in one of the following Spanish language courses during their first semester of participation in the program. These courses become optional as of spring 2024. Language courses are offered through the UC3M International School Spanish-track program on the Getafe campus.
Spanish Language: Advanced and Spanish Language: Upper Advanced
These courses are aimed at students who have completed advanced grammar at the college level but do not have native oral fluency. Special attention is paid to grammar and vocabulary, in addition to notions, functions, and uses of the language in real speaking situations. Classroom instruction includes film viewing and participatory exercises.
Spanish Language: Upper Intermediate
This course is designed for students who cannot demonstrate advanced grammatical knowledge of Spanish on the placement exam. Through an emphasis on writing, combined with a grammar review, students are expected to acquire functional and useful language skills for daily practice.
Spanish Language: Proficiency
This course is for those students with a proficient Spanish level who wish to deepen their language skills, focusing on conversation skills through the work in a variety of situations. Students will acquire new communication strategies while examining the sociocultural and sociolinguistic aspects of the language.
UC3M INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL SPANISH TRACK COURSES
Offered in Spanish. More information can be found on the university´s UC3M International School Website
UC3M International School courses are available to American university students and offered by UC3M Education Abroad. 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.
- Cine Español
- Cuento en Español: Teoría y Práctica
- El Terrorismo y Sus Víctimas: Un Desafío Global Desde 11-S
- Español en el entorno académico
- 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
Universidad Antonio de Nebrija (UAN) ESTUDIOS HISPÁNICOS COURSES
Offered in Spanish. More information can be found on the university´s UAN Estudios Hispánicos website.
UAN Estudios Hispánicos courses are available to study abroad students and taught by the UAN Estudios Hispánicos faculty. Courses are taken with other international students and focus on Spanish language and culture. Unlike traditional UAN courses, Estudios Hispánicos courses do not include local students.
The following lists are sampling 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.
Universidad Antonio Nebrija (UAN) sample course list:
- NIVEL A1 (BEGINNER)
- CH1001 LENGUA ESPAÑOLA
- PROBLEMAS ESPECÍFICOS DE GRAMÁTICA
- LENGUA Y CONVERSACIÓN
- LENGUA ESPAÑOLA
- ESPAÑA Y LOS ESPAÑOLES
NIVEL A2 (LOW INTERMEDIATE)
- CH2010 LENGUA ESPAÑOLA
- CH1051 LENGUA Y CONVERSACIÓN
- CH2051 CONVERSACIÓN Y COMPOSICIÓN
- CH1061 ESPAÑA Y LOS ESPAÑOLES
- CH2021 LENGUA ESPAÑOLA
- ESPAÑOL DE LOS NEGOCIOS
- CH2061 LENGUA ESPAÑOLA
- CH2011 PROBLEMAS ESPECÍFICOS DE GRAMÁTICA
- CH2031 CONVERSACIÓN Y LECTURA
- CH2041 DESCUBRIR ESPAÑA
NIVEL B1 (INTERMEDIATE)
- CH2181 ARTE EN EL MUSEO DEL PRADO
- CH3671 ESPAÑOL PARA EL TURISMO
- ESPAÑOL DE LOS NEGOCIOS
NIVEL B2.1 (INTERMEDIO ALTO)
- CH3001 LENGUA ESPAÑOLA
- PROBLEMAS ESPECÍFICOS DE GRAMÁTICA
- CH3051 CONVERSACIÓN Y COMPOSICIÓN
- CH3041 ESPAÑA DIVERSA
- CH3061 SOCIEDAD ESPAÑOLA CONTEMPORÁNEA
- CH3131 PANORAMA DE LA LITERATURA ESPAÑOLA
- CH3132 PANORAMA DE LA LITERATURA HISPANOAMERICANA
- CH3181 ARTE EN EL MUSEO DEL PRADO
- CH4421 ESPAÑOL DE LOS NEGOCIOS
- CH3171 CINE ESPAÑOL Y SOCIEDAD
- CH3071 ARTE Y CIVILIZACIÓN
NIVELES B2.2/ C1/ C2 (ADVANCED and SUPERIOR)
- CH4001 LENGUA AVANZADA I (B2.2)
- .CH4101 LENGUA AVANZADA II (C1)
- CH4011 LENGUA SUPERIOR (C2)
- CH3211 PROBLEMAS ESPECÍFICOS DE GRAMÁTICA (solo B2.2)
- CH4041 TEMAS ESPAÑOLES DE ACTUALIDAD
- CH4051 CONVERSACIÓN Y COMPOSICIÓN
- CH4191 ESTUDIOS DE LA LENGUA ESPAÑOLA
- CH3031 LENGUA ESCRITA
- CH4521 ESPAÑOL DE LOS NEGOCIOS
- CH4151 ESPAÑOL PARA LA SALUD N
- CH3121 EL ESPAÑOL EN LOS MEDIOS DE COMUNICACIÓN DE MASAS
- CH4071 ESPAÑA CONTEMPORÁNEA
- CH3181 ARTE EN EL MUSEO DEL PRADO
- CH3171 CINE ESPAÑOL Y SOCIEDAD
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.
Scholarships & Grants
CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.
Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:
- Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
- Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
- Stohl International Undergraduate Research Scholarships
- CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
- MSI Grant
To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.
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 17 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * | Fees & Housing $20,950 | |
| Program Fall 2023 17 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $19,950 |
| Program Academic year 2023-2024 40 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $39,850 |
*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 = $20,950Estimated 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 = $3,665Optional 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.
*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 card for under 24 years old offers a significant discount on local bus metro travel
††††Most host university course reading is 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 = $20,950Estimated 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 = $3,515Financial 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.
*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 card for under 24 years old offers a significant discount on 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
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 = $14,178**
Housing = $5,275***
Insurance = $197
Total Fees = $19,950Estimated 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 = $925
International Airfare = $1,200†
Local Transportation = $100
Books & Supplies = $40
Visa Fees = $160††
Potential travel to consulate for visa = $500†††
Personal expenses = $950
Other = $30††††
Total Costs = $3,905Financial 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.
*non-refundable
**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
***homestay option includes daily breakfast and dinner
†round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure
††Students staying a full semester in Madrid require a visa
†††If no consulate in your home area
††††Covid test fees for entry to the US, if required
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 = $28,578**
Housing = $10,775***
Insurance = $197
Total Fees = $39,850Estimated 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 = $2,255†
International Airfare = $1,200††
Local Transportation = $225†††
Books & Supplies = $90††††
Visa Fees = $160†††††
Potential travel to consulate for visa = $500††††††
Personal expenses = $1,250†††††††
Other = $30††††††††
Expenses during break = $750†††††††††
Total Costs = $6,460Optional 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.
*non-refundable
**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
***homestay option includes daily breakfast and dinner
†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 transport card for under 24 years old offers a significant discount in local bus metro travel
††††Most university course reading is 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
††††††††Covid test fees for entry to the US, if required
†††††††††academic year students who wish to stay onsite are responsible for arranging their housing and meals during the semester break
^first-come, first serve, based on availability
^^first-come, first serve, based on availability
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
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...
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