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Complutense University of Madrid

Madrid, 🇪🇸 Spain Public
#3 National #187 QS World #501 THE #301 ARWU
Complutense University of Madrid campus
86,000 students 16% international Multiple Campuses €3k - €7k/yr

About Complutense University of Madrid

The Complutense University of Madrid (UCM) is a public research university in Madrid, Spain, and one of the oldest universities in the world, tracing its origins back to 1293. It is recognized as one of Europe's largest and most influential universities, playing a pivotal role in Spanish and international academia. UCM offers a comprehensive academic experience with a diverse range of courses and unparalleled research opportunities.

Academics


UCM is renowned for its academic rigor and breadth, particularly excelling in humanities, social sciences, biomedical sciences, law, and natural sciences. The university offers over 80 undergraduate degrees, 220 postgraduate programs, and 221 doctorate programs, including numerous international joint degrees. Its teaching approach emphasizes comprehensive and critical training, with a strong commitment to quality at both graduate and postgraduate levels. Notable programs include philosophy, history, chemistry, medicine, and political science, and the university champions interdisciplinary education.

International Students


UCM fosters a vibrant and inclusive campus life with a diverse student community representing over 120 nationalities. The university provides extensive support services for international students, including assistance with academics, daily life in Madrid, health and safety, and paperwork. While many courses are taught in Spanish, UCM offers a growing number of English-taught programs and bilingual degrees in fields such as Business Administration, Economics, Computer Science, English Studies, and Psychology. Student organizations, including the Erasmus student network, facilitate cultural integration and offer various activities and excursions.

Campus & Location


The Complutense University of Madrid is located on a sprawling urban campus in the Ciudad Universitaria district of Madrid, with additional facilities in Somosaguas. Madrid itself is a cosmopolitan city that blends modern infrastructure with a rich cultural and artistic heritage, offering a wide array of cultural events, museums, and a vibrant nightlife. The campus is well-connected to downtown Madrid by an extensive public transportation system, including buses, metro, and train lines. Students can enjoy large green spaces on campus, and the city provides numerous parks and gardens for relaxation.

Career Outcomes


UCM graduates demonstrate strong employment rates, surpassing the average for public and private universities in the Community of Madrid. Recent data indicates a 73.2% employment rate for degree holders three years after graduation, 86.1% for master's graduates, and 80.6% for doctorate holders. The university actively reinforces student employability through mentorship programs, professional guidance, an annual employment and entrepreneurship fair, and agreements with companies for professional internships. UCM is recognized for its strong industry connections, with notable employers including Santander, BBVA, Inditex, Deloitte, and Telefónica.

Highlights

  • One of Europe’s oldest operating universities
  • Largest research university in Spain
  • Distinguished list of Nobel Prize alumni
  • Main campus located in Moncloa district
  • Extensive network of library collections
  • Leading institution for Spanish higher education

Subject Areas

LawPhilologyHistorySociologyPsychology

Student Life & Support

Visa Support Campus Housing Work on Campus Work Placements Sports Facilities Disability Support Scholarships Available

Photos

Complutense University of Madrid photo 1Complutense University of Madrid photo 2Complutense University of Madrid photo 3Complutense University of Madrid photo 4Complutense University of Madrid photo 5Complutense University of Madrid photo 6Complutense University of Madrid photo 7Complutense University of Madrid photo 8Complutense University of Madrid photo 9

Programs Offered at Complutense University of Madrid (55)

Offers programs in:

Arts & Design Engineering Law Medicine & Health

Bachelor Programs (53)

Spanish Language and Literature

Arts and Humanities

Arts and Humanities
bachelor in arts and humanitiesspanish language and literaturestudy arts and humanities in madridbsc arts and humanitiesbachelor arts and humanities in spain
Spanish Full-time

English Studies

Arts and Humanities

Arts and Humanities
andartsarts and humanitiesbachelorenglish
English Full-time

Semitic and Islamic Studies

Arts and Humanities

Arts and Humanities
andartsbachelorhumanitiesislamic
Spanish Full-time

Fine Arts

Arts and Humanities

Arts and Humanities
international Arts and Humanities programundergraduate Arts and Humanities programbachelor's degree Arts and Humanitiesstudy abroad Arts and Humanities MadridArts and Humanities in Madrid
Spanish Full-time

Art History

Arts and Humanities

Arts and Humanities
art historyarts and humanitiesbabachelorbachelor's arts and humanities
Spanish Full-time

Philosophy

Arts and Humanities

Arts and Humanities
philosophyethicsepistemologymetaphysicslogic
Spanish Full-time

General and Comparative Literature

Arts and Humanities

Humanities
artsbabachelorbachelor of artsbachelor of science
Spanish Full-time

Archaeology

Arts and Humanities

Arts and Humanities
bachelors arts and humanitiesbachelor in arts and humanitiesstudy arts and humanities in Spainstudy abroad Spainbachelors in arts and humanities
Spanish Full-time

Translation and Interpretation

Arts and Humanities

Arts and Humanities
Spanish Full-time

Cultural Heritage: Conservation and Restoration

Arts and Humanities

Arts and Humanities
Arts and HumanitiesBABA arts and humanitiesarts and humanitiesarts and humanities at Complutense University of Madrid
Spanish Full-time

History

Arts and Humanities

Humanities
andartsbachelorbachelorsbba
Spanish Full-time

Classical Philology

Arts and Humanities

Arts and Humanities
bachelor in arts and humanities in spainbachelor in arts and humanitiesbsc arts and humanitiesbachelor arts and humanities madridbsc arts and humanities in spain
Spanish Full-time

Applied Linguistics and Languages

Arts and Humanities

Linguistics
appliedarts and humanitiesbabachelorbs
Spanish Full-time

Bachelor's in Arts and Humanities

Modern Languages and Literature

Arts and Humanities

Arts and Humanities
bs arts and humanitiesba arts and humanitiesbsc arts and humanitiesstudy arts and humanitiesbachelor arts and humanities
Spanish Full-time

Design

Arts and Humanities

Arts and Humanities
arts and humanities university programarts and humanities program spanish instructionarts and humanities in madridundergraduate arts and humanities programstudy arts and humanities in madrid
Spanish Full-time

Musicology

Arts and Humanities

Arts & Humanities
artsbachelorhumanitiesmadridmusicology
Spanish Full-time

Computer Science

STEM

Engineering

Engineering
bachelor engineeringengineering program spainengineering careerbachelor of engineeringstudy engineering in madrid
English Full-time

Informatics Engineering

STEM

Engineering

Engineering
Engineering degreestudy EngineeringEngineering bachelor programundergraduate in EngineeringEngineering bachelor's degree
English Full-time

Optics and Optometry

STEM

Health Sciences

Health Sciences
bachelor in health sciencesbachelor health sciences degreebs health sciencesstudy health sciences in spainbachelor health sciences in spain
Spanish Full-time

Nursing

STEM

Health Sciences

Health Sciences
babachelorbsccomplutensehealth
Spanish Full-time

Medicine

STEM

Health Sciences

Health Sciences
bachelor in health sciencesundergraduate health sciencesenglish-taught bachelor health sciencesbachelor of health scienceshealth sciences at complutense university of madrid
Spanish Full-time

Human Nutrition and Dietetics

STEM

Health Sciences

Health Sciences
bachelor in health sciencesbachelor's in health sciencesstudy health sciences in spainbachelor health sciences in spainhealth sciences program madrid
Spanish Full-time

Pharmacy

STEM

Health Sciences

Health Sciences
babachelorbachelorsbsbsc
Spanish Full-time

Physiotherapy

STEM

Health Sciences

Health Sciences
bsc in health sciencesstudy health sciences in spainhealth science degreebachelor health sciences in madridbachelor in health sciences
Spanish Full-time

Dentistry

STEM

Health Sciences

Medicine & Health Sciences
bachelordentistryhealthmedicinesciences
Spanish Full-time

Psychology

STEM

Health Sciences

Health Sciences
babachelorbengbscbtech
English Full-time

Speech Pathology

STEM

Health Sciences

Health Sciences
babachelorbengbscbtech
Spanish Full-time

Chiropody

STEM

Health Sciences

Health Sciences
babachelorbengbscchiropody
Spanish Full-time

Veterinary Science

STEM

Health Sciences

Health Sciences
babachelorbachelorsbsbsc
Spanish Full-time

Occupational Therapy

STEM

Health Sciences

Health Sciences
best health sciences bachelor programsbachelor health sciences in spainhealth sciences program abroadstudy health sciences in spainstudy health sciences in madrid
Spanish Full-time

Physics

STEM

Sciences

Physics
physics bachelor Spainfísica grado Madrid Complutenseundergraduate physics degree Spainquantum physics bachelor Spainphysical sciences degree Spain
English Full-time

Geology

STEM

Sciences

Sciences
bachelor sciences in spainbsc sciences spainbachelor sciencesbachelor geologybachelor sciences in madrid
Spanish Full-time

Mathematics and Statistics

STEM

Sciences

Sciences
math degreestatistics programstudy sciences in madridstudy sciences in spainsciences careers
Spanish Full-time

Biology

STEM

Sciences

Sciences
babachelorbiologybsbsc
Spanish Full-time

Chemistry

STEM

Sciences

Sciences
bachelorchemistrycomplutensesciencesspain
Spanish Full-time

Food Science and Technology

STEM

Sciences

Health Sciences
bachelorfoodfood science and technologysciencesciences
Spanish Full-time

Biochemistry

STEM

Sciences

Biochemistry
Biochemistry degreestudy BiochemistryBiochemistry bachelor programundergraduate in BiochemistryBiochemistry bachelor's degree
Spanish Full-time

Mathematics

STEM

Sciences

Mathematics
bachelor mathematics programbachelor's in mathematicsbs mathematicsbsc mathematicscomplutense university of madrid mathematics
Spanish Full-time

Economics

Social Sciences and Law

Social Sciences and Law
social sciences and law degreebachelor social sciences and law in spainbsc social sciences and lawbsc social sciences and law spainenglish bachelor social sciences and law spain
English Full-time

Advertising and Public Relations

Social Sciences and Law

Social Sciences
advertisingandbabachelorbs
Spanish Full-time

Social Work

Social Sciences and Law

Social Sciences and Law
study social sciences and law in spainbachelor social sciences and law in spainbachelor social sciences and law in madridbachelor in social sciences and lawspanish-taught bachelor social sciences and law
Spanish Full-time

Information and Documentation

Social Sciences and Law

Social Sciences and Law
bachelor social sciences and law madridlaw degreebachelor social sciences and law programbsc social sciences and lawstudy social sciences and law in spain
Spanish Full-time

Applied Statistics

STEM

Social Sciences and Law

Social Sciences & Law
BABSBScappliedbachelor
Spanish Full-time

Sociology

Social Sciences and Law

Law
bachelorlawsciencessocialsociology
Spanish Full-time

Bachelor's in Social Sciences and Law

Commerce

Social Sciences and Law

Social Sciences and Law
social sciences and law in spainsocialstudy social sciences and law in spaincomplutense university of madridsocial sciences and law taught in spanish
Spanish Full-time

Business Administration and Management

Social Sciences and Law

Social Sciences and Law
BS Social Sciences and Lawsocial sciences and law in Madridbachelor social sciences and law Madridsocial sciences and law university SpainBA Social Sciences and Law
English Full-time

Tourism

Social Sciences and Law

Law
bachelorbachelor lawlawsciencessocial
Spanish Full-time

Geography and Spatial Planning

Social Sciences and Law

Social Sciences and Law
Social Sciences and Lawbachelor's in social sciences and lawbachelor social sciences and law degreestudy social sciences and lawsocial sciences and law program
Spanish Full-time

Finance, Banking and Insurance

Social Sciences and Law

Finance
financefinance degreefinance programfinance bachelorbachelor's degree
Spanish Full-time

Audiovisual Communication

Social Sciences and Law

Social Sciences and Law
bachelor's in social sciences and lawbachelor social sciences and lawstudy social sciences and law in spainbachelor's social sciences and law in spainbachelor's social sciences and law in madrid
Spanish Full-time

Political Science

Social Sciences and Law

Social Sciences and Law
andbabachelorbengbs
Spanish Full-time

Criminology

Social Sciences and Law

Social Sciences and Law
bachelor in social sciences and lawstudy social sciences and law in spainundergraduate social sciences and lawsocial sciences and law bachelor programsocial sciences and law degree
Spanish Full-time

Law

Social Sciences and Law

Law
babachelorbachelorsbsbsc
Spanish Full-time

Master Programs (1)

Master's Programs

Master's Programs
master's programs master programhow to study master's programs abroadstudy master's programs in spainmaster's programs master spainmaster's degree in master's programs
Spanish Full-time

PhD Programs (1)

PhD Programs

PhD Programs
english program phd programs spainphd programs phdenglish-taught phd phd programs in spaininternational phd programs phd programphd in phd programs
48 months Spanish Full-time
Scholarships

Complutense University of Madrid Admissions Requirements & Acceptance Rate

6.5+ IELTS
80+ TOEFL
2.75+ GPA
Acceptance Rate Open (60%+)
Intakes Fall, Spring
Application Deadline May 31st
Tuition (per year) €3k - €7k/yr
Housing (monthly) ~$430
Application Fee $50
Teaching Language Spanish, English
Student : Faculty 22:3
Accreditation
Ministerio de Universidades, España

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Frequently Asked Questions About Complutense University of Madrid

Common questions from international students considering Complutense University of Madrid.

What is the acceptance rate at Complutense University of Madrid?

Complutense University of Madrid is classified as "Open (60%+)" by admissions selectivity. Acceptance rates vary by program — competitive programs and graduate degrees typically have lower acceptance rates than undergraduate programs.

How much does Complutense University of Madrid cost for international students?

Tuition at Complutense University of Madrid ranges from €3k - €7k/yr per year. Costs vary by degree level and program. International students may also need to budget for housing (approximately €430/month), books, and living expenses.

What is Complutense University of Madrid ranked globally?

Complutense University of Madrid holds the following rankings: QS World #187, Times Higher Education #501, ARWU #301, #3 in Spain. Rankings vary by methodology and subject area — for the most accurate picture, check the specific subject rankings for your intended field of study.

What English language requirements does Complutense University of Madrid have?

Complutense University of Madrid typically requires IELTS 6.5+ or TOEFL 80+ for international students. Specific programs may set higher minimums — verify requirements for your target program directly. Some applicants may qualify for an English requirement waiver if their previous education was English-medium.

Are scholarships available at Complutense University of Madrid?

Yes, Complutense University of Madrid offers scholarships and financial aid opportunities for international students. Available aid varies by program, nationality, and academic merit. We recommend checking each program's funding page and applying early — many scholarships have separate deadlines from the main admission application.

When does Complutense University of Madrid start its semesters?

Complutense University of Madrid has intakes starting in Fall, Spring. Application deadlines typically fall 3-6 months before the semester start date. International students should apply earlier due to visa processing times — we recommend submitting applications 6-9 months ahead of the intended start date.

How many English-taught programs does Complutense University of Madrid offer?

Complutense University of Madrid offers 7+ programs taught in English, accessible to international students without local language proficiency. These span Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD levels across multiple disciplines.

Where is Complutense University of Madrid located?

Complutense University of Madrid is located in Madrid, Spain 🇪🇸. The city offers an international student-friendly environment with access to academic facilities, accommodation, and cultural amenities.

What are the admission requirements for Complutense University of Madrid?

For specific details about Complutense University of Madrid, we recommend reviewing the program-specific information and contacting the admissions office. Each program may have unique requirements and considerations.

What programs does Complutense University of Madrid offer?

For specific details about Complutense University of Madrid, we recommend reviewing the program-specific information and contacting the admissions office. Each program may have unique requirements and considerations.

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