Program Overview
Program Overview
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Popular Subject Areas
Business, International Studies & Communication Courses with Locals in English
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Location
Madrid
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Host University
Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
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Term
Fall 3 2024
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Program Dates
Sep 03, 2024 - Dec 21, 2024
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Program Length
Semester
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Application Deadline
Jun 01, 2024
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Forms and Payment Deadline
Jun 15, 2024
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Credit
24 ECTS Credits
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Eligibility
3.00 Minimum GPA*
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Cost
$16,950
- This session is closed and is no longer accepting applications.
Study Abroad Program Description
Providing for a stimulating and academically-challenging experience, this program at the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) offers lower and upper division courses in a variety of subjects. Students have the opportunity to take courses in English with local Spanish students and international student in areas such as business, economics, international studies, communications, politics, and journalism.
Students with an advanced level of Spanish or higher (minimum 5 semesters of college-level Spanish) may also take liberal arts courses instructed in Spanish with international students through UC3M’s Cursos en Estudios Hispanicos (CEH). Beginning level students have the option to take a Spanish language class through the UC3M’s Study Abroad Program (SAP).
All courses are instructed by faculty from the host university and are held with either local or international students. Students commute via short-distance train (Cercanías) to the Getafe campus for class, located southwest of Madrid's city center.
*Please note that the UC3M Getafe and Leganés campuses are a 30-40 minute commute from one another. For this reason, ISA does not allow students to cross-enroll in the STEM and Business, International Studies & Communication programs.
Visa Information:
Enjoy Flexibility with ISA Flex
We’ve partnered with Arizona State University (ASU) to help you overcome common study abroad challenges by adding an ASU Online course to your ISA program. With more than 2,100 courses to choose from, ISA Flex minimizes academic challenges, like major requirements and limited course options, so you can make the most of your experience abroad. Once you’ve applied, access the Flex form in your ISA Student Portal for more information on how to add this to your program and enroll in the course you need.
*Eligibility
MINIMUM GPA
Students must have a minimum grade point average of 3.00.
MINIMUM ADMISSIONS PREREQUISITES
There is no language prerequisite for this program.
In order to take liberal arts courses in Spanish at the advanced level, you must have completed at least 5 semesters of college-level Spanish (or tested out of the equivalent).
What's Included
Comprehensive Advising and Support
24-Hour Emergency
Comprehensive Health, Safety, and Security Support
Airport Reception
Tuition at the Host University
Housing
Meals and Laundry Service
Spanish Visa Support
Bridging Cultures Orientation
Full-Time Resident Staff
On-Site ISA Offices
Internet Access
ISA Discovery Model
Excursions
Cultural Activities
Insurance
Official Transcript from the Host University
Professional Development Toolbox
Scholarship Opportunities
Academics
Credits
ECTS Credits
24
Recommended U.S. Semester Credits
12
Recommended U.S. Quarter Units
18
Academic Information
COURSE SELECTION
- This UC3M program offers two types of courses: those designed for visiting international students (through UC3M’s International School) and courses designed for local, degree-seeking students.
- You may enroll in 4 courses (24 ECTS credits).
- Due to the academic rigor of UC3M courses, ISA recommends that you enroll in no more than two courses designed for local students. Instead, you are encouraged to combine business, international studies, and communication courses with locals with history, culture, and language courses through the UC3M International School.
- ISA students are not permitted to enroll in fourth-year courses at UC3M. Third-year courses are not recommended due to differences in prerequisites for UC3M third-year coursework and typical prerequisites for third-year coursework at US universities. If you select third-year courses, our academic team will conduct a review of your transcript and provide a recommendation regarding whether your previous coursework qualifies you for third-year courses at UC3M. We also recommend that you speak with your US university academic advisor for their recommendations. Past ISA students who have taken courses with locals at UC3M report that they are highly challenging in comparison to their US university courses.
COURSE PREREQUISITES
- It is extremely important to take note of any prerequisites for courses at UC3M. Both lower and upper division courses require prior knowledge of the subject area, as the material covered in the prerequisites is often the foundation for the class.
COURSE LEVEL RECOMMENDATIONS
- ISA offers course level recommendations for the courses listed below. Please note that the course level recommendations are based on Universidad Carlos III de Madrid’s curso (year) classifications of 1, 2, 3 or 4, which correspond with the typical four-year bachelor's degree cycle. Courses offered in the first or second years of a degree plan are recommended as lower division. Courses offered in the third or fourth years of a degree plan are recommended as upper division. These ISA recommendations are intended to facilitate the determination of course equivalencies by advisors and credential evaluators at participants' U.S. home institutions.
ESTIMATED LANGUAGE LEVEL
- If you are planning to take a Spanish language course through the UC3M International School, you will complete a placement online with the host university prior to your arrival in Madrid. As you are making your course selections for the pre-registration process, please use the following only as a guideline to determine what your language level may be.
- Your language level and eligibility for Spanish courses will ultimately be determined by the results of your placement test taken online prior to arrival in Madrid.
- Beginning = 0-1 semesters/0-2 quarters
- High Beginning = 1-2 semesters/2-3 quarters
- Intermediate = 2-3 semesters/3-5 quarters
- High Intermediate = 3-4 semesters/5-6 quarters
- Advanced = 4-5 semesters/6-8 quarters
- High Advanced = 5-6 semesters/7-9 quarters
- Superior = 6+ semesters/9+ quarters
ACADEMIC RIGOR
- Keep in mind that when choosing courses, even lower-level courses at UC3M can be quite challenging and academically rigorous. Compared to university classes in the U.S., UC3M classes require more self-study and independent work outside of the classroom.
COURSE CATALOG
- The courses (taught in English) listed below are only a sampling of courses available; please click on the academic department links in teal to view the entire course listing for each department.
- Semester 1 = FALL semester offerings
- Semester 2 = SPRING semester offerings
TRANSCRIPT
- The transcript from the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid will reflect the ECTS credit values indicated below. Please be in touch with your home university regarding transfer credit for this program.
- *The list below is only a sampling of courses available. For the most updated list of courses offered during your semester of study, please use the UC3M department pages linked in the next section.
The following links showcase the departments available in this program. You may only select courses from these departments taught in English (as indicated by the British flag)
Business Administration
Economics
Film, Television and Media Studies
International Studies
Finance and Accounting
Journalism
Philosophy, Politics and Economics
1. Click on the department name followed by "Program" to find a list of the available courses.
2. Click on the course title to view the syllabus
NOTE
- Courses are listed in the order that local students must take them in their degree program; beginning with Course 1, Semester 1
- "Course" refers to the year in college the class is typically taken at the host university
- "Semester" refers to either Fall or Spring, Semester 1 = Fall, Semester 2 = Spring
Go to Host University Course Search Here
Go to Course SearchCourses
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Course Disclaimer
- Availability of courses is based on enrollment numbers. All students should seek pre-approval for alternate courses in the event of last minute class cancellations
Support & Funding
ISA is here to support you when it comes to navigating identity questions related to traveling abroad, providing resources and information for your accessibility needs, and identifying funding for your program abroad.
SUPPORT TEAM
Our U.S. staff is available to support you though every stage of your study abroad journey. Please reach out with any questions about ISA programs or life on-site to your country-specific Program Manager.
Our on-site staff are there for you as soon as you arrive in country and will support you throughout your time abroad.
U.S. Team
MADRID TEAM
Neftalí González
Resident Director, Spain
Carlos Marín Muñoz
Assistant Resident Director & Housing Coordinator, Spain
Anna Beltrame
Cultural Activities Coordinator, Spain
Rachael Eckersley
Student Services Coordinator, Spain
Matthew Rizzo
Academics and Student Care Coordinator, Spain
Identity Resources
Accessibility & Accommodations
With our wide portfolio of program types and locations, we’re confident there is a suitable, accessible program for each student.
Securing accommodations abroad can take time, so we ask that those with requests inform ISA early in the advising process. We recommend reaching out to your Program Manager or our Accessibility Team (accessibilityteam@worldstrides.com) to discuss your accessibility needs or accommodations abroad.
Destination Information
Our diversity pages for each ISA destination include information on Indigenous communities, languages, race and ethnicity, religion, LGBTQIA+, and disability access. We hope it will help when reflecting upon and contextualizing intersectionality in your host community.
Identity Blog
ISA offers students the opportunity to blog about their experiences abroad from their own diverse perspectives. These posts can be found on the ISA Student Blog, and interested students should email diversity@studiesabroad.com for more information.
Funding
All students should have the opportunity to study abroad. To help make this a reality, ISA offers a variety of scholarships to help cover your study abroad costs. To learn more about our scholarship opportunities, check out our scholarships & grants page!
If you receive financial aid from your home university, you can likely use those funds for study abroad, as well. Speak with your home university’s financial aid office to learn about your options. Check out steps for using financial aid.
Questions about scholarships and funding? Email us at higheredfinaid@worldstrides.org
Housing
Living in ISA housing will give you the opportunity to experience aspects of the Spanish lifestyle that are inaccessible to the average visitor. Uncovering the uniqueness of your neighborhood and the surrounding areas will help you to feel right at home. No matter which type of housing you choose, you will commute to class as most Madrileños do, via metro. Travel times to the various university buildings generally range between 30 and 60 minutes depending on housing and class locations. With an open and adaptable mind, the experience of living in another culture can be highly rewarding.
We strive to match your housing preferences with our available accommodations, however, housing preference requests cannot be guaranteed.
Homestay
Homestays are best if you are seeking full linguistic and cultural immersion during your time abroad. Each host family has been carefully selected by ISA's resident staff in order to best accommodate your needs and to ensure a comfortable living situation. Homestays will provide two meals a day (except on ISA excursion days) and laundry service, including a change of sheets and towel, once a week. You will typically share a room with another ISA student of the same gender. Single rooms may be available for an additional fee.
Student Residence
The student residence (residencia in Spanish) is best if you would like to be independent while living in a more student-centered environment. These single-student residencia rooms include their own bathroom and have limited availability. They are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. The residencia houses international and local students and has shared kitchens and lounges. Meals and laundry service are not included, but students have access to kitchens, and washer/dryer facilities are available for an additional cost. Students may also contract a meal plan at the residencia kitchen for an additional cost upon arrival in Madrid.
A $300 housing deposit is required from students choosing this option as well as an extra surcharge. ISA may retain some, or all, of this deposit in the event of damage to property, or if utility usage exceeds the allotted monthly amount.
*The meal plan is not offered July and August.
Apartment
Apartments are a great housing option if you are seeking a greater degree of independence during your time abroad. Apartments are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, and availability is limited. Rent and utilities are included in the program price, and each apartment is fully furnished. The apartments are located throughout the city of Madrid, rather than all in one building. All apartments are either within walking distance or conveniently located near public transit routes relative to the university. Apartments typically house three to four ISA students, with single or double bedrooms and shared common spaces. Meals and laundry service are not included.
You will pay a $300 refundable security deposit if living in this ISA housing option. ISA may retain some, or all, of this deposit in the event of damage to property, or if utility usage exceeds the allotted monthly amount.
Independent Housing
You may elect to secure housing independently. If you select this option, you will receive a discount equal to the housing portion of the program price.
Excursions
THERE’S MORE TO DISCOVER WITH ISA
El Escorial & Salamanca
You will explore El Escorial, the 16th-century monastery that includes an ornamented church, an expansive library, and a royal mausoleum. In Salamanca, you will walk the quaint cobblestone streets to learn the history of this world-renowned university town.
Granada
Granada is a picturesque and mountainous university town. It has always been a multicultural city and was the last Moorish stronghold during the Catholic reconquest of Spain. You will explore Granada’s multicultural past through visits to historic neighborhoods like the Albaicín and Realejo. During an unforgettable evening flamenco show, you will have the chance to soak up Spanish music and culture. You will also visit important cultural sites including the Alhambra fortress, Spain’s most popular tourist attraction.
Morocco * Optional
This multi-day, optional excursion takes you across Morocco, one of the most colorful and diverse countries in the world. It encompasses direct cultural encounters with locals, guided tours through the medina, and opportunities to learn the ins and outs of haggling with Moroccan vendors. You will have unforgettable experiences in the Sahara desert riding camels and waking up to see the spectacular views of the sunrise.
Toledo
Your visit to Toledo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, will begin with a panoramic bus tour of Toledo's unique hilltop then will continue on to the monastery of San Juan de los Reyes, Santa María la Blanca synagogue, Santo Tomé Church, and the Cathedral of Santa Maria.
Cultural Activities in Madrid
The ISA on-site team encourages you to explore the city and culture of Madrid. The team facilitates this by offering a robust calendar of events that showcases what makes Madrid special.
These activities vary each term, and previous offerings have included cooking classes, museum visits (Reina Sofia and el Prado), tours of the Royal Palace and activities in Retiro Park.