Academic Year/Semester in Madrid - WIP

Program Details

Program Location	Madrid, Spain
Sponsor	Purdue
Program Type	Co-sponsored
Course #	SA 30010
Duration	Semester or 2 Semesters
Upcoming Program Dates
Spring 2027	01/13/27 to 05/31/27
Current Program Dates
Fall 2026	09/01/26 to 12/18/26
2026-27 Academic Year	09/01/26 to 05/31/27

Page Links
Overview	Purdue Credit
Eligibility	Academics
Housing	Program Costs
Financial Aid	Deadline
Returnee Info	Resources

Click here to apply for this program!

Please Note: Programs may be altered or adapted with little notice

Overview

University Seal

Students applying for programs in Spain must have a valid, useable passport at the time of application. Passports must be valid for 1 year after the program end date.

Imagine yourself enjoying some of the finest museums, tapas, flamenco, and futbol in the vibrant multicultural capital city of Madrid. For more than 50 years Purdue students have done just that, all while enrolling in one of the most prestigious universities in Spain and earning credit toward their Purdue degree.

The Purdue in Madrid WIP program offers advanced Spanish speakers the opportunity to:

Build Spanish language skills in classes with Spanish nationals and other study abroad students
Live and study with Spaniards and be fully immersed in Spanish culture
Explore all Madrid has to offer like el Parque del Buen Retiro, el Rastro, and the Golden Triangle of Art museums (the Prado, the Reina Sofia, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza)

The Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM) is one of the oldest public universities in the world, tracing its history back as far as 1499. UCM is currently ranked as one of the top universities in Spain with over 85,000 students. Situated in the Ciudad Universitaria district of Madrid, the Moncloa campus was conceived in 1927 as an integrated campus where education, science, and culture would harmoniously merge with each other. Within the Complutense, the Reunidas is a consortium of study abroad programs that offers courses for exchange students taught in Spanish by local faculty in a variety of Liberal Arts disciplines.

Madrid is a bustling metropolis, home to over three million residents – in the EU only Berlin has a larger population. Yet Madrid maintains its old-world charm with cobblestone streets, balconies covered in flowers, ornate iron railings, and colorful Spanish tiles. Everywhere you turn there is something to see, do, and taste in Madrid. Eat at the world’s oldest restaurant Sobrino de Botin, enjoy world-famous churros at the Chocolateria San Gines, or sample tapas all over the city.

Click HERE for a short "Introduction to the WIP Program" video!

View the WIP Facebook and Instagram to learn more about student experiences on the WIP program!

View a video from a Purdue returnee who previously participated in the WIP program!

For more program information, please visit the program website.

Eligibility

Royal Palace

Students applying for programs in Spain must have a valid, useable passport at the time of application. Passports must be valid for 1 year after the program end date.

3.0 GPA requirement in Spanish language courses

Students need to have taken or be enrolled in at least 5th semester Spanish.

The program is open to Purdue students in good standing who have completed at least four semesters of university study by the start of the program. Successful candidates will demonstrate academic success, maturity, and a desire to experience another culture.

GPA Requirement: 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
Language Requirement: 5 Sem Spanish

Purdue Credit

Direct Credit available from the following: [College of Liberal Arts]

What does this mean? Click here to learn more.

Students interested in completing courses while abroad from Purdue colleges or departments that are not listed above should discuss this with their study abroad advisor before applying to the program.

Academic Program

Language of Instruction: Spanish
Semester Course Load: 15 Purdue credit hours minimum

Participants enroll in a varying combination of Reunidas and UCM courses, all located on the UCM Moncloa Campus. Reunidas courses are taken with other American students and taught by local faculty. UCM courses are taken with other UCM students and taught by UCM faculty.

Academic Year Students:
Fall: Participants will take at least one UCM course and make up the remainder of the required credits in Reunidas courses.
Spring: Participants will take at least one UCM courses and make up the remainder of the required credits in Reunidas courses.

Fall Only Students: Participants will only take Reunidas courses. UCM courses are not available due to the exam schedule.

Spring Only Students: Participants will take at least one UCM courses and make up the remainder of the required credits in Reunidas courses.

Click here for possible Reunidas courses.

Excursions

Weekend and day-long excursions are arranged by the WIP office each semester. Destinations vary, but past excursions have included Segovia, Toledo, Cordoba, and the Extremadura Region. Special meals are typically held for Thanksgiving, Spring Welcome, and End-of-the-Year celebrations and holidays.

Housing

Housing is arranged by WIP staff prior to students' arrival in Madrid. Students can typically choose between a home stay option or shared apartments. Home stays allow students to be immersed in Spanish culture and language by living with a reliable and welcoming Spanish family. Shared apartments provide a more independent living experience.

Estimated Program Costs

Students pursuing program participation accept financial responsibility. Purdue will take measures to mitigate financial risks, although will not be liable for loss.

Students should carefully note what costs need to be paid to Purdue University or to a co-sponsor or agency, and what costs need to be paid at the overseas study location. This will vary by program.

Costs for this program are estimated and subject to change. The cost figures listed below are for: Spring 2026

Costs per semester to be billed by Purdue and Co-sponsor
Program Fee	$4,770.00
Study Abroad Fee	$914.10
Purdue International Insurance (per month)	$32.00

Approximate additional costs per semester
To be paid by the student.
Round-trip Airfare	$1,100.00
Housing	$3,000.00
Local Transportation	$250.00
Visa	$285.00
Books and Supplies	$300.00
Meals	$2,500.00
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses	$0.00 - $2,000.00
Travel Documents (passport, photos)	$175.00

Financial Aid

Purdue University financial aid may be applied to the costs of studying abroad. Students interested in receiving financial aid should

direct financial aid inquiries to the Division of Financial Aid on the West Lafayette campus;
consult website Study Abroad Financial Aid Process ;
complete and submit the FAFSA by the appropriate deadline.

NOTE: Recipients of certain tuition remission and scholarship programs should pay careful attention to the regulations for using those benefits for study abroad. Ask your financial aid advisor about any limitations.

Click here for a list of scholarships and grants available to assist with the costs of studying overseas.

Application Deadlines

For full consideration, students must submit all supporting documents (typically an essay, 1-2 recommendations, and copy of passport) before or by the application deadline. Popular programs fill quickly, often before the deadline. To ensure a place in a program, apply early.

As soon as a student submits an online application, a My Study Abroad account is created. Applicants should consult this page often to check on the status of the application.

Program Application Deadline
Fall Semester	Mar 1
Spring Semester	Sep 1

Returnees Information

Students enjoying a soccer match.

Click below to search for Purdue students who have participated in this program and are willing to be contacted. If you get no results, you can use the search form to find people who studied in the country you are interested in.

Resources

The websites listed below contain information about this program. The accuracy of information at external sites cannot be guaranteed.

Program Website
Search Google(tm)*
Department of State Consular Information
(You must find Spain in list)
CDC Travel Information (You must find Spain in list)

For more information on this program, please contact the Study Abroad Office by phone (765) 494-2383 or email studyabroad@purdue.edu.