CIEE-Madrid: Universidad Carlos III de Madrid

Program Details

Program Location	Madrid, Spain
Sponsor	CIEE
Program Type	Co-sponsored
Course #	SA 31036
Duration	Semester
Upcoming Program Dates
Spring 2027	01/18/27 to 05/29/27
Current Program Dates
Fall 2026	08/31/26 to 12/19/26

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

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Students who wish to participate in CIEE's batch visa process must submit their program application by August 1, 2026. Students who meet the August 1st deadline and are accepted will receive detailed instructions from Purdue and CIEE on applying for their Spanish student visa through the batch visa process. This process allows CIEE to collect and submit students' visa application materials on their behalf.

Students who miss the August 1, 2026 deadline may still apply, provided they submit their application by a secondary September 1, 2026 deadline. However, these students may be required to obtain their visa through the independent visa process, which requires scheduling and attending a visa appointment with the appropriate Spanish consulate on their own.

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

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CIEE's Engineering, Technology + Sciences Program at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) is an opportunity to be directly enrolled at an award-winning Spanish university while taking classes in English and/or learning Spanish! While the program is called Engineering, Technology and Sciences, it is not limited to engineering students—students from many academic disciplines can participate, with opportunities to earn credit in areas beyond the College of Engineering. However, all students must take at least one STEM course during the program. You can refer to the "Purdue Credit" section below for a full list of approved academic areas.

Everywhere you turn there is something to see, do, and taste in the bustling multicultural capital city of Madrid. Eat at the world’s oldest restaurant, Sobrino de Botin, enjoy world-famous churros at the Chocolateria San Gines, and sample tapas all over the city. Walk through the meticulously groomed palace gardens, catch a flamenco show, or attend a world-class futbol match. And don’t leave without visiting el Parque del Buen Retiro, el Rastro, and the Golden Triangle of Art museums (the Prado, the Reina Sofia, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza).

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.

We offer both exchange and co-sponsored study abroad programs at UC3M. Not sure which option is right for you? Click this link for a comparison of the two programs.

For more program information, please visit the program website. This program is sponsored by:CIEE.

Eligibility

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

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

This program cannot consider students with a GPA below 3.0.

GPA Requirement: 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
Language Requirement: none

Purdue Credit

Direct Credit available from the following: [College of Engineering] [College of Liberal Arts] [Daniels School of Business] [College of Science]
Specifically from: AAE, BME, CHE, ECE, EEE, ENE, ME, MSE (Engineering); CS, MA, PHYS, STAT (College of Science); Liberal Arts approval specifically for non-CLA majors needing to take a CLA class.

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

Students on this program will take their coursework at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) and must enroll in a minimum of four courses. CIEE also offers some of their own coursework, and while Purdue students can supplement their schedule with a language or culture class at CIEE, you should plan to take the majority of your classes at UC3M.

NOTE: Some classes taught at the CIEE Center, including STEM courses, are not approved. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to ensure you understand how courses you are interested in may come back to Purdue.

All students are required to take at least one course in science, technology, or engineering during the program.

Please note that while CIEE offers the opportunity to take online coursework through ASU Online, Purdue students are not permitted to enroll in these options during the program.

More information on courses can be found on the CIEE website or UC3M website.

Excursions

Your program will include activities and excursions arranged by CIEE. Examples of the types of excursions to expect are below and subject to change.

Visit world heritage site of El Escorials' Royal Palace, Kings' Pantheon and Monastery built under the reign of Kind Philip II of Spain in the 1500s.
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.

Housing

All housing is in Madrid city within a 70-minute commute to the UC3M campus in Getafe and Legané. Students should be aware that commuting is part of daily life for Madrid residents. Your exact commute time will vary depending on housing location and selected courses and their campus location.

CIEE offers several housing options including homestay (2 meals included each weekday), apartment (no included meals) or residence hall (no included meals). Students must stay in CIEE housing during the program.

Some housing options carry additional charges, and students will be able to choose their preferred housing option.

See the CIEE website for more housing details.

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.

The Program and Housing Fees include: Tuition, on-site orientation, housing, and excursions. Depending on the housing choice, some meals might be included.

Some options may carry additional fees, see CIEE website for full details.

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

Costs per semester to be billed by Purdue and Co-sponsor
Program Fee	$17,206.00
Study Abroad Fee	$914.10
Housing	$5,550.00
Insurance	$194.00

Approximate additional costs per semester
To be paid by the student.
Round-trip Airfare	$1,250.00
Local Transportation	$100.00
Visa	$166.00
Books and Supplies	$50.00
Meals	$1,836.00
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses	$0.00 - $1,023.00
Travel Documents (passport, photos)	$175.00

Financial Aid

CIEE has scholarships available, more information can be found HERE.

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 Program	Mar 1
Spring Semester Program	Sep 1

Returnees Information

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 Sponsor's Home Page: CIEE
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.