Overview
Attend CIEE Spain: Semester in Madrid program to choose from a unique mix of flexible and diverse courses in English and/or Spanish. During the Fall and Spring semesters, you can enroll in the Universidad Antonio Nebrija (UAN) and the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M), and in the Fall semester, you can enroll in the Fundación Ortega y Gassett y Gregorio Marañón (FOM).
Although it is helpful, you do not need to have prior experience with the Spanish language in order to apply.
Academics
During the semester, you take a blend of courses at the CIEE Madrid Study Center and at one of the three host institutions, the Universidad Antonio Nebrija (UAN), Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M), and the Fundación Ortega y Gassett y Gregorio Marañón (FOM; Fall only). Please note that you cannot combine courses at both host institutions.
Please note that courses taught in Spanish are available to heritage or advanced-level speakers only. Interested students must take an online placement exam, and the results determine appropriate placement in many upper-level courses. Typically, students need to demonstrate four (4) semesters of college-level Spanish or the equivalent.
Each university offers a range of courses with an interdisciplinary approach, including the Arts, Economics, History, Liberal Arts, Philosophy, Psychology, Spanish Language Studies, and more.
Program Features
You will have the option to live in a homestay, residence hall, or shared apartment with CIEE students. 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. Please note that all housing options are within 30 to 70 minutes of the Puerta de Sol train station (near the CIEE Madrid Center).
To have a more immersive experience, you are encouraged to select the homestay option. This experience allows you to be immersed into a Spanish lifestyle, such as taking breakfasts and dinners with your Spanish hosts and participating in la sobremesa (discussion around the table) and other Spanish customs.
The academic program is supplemented with excursions to various sites in Spain and co-circular activities to enhance classroom learning.
Eligibility
Review eligibility to ensure that you meet all Columbia requirements to study abroad.
Review the external program webpage to understand any additional program prerequisites.
Application Instructions
To apply, you must complete the two steps below. Deadlines vary, and some applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Therefore, you should complete the steps below simultaneously:
- To apply for Columbia clearance (approval) to study abroad, click on "Start Your Application" on this webpage. Clearance applications are approved on a rolling basis until the application deadline listed on this webpage.
- To apply for program admission, complete an external application directly on the program webpage. Note that this deadline may be in advance of the Columbia clearance deadline.