Autonomous University of Madrid

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Programme Details

Minimum mark 60%

Level Undergraduate

Language/s B1 Spanish (except LLS students who will be required to have the B2 DELE or SIELE )

Agreement Scope Biology, Language and Linguistic Science, Mathematics & Politics students

Exchange Places

2 full year places for Biology students for 2026/27

4 full year places for Language & Linguistic Science for 2025/26

1 full year place for Mathematics students for 2026/27

2 full year places for Politics students for 2025/26

Autonomous University of Madrid exchange students website

Events and information sessions

Overview

About:

The Autonomous University of Madrid, commonly known as La Autónoma, was founded in 1968 and is a Spanish public university located in Madrid. La Autónoma is the first Spanish institution and the third European university according to the QS Ranking of the World’s Top 50 Universities under 50 years old. Founded in 1968, this university offers an extensive range of studies, organized into eight schools.

With more than 30,000 students and 3,000 academic staff members, this university has two campuses: the prestigious Faculty of Medicine, close to Madrid´s La Paz Hospital, and the Cantoblanco Campus, which is situated 15 km to the north of Madrid and is immersed in nature.

Highlights:

The cosmopolitan city of Madrid is one of the most important cities in Europe. It is the vibrant epicentre of arts and culture and hosts a wide variety of events, such as concerts, exhibitions, ballets and theatre productions. You can also enjoy a wide variety of Spanish and international cuisine or be charmed by its bars and taverns. Madrid's nightlife is another great attraction. Its pubs, bars, discos and flamenco clubs all form a part of its fantastic atmosphere. The university itself boasts an impressive sports complex, Music and Language Learning Centres and many other facilities for students to enjoy

Location:

The Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain

Academic information

Courses / Modules:

Each faculty provides details on its arrangements for exchange students, and information on module availability:

Facultad de Ciencias (for Biology and Mathematics students)

Facultad de Filosofia y Letras (for Language & Linguistic Science students, and for Politics students - International Studies/International Relations belongs to this faculty).

Politics students must take at least 51% of their modules from the above faculty, but may also find some Politics modules in the Facultad de Derecho

Credit (Full-time Load per semester):

You must take a full credit load while on exchange. Autonomous University of Madrid uses the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) to show credit values. 30 ECTS is the equivalent to 60 York credits, and 60 ECTS is the equivalent to 120 York credits.

Teaching Periods:

First semester: from September to January

Second semester: from February to June

Language:

The language requirement for most programmes is a level of Spanish B1, but B2 is recommended. Level B2 is required for study in the areas of Modern Languages, Culture & Communication and Hispanic studies. You will need to provide proof of Spanish language at application stage.

Student life

Accommodation:

There are several accommodation options for students wanting to study at UAM. Students can rent shared flats or rooms with other students or in family homes. Students are able to request a place in a residence hall or a college. Alternatively, students can apply for the CONVIVE Intergenerational solidarity programme, which gives students the opportunity to live in the home of an elderly person during the academic year.

Orientation / Welcome week:

Each year, the International Relations Service team organizes a Welcome Day for all new exchange students.

Support Services:

The university's International Welcome Office provides useful information for incoming visiting students.

The university also offers a buddy programme, to help exchange students to integrate into the academic and social activities of the campus and the city.

Visas:

You may need a visa to study in Spain. If you are a UK National you must refer to the Travel Advice page for Spain and its Living in Spain guide to check on any visa requirements, and raise any queries directly with the relevant embassy/consulate. If you are not a UK national you should check equivalent advice for your home country.

Travel insurance:

If you are approved by the University of York to participate in this program, you will be covered by the University's Travel Insurance Policy. This is a complementary policy to cover you for the duration of your University of York mobility experience. Please refer to the Insurance website for all travel insurance queries. You may be required to obtain health insurance valid during your exchange.

Health insurance:

Students travelling to Europe may be able to apply for a free UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or in some circumstances a new UK-issued European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which gives the right to access state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in the EU. You are strongly recommended to obtain a GHIC / EHIC if eligible. To check your eligibility and find out how to apply if you are eligible, go to the NHS page on Applying for healthcare cover abroad (GHIC and EHIC).

Student experiences

Esther, year abroad study placement, 2019/20

"Marid is a wonderful city – cultural, historical and beautiful all at the same time. I have loved having the opportunity to wander the little streets on my own, exploring the different aspects that make the city so special."

Emily, study abroad placement, 2018/19

"The university is a little way outside the city itself and is covered with trees, it is such a green campus with lots of spaces to just lounge on the grass and enjoy the Spanish sun between classes which I really love."

Bethany, study abroad placement, 2018/19

"Madrid is a great city and I've met so many wonderful people, and what's great is that everyone wants to get everyone else involved in what they're doing too, so you feel like you have a community."

Have a look at some more student stories on the Global Opportunities website!

Top Tips for Studying in Spain

Please note: these tips have been provided by students who have studied abroad in Spain- Global Opportunities recommends that you use these as a guide only and do your own research on what is best for you.

Money and Banking:

Fees: Visiting students will be required to pay 120€ per credit, plus an administrative fee of 33,65€ and a pre-registration fee of 350€.
Banking: Get a card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees so that you can take cash out easily without opening a bank account. There are several companies that offer these cards, such as Caxton, Starling, Monzo and Moneycorp.

Staying Connected:

Phone contracts: You can buy a pay-as-you-go Sim from most phone shops; the main providers are Orange, Movistar, Vodafone, and Yoigo plus there are also a number of smaller providers.
Making plans:
- Erasmus events are a great way to meet people initially. There are often ESN Facebook pages for your destination where you can be updated with any events happening in your local area
- The best way to meet new people is being open and not afraid to talk with strangers. Find something in common and use it to have a conversation and hang out more.
- Never be afraid to step out of your comfort zone either, you will thank yourself for it later!
Call or send a postcard to your friends and family at home:
- A little thing like sending a postcard to your friends or family or having a quick catch-up on the phone can make all the difference and can help you feel a bit more settled.

Food:

On-campus:
- At UAM there are different cafeterias and dining rooms on the Cantoblanco and Medicine Campuses, such as a self-service dining room, à la carte with waiter service in a dining room, and the Restaurant "El Goloso Campus" which offers a wide à la carte menu, daily menu and breakfast service.
- Additionally in each of the faculties, as well as in the Rector's Office and Sports Centre, there is at least one cafeteria that serves breakfast, mixed dishes and/or a daily menu.
Eating in the city:
- There are several nearby supermarkets (such as Mercandona) and also hundreds of bars and restaurants in the city

Paperwork and bureaucracy:

Be organised: There will be a lot of paperwork to do throughout the year, so be as organised as possible! Make a list of things that need to be done and by when and start working your way through it as soon as you can. The earlier you do it, the better, as sometimes it can take quite a while for documents to be signed and approved.
Remember your supervisor: They are here to help! If you are struggling with your the amount of paperwork, both your supervisor in York and at your host insition are there to support you if you feel stuck or overwhelmed.

What I wished I'd known...:

Public holidays: there are many national holidays in Spain! So be prepared as shops and transport will likely be affected on these days
Lifestyle: People in Spain tend to eat very late in the evenings, but it is because there is a siesta period in the afternoon so, shops close in the mid-afternoon

Useful links

If you find any broken links, please email us at global-opportunities@york.ac.uk

Contact Global Opportunities

Global Opportunities - Find us in Derwent College

Email global-opportunities@york.ac.uk to make an appointment with one of our advisors.

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