Universidad Complutense de Madrid logo

Universidad Complutense de Madrid

Madrid, ES · Ranking #1

Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), founded in 1499 in Alcalá and relocated to Madrid in 1836, is one of the oldest and largest universities in Spain. It enrolls over 80,000 students across undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs. UCM offers a broad academic portfolio covering humanities, social sciences, law, medicine, natural sciences, fine arts, psychology, pharmacy, and economics. The university is recognized for strong research output, international cooperation, and participation in Erasmus+ mobility programs. Located in Spain’s capital, UCM provides students access to major institutions, multinational companies, and cultural centers.

Universidad Complutense de Madrid logo

Universidad Complutense de Madrid

About the university

Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), founded in 1499 in Alcalá and relocated to Madrid in 1836, is one of the oldest and largest universities in Spain. It enrolls over 80,000 students across undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs. UCM offers a broad academic portfolio covering humanities, social sciences, law, medicine, natural sciences, fine arts, psychology, pharmacy, and economics. The university is recognized for strong research output, international cooperation, and participation in Erasmus+ mobility programs. Located in Spain’s capital, UCM provides students access to major institutions, multinational companies, and cultural centers.

Key information

  • Location: Madrid, ES
  • Ranking #1
  • QS #171
  • THE #178
  • US News #84
  • National ranking #2
  • Institution type: public

Popular faculties

  • Faculty of Medicine
  • Faculty of Law
  • Faculty of Economics and Business
  • Faculty of Psychology
  • Faculty of Political Sciences and Sociology
  • Faculty of Fine Arts
  • Faculty of Pharmacy
  • Faculty of Sciences

Programs (39)

  • Law
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • History
  • Philosophy
  • Philology and Languages
  • Journalism and Communication
  • Education
  • Fine Arts
  • Mathematics
  • Medicine
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Veterinary Science
  • Computer Science
  • Architecture
  • Nursing
  • Pharmacy
  • Dentistry
  • Psychology
  • Civil Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Telecommunications
  • Business Administration
  • Economics
  • Public Health
  • Biochemistry
  • Environmental Science
  • Political Science
  • International Relations
  • Sociology
  • Anthropology
  • Engineering
  • Finance and Accounting
  • Marketing
  • Tourism and Hospitality
  • Linguistics
  • Music

Student body

  • Total students: 86,000
  • Undergraduate: 60,000
  • Graduate: 26,000
  • International students: 15%

Campus life

Campus life at UCM is vibrant and multicultural, with students from across Spain and more than 100 countries. The main campus, Ciudad Universitaria, hosts multiple faculties, libraries, research centers, and sports facilities in a green, open environment near the center of Madrid. Students actively participate in academic associations, political debates, cultural festivals, art exhibitions, and international exchange programs. Madrid’s dynamic lifestyle offers internships, networking events, and career opportunities in multinational corporations, EU institutions, and startups.

Housing & accommodation

Housing cost: €800 - €1,500 / per month

Housing options

  • University residences (Colegios Mayores)
  • private student residences
  • shared apartments in Madrid

Student clubs and organizations

  • student associations and academic clubs
  • debate societies
  • cultural and international student groups

Sports

  • ootball
  • basketball
  • volleyball
  • athletics
  • swimming

Career & internships

Employment rate: 85%

Partner companies

  • Santander
  • TelefonSantander
  • BBVA
  • Telefónica
  • Indra
  • Accenture
  • Deloitte
  • PwC — along with public healthcare institutions and EU-related organizations in Madrid.ica
  • BBVA

Internships: UCM collaborates with Spanish ministries, EU institutions, multinational companies, hospitals (for medical students), research institutes, and media organizations. Students have access to career services, internship agreements (convenios de prácticas), and entrepreneurship support.

Admission requirements

Required documents

  • Application form
  • Secondary school diploma (with legalization/apostille)
  • Academic transcripts
  • Spanish/English language certificate (DELE/IELTS/TOEFL if required)
  • Passport/ID
  • Motivation letter (for Master)
  • CV (for Master/PhD).

Minimum GPA: 3.5

Tuition costs

  • €800 - €7,000 / per year
  • Acceptance rate: 50.00%
  • Scholarships available: UCM offers Spanish government scholarships (Becas MEC), merit-based and need-based grants, Erasmus+ mobility scholarships, and regional Community of Madrid financial aid. International students may access bilateral agreements and specific mobility grants.
  • Additional costs: Books €200-400/year, Student ID €30, Health insurance €100-200/year for non-EU students

Quick facts

  • Founded: 1499
  • Teaching languages: Spanish, English
  • Study formats: offline

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