Hi everyone, I’m new to the forum and I’ve seen many people asking about studying in Madrid, especially about choosing a university. As a ‘veteran’ student who has spent time at the Complutense University of Madrid, I want to share some personal experiences that might also be helpful for those comparing it with other schools like the Autonomous University of Madrid. I hope this can help all the prospective students out there!
Campus Environment and Life
UCM’s main campus is in Moncloa, in what’s known as the University City (Ciudad Universitaria). The environment is absolutely fantastic—it’s incredibly green and feels like a huge park. The faculty buildings have a rich sense of history, especially the grand architecture of the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Law. On days without classes, it’s very relaxing to sunbathe on the lawn or hang out at a nearby cafe. However, the campus is really large, so it’s important to plan your route in advance if you have classes in different buildings.
Programs and Academics
The humanities at UCM are definitely its strong suit. Programs like Journalism, Spanish Philology, History, and Art History are renowned not only in Spain but worldwide. If you’re a humanities student—and perhaps already thinking about practicalities like finding housing in Madrid’s University City—UCM is an ideal choice. The sciences and medicine are also very strong, though perhaps fewer international students from my home country apply to them. The academic atmosphere is very open, and most professors are happy to talk with students. If you’re proactive and ask questions, you’ll definitely learn a lot.
Application Notes
Regarding applications, the requirements for undergraduate and master’s degrees are quite different. For bachelor’s programs, the main factors are your converted national college entrance exam score and language proficiency. For master’s programs, the focus is more on your undergraduate GPA, the relevance of your previous major, and language skills. Here’s a simple table for reference:
| Application Level | Key Considerations |
|---|
| Undergraduate (Grado) | Converted national college entrance exam score (e.g., from Gaokao), B2 Spanish level certificate, specific entry exams for some programs (PCE). |
| Master’s (Máster) | Undergraduate GPA, academic background match, language certificate, CV, and statement of purpose. |
Getting into UCM is of moderately high difficulty among Spanish public universities, but your chances are good if your documents are well-prepared and your language skills are up to par. Although I might occasionally complain about the school’s administrative efficiency, the overall experience of studying and living here at the National University of Madrid is fantastic. You get to meet people from all over the world, and cultural exchanges and intellectual discussions happen daily. It teaches you not just knowledge, but also how to think and live independently.
Feel free to discuss in the comments, and leave any questions you may have
!
