Hello everyone, I’ve been studying at the School of Architecture at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid for two years now. I often see people asking about the architecture program here, so today I’m sharing my experience, hoping it helps those who want to study in old architectural apartments in Madrid.
About the School of Architecture Campuses
The School of Architecture at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid has two main campuses worth knowing about, including famous architecture in Madrid. ETSAM is the main architecture school, located in Ciudad Universitaria (University City). This is where you can explore Madrid’s tilted architecture, serving as the core of traditional architecture studies with a long history—many famous architects graduated from here. There’s also ETSAE which offers some architecture-related courses, though with different specializations.
I chose ETSAM mainly because of its strong traditional architectural design program, and its convenient location—just take metro line 6 to Ciudad Universitaria station. The campus environment is truly excellent, with great greenery all around. The library resources are abundant, and you often see students discussing projects on the lawns.
Majors and Curriculum
The architecture undergraduate program is 5 years long. The first three years focus on foundational courses, including architectural history, structural mechanics, building materials, etc. From the fourth year, you can choose different specializations. Popular ones include urban planning, architectural restoration, and sustainable architecture design. I originally wanted to choose interior design, but later found out that actually belongs to a different school. I ended up choosing sustainable architecture because this field has more job opportunities in Spain nowadays.
| Academic Year | Main Course Content | Difficulty Level |
|---|
| Years 1-2 | Basic drawing, architectural history, mathematics | ★★★☆☆ |
| Years 3-4 | Structural design, urban planning, architectural projects | ★★★★☆ |
| Year 5 | Thesis project, professional practice | ★★★★★ |
The course intensity is indeed substantial, especially during project phases when all-nighters are common. However, the professors are very professional. You can schedule consultation appointments anytime with questions, which I think is better than some universities back home. The school also regularly invites industry architects to give lectures, and sometimes you can participate in actual projects. These practical opportunities are very helpful for future job hunting.
About Application and Language Requirements
If you’re an international student applying, you need to get your credentials validated through UNED and then take the PCE exam. Regarding language, although the official requirement is B2 level, I recommend at least C1 because the professional courses have extensive vocabulary, especially technical terminology. If your Spanish isn’t good enough, it’ll be really challenging. When I first arrived with B2 level, I basically guessed my way through the first semester’s lectures. I spent a lot of time improving my language skills later to catch up.
Study Atmosphere and Cost of Living
The study atmosphere at school is generally very good. The library is often packed, especially during exam weeks. Classmates are friendly and take group assignments seriously—no one slacks off. However, note that students here come from all over the world, so cultural differences exist and require an adjustment period.
As for cost of living, Madrid is still cheaper compared to Barcelona. My current single apartment, including utilities and internet, costs around 450 euros per month. Adding food and transportation, 800-900 euros monthly is generally sufficient. There are many affordable restaurants near campus—a lunch menu del día costs about 10-12 euros and you can eat quite well.
The architecture program at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid is definitely worth recommending. Although the academic pressure is significant, you learn many practical things. If you have specific questions, feel free to leave comments and I’ll try my best to answer.
