Semester in Madrid
Unique Experiences
Practice Your Spanish Skills
through local language exchange groups.
Visit the Prado
to explore some of the world’s finest art collections
Catch a Football Game
cheer on Madrid’s international football team
667 M
Above Sea Level
3.2 M
Population of Madrid
300 +
Days of Sunshine
Your Destination
Situated in the center of Spain, Madrid is not only the political and cultural center of the country, but also an important player in global economics. When you study abroad in Madrid, you can expect to see centuries of history, a lively sports scene, and a large variety of tapas bars throughout this capital city.
With three world-class art museums, more than three million residents, and multiple UNESCO World Heritage Sites near the city, Madrid offers exciting learning opportunities for students studying abroad. Amongst its modern flair, much of Madrid’s historic past remains beautifully preserved in its landmarks, museums, and architecture.
CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Madrid.
The Culture
Featured Excursion
Visit the world heritage site of El Escorial´s Royal Palace, Kings´ Pantheon, and Monastery built under the reign of King Philip II of Spain in the 1500s. Located in the mountains about a one-hour drive north of Madrid, El Escorial’s impressive architecture offers visitors a glimpse into the legacy of slavery, colonialism, and daily life of the royal court, where decisions were made at the height of the Spanish Empire as a global powerhouse. Students have free time to explore the neighboring 18th-century village, San Lorenzo.
Other Excursions & Activities
- Take a day trip to visit UNESCO World Heritage sites such as the medieval city of Alcalá de Henares or hike the trails in the Guadarrama Mountains
- Discover the flavors of Spain while learning the culinary history on a tapas food tour
- Soak up Spanish culture with museum visits, dance classes, urban art, and graffiti tours, and popular neighborhood visits to Lavapiés, Malasaña, or La Latina
- Savor downtime with local students while you play basketball, frisbee, hike, kayak, swim, or catch a theater, dance, or music performance
Projects
Internship: A for-credit internship (in English or Spanish) allows students the opportunity to gain practical real-world work experience in a local company within a variety of industry sectors. In addition to the on-site business experience, students participating in an internship program have a weekly classroom component, which provides academic support to their practical experience.
Directed Independent Research: Designed for qualified students who have demonstrated academic rigor and curiosity toward a particular research topic; independent research topics will be approved by CIEE Madrid and the home institution and must reflect a topic that is relevant to Madrid or Spain. (English or Spanish.)
Program Blogs
Getting out of My Comfort Zone in Madrid
By: Ava Maloney "If it’s out of your comfort zone, then it’s probably good for you.” That was the text that I had received from my friend after I had... keep reading
Exploring Cuenca: My Overnight Trip with CIEE
By: Chloe Nutor During my study abroad in Spain with CIEE, I got to go on an overnight trip to Cuenca, a small but beautiful town about two hours from... keep reading
Budgeting (and enjoying!) your study abroad experience
By: Anneliese Crayton Hi! My name is Lisee, and I am currently studying abroad in Madrid. I saw the opportunity to study in Spain as a great way to explore... keep reading
Housing & Meals
Housing
CIEE Madrid offers diverse housing options to maximize your study abroad experience, including homestays, student residence halls, or shared apartments in several city districts. 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.
Student housing in Madrid typically looks different than what you may be used to in the U.S. Unlike most college campuses, CIEE does not own or manage student housing in Madrid. We work within local housing networks to carefully identify housing partners, vendors, and homestay hosts that can offer students a safe and culturally active living experience. All Madrid housing sizes, layouts, room designs, and amenities will vary and will have their own distinct features. Living in Madrid may mean downsizing for the duration of your stay as student housing space and location are at a premium (for example, living space, kitchen, washing machines or bedroom size may be smaller than what you´re used to at home).
Standard Housing: Includes a single room at a homestay or a double room at a shared apartment or student dorm located with easy transport access and within a 70-minute commute from Madrid’s city center.
Homestays offer socially active hosts who allow for a lot of student independence, no curfew, kitchen access for food storage, a living room, Wi-Fi, weekly laundry, and a bathroom shared with the host. Hosts provide two meals a day during the week.
Shared apartments are modest in size, featuring fewer amenities with basic furniture, laundry facilities, Wi-Fi access, maintenance repair services, bed linens and towels, and a kitchen. Meals are not included in the dorms or apartments.
Student dorms are modern, offer Wi-Fi access, and typically have an individual or shared kitchen.
Select Housing: Includes a guaranteed single room at a shared apartment or residence hall with a commute time and within 70 minutes from Madrid’s city center. Shared apartments are modest in size, featuring a few amenities with basic furniture, a laundry machine, Wi-Fi access, maintenance repair services, bed linens and towels, and a kitchen. Meals are not included in the dorms or apartments. Student residence halls are modern, offer Wi-Fi access, and typically house students in single bedrooms with an individual or shared kitchen. Select housing requires an additional fee. Please note that you may be placed in housing where you will share common spaces in your accommodations with other CIEE students who opted for a different housing category.
Select Housing Plus: Limited available option that includes a guaranteed single room at a shared apartment or residence hall with an average commute time of 30 minutes to Madrid’s city center. Shared apartments are modest in size, featuring a few amenities with basic furniture, a laundry machine, Wi-Fi access, maintenance repair services, bed linens and towels, and a kitchen. Meals are not included in the dorms or apartments. Student Dorms are modern, offer Wi-Fi access, and typically have an individual or shared kitchen. Select Plus housing requires an additional fee. Please note that you may be placed in housing where you will share common spaces in your accommodations with other CIEE students who opted for a different housing category.
A note: The default criterion to assign housing is first-come, first-served; however, other factors may also be considered. If we cannot accommodate your first housing choice, we'll let you know before you arrive.
Meals
Homestays: Students have breakfast and dinner with their host families, and they are responsible for lunch. Students do not typically have access to use the kitchen at the host family home.
Residence Halls/Shared Apartments: Meals are not included. Residence halls and apartments have direct access to supermarkets, restaurants, public transport, and independent dining halls. Students can purchase dining hall meal plans on their own if offered by the residence hall management.
Academics
The Semester in Madrid program allows CIEE students to take all CIEE courses in various disciplines at the CIEE center, located near the iconic Puerta de Sol, the main transportation hub of the city center. Students also have the unique opportunity to combine their CIEE coursework with classes offered at one of two local host institutions or exclusively take all of their classes at the university.
Both partner schools are located in Madrid´s historic city center and offer a full range of semester courses in English with other international students: During the fall semester, students can select a host institution track with The Fundación Ortega y Gasset y Gregorio Marañón (FOM) or during the fall and spring semester, select a host institution track with the Universidad Antonio Nebrija (UAN).
Motivated students also can apply to an elective internship for credit and gain hands-on professional work experience in a local organization.
Note for students taking courses directly from Host Institution(s): Students are required to stay in Madrid until they have completed all their academic work, including their final exams. Official host institutions fall exams are in December, and official host institutions’ spring exams are in May. Early exams at the host institution are not possible. As it is impossible to confirm your exam schedule prior to your arrival, if your priority is to leave Madrid as soon as your university final exams are finished, please book an airline ticket with a low change fee or a flexible departure date.
Language placement – Prior to departure for Madrid, all students planning to take Spanish language classes must take an online placement exam. Results determine appropriate placement in language courses. Placement in many upper-level courses depends on a high score.
Arizona State University: Enhance your international academic coursework with optional online courses that best align with your degree requirements and interests. ASU offers thousands of online courses in asynchronous sessions that fit within the CIEE academic calendar, so you can study abroad with CIEE while continuing to meet all your academic goals.
Course Information
Academic Projects
Languages and Cultural Studies
Visual and Performing Arts
Business, Economics, Management, and Marketing
Communication, Journalism, and Media
Social Sciences
History, Philosophy, Religion
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Natural Resources, Conservation, and the Environment
Academic Projects
Visual and Performing Arts
Business, Economics, Management, and Marketing
Communication, Journalism, and Media
Social Sciences
Natural Resources, Conservation, and the Environment
Course offerings may vary from semester to semester. Here is a sample of courses in English:
Universidad Antonio Nebrija (UAN)
FALL SEMESTER and SPRING SEMESTER
- Consumer Behavior
- Online Marketing in the Digital Era
- International Business
- International Management
- International Trade Marketing
- International Communication
- Sports Industry and its role in European Identity
- Trends of the Global Economy
- Global Skills for International Business Environments
- International Finance
- Intercultural Communication
- Corporate Psychology
- Fundamental Aspects of Spanish Art
- The European Union: Culture, History, and Institutions
- International Relations
- Spanish Civilization and Culture
- Women's Roles in Present-Day Spain
- European Cinema: A Reflection on European Identity Cinema
Fundación Ortega y Gasset y Gregorio Marañón (FOM)
FALL SEMESTER
- Art History
- Business in Spain
- Spanish Culture
- Globalization & Media
- Marketing
- Organizational Behavior
- Financial Management
- Corporate Social Responsibility
- Sensation and Perception
- Cross Cultural Psychology
- Abnormal Psychology
- Health Psychology
- Biological Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Statistics
- Computer Data
- Spanish Language and Literature
- World Religions
- Spanish Language and Conversation
CIEE proudly partners with ASU to deliver asynchronous, online coursework that aligns with your degree requirements from anywhere you study abroad.
CIEE and ASU offer courses online per program eligibility, at no additional charge. Be sure to review online courses with your home school advisor.
Check the CIEE Program Dates and ASU start dates below to maximize course options within your program!
Search ASU Online Courses BROWSE FAQs for more INFO
Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.
Scholarships & Grants
CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.
Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:
- Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
- Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
- CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
- MSI Grant
To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.
Dates & Fees
You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Fees & Housing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Spring 2025 16 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $21,450 |
| Program Fall 2025 16 weeks | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $21,450 | |
| Program Fall 2024 16 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $20,950 |
| Program Academic year 2024-2025 37 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date |
To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Participation Confirmation = $300*
Educational Costs = $15,256**
Housing = $5,700***
Insurance = $194
Total Fees = $21,450Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
Meals not included in program fee = $1,260†
International Airfare = $1,200††
Local Transportation = $125†††
Books & Supplies = $50
Visa Fees = $160††††
Potential travel to consulate for visa = $500†††††
Personal expenses = $260††††††
Total Costs = $3,555Optional Housing
CIEE accommodation options are detailed in the Housing section. Based on availability, Select or Select Plus Housing can be chosen during the application process for an additional fee. Housing is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis; however, other factors may also be considered.
Select Housing Fee = $750
Select Plus Housing Fee = $2,500
Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
*non-refundable fee
**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
***Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.
†The listed estimated cost is for students in homestays. Families provide 2 meals (breakfast and dinner) and students purchase lunch (there isn’t usually access to a kitchen). For students in apartments, you should budget approx. $260 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.
††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure
†††The youth public transportation card for under 24 years old offers a significant discount on local bus metro travel
††††Students staying a full semester in Madrid require a visa
†††††If no consulate in your home area
††††††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Participation Confirmation = $300*
Educational Costs = $15,256**
Housing = $5,700***
Insurance = $194
Total Fees = $21,450Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
Meals not included in program fee = $1,190†
International Airfare = $1,200††
Local Transportation = $125†††
Books & Supplies = $50
Visa Fees = $160††††
Potential travel to consulate for visa = $500†††††
Personal expenses = $260††††††
Total Costs = $3,485Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
*non-refundable fee
**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
***Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.
†The listed estimated cost is for students in homestays. Families provide 2 meals (breakfast and dinner) and students purchase lunch (there isn’t usually access to a kitchen). For students in apartments, you should budget approx. $260 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.
††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure
†††The youth public transportation card for under 24 years old offers a significant discount on local bus metro travel
††††Students staying a full semester in Madrid require a visa
†††††If no consulate in your home area
††††††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Participation Confirmation = $300*
Educational Costs = $14,456**
Housing = $6,000***
Insurance = $194
Total Fees = $20,950Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
Meals not included in program fee = $1,190†
International Airfare = $1,200††
Local Transportation = $125†††
Books & Supplies = $50
Visa Fees = $160††††
Potential travel to consulate for visa = $500†††††
Personal expenses = $260††††††
Total Costs = $3,485Optional Housing
CIEE accommodation options are detailed in the Housing section. Based on availability, Select or Select Plus Housing can be chosen during the application process for an additional fee. Housing is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis; however, other factors may also be considered.
Select Housing Fee = $750
Select Plus Housing Fee = $1,500
Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
*non-refundable fee
**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
***Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.
†The listed estimated cost is for students in homestays. Families provide 2 meals (breakfast and dinner) and students purchase lunch (there isn’t usually access to a kitchen). For students in apartments, you should budget approx. $260 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.
††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure
†††The youth public transportation card for under 24 years old offers a significant discount on local bus metro travel
††††Students staying a full semester in Madrid require a visa
†††††If no consulate in your home area
††††††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
What's Included
Tuition
Housing
Pre-departure Advising
Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions
Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet
Orientation
Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city
On-site Staff
Full-time program leadership and support in your city
Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities
Excursions and/or Study Tours
Travel Protection
CIEE iNext travel protection
24/7 emergency on-site support
Our Staff
Eero Jesurun
Center Director
Eero Jesurun, Ph.D. completed his B.S. and M.A degrees from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service. Eero studied at the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid where he obtained a Ph.D...
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Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.
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