Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) at a glance
- City
- Getafe (Madrid)
- Type
- Public university
- Website
- uc3m.es/home
Key takeaways
- For 2026/27, non-EU bachelor's students pay €113.71–136.44 per credit at UC3M, about €6,822–8,186 for a 60-credit year.
- Our data lists 21 English-taught bachelor's degrees and 26 English masters, the most English-taught bachelor's of any public university in our Spain data.
- Early Admission for international students (2027/28 intake) runs 5 October 2026 to 2 April 2027, is rolling, and costs €150.
- Master's applications for 2026/27 ran in three periods from 1 December 2025 to 31 May 2026.
- English-taught degrees require B2 English in all four skills (e.g. IELTS 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94 depending on program).
On this page
If you want a full bachelor's degree in English at a Spanish public university, Carlos III University of Madrid (UC3M) is the strongest option in our data. For 2026/27, non-EU students pay €113.71–136.44 per credit, or roughly €6,822–8,186 per year, depending on the type of degree.
That is more than other public universities in this list, but UC3M has 21 English-taught bachelor's degrees and a special Early Admission route for international students that is open right now for 2027/28.
Why UC3M is good value
- English bachelor's at public prices: €6,822–8,186 a year is far below many private English-taught bachelor's in Madrid.
- Wide choice: business, economics, international studies, AI, data science, aerospace, biomedical engineering, robotics and more.
- Early Admission: an international route based on your school grades, without the Spanish UNED accreditation route.
- Program grants: some masters offer tuition grants, such as 4 grants of €1,500 for Big Data Analytics in 2026/27.
UC3M tuition for non-EU students
| Degree type | Examples | Per credit | 60 credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type 3 | Business Administration, Law, Economics | €113.71 | €6,822.60 |
| Double Type 2–3 | Computer Science and Business Administration | €121.14 | €7,268.40 |
| Type 2 | Most engineering degrees, Artificial Intelligence | €128.57 | €7,714.20 |
| Type 1 | Biomedical Engineering, Neuroscience | €136.44 | €8,186.40 |
Other fees: €27.54 to open your student record, a €6.11 administrative fee, and €154.23 for the degree title when you finish. Master's prices vary by program, from about €84 to €330 per ECTS for non-EU students (the MBA is at the top). Check each master's page; the fact pack notes master's rates were pending Madrid approval for 2026/27.
English-taught programs at UC3M
| Area | Example English-taught bachelor's | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Business and economics | Business Administration (English group); Economics (English group); Finance and Accounting | 4 years |
| International | International Studies; dual degrees with Business or Economics | 4+ years |
| Engineering | Aerospace Engineering; Robotics Engineering; Energy Engineering; Engineering Physics | 4 years |
| Data and AI | Artificial Intelligence (English group); Data Science and Engineering; Mathematics and Computing | 4 years |
| Health sciences | Biomedical Sciences; Neuroscience; Biomedical Engineering | 4 years |
English masters include the MBA, Finance, Human Resources Management and Business and Finance (MRes). See all options in English-taught programs in Spain.
Admission requirements
Bachelor's via Early Admission
- Studies equivalent to the Spanish Bachillerato with an outstanding academic record (90% grades, 10% other merits). Only 8% of places go through this route.
- Transcripts of the last two years of secondary school, motivation letter, and a B2 certificate in the teaching language (or a responsible statement if you do not have it yet).
- Optional merits such as SAT/ACT. Documents in Spanish or English. Fee €150, up to 2 degrees. Not for 4U Alliance degrees such as Urban Sustainability Studies.
Master's
- A bachelor's degree (foreign degrees accepted without homologation), evaluated by each program.
- B2 English: IELTS 5.5–6.5 or TOEFL iBT 72–94 depending on program, Cambridge FCE, Linguaskill or Aptis; some programs ask for more.
- €27.54 per master applied for; admitted students pay a reservation deposit (for example €450) within 10 days.
- At enrolment: legalised diploma and transcript for non-EHEA degrees, with sworn Spanish translation if needed.
Deadlines
| Call | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's Early Admission, 2027/28 | 5 Oct 2026 – 2 Apr 2027 | Rolling; places fill as the process advances |
| Bachelor's Madrid pre-registration, 2026/27 | 5–26 Jun 2026 | Needs UNED accreditation; foreign systems until 6 Jul |
| Master's 1st period, 2026/27 | 1 Dec 2025 – 31 Jan 2026 | Programs may close earlier when full |
| Master's 2nd and 3rd periods, 2026/27 | 1 Feb – 31 May 2026 | Resolutions from 30 Apr and 23 Jun |
Apply early for 2027/28
Early Admission is rolling, so applying in October or November gives you the best chance before places fill. Master's periods for 2027/28 had not been published in our data; the 2026/27 cycle opened on 1 December.
Scholarships
UC3M offers program-specific master's tuition grants (for example Big Data Analytics: 4 grants of €1,500 for 2026/27, apply by 31 May 2026 after applying for admission) and lists bachelor's grants for new students on its admission pages. See our Spain scholarships guide.
Living in Madrid and visa money
UC3M has campuses in Getafe, Leganés, Colmenarejo and central Madrid. For the visa you need funds of 100% of the IPREM per month (less with prepaid housing; tuition does not count) and Spanish-authorised health insurance. You may work up to 30 hours a week if it fits your studies, and after a bachelor's you can apply for a 24-month job-search residence. Read cost of studying in Spain.
Who should choose this university
UC3M is the best fit in this list if you are finishing secondary school with strong grades and want a full English bachelor's at a public university in Madrid. Master's students also get a wide English choice, but compare prices program by program, because some masters cost far more than others.
Mistakes to avoid
- Assuming a student visa makes you a resident. For tuition purposes a study-stay authorisation is not residence, so budget for the non-EU rate.
- Applying in the last period. Late admissions often leave too little time for document legalization and the visa appointment.
- Forgetting the visa funds. The visa needs proof of 100% of the IPREM per month on top of tuition; tuition payments do not count.
- Waiting for spring to apply for Early Admission. It is rolling and limited to 8% of places, so places fill as the process advances.
Honest pros and cons
Benefits
- Largest English-taught bachelor's offer among Spanish public universities in our data
- Early Admission route designed for international students
- Clear, published 2026/27 non-EU prices
- Program-specific master's grants
Difficulties
- Most expensive public option in this list for non-EU students
- Early Admission needs outstanding grades and covers only 8% of places
- Master's prices vary widely by program
- Non-EHEA documents must be legalised before enrolment
Applying from Afghanistan
Afghan applicants
Afghan school and university documents need diplomatic legalization (no apostille), and the Spanish Embassy in Kabul is closed. Visas go through Islamabad or Tehran with proof of legal residence. Start legalization while your Early Admission application is being reviewed. See our documents guide.
How to apply step by step
- 1
Choose up to 2 degrees
Check the teaching language and that the degree is open to Early Admission.
- 2
Prepare transcripts and B2
Gather your last two years of grades, a motivation letter and an English certificate.
- 3
Apply through Early Admission
Apply via the UC3M Early Admission page and pay €150.
- 4
Accept and enrol
Follow UC3M's instructions to secure your place and pay tuition.
- 5
Apply for your visa
Apply at least two months before classes. See the Spain student visa guide.
Also in Madrid: UPM. See every Spain guide and track deadlines for free on FindUniPath.
Frequently asked questions
How much does UC3M cost for international students?
For 2026/27, non-EU bachelor's students pay €113.71–136.44 per credit, about €6,822–8,186 for 60 credits. Master's prices vary by program.
What is UC3M Early Admission?
A rolling route for students from non-Spanish education systems with outstanding grades. For 2027/28 it runs 5 October 2026 to 2 April 2027 and costs €150.
Does UC3M teach bachelor's degrees in English?
Yes. Our data lists 21 English-taught bachelor's degrees, including Business Administration, Economics, AI, Data Science and Aerospace Engineering.
What IELTS score does UC3M need?
English-taught programs need B2 in all four skills; IELTS 5.5–6.5 or TOEFL iBT 72–94 depending on the program.
Official sources
Checked on 16 October 2026. Rules, fees and dates change — always confirm on the official page before you apply.