Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
A young, research-focused Madrid public university where most bachelor's degrees can be taken in English or bilingually.
- Students
- 25,202
- International
- 30%
- of students
- Tuition
- €6,823
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1989
About UC3M
Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) was created by an act of the Spanish parliament on 5 May 1989, with the aim of being an innovative, deliberately compact public university with a strong research orientation. It has 25,202 students, 30.4% of them international, and 2,292 teaching and research staff. Teaching is spread across four campuses in the Madrid region: Getafe (social sciences, law, humanities and communication), Leganés (the School of Engineering), Colmenarejo in the hills north-west of Madrid, and Madrid-Puerta de Toledo in the city centre for master's programmes.
UC3M offers 40 bachelor's programmes and 13 dual degrees, and 76.8% of its bachelor's degrees can be taken fully in English, with an English option or bilingually. Every undergraduate, whatever the degree, also takes humanities and professional skills courses built into the curriculum. Its strongest reputations are in economics, business, law, political science and engineering, and in the 13th CyD Ranking (2026) it shared first place among Spanish public universities with the Autonomous University of Barcelona.
Entry is competitive: UC3M says it received more than twice as many first-choice applications as places for 2026/27, and cut-off marks for degrees such as Aerospace Engineering (13.322 out of 14) and the Engineering Physics and Industrial Technologies dual degree (13.450) are among the highest in Spain. It suits ambitious students who want a demanding, international degree near Madrid, often taught in English.
Homo homini sacra res
“Man is a sacred thing to man” — university motto
Why students choose UC3M
Most bachelor's degrees can be studied in English or bilingually, and students from non-Spanish-speaking countries are guaranteed a place in English groups for their first two years.
International students can apply early through UC3M's own Early Admission procedure, including via the Common App, instead of waiting for the June Madrid pre-enrolment.
UC3M reports an 88.2% employment rate for graduates, with 95.5% working in jobs related to their studies (class of 2023).
Public fees are low for EU students: a 60-credit year costs 1,015.20 to 1,240.80 euros in 2026/27, plus small admin charges.
Admissions
2027-28 entry (dates below are from the 2026-27 cycle)
Selectivity
UC3M publishes no overall acceptance rate. For 2026/27 it received more than two first-choice applications per place and admitted 4,612 new students. Places go by admission grade out of 14; 2026/27 first-round cut-offs included 13.450 for the Engineering Physics and Industrial Technologies dual degree, 13.322 Aerospace Engineering, 13.043 Neuroscience, 12.740 Biomedical Engineering, 12.477 Philosophy, Politics and Economics, 11.508 Economics, 11.275 Computer Science and Engineering (Leganés) and 11.613 Law (Getafe).
Typical entry requirements
| Spanish Bachillerato + PAU | Admission grade above the degree's cut-off, e.g. 11.508 for Economics or 13.322 for Aerospace Engineering (2026-27, indicative for 2027-28) |
|---|---|
| EU, IB, European Baccalaureate or agreement-country qualification | UNEDasiss accreditation converting your school grade to a 10-point scale; weighted subject grades from your national exams or UNEDasiss PCE can raise it to 14 |
| Other non-EU secondary qualification | UNEDasiss accreditation of a Bachillerato track via PCE exams to apply in June; alternatively an outstanding school record through UC3M Early Admission (8% of places) |
| English language | English-taught and bilingual degrees require B2 English, shown by an accepted official certificate or a UC3M test during the first year (Early Admission applicants attach a B2 certificate or a signed declaration). Spanish-taught degrees require B2 Spanish (DELE, SIELE, Official School of Languages or UNEDasiss) for applicants from non-Spanish-speaking countries. |
Deadlines
- Early Admission (international students) Non-binding Passed10 April 2026 (2026-27 cycle; window opened 22 September 2025)
Rolling admission for 8% of places; degrees close when full. International Studies, Finance and Accounting, and Neuroscience had no Early Admission places left in the 2026-27 cycle.
- Madrid pre-enrolment, ordinary call Non-binding Passed26 June 2026, 23:59 (2026-27 cycle)
Opened 5 June 2026. Students from foreign education systems could submit until 6 July 2026, 14:00.
- Madrid pre-enrolment, extraordinary call Non-binding Passed24 July 2026, 23:59 (2026-27 cycle)
Only for places left after the ordinary call; UC3M expects few or none.
UC3M had not yet published its 2027-28 dates when checked; all dates shown are from the 2026-27 cycle. Early Admission for 2027 entry is expected to open in autumn 2026 and fills on a rolling basis, so apply early. UNEDasiss accreditation and PCE exams must be done well before the June pre-enrolment.
How to apply
Two routes. Early Admission (international students only): apply online from September with transcripts from the last two years, a motivation letter, a B2 language certificate and optional merits; 100 euro fee for up to two degrees, or apply via the Common App; rolling decisions; 300 euro deposit to hold a place. General route: Madrid single-district pre-enrolment in June, listing up to 12 degrees at the six Madrid public universities in order of preference, with PAU results or UNEDasiss accreditation.
What admissions looks for
- An admission grade above the cut-off for your degree: in the general route, places are allocated strictly by grade.
- In Early Admission, an outstanding academic record (90% of the decision), especially grades in subjects related to the degree.
- Other accredited academic merits such as SAT or ACT scores or Model United Nations participation (10% of the Early Admission decision).
- B2 level in the language the degree is taught in, and a motivation letter explaining why this degree and UC3M.
Tips for applying to UC3M
- 1 If you are an international student, apply through Early Admission as soon as the window opens: places are filled on a rolling basis and some degrees close months before the deadline.
- 2 You can pick two degrees for one 100 euro Early Admission fee; name your second choice in the 'Observations' field.
- 3 Use UC3M's admission grade simulator and weighting tables to see which PAU or PCE subjects add the most points for your degree.
- 4 Non-EU students without Spanish residence pay the higher non-EU rate (6,822.60 to 8,186.40 euros a year), so budget for it and check whether you qualify for EU-rate fees.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in EUR
Fees follow the Community of Madrid public-price decree. Discounts include 50% off for general large families and full exemption for special large families, disability of 33% or more, and first-year exemption for students with a Bachillerato honours award or an olympiad medal. Spanish Ministry of Education grants cover first-year fees for eligible students, and UC3M has run an Alumni Scholarship Program worth 3,000 euros a year for students with good grades and limited means.
- 20%
- Students holding a grant (Ministry, Community of Madrid or UC3M)
- 100 euros for up to two degrees (Common App fee is 100 US dollars)
- Early Admission application fee
- 300 euros, deducted from tuition, non-refundable
- Early Admission place reservation deposit
Academics
Aerospace Engineering
One of UC3M's most selective degrees, with a 2026/27 cut-off of 13.322 out of 14.
Dual Bachelor in Engineering Physics and Industrial Technologies
The highest cut-off on UC3M's 2026/27 list at 13.450.
Economics
A flagship of UC3M's social sciences faculty in Getafe, with a 2026/27 cut-off of 11.508.
Philosophy, Politics and Economics
An interdisciplinary PPE degree with a 12.477 cut-off in 2026/27.
Neuroscience
One of the most selective degrees, with a 13.043 cut-off; it had no Early Admission places left for 2026-27.
Journalism
UC3M ranked first in Spain for Journalism and Communication in the latest CyD Ranking.
Research
- UC3M ranks among Spain's best universities for interdisciplinary science, according to THE's Interdisciplinary Science Ranking 2025, as cited by the university.
- It is among the most successful Spanish institutions in the EU's Horizon 2020 research programme (Ministry of Science and Innovation, 2021).
- The CyD Ranking placed UC3M first nationally in teaching and learning, knowledge transfer and international orientation.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Social Sciences and Law
- School of Engineering (Escuela Politécnica Superior)
- Faculty of Humanities, Communication and Documentation
- Faculty of Health Sciences
- Postgraduate Centre
- Doctoral School
- Carlos III International School
UC3M's graduate employment study (class of 2023) reports an 88.2% employment rate, with 95.5% of graduates in jobs related to their studies. 51% of UC3M graduates took part in international mobility programmes.
Student life
UC3M is spread over four campuses rather than one, so student life depends on where your degree is taught: Getafe for social sciences, law and communication, Leganés for engineering, Colmenarejo in the hills north-west of Madrid, and Puerta de Toledo in central Madrid. Getafe and Leganés both have sports centres with indoor pools, and Getafe has television studios and a mock courtroom for students. With 30.4% international students and more than half of graduates spending time abroad, the atmosphere is international, and every degree includes humanities courses alongside the main subject.
- Four campuses: Getafe, Leganés, Colmenarejo and Madrid-Puerta de Toledo.
- Sports centres with indoor pools on the Getafe and Leganés campuses, plus a 1,000-seat auditorium at Leganés.
- 51% of graduates take part in international mobility programmes.
- A humanities and professional skills requirement for every undergraduate.
Housing. UC3M has its own residence halls, run through the UC3M Foundation, on or near its campuses; many students also share flats in Getafe, Leganés or Madrid.
Location
UC3M's main campuses are in Getafe and Leganés, suburban towns about 11 to 13 km south of central Madrid. That gives students lower day-to-day costs than living in the centre, with Spain's capital, its museums and nightlife a short train ride away. The Colmenarejo campus is further out in the hills north-west of Madrid, while Puerta de Toledo sits in the historic city centre.
Nearest airport: Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD)
Notable alumni
- MM Maheta MolangoFormer footballer and chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association; law and political science graduate
- MB Manu BraboPhotojournalist and Pulitzer Prize winner (Breaking News Photography, 2013); studied journalism
- OA Omar AyusoActor in Netflix's Elite; studied audiovisual communication
- TO Tomás OcañaInvestigative journalist and documentary producer; law and journalism graduate
- PI Pablo Iglesias TurriónPolitical scientist and founder of Podemos; Master of Humanities from UC3M
- RG Roberto Gil ZuarthFormer President of the Mexican Senate; master's in constitutional law
- FL Fernando LorenzoUruguayan economist and Minister of Economy and Finance (2010-2013); doctorate from UC3M
Frequently asked questions
Can I study at UC3M in English?
Yes. 76.8% of UC3M's bachelor's degrees can be taken fully in English, with an English option or bilingually. You choose English groups at enrolment and must show B2 English during your first year.
How do international students apply to UC3M?
Either through UC3M's Early Admission procedure (online or via the Common App, rolling decisions, 8% of places) or through the Madrid pre-enrolment in June using a UNEDasiss accreditation. For 2026-27 the Early Admission window ran from 22 September 2025 to 10 April 2026.
How much does UC3M cost for international students?
In 2026/27 a 60-credit year costs 1,015.20 to 1,240.80 euros for EU and resident students, and 6,822.60 to 8,186.40 euros for non-EU students without Spanish residence, plus small administrative fees.
What grade do I need to get into UC3M?
It depends on the degree. 2026/27 cut-offs out of 14 ranged from 5.000 for some humanities degrees to 13.322 for Aerospace Engineering and 13.450 for the Engineering Physics and Industrial Technologies dual degree.
Do I need the SAT for UC3M?
No. The SAT, ACT or other tests are optional merits in Early Admission, which is decided 90% on school grades. In the general route, admission is based on the PAU or a UNEDasiss accreditation.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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