AT-A-GLANCE
TERMS
Fall Semester, Spring Semester, Academic Year, Summer Term
HOUSING TYPES
Homestay, Apartment, Student Residence
INCLUDED DAYTRIPS
Andalucia, Segovia, Toledo
LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION
English and Spanish
SEMESTER
FALL APPLICATION DEADLINE
May 6
SPRING APPLICATION DEADLINE
October 1
CREDITS
15
VISA
Required
SUMMER
APPLICATION DEADLINE
March 18
CREDITS
3-9
VISA
Not Required for U.S. Citizens
WHY MADRID?
Madrid is regarded as an important economic, artistic, and educational center, home to the Spanish Parliament (las Cortes), the Spanish Stock Exchange (la Bolsa), as well as a number of world-renowned cultural and historical sites. Students studying in Madrid will have access to a wide variety of activities, including visiting the Museo Nacional del Prado and the Parque del Buen Retiro, catching a fútbol (or soccer) match at The Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, and sampling local cuisines such as tapas, bocadillo de calamares, and churros con chocolate.
IAU’s center in Madrid is located in the student friendly neighborhood of Chamberí, which is described as one of Madrid’s most traditional and authentic barrios, with a real “small-town” feel despite being centrally located. The facilities have been completely renovated with modern amenities to suit the needs of the 21st-century college student.
ACADEMICS
At the Madrid center, students will be able to:
- Choose their courses across a variety of disciplines.
- Focus their studies within a specific discipline by enrolling in an academic track, specialized program, or certificate program.
- Participate in Field Study Trips and Tours as a part of all classes offered.
This program enables students to choose from all our course offerings to fulfill many of their general education requirements and complete major and minor requirements.
In addition to their internship class, Internship Program students will choose from all our course offerings to complete their course schedule. Find out more information about the Internship Program here.
Students are invited to join IAU for an optional week-long, Early Start program before their Fall or Spring semester abroad. During this week, students will move into their housing placements early, participate in a one-credit language course appropriate to their incoming level of Spanish, and have a jumpstart on meeting new classmates. The goal of the program is for students to feel more comfortable in everyday communication with locals and in a new and exciting city. Find a sample week schedule here.
The Spanish Honors Program is designed for Spanish majors and minors, or other students with demonstrated advanced-level Spanish, who are interested in completing a comprehensive language and cultural immersion program. Students in the Spanish Honors Program have the following academic and student life requirements:
Semester Spanish Honors Program Course Requirements
- At least four 300- or 400-level Spanish courses (12 credits)
- One elective from any discipline (3 credits)
Summer Spanish Honors Program Course Requirements
- At least two 300- or 400-level Spanish course (6-9 credits)
Spanish Honors Program Student Life Requirements
- Students must live with a host family in the homestay housing model.
- Students must attend at least 5 different academic field studies (in classes other than their own), cultural trips, or cultural activities throughout the semester. Summer students must attend at least 3.
- Semester Spanish Honors Program students are highly encouraged to participate in the Early Start Program.
This Academic Concentration is designed for students interested in communications, journalism, advertising, and media studies. The concentration combines theory with hands-on experience through case studies, guest speakers, and fieldwork with Madrid-based media and public relations organizations. Students acquire the skills to create a media kit, press releases, and evaluate public relations case studies.
Cultural Components:
- Engage with guest speakers and study trips as required components of place-based learning.
- Conduct fieldwork in site visits in Madrid such as nationally distributed news media, public relations agencies, and related firms.
Semester Academic Requirements: 15 credits
- Core course: COM 313 International Public Relations (3 credits)
- Core course: COM 315 Media, Influence, and Society (3 credits) or COM 316 Media and Conflict (3 credits)
- At least two courses from the disciplines of BUS, COM, IRL, MKT, or PHI (6 credits)
- One elective from any discipline (3 credits)
Summer Academic Requirements: 6 credits
- Core course: COM 313 International Public Relations (3 credits)
- Core course: COM 315 Media, Influence, and Society (3 credits) or COM 316 Media and Conflict (3 credits)
Courses
Discover IAU’s complete Course Catalogue, filterable by term and IAU center location, through the link below. IAU semester students are required to take 15 units/5 courses, and IAU summer students select between 3-9 units/1-3 courses.
All courses are taught in English unless otherwise indicated (e.g., SPA courses). Course offerings are subject to change and must meet minimum enrollment as determined by IAU staff.
Syllabus Library
Access IAU’s Syllabus Library at the link below. It is important for students to consult with their home university’s study abroad office to confirm course approvals and transfers. If a syllabus for a planned term of study is not yet available, students may reference and submit a syllabus from the most recent available term.
Example Courses
Find an example of our course offerings for a semester program in Madrid below. Please note that not all courses you see will be offered in any given term.
Accounting
- ACC 202: Principles of Accounting II
Art & Art History
- ARH 334: Great Masters of the Prado
- ART 210: Capturing Madrid’s Flow
- ART 334: Great Masters of the Prado
Business
- BUS 301: International Business Today and Tomorrow
- BUS 303: Intercultural Management
- BUS 305: Global Marketing
- BUS 316: Consumer Behavior
- BUS 339: Design Thinking
- BUS 371: Corporate Social Responsibility
Communication Studies
- COM 313: International Public Relations
- COM 315: Media, Influence and Society
- COM 316: Media and Conflict
- COM 318: Intercultural Communication
- COM 374: Culture, Globalization, and the Media
Computer Information Science
- CIS 350: Database Systems
- CIS 370: Artificial Intelligence
- CIS 371: Operating Systems
- CIS 401: Computer Security
Economics
- ECO 308: International Economics and the European Union
- ECO 342: Intermediate Microeconomics
- ECO 343: Intermediate Macroeconomics
Finance
- FIN 300: Financial Management
- FIN 301: International Finance
- FIN 350: Investment Management
- FIN 355: Money and Capital Markets
- FIN 360: Valuation
Geography
- Analyzing and Exploring the Global City
History
- HIS 326: Spanish Civilization and Culture
- HIS 329: Rewriting the Past: Diversity, Historical Plurality, and
- HIS 336: Political History of Contemporary Spain
Literature
- LIT 349: Borders, Memory, Identities: Cultural Representations of Contemporary Migrations in Europe
Philosophy
- PHI 312: Ethics in Society
International Relations
- IRL 303: International Relations
- IRL 318: The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
- IRL 331: Human Rights, Migration, and Global Civil Society
- IRL 346: Business and Geopolitics: A Global Perspective
Internships
- INT 341: Internship
Language & Culture - Spanish
- SPA 101: Beginning Spanish I
- SPA 102: Beginning Spanish II
- SPA 110: Early Start Spanish
- SPA 201: Intermediate Spanish I
- SPA 202: Intermediate Spanish II
- SPA 210: Early Start Spanish
- SPA 300: Conversation
- SPA 307: Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics
- SPA 308: Advanced Spanish for Heritage Students: Grammar,
- SPA 310: Early Start Spanish
- SPA 312: Spanish for the Workplace
- SPA 317: Spanish for the Medical Professions
- SPA 327: Spanish Civilization and Culture
- SPA 329: Rewriting the Past: Diversity, Historical Plurality, and
- SPA 337: Spain and the Americas: A Cultural Perspective
- SPA 359: Contemporary Spanish History Through Film
- SPA 372: Spanish Culture Through Cuisine
Management
- MGT 311: Operations Management
- MGT 318: Organizational Behavior
Marketing
- MKT 311: Principles of Marketing
Mathematics
- MTH 149: Calculus & Analytic Geometry I
- MTH 150: Calculus & Analytic Geometry II
- MTH 251: Calculus & Analytical Geometry III
- MTH 270: Ordinary Differential Equations
- MTH 350: Experimental Statistics
Political Science
- POL 318: The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Psychology
- PSY 328: Positive Psychology and Happiness
- PSY 332: Cross-Cultural Psychology
- PSY 353: Sensation and Perception
- PSY 360: Biological Psychology
- PSY 363: Psychology and the Workplace
- PSY 410: Health Psychology
Religious Studies
- REL 301: The Problem of God
- REL 312: The Children of Abraham: Judaism, Christianity, and
Sociology
- Nationalism in Comparative Perspective
- Sports in Catalonia, Spain and Europe: A Cultural Approach
Wine Studies
- WGS 272: Exploring Spanish Culture Through Its Cuisine
- WGS 302: Wine Marketing and Sensory Analysis
- WGS 307: Wine and Food Pairing
HOUSING
Students in Madrid have the option to be housed in Homestays, Shared Apartments, or Student Residences. All IAU housing is within convenient access of public transportation and within an approximate 40-minute commute time to the IAU Barcelona Center. It is common for students to expect to utilize public transportation every day.
In a student’s IAU application, they will complete a Housing Questionnaire which asks for a student’s preferred housing type, roommate preference (if any), and additional essential details. IAU will consider student preferences in housing placements, but cannot guarantee that all stated preferences can be met.
All program participants are required to live in IAU-arranged housing and sign and abide by the IAU Student Handbook and Housing Agreement. It is important that students maintain flexibility and an open mind when it comes to housing placements. IAU will consider student preferences in housing placements but cannot guarantee that all stated preferences can be met.
PLEASE NOTE: Housing schedules are aligned with the IAU academic calendar. Students who arrive early or depart late are invited to book their own accommodations, as program housing is only available during the confirmed program dates.
COSTS AND FINANCIAL AID
For information about deadlines, scholarships, and financial policies, navigate HERE.
| Item | Inclusions | Cost |
| Tuition | Tuition (12–18 credits), academic resources, course materials, academic field studies, and official ACM-IAU transcript *School of Record Transcript carries an additional fee | $13,600 |
| Housing & Student Life Fee | Housing, Orientation, 24/7 Emergency Assistance, On-Site Support, Wellness Support *Meal inclusions may be provided by location and housing type | $5,500 |
| Program Fee | On-Site Activities, Study Tours, Pre-Departure Advising, International Insurance, Administrative Costs | $2,500 |
| Total Cost | $21,600 |
| Summer 2026 Program Costs | 3 Weeks/1 Course Sessions B or C | Session A 6 Weeks/2 Courses Session A | Session A 6 Weeks/3 Courses Session A | 8 Week Internship/2 Courses |
| Tuition | $3,515 | $5,990 | $7,322 | $5,990 |
| Housing & Student Life Fee | $1,535 | $2,390 | $2,390 | $3,155 |
| Program Fee | $775 | $1,270 | $1,268 | $1,375 |
| Total Cost | $5,825 | $9,650 | $10,980 | $10,520 |
| Item | Inclusions | Cost |
| Tuition | Tuition (12–18 credits), academic resources, course materials, academic field studies, and official ACM-IAU transcript *School of Record Transcript carries an additional fee | $13,600 |
| Housing & Student Life Fee | Housing, Orientation, 24/7 Emergency Assistance, On-Site Support, Wellness Support *Meal inclusions may be provided by location and housing type | $5,500 |
| Program Fee | On-Site Activities, Study Tours, Pre-Departure Advising, International Insurance, Administrative Costs | $2,500 |
| Total Cost | $21,600 |
What's Included?
Preparation & Arrival Support
• Personal study abroad advising
• Visa application assistance
• Pre-departure resources and orientation
• On-site orientation to your new home
• Arrival day support
Academics
• Tuition
• Academic resources
• Academic study tours
• Textbooks and course materials
• High-quality academic facilities
• Full-time faculty
• IAU transcript sent directly to your home university
• Access to IAU alumni network and fellowship opportunities
Student Life
• Experienced full-time on-site team
• Housing
• Activities, clubs, community engagement activities
• Academic and cultural experiences
• Day and overnight trips
• Collaboration with The American College of the Mediterranean students receiving their international master's degree
Student Health & Wellness
• 24/7 emergency support
• Comprehensive health, wellness, mental health & safety support
• International medical insurance
• Connection to local English-speaking hospitals or medical centers
• Risk management, emergency preparedness, and student well-being aligned with NAFSA and The Forum on Education Abroad's best practices
CALENDAR
Students will be advised when they should make their travel arrangements by the IAU Admissions Team after they are accepted. Students will be expected in person at the IAU center location of their program on the Arrival Day to move into their housing accommodation, and must vacate their accommodation on the program Departure Day.
Students should not make any personal extracurricular travel arrangements before the first week of classes. Field studies and course excursions can be scheduled during weekends and breaks, so IAU recommends not purchasing any tickets or scheduling any travel until after learning of course requirements on-site.
Summer 2026
| Session | Dates | Duration | Course Load |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internship | Monday, May 18 - Saturday, July 11 | 8 weeks | 2 |
| A | Tuesday, May 26 - Saturday, July 11 | 6 weeks | 2 or 3 |
| B | Tuesday, May 26 - Thursday, June 18 | 3 weeks | 1 |
| C | Thursday, June 18 - Saturday, July 11 | 3 weeks | 1 |
Fall 2026
| Early Start Program Arrival | Friday, August 28 |
| Arrival | Friday, September 4 |
| Orientation | Saturday, September 5 - Sunday, September 6 |
| Classes Begin | Monday, September 7 |
| Last Day to Drop/Add/Change a Course Without a "W" | Tuesday, September 15 |
| Required Make-up Class Session | Friday, October 23 |
| Fall Break | Saturday, October 24 - Sunday, November 1 |
| Last Day of Class | Wednesday, December 9 |
| Exam Period | Thursday, December 10 - Friday, December 11 |
| Departure | Sunday, December 13 |
STUDENT LIFE
Center and Student Support
IAU is proud to offer a robust system of support, which culminates in student success while abroad. Before traveling abroad, our Admissions team provides pre-departure resources, including virtual orientations and visa advising. Once on-site, students have access to 24/7 support, on-site orientations, and a team of professionals ready to help them succeed. Learn more about student support on our Student Life page.
Center Activities
The IAU Student Life team coordinates center activities for students every term. Some of these activities include student government opportunities, Spanish language exchange meetups, and the weekly Sports in the City club.
Field Studies and Study Tours
While abroad, students participate in course-related field studies that use Madrid as a classroom, including visits to museums, historical and cultural sites, and local businesses. Students also take part in academic and cultural excursions such as day trips or weekend study tours, cooking classes and wine tastings, language exchanges, and guided walking tours that deepen their understanding of the city and its culture.
Included cultural excursion examples (subject to change and depending on season):
- Weekend in Andalucia
- Day Trip to Segovia
- Day Trip to Toledo
Cultural Trips
IAU offers optional multi-day cultural trips to destinations in Europe and North Africa, organized by IAU staff for an additional fee. Trips vary by term and include round-trip flights, accommodations, ground transportation, some activities, most meals, and 24/7 staff support. Students must register and pay a nonrefundable deposit before the term begins, with the remaining balance due prior to departure.
