The cosmopolitan capital of Madrid offers endless opportunities for studying abroad! When you're not grabbing a bocadillo de calamares on the go near Plaza Mayor, you might be able to catch a Real Madrid game at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
With the vibrant streets of Madrid as your classroom, you can revel in all the familiar landmarks — the Royal Palace, Gran Via, and Plaza de Cibeles, while taking in the history and culture during your courses.
FIE’s study abroad programs in Spain seize the best of both worlds. With an emphasis on co-curricular activities to ensure you contextualize your academic learning, Spain offers extensive and authentic exposure to the local culture. Our academic partner (Universidad Nebrija) and on the ground partner (ALA) serve as not only as your homebase, but also as your launchpad to adventure (but not just any kind of adventure — the juicy kind that leads to boundless inspiration and profound lifelong lessons).
UNIVERSIDAD NEBRIJA - MADRID
In Madrid, your options for academic immersion can be as custom as you want it to be! Universidad Nebrija is a private and independent university officially accredited by the Spanish Ministry of Education. The University takes its name from the 15th-century humanist who published the first grammar of the Spanish language in 1492. Nebrija is a small, private university (5000 students) with a student-teacher ratio of 10 to 1 ensuring students are given individual attention.
The historic Madrid Princesa Campus is located in the thriving city center, with easy access via metro and bus.
Universidad Nebrija is an ideal setting for students looking for a comfortable, close-knit community, international student atmosphere, and a vibrant social scene in the “university area” of Madrid.
TERMS
Spring Semester
Fall Semester
Summer
academics
Universidad Nebrija has it all. In addition to a variety of English-taught courses, the university has a Hispanic Studies Center exclusively dedicated to the teaching of Spanish Language and Culture. Students with Spanish-language proficiency can also do an internship too.
All students will take FIE's signature "Spanish Life and Cultures Course" (CH3661 – Present-Day Spain: Living in Spain) to connect with others on the program, similar to the Life and Cultures courses offered at FIE London and Dublin.
The Spanish Plus Program – all courses are taught in English and you can combine with Spanish-taught courses – features subjects in the following academic areas:
Business and Management, including International Marketing, Finance, Trade, and Consumer Behavior
International and Intercultural Communication
Liberal Arts, including Psychology, Sports, Art, Architecture, International Relations, and Women’s Studies
Engineering, including Thermodynamics, Physics, Calculus, and Algebra
The Hispanic Studies Program features a robust offering of courses taught in Spanish, including all levels of language and additional academic subjects:
Beginner, Low Intermediate, Intermediate, High Intermediate, and Advanced and Proficient Spanish Language
Students can combine English and Spanish-taught classes.
All courses are subject to minimum enrollment.
*All students who wish to take Spanish-taught courses will take a placement exam upon arrival in Spain to determine their language proficiency
Spanish-speaking internship option
While enjoying your coursework at Nebrija University, you’ll have nothing but "Buen rollo" (good vibes!)and be able to take serious advantage of thecity experience unique to Madrid. Students with upper-intermediate Spanish speaking skills also have the option to undertake an internship with local or national companies and organizations of all sizes.
Internships are available in a variety of industry areas, including:
Business
Finance
Tourism and Hospitality
Communications
Marketing and Public Relations
Music Industry
Others may be possible, let us know what you are looking for!
The internship programs allow students to participate in our regular study abroad programs by adding an internship component, so students gain invaluable experience in an international working place and atmosphere. If you believe you have the necessary language skills to immerse yourself into the fluent local working culture in Spain, please indicate this on your program application.
Nebrija Internship Staff will schedule individual Skype interviews in Spanish with candidates to review your resume, objectives, and interests to find the best placement for you. In cases where your Spanish language level does not reach the minimum required, other options may be explored, but language level is a program requirement.
Internship Orientation, Placement, and Development
All internship students take part in Professional Orientation sessions that will take place on-site in Madrid at the beginning of the program. Detailed information about the Spanish work environment will be given and intercultural issues will be discussed to help students prepare for their internships.
On the first day of the internship, Nebrija Internship staff will accompany each student to their placement.
Students are required to attend internship seminars scheduled for the program as part of the Internship Course.
HOUSING
FIE in Madrid offers two housing options for students to stay in during their study abroad experience.
Homestays are with a local vetted family and are in typical Spanish-style homes within a 60-minute commute of the university. The safety of the housing, location, amenities, ease of use of all included appliances and/or access points, and overall suitable fit for incoming students is carefully selected along with the appropriate background checks.
ELIGIBILITY
Upper-intermediate Spanish required for the internship option
GPA: 2.75
NOTE: Your home institution may require a higher GPA and other prerequisites
If you currently attend an FIE partner institution, contact your study abroad advisor on campus to learn of any additional requirements
If you do not currently attend one of our partner institutions, for any clarifications or to express questions/concerns, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
CREDIT AND TRANSCRIPT INFORMATION
Check with your study abroad advisor for course equivalencies, credit approval, and transcript information on your campus
Based on your campus requirements, you may receive a transcript from your home university or from the host Spanish university
Depending on courses selected and approval on your campus, you will earn:
12-16 credits/semester
6-9 credits/summer
Quarter school students should check with their registrar’s office to determine their credit equivalents