About the university
La Autónoma, as it is known in Spain, was created in 1968 as part of a reform that set up new 'autonomous' universities in Madrid and Barcelona. It quickly built a reputation for research and became known for its law, sciences and medicine. Its alumni and staff include Nobel laureate Severo Ochoa, after whom a major molecular biology centre on campus is named.
Most of the university sits on one large campus at Cantoblanco in the north of the Madrid region, with its own train station on the commuter line into the city. The campus also hosts national research institutes run with the Spanish research council (CSIC), which makes UAM especially strong in physics, chemistry, biology and materials science. Medicine is taught at a separate campus next to La Paz university hospital.
UAM regularly ranks among the top three or four Spanish universities and says it is the highest-ranked university in Madrid in the THE rankings. As a public university it is inexpensive by international standards: under Madrid's fee rules, non-EU students pay roughly €6,800–€7,700 a year for a bachelor's and about €5,000 for most master's.
The main challenge for Indian students is language. UAM teaches mostly in Spanish and asks for B2 Spanish for master's study. A limited number of courses are offered in English, so most Indian applicants either target those specific programmes or spend a year reaching B2 Spanish first. We could not load UAM's course pages on our research date, so treat the course list below as a starting point and confirm each one with UAM.
- Founded
- 1968, by a government decree that also created the Autonomous University of Barcelona
- Type
- Public research university
- Students
- About 30,400 (THE 2027 data); UAM cites more than 30,000 across bachelor's, master's and PhD
- International students
- About 14% (THE 2027 data), plus about 3,500 exchange students a year
- Student–staff ratio
- 13.5 to 1 (THE 2027 data)
- Campuses
- Cantoblanco, about 15 km north of central Madrid, and the Medicine campus next to La Paz hospital
- Main intake
- September
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
226 in the world
THE World University Rankings 2027
351–375 in the world
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
Master's in Theoretical Physics
- Fee / year
- €5,044
- Duration
- 1 year (60 ECTS)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- Taught in English; confirm the required level with UAM
- Undergraduate
Bachelor's in Business Administration and Management
- Fee / year
- €6,823
- Duration
- 4 years (240 ECTS)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- Taught mainly in Spanish: B2 Spanish expected
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- €6,823
- Duration
- 4 years (240 ECTS)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- Taught mainly in Spanish: B2 Spanish expected
- Undergraduate
Bachelor's in Computer Engineering
- Fee / year
- €7,714
- Duration
- 4 years (240 ECTS)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- Taught mainly in Spanish: B2 Spanish expected
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- €7,714
- Duration
- 4 years (240 ECTS)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- Taught mainly in Spanish: B2 Spanish expected
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €5,044
- Duration
- 1 year (60 ECTS)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- Check the teaching language on UAM's course page
- Postgraduate
Master's in Molecular Biomedicine
- Fee / year
- €5,044
- Duration
- 1 year (60 ECTS)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- Check the teaching language on UAM's course page
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (EUR) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master's in Theoretical Physics | 1 year (60 ECTS) | €5,044 | ≈ ₹5.3 lakh |
| Bachelor's in Business Administration and Management | 4 years (240 ECTS) | €6,823 | ≈ ₹7.2 lakh |
| Bachelor's in Economics | 4 years (240 ECTS) | €6,823 | ≈ ₹7.2 lakh |
| Bachelor's in Computer Engineering | 4 years (240 ECTS) | €7,714 | ≈ ₹8.2 lakh |
| Bachelor's in Biochemistry | 4 years (240 ECTS) | €7,714 | ≈ ₹8.2 lakh |
| Master's in Data Science | 1 year (60 ECTS) | €5,044 | ≈ ₹5.3 lakh |
| Master's in Molecular Biomedicine | 1 year (60 ECTS) | €5,044 | ≈ ₹5.3 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid with similar universities in Spain.
Scholarships
- Erasmus Mundus master's with UAM as a partner
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's scholarships
Value: Full scholarship covering participation costs plus a monthly allowance
Eligibility: Apply to each programme by its deadline (often January–February). Highly competitive.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Bachelor's and master's
UAM grants for enrolled students
Value: Varies by call
Eligibility: UAM publishes calls during the year; many are for residents or for students already enrolled. Check after admission.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Class 12 completed and homologated (recognised as equal to the Spanish Bachillerato) by the Spanish Ministry of Education.
- UNEDasiss accreditation and specific subject tests (PCE) are usually needed to get an admission grade.
- Apply through Madrid's public university pre-registration, usually in June–July for September entry.
- B2 Spanish is the usual expectation for Spanish-taught degrees.
Postgraduate
- A bachelor's degree allowing master's study in India, checked by UAM on application.
- Apply in UAM's master's pre-registration phases (usually spring to early summer). Each master's sets its own criteria.
- UAM asks for B2 Spanish for master's study; English-taught programmes set their own English requirement.
- After acceptance, enrol and pay, then apply for the Spanish student visa.
Documents
- Passport
- Class 10 and 12 mark sheets (bachelor's) or degree certificate and transcripts (master's), apostilled and translated where required
- Homologation resolution or UNEDasiss accreditation for bachelor's applicants
- Spanish (DELE/SIELE) or English certificate, as the programme requires
- CV and motivation letter for master's
- Proof of funds and health insurance for the student visa
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| English-taught courses | B2 English is recommended; each programme sets its own requirement. |
| Spanish-taught courses | B2 Spanish is required for master's study and for the Faculty of Economics and Business; B1 is the general minimum elsewhere, with B2 recommended. |
Accommodation and living costs
UAM has a student residence on the Cantoblanco campus and partner Colegios Mayores; many international students rent in northern Madrid or near the Cantoblanco train line. The figures below are our estimates for Madrid based on market data, not UAM prices.
| Item | In EUR | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Room in a shared flat, MadridOur estimate | €500–850per month | ≈ ₹53,000 – ₹90,100 |
| Campus or private student residenceOften includes bills; some include meals | €700–1,300per month | ≈ ₹74,200 – ₹1.4 lakh |
| Food and groceries | €200–320per month | ≈ ₹21,200 – ₹33,920 |
| Utilities and internet (your share) | €40–90per month | ≈ ₹4,240 – ₹9,540 |
| Public transport (under-26 Abono Joven)€10 for 30 days in the Madrid region in 2026; covers the Cercanías train to Cantoblanco | €10per month | ≈ ₹1,060 |
| Private health insuranceNeeded for the student visa | €35–60per month | ≈ ₹3,710 – ₹6,360 |
Campus and location
UAM's main campus is a self-contained university town north of Madrid, linked to the city centre by commuter train in about 20 minutes.
- Cantoblanco campus covers a very large green site with faculties, libraries, sports facilities, cafeterias, a pharmacy and a languages centre.
- Several CSIC research institutes share the campus, including the Severo Ochoa Molecular Biology Centre and the Institute for Theoretical Physics.
- The Medicine campus is next to La Paz university hospital in northern Madrid.
- Cantoblanco Universidad station on the Cercanías commuter line connects to central Madrid.
- Students in higher education in Spain can work up to 30 hours a week alongside their studies.
Careers and graduate outcomes
UAM says its graduates have high employment rates, but it does not publish figures for international students that we can compare. Madrid's job market is strongest in finance, consulting, tech and research, and most roles expect Spanish. Graduates can apply for a residence permit of up to 24 months to look for work.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's tuition for non-EU students (60 credits, 2026–27) | About €6,820–€7,710 a year | Madrid public price decree (Decreto 43/2022), as published by UCM |
| Master's tuition for non-EU students (60 credits, 2026–27) | About €5,040 for most programmes | Madrid public price decree (Decreto 43/2022), as published by UCM |
| Post-study job-search permit | Up to 24 months | Spanish Ministry of Inclusion |
Studying in Spain
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Spain. Our country guide covers them in detail:
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FAQs
Is UAM a good university?
Yes. It is 226th in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and in the 351–375 band of THE 2027, and is consistently among Spain's top universities, especially in sciences, law and medicine.
Can I study at UAM in English?
Only in a limited number of programmes. Most teaching is in Spanish, and UAM asks for B2 Spanish for master's study. Confirm the teaching language of any course before you apply.
How much are UAM's fees for Indian students?
Under Madrid's 2026–27 rules for non-EU non-residents, a 60-credit bachelor's year costs about €6,820–€8,190 depending on the subject, and most master's cost about €5,040 a year.
Where is the campus?
The main Cantoblanco campus is about 15 km north of central Madrid, with its own commuter-train station. Medicine is at a separate campus next to La Paz hospital.
Do I need to homologate my Class 12?
Yes, for bachelor's entry. Your school qualification must be recognised by the Spanish Ministry of Education, and most applicants also use UNEDasiss to obtain an admission grade.
Sources
- Universidad Autónoma de Madrid: home page (key figures) (opens in a new tab)
- UAM exchange fact sheet 2025–26 (language requirements) (opens in a new tab)
- THE World University Rankings 2027: Autonomous University of Madrid (opens in a new tab)
- QS World University Rankings 2027 (opens in a new tab)
- Complutense University of Madrid: bachelor's prices 2026–27 (Madrid decree for non-residents) (opens in a new tab)
- Complutense University of Madrid: master's prices 2026–27 (Madrid decree for non-residents) (opens in a new tab)
- UNEDasiss: access to Spanish universities for international students (opens in a new tab)
- Spanish Ministry of Inclusion: job-search residence authorisation (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.uam.es/uam/en/inicio (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details