About the university
Complutense is Spain's most historic university. It traces its roots to a general school founded in Alcalá de Henares in 1293, grew into the Universitas Complutensis in the late 15th century, and moved to Madrid in 1836. For long periods it was simply 'the' university of the Spanish capital, and its alumni include Nobel laureates, prime ministers and many of the country's leading writers, scientists and judges.
Today it is a very large public university with faculties across two campuses. Its strengths are law, medicine and health sciences, economics and business, political science, psychology, physics and chemistry, and the humanities. The main Moncloa campus is a leafy university city in north-west Madrid, next to the Spanish prime minister's residence.
For Indian students the appeal is a respected public degree at a moderate price in a capital city. Under Madrid's rules, non-EU students without Spanish residence pay a higher per-credit price than locals, but a year still costs roughly €6,800–€7,700 for a bachelor's or about €5,000 for most master's, far less than private universities.
Language is the main limit. Most teaching is in Spanish. UCM runs English-taught groups in some bachelor's degrees, notably Business Administration and Economics at the Somosaguas faculty, and a small number of master's in English. If you are open to learning Spanish to B2 level, the full range of programmes becomes available.
- Founded
- 1293 in Alcalá de Henares; moved to Madrid in 1836
- Type
- Public research university, one of the largest in Europe
- Students
- About 58,000 in THE 2027 data (UCM itself cites over 86,000 including all programme types)
- International students
- About 16% (THE 2027 data)
- Student–staff ratio
- 10.1 to 1 (THE 2027 data)
- Campuses
- Moncloa (Ciudad Universitaria) in north-west Madrid and Somosaguas (economics, business, politics, psychology)
- Main intake
- September
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
199 in the world
THE World University Rankings 2027
401–450 in the world
Popular courses with Indian students
- Undergraduate
Bachelor's in Business Administration and Management (ADE), English-taught group
- Fee / year
- €6,823
- Duration
- 4 years (240 ECTS)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- B2 English for the English-taught group (check the faculty's language requirements)
- Undergraduate
Bachelor's in Economics, English-taught group
- Fee / year
- €6,823
- Duration
- 4 years (240 ECTS)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- B2 English for the English-taught group (check the faculty's language requirements)
- Undergraduate
Double Bachelor's in Economics and International Relations (Economics part in English)
- Fee / year
- €6,823
- Duration
- 5 years
- Intakes
- September
- English
- B2 English for the English-taught group (check the faculty's language requirements)
- Undergraduate
Double Bachelor's in Law and Business Administration (ADE part in English)
- Fee / year
- €6,823
- Duration
- 6 years
- Intakes
- September
- English
- B2 English for the ADE part; law is taught in Spanish
- Undergraduate
International double degree in Business Administration, UCM and HWR Berlin
- Fee / year
- €6,823
- Duration
- 4 years (split between Madrid and Berlin)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- B2 English for the English-taught group (check the faculty's language requirements)
- Undergraduate
International double degree in Economics, UCM and Panthéon-Sorbonne
- Fee / year
- €6,823
- Duration
- 4 years (split between Madrid and Paris)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- Check the programme page (English, Spanish and French are used)
- Postgraduate
Master's in English Linguistics: New Applications and International Communication
- Fee / year
- €5,044
- Duration
- 1 year (60 ECTS)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- Taught in English; high English level expected (check the course page)
- Postgraduate
Master's in Immunology Research
- Fee / year
- €5,044
- Duration
- 1 year (60 ECTS)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- Check the course page
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (EUR) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's in Business Administration and Management (ADE), English-taught group | 4 years (240 ECTS) | €6,823 | ≈ ₹7.2 lakh |
| Bachelor's in Economics, English-taught group | 4 years (240 ECTS) | €6,823 | ≈ ₹7.2 lakh |
| Double Bachelor's in Economics and International Relations (Economics part in English) | 5 years | €6,823 | ≈ ₹7.2 lakh |
| Double Bachelor's in Law and Business Administration (ADE part in English) | 6 years | €6,823 | ≈ ₹7.2 lakh |
| International double degree in Business Administration, UCM and HWR Berlin | 4 years (split between Madrid and Berlin) | €6,823 | ≈ ₹7.2 lakh |
| International double degree in Economics, UCM and Panthéon-Sorbonne | 4 years (split between Madrid and Paris) | €6,823 | ≈ ₹7.2 lakh |
| Master's in English Linguistics: New Applications and International Communication | 1 year (60 ECTS) | €5,044 | ≈ ₹5.3 lakh |
| Master's in Immunology Research | 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 Complutense University of Madrid with similar universities in Spain.
Scholarships
- Erasmus Mundus master's with UCM as a partner
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's scholarships
Value: Full scholarship covering participation costs plus a monthly allowance
Eligibility: Apply to each Erasmus Mundus programme directly by its deadline (often January–February).
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Enrolled students
UCM and Santander mobility and study grants
Value: Varies by call
Eligibility: Calls are published each year and are mostly for enrolled students; many are limited to residents. Check UCM's grants pages after enrolment.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Class 12 completed. Indian school qualifications must be homologated (recognised as equal to the Spanish Bachillerato) by the Spanish Ministry of Education.
- Most non-EU applicants also take UNEDasiss accreditation and specific subject tests (PCE) to compete for places; your grade decides admission in many degrees.
- Apply through Madrid's public university pre-registration (preinscripción), usually in June–July for September entry.
- English-taught groups have their own language requirement, usually B2 English.
Postgraduate
- A bachelor's degree allowing master's study in India; UCM checks non-European degrees on application.
- Apply through UCM's master's pre-registration in the published phases, usually from spring to early summer.
- Each master's sets its own criteria (grades, subject background, CV, language level).
- After acceptance, enrol and pay; non-EU students then apply for a Spanish student visa.
Documents
- Passport
- Class 10 and 12 mark sheets (bachelor's) or degree certificate and transcripts (master's), apostilled and translated into Spanish where required
- Homologation resolution or UNEDasiss accreditation for bachelor's applicants
- English or Spanish language certificate at the level the programme asks for
- 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 bachelor's groups | Usually B2 English (for example IELTS or TOEFL); check the faculty's requirements document. |
| English-taught master's | Set by each programme; usually B2–C1. |
| Spanish-taught programmes | B2 Spanish (DELE or SIELE) is the usual expectation. |
Accommodation and living costs
UCM has several Colegios Mayores (traditional halls of residence, many with meals) on the Moncloa campus, with limited places. Most international students rent rooms in shared flats. The figures below are our estimates for Madrid based on market data, not UCM prices.
| Item | In EUR | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Room in a shared flat, MadridOur estimate; central districts cost more | €500–850per month | ≈ ₹53,000 – ₹90,100 |
| Colegio Mayor or private student residenceMany include meals and cleaning | €800–1,500per month | ≈ ₹84,800 – ₹1.6 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 | €10per month | ≈ ₹1,060 |
| Private health insuranceNeeded for the student visa | €35–60per month | ≈ ₹3,710 – ₹6,360 |
Campus and location
Madrid is Spain's capital and largest city, with excellent public transport, a lower cost of living than many Western European capitals and a growing tech, finance and consulting job market.
- Moncloa campus (Ciudad Universitaria) in north-west Madrid hosts most faculties, sports facilities and Colegios Mayores.
- Somosaguas campus, in Pozuelo de Alarcón just west of the city, hosts economics and business, political science and psychology.
- Both campuses are linked to central Madrid by metro, light rail and buses.
- The university has its own botanical garden, hospital links (Hospital Clínico San Carlos) and large libraries.
- Students in higher education in Spain can work up to 30 hours a week alongside their studies.
Careers and graduate outcomes
UCM does not publish separate outcomes for international students. Madrid is Spain's centre for finance, consulting and corporate headquarters, but most jobs expect working Spanish. Graduates can apply for a residence permit of up to 24 months to look for work or start a business.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's tuition for non-EU students (60 credits, 2026–27) | About €6,820–€7,710 a year | UCM bachelor's prices 2026–27 |
| Master's tuition for non-EU students (60 credits, 2026–27) | About €5,040 for most programmes | UCM master's prices 2026–27 |
| 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
How much does Complutense cost for Indian students?
In 2026–27 non-EU students without Spanish residence pay the '4th enrolment' credit price for bachelor's degrees: €113.71–€136.44 per credit depending on the subject, so roughly €6,800–€8,200 for a 60-credit year. Most master's cost €84.07 per credit, about €5,040 a year.
Can I study at Complutense in English?
Partly. Business Administration and Economics have English-taught groups, and a few master's are in English. Most other programmes are in Spanish.
Does my student visa count as residence for the lower fee?
No. Madrid's fee rules say a study authorisation does not count as residence, so you pay the higher non-resident price.
Do I need homologation for a bachelor's?
Yes. Your Class 12 must be recognised by the Spanish Ministry of Education, and most applicants also go through UNEDasiss to get an admission grade.
Is Complutense well ranked?
It is 199th in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and in the 401–450 band of the THE World University Rankings 2027.
Sources
- UCM: master's prices 2026–27 (opens in a new tab)
- UCM: bachelor's prices 2026–27 (opens in a new tab)
- UCM: master's programmes in English (opens in a new tab)
- UCM Faculty of Economics and Business: studying in English (opens in a new tab)
- UCM: Bachelor's in Economics (opens in a new tab)
- THE World University Rankings 2027: Complutense University of Madrid (opens in a new tab)
- QS World University Rankings 2027 (opens in a new tab)
- UNEDasiss: access to Spanish universities for international students (opens in a new tab)
- Consorcio Regional de Transportes de Madrid: fares (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.ucm.es/english (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details