Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Study in Madrid

Many students from all over the world wonder what makes studying abroad in Madrid so special.

If you’re not familiar with Spanish cities and culture, then you may be confused as to why there are so many international students applying to study in Madrid, but we're here to tell you that there are countless reasons to study abroad in this diverse, vibrant city.

Here are just 10 of our top reasons why you should take your studies to Madrid, the capital of Spain!

1. Quality education

One of the most significant benefits of studying in Madrid is that the qualifications of most Spain-based schools are recognized worldwide. Educational institutions here, such as the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, have a worldwide reputation in excellence as far as education and training is concerned.

In fact, Madrid offers some of the world’s best training in research, technology, and innovation. The education here is subject to continuous grading and scrutiny by the government, professional bodies as well as other stakeholders. This scrutiny helps in maintaining and improving the already high standards of Madrid’s education system.

You should also know that several universities in Madrid have ISO certification that guarantees the quality of education that they provide. These are also recognized worldwide. In fact, Autónoma ranks among the top universities in Spain, Europe and beyond.

So generally, studying in Madrid will give you a quality education that puts you on the path for establishing a successful career - both locally and internationally.

2. Cultural diversity

As people from all over the world come together to study in Madrid, you’re exposed to not just one culture, but many others as well. The culturally diverse nature of Madrid lets people from different countries all over the world meet and interact.

A study from 2012 showed that over 10,000 international students studied in Madrid during that period. Can you imagine how many there are now? The point is, studying in Madrid allows you to meet people of diverse origins and cultures. You can easily network, make valuable connections and establish lasting friendships with people from all parts of the world.

Besides, Madrid’s geographical location and infrastructure also lets you travel to other cities and countries in Europe. If you're a globetrotter, this is reason enough to want to study in Madrid.

Remember, getting to experience and learn about other cultures can be a significant boost to your knowledge. This is especially true if you plan to establish a successful international career in the future.

3. Interesting lifestyle

Apart from cultural diversity, living and studying in Madrid is also very interesting. From the sunny weather, cultural events and recreational facilities to art galleries and famous museums, Madrid has something for everyone.

After all, the city is one of the most popular destinations in Spain and Europe in general. Those who study here have access to the famous Prado Reina museum and Thyssen gallery. These offer cheap entry fees and occasional discounts to students.

Once you land here, you will love the charm, history, diversity, and beauty of this city.

4. Flexible education system

Universities and colleges in Madrid offer a wide range of subjects for different levels of study. Plus, there’s flexibility in how you’d like to complete your studies.

In Madrid, you don’t have to study full-time. You can choose to combine internships or part-time jobs with academic study. Selecting this option allows you to have a real-life work experience that may come handy in understanding both the course and future career placements.

Please note, if you’re not from an EU country, you’ll need a relevant work permit to work in Madrid - unless the work is an internship for your course.

5. Opportunities to learn Spanish

Spanish is one of the world’s most spoken languages, with roughly 469 million speakers. It is also widely recognized as an official language in many countries. Therefore, studying in Madrid will help you learn Spanish and improve your language skills, as well as give you an edge in the international market.

Besides, once you learn Spanish, learning other Romance languages, like French, Portuguese and Italian, becomes much easier.

Keep in mind that, in Madrid, you can choose to study in Spanish or English, depending on your preference and interests. There are so many programs in English to choose from.

6. Affordable cost of living

For most international students, the cost of studying and living abroad is usually a major concern.   

Luckily, Madrid is much more affordable compared to other cities when it comes to studying abroad. Taking an undergraduate course in Madrid is way cheaper than taking the same course in London or many other famous cities. 

A Bachelor's degree in Madrid will cost you anywhere between €400 to €2,000 per year. The cost of an MBA ranges from €800 to €3,000 per year. 

For those of you coming from outside the EU, you may have to pay more. If you’re repeating a subject, you may also have to pay more. Although the variance is still reasonable compared to what you might have to pay in other expensive cities.

Also, most institutions here offer scholarships that, if you’re lucky enough to get, can significantly reduce the cost.

As for the cost of living, Madrid is considerably less expensive than other cities in developed countries, and has been ranked as one of the world's most affordable cities for young people. The standard of living is also high. So, you don’t really have to worry about expenses when studying in Madrid.

The best part is that you can work up to 15 hours a week part-time during your studies. If you have a relevant work permit, you can even work full-time during semester breaks. This way, you can easily support yourself while gaining a quality education in Madrid.

7. Business and employment opportunities

Often, international students studying abroad expect some common outcomes from their study. You hope to get a great job in the best company or establish a successful business venture.

Madrid offers you an excellent opportunity to study and gain the requisite knowledge for a successful career path thanks to programs that are tailored to meet the needs and requirements of various industries.  

The city is also a buzzing center for business and commerce and one of Europe’s major financial hubs. And with a well-developed infrastructure, foreign investors and developers keep coming to establish their businesses in Madrid, creating numerous opportunities for entrepreneurship and job opportunities, especially if you speak Spanish.

8. Local sports

The people of Madrid love sports. The city is practically the epicenter of football in Spain, and you can see this from its football teams: Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid. These are among the top football teams of Spain as they feature prominently in La Liga. They also do well in the Champion’s League.

Generally, sports are taken seriously and are successful in Madrid. And it’s not just about football, but many other sports as well such as netball and volleyball. So if you have a keen interest to study as well as partake in sports, Madrid is the place for you. All universities here have state of the art sports facilities at your disposal.

9. Transportation

Another reason to study abroad in Madrid is the transportation system. When living in a foreign city or country, you want to be able to do things and move around as efficiently as possible. Madrid allows you to do all of this.

The zero-mile marker located at the heart of this city is the hub of all Spanish roads. The Puerto del Sol marker allows you to travel to any area you want with great ease.

Apart from the highways, Madrid is also linked with a well-developed railway system that allows you to travel to other cities as smoothly as possible. You can decide to travel to Barcelona in less than three hours and get to experience the rich Spanish culture in its authentic form. You can even choose to go down to Valencia and get to experience the beautiful coastal weather and scenery.

To fly out of the city or country, there are several airports in Madrid that you can use. A lot of these offer low-cost direct flights to and from the city. 

So, as you can see, transportation won't be a problem if you study in Madrid. 

10. Support for international students

When considering studying abroad, it is crucial to know how well you’ll be treated as well as the security of foreigners in that region.

In the case of Madrid, international students are given every kind of support - from visa help to opportunities to make friends. The city provides well-resourced, and quality assured specialized services to help address the needs and concerns of international students.

Some of these services are: 

• Language tuition 
• Designated student advisers
• On arrival reception
• Application and visa-processing assistance
• Health and counseling
• Accommodation and employment 

Apart from this, the people of Madrid are the friendliest you will ever get to meet. Their warm and kind hearts will make you feel welcome and secure when studying and living in Madrid.

These are the most significant benefits of studying in Madrid that can give your professional career a great start. Compare Bachelor's degrees or even MBA programs in Madrid with other cities and countries and, I assure you, the difference will be too great to ignore!

About the Author

Javier Arranz is half Spanish, half American and 100% International. Having lived in several different countries including the United States, Spain, France, England, and Germany, Javier has acquired a passion for living and studying abroad. Through his website, SpainExchange.com, he seeks to bring students to share in the incredible experience of living and studying in a foreign country as fun and exciting as Spain.