SEMESTER/YEAR
UC3M English Semester Program

Program Overview
The Madrid UC3M Program offers KSAS and WSE students a unique opportunity of living in the vibrant and cosmopolitan city of Madrid while taking courses in English at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M). This program combines academic rigor, cultural immersion, and practical experiences to introduce students to the richness and diversity of Spain.
REQUIREMENTS
- No Spanish language background required.
- 3.0 term GPA.
Academic Offering
JHU Madrid’s partner university, UC3M, offers a wide range of bachelor’s degrees and direct enrollment courses in English in different disciplines, from Social Sciences and Humanities to STEM classes. The direct enrollment option allows students to integrate into the Spanish public education system and meet Spaniards and other international students. Engineering students can combine courses in English with Spanish if they meet the language requirement.
All students are required to take a Spanish language class during the semester along with a culture and history class titled Reflections on Contemporary Spain. If a student is eligible and interested in taking any courses taught in Spanish, please refer to the Spanish Program.
Some uc3m direct-enrollment engineering courses have already been pre-approved by Hopkins BME academic department. If a student is interested in other courses that are not on the pre-approved list, please consult with your advisor to make sure that the class will count toward your major/ minor. All students are required to get course approval from their advisors at Homewood and submit a list of pre-approved courses as part of the application process.
BME
Fall:
- Transport Phenomena in Biomedical Engineering
- Computational Biology
- Robotics
- Introduction to Biomedical Image
- Medical Instrumentation and Devices
- Tissue/ Organ Regeneration and Bioengineering
- Biomedical Applications of Nanotechnology
- Biomedical Microdevices
Spring:
- Fundamental of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
- Introduction to Biomaterials
- Introduction to the Design of Medical Instrumentation
- Medical Image Processing
- Advanced Biomaterials, 3D Bioprinting and Micro/Macro Biofabrication
- Advanced Topics in Medical Imaging
- Instrumentation and Multimodality Imaging
- Synthetic Systems Biology
Students from the Whiting School of Engineering in any major can direct enroll in a variety of courses that UC3M offers. This options allows students to integrate into the Spanish public education system and meet Spaniards and other international. The UC3M School of Engineering is located at its Leganés campus.
- Bachelor in Aerospace Engineering
- Bachelor in Applied Mathematics and Computing
- Bachelor in Biomedical Engineering
- Bachelor in Computer Science and Engineering
- Bachelor in Data Science and Engineering
- Bachelor in Electrical Power Engineering
- Bachelor in Energy Engineering
- Bachelor in Engineering Physics
- Bachelor in Industrial Electronics and Automation Engineering
- Bachelor in Industrial Technologies Engineering
- Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering
- Bachelor in Mobile and Space Communications Engineering
- Bachelor in Robotics Engineering
- Bachelor in Sound and Image Engineering
- Bachelor in Telecommunication Technologies Engineering
- Bachelor in Telematics Engineering
Language Key:
Course offered in English only
Course offered in Spanish only
Course divided into two groups: Spanish or English
- Bachelor in Business Administration
- Bachelor in Economics
- Bachelor in Film, Television and Media Studies
- Bachelor in Finance and Accounting
- Bachelor in History and Politics
- Bachelor in International Studies
- Bachelor in Journalism
- Bachelor in Management and Technology
- Bachelor in Philosophy, Politics and Economics Bachelor in Cultural Studies
Language Key:
Course offered in English only
Course offered in Spanish only
Course divided into two groups: Spanish or English
Students will be able to take coursework at the UC3M International School under the English track. These courses are designed for a consortium of study abroad programs of US universities that collaborate with Carlos III International School.
For more information about the course offering, please click here.
Courses offered in both Fall and Spring semesters:
- Latin America in a Post-colonial perspective, and its relationship with Spain
- Cervantes and his World: Exemplary Novels
- Spain in Progress, Spanish Society Today
- Spain and the European Union: Political and economic issues
- Cultural Studies: Spanish culture/s from 1940 to the present
- The Sociology of Migrations: The context of Spain and the European Union
- Spanish Language: Basic Level 1
- Spanish Language. Basic Level 2
- Spanish Art Masters in Madrid Museums
- Gender Perspectives in the Contemporary European and Spanish Literature
The course “Reflections on Contemporary Spain” combines the information learned during program field trips and activities, mandatory readings, and the student’s personal experience and own reflections on the history and traditions of Spain, and its contemporary culture and society. The student’s thoughts and experiences are articulated in a journal that is submitted during the semester in three different entries. The final grade of this course is based on the journal efforts, the results in the intensive language course in Salamanca/ Cuenca and the student’s attendance and participation in all the program activities.
The grade for this course will factor into the Hopkins GPA and appear on the JHU
Visit the Intensive Language and Culture Course section of our website for more information.
Grades
Grades for the language course at UC3M and the Reflections on Contemporary Spain course will be factored into the Hopkins GPA. Grades for all other courses will be taken S/U. In order to receive transfer credit towards a Hopkins degree, students must obtain a final grade equivalent to a C or better.
Intensive Spanish Language & Culture Course
For more information about the Intensive Spanish Language & Culture Program and the JHU course “Reflections on Contemporary Spain” (HA.215.334) please click here

Housing: Full Room & Board
Students have the opportunity to live with a Spanish family during their stay in Madrid. Engaging with the family is a fundamental part of the experience and allows students to immerse themselves into the culture. All homes are located in the center of Madrid, close to public transport to reach both Getafe and Leganés campuses.
All meals are included. From Monday to Thursday, families will pack a sack lunch for students to take to campus.
For more information, visit our Homestay Experience section.
Important Dates
Dates are subject to change. MCAT examinations should be taken before date of arrival to Spain.
Fall 2023
- March 1: Deadline to apply
- August 13: Arrive in Madrid
- August 14-26: Intensive Spanish Language & Culture Course in Salamanca
- September 4: First day of classes at UC3M
- TBD: Last day of classes for Hispanic Studies courses
- TBD: Last day of classes for direct enrollment courses
- TBD: Exam week for Hispanic Studies courses
- TBD: Exam week for direct enrollment courses
- December 22: Return to the U.S.
Spring 2024
- October 1: Deadline to apply
- January 7: Arrive in Madrid
- January 8-19: Intensive Spanish Language & Culture Course in Cuenca
- January 29: First day of classes at UC3M
- TBD: Last day of classes for Hispanic Studies courses
- TBD: Last day of classes for direct enrollment courses
- TBD: Exam week for Hispanic Studies courses
- TBD: Exam week for direct enrollment courses
- June 1: Return to the U.S.
Student Testimonials
Hear what past JHU Madrid have said about the program! Check out the testimonial section of our website.
If you are a past student and would like to become a Student Ambassador at the Homewood Campus, reach out to us at jhumadrid@jhu.edu.
Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @jhumadrid for more student perspectives.