The Universidad Politécnica de Madrid is one of Spain's largest technical universities, with about 36,000 students, 15 engineering and architecture schools, a sports science faculty and an affiliated fashion design centre. Bachelor's degrees are taught in Spanish, with only individual courses offered in English, so B2 Spanish is required at the application stage. International school leavers from outside the EU follow one route: recognition of the school certificate, a UNEDasiss accreditation with PCE subject exams and the Madrid public universities' summer admission. For non-EU students without Spanish residence, most engineering degrees cost $8,760 (€7,714.20) per 60-credit year in 2026/27.
| At a glance | Details |
|---|---|
| Status | public technical university, founded in 1971 by merging Madrid's higher technical schools |
| Size | about 36,000 students, 15 schools, 1 faculty and 1 affiliated centre |
| Bachelor's teaching language | Spanish; a catalogue of individual courses in English |
| Spanish for admission | B2 with a certificate recognised by ACLES |
| Bachelor's, 2026/27, non-EU without residence | $7,750–9,300 (€6,822.60–8,186.40) per 60 credits; most degrees $8,760 (€7,714.20) |
| Master's, 2026/27, non-EU | $5,730 (€5,044.20) per 60 credits; profession-qualifying master's $10,550 (€9,288) |
| Bachelor's admission | Madrid single district: applications in June, foreign school systems until early July |
| Rankings | Shanghai ARWU 2026: 501–600 band (UPM announcement of 09.09.2026) |
Who UPM is for, and when to look elsewhere
UPM suits applicants who want an engineering or architecture career in Spain and are ready to study in Spanish from day one. Its schools are specialised: aerospace, industrial, civil, mining, forestry and naval engineering, architecture, telecommunications and computer science. Many bachelor's degrees lead to Spain's regulated "technical engineer" profession, while the full engineer or architect qualification also requires the matching master's degree.
Consider other options if:
- You need an English-taught bachelor's. UPM has none. In Madrid, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid offers engineering fully in English. In Barcelona, the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya is much cheaper, though it also teaches mainly in Catalan and Spanish.
- Your budget is tight. Madrid charges non-EU students the "fourth enrolment" rate. Public bachelor's degrees in Catalonia, Valencia and Andalusia cost such students several times less; compare the Universitat Politècnica de València.
- Your school average is modest and you will not sit PCE exams. Aerospace, biomedical and industrial engineering required more than 12 out of 14 in 2026/27.
The overview of universities in Madrid compares UPM with the rest of the city, and our guide to studying in Spain covers the route from choosing a university to the visa.
UPM schools and 2026/27 cut-off scores
| School | Main degrees | Cut-off score, main group, 2026/27 (out of 14) |
|---|---|---|
| ETSI Aeronáutica y del Espacio | Aerospace Engineering, Aerospace Technologies, Air Transport Management | 12.432 (Aerospace Engineering); 11.389 (Air Transport) |
| ETSI Industriales | Industrial Technologies, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Organisation | 12.261 (Industrial Technologies) |
| ETSI de Telecomunicación | Telecommunication Technologies, Biomedical Engineering, Data Systems | 9.794 (Telecommunications); 12.588 (Biomedical Engineering) |
| ETSI Informáticos | Computer Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science, Data Science and AI | 9.994 (Computer Engineering); 11.610 (Data Science and AI) |
| ETS de Arquitectura (ETSAM) | Fundamentals of Architecture; bachelor's plus architect's master pathway | 10.800 (Fundamentals of Architecture) |
| ETSI Agronómica, Alimentaria y de Biosistemas | Biotechnology, agricultural and food engineering | 12.623 (Biotechnology); 5.848 (Agri-environmental Engineering) |
| ETS de Ingeniería y Diseño Industrial | Industrial Design, Electrical, Electronic, Mechanical Engineering | 12.216 (Industrial Design) |
| Other schools | Civil Engineering, Mining and Energy, Forestry, Naval Engineering, Geomatics, Computer Systems, Telecommunication Systems, Building Engineering | roughly 5.6 to 11.9 depending on the degree |
| INEF faculty and CSDMM centre | Sport Sciences; Fashion Design | extra entrance tests required |
A cut-off is the score of the last person admitted in the previous cycle, not a fixed threshold, but it shows where competition is fierce. A cut-off of 5 means every applicant in that round got a place.
UPM also offers sequential programmes (Programa Académico con Recorrido Sucesivo): you choose a bachelor's plus master's pathway in one application, leading to the architect, aeronautical, telecommunications or computer engineer qualification. Their cut-offs are higher than for the bachelor's alone.
Teaching language and English options
All official UPM bachelor's degrees are taught in Spanish. The university publishes a catalogue of English-taught courses by school, including programming, distributed systems, machine learning, composite materials and numerical simulation. Students can take them, but they do not add up to a full English-taught degree. English is more common at master's level, for example the new Master in Advanced Motorsport Engineering (MIAM-UPM, 90 ECTS, starting October 2026).
Madrid's six public universities share the same Spanish rule: nationals of non-Spanish-speaking countries who did not finish school in Spanish must prove B2. UPM accepts certificates from bodies recognised by ACLES (the association of university language centres), such as DELE, SIELE and exams run by the UPM Language Centre. See our guide to DELE and SIELE.
How to apply for a bachelor's after a non-EU school certificate
UPM has no early admission scheme for international applicants: all bachelor's places go through the Community of Madrid's general admission.
- Recognition of your school certificate. Apply to Spain's Ministry of Education for recognition as equivalent to the Bachillerato. The proof of application (volante) can be attached while the decision is pending.
- UNEDasiss accreditation. UNEDasiss, the service of Spain's distance university UNED, converts foreign school results to the Spanish scale. Applicants from countries without an agreement with Spain confirm a Bachillerato track through PCE exams.
- PCE subject exams. Engineering degrees usually weight mathematics, physics and chemistry or technical drawing; each degree's weights are listed in UPM's 2026/27 weighting table.
- B2 Spanish. Shown in the UNEDasiss accreditation or through an ACLES-recognised certificate.
- Madrid single-district application. One form, up to 12 degrees at six public universities in order of preference.
- Admission letter and enrolment. UPM issues admission letters in July and September, after which you register for courses in the assigned window.
Sport Sciences (INEF) requires physical tests, and Fashion Design at CSDMM has its own specific entrance test; UPM publishes their dates.
Our guides to applying to Spanish universities and bachelor's degrees in Spain cover recognition and UNEDasiss in detail.
Application calendar, based on 2026/27
The Community of Madrid confirms the calendar every year. In the 2026/27 cycle:
| Step | 2026/27 dates |
|---|---|
| General admission applications | 5–26 June 2026 |
| Applicants with foreign school certificates | extra time until 6 July 2026 |
| Extraordinary round for vacancies | 20–24 July 2026 |
| UPM admission letters | July and September |
| Waiting lists | separate UPM schedule for 2026 |
If you do not hold a UNEDasiss accreditation with PCE results by July, the main round takes place without you. Plan the exams for the spring of your final school year, not the autumn. Apply for the student visa no later than two months before classes, right after admission.
Tuition fees in 2026/27
Prices at all Madrid public universities follow Decreto 43/2022. Foreign students over 18 without resident status, other than EU nationals, pay the fourth-enrolment rate for bachelor's courses. A student stay permit does not count as residence.
| Degree level, 2026/27 | UPM degrees | Non-EU per credit | Non-EU per 60 credits | EU per 60 credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 2 | almost all engineering degrees and architecture | $150 (€128.57) | $8,760 (€7,714.20) | $1,320 (€1,165.80) |
| Level 1 | Biotechnology, Sport Sciences, Biomedical Engineering | $150 (€136.44) | $9,300 (€8,186.40) | $1,410 (€1,240.80) |
| Level 3 | Business Administration, Mathematics, Mathematics and Computer Science, Fashion Design | $130 (€113.71) | $7,750 (€6,822.60) | $1,150 (€1,015.20) |
New students also pay $39 (€34.77) for file opening, administration and school insurance. No year can cost less than $400 (€350). Bachelor's degrees last four years (architecture longer), so at the level 2 rate tuition alone comes to $35,040 (€30,856.80) over four years.
See the cost of studying in Spain for regional price differences and how to pay for studies abroad from Russia for legal payment routes.
Master's degrees: two price categories
UPM has around 100 accredited master's degrees. The non-EU price depends on whether the programme qualifies you for a regulated profession.
| Master's type, 2026/27 | Non-EU per credit | Non-EU per 60 credits | EU per 60 credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Profession-qualifying or equivalent (Annex I): industrial engineer, telecommunications engineer, architect and similar | $180 (€154.80) | $10,550 (€9,288) | $1,320 (€1,165.80) |
| Teacher training | $140 (€126) | $8,580 (€7,560) | $1,150 (€1,015.20) |
| Other master's (Annex II) | $95 (€84.07) | $5,730 (€5,044.20) | $3,070 (€2,701.20) |
Profession-qualifying master's usually expect a matching Spanish bachelor's or a recognised equivalent, so check each programme's entry rules. Our guide to master's degrees in Spain covers programme choice.
Housing
UPM runs one hall of residence itself, the Residencia Universitaria Gómez Pardo: 115 single en-suite rooms in the Chamberí district, next to the Mining and Energy School and close to the Industrial Engineering School. Other options are private colegios mayores in the Ciudad Universitaria and rented rooms. The Lucas Olazábal residence in the Guadarrama mountains is a training centre for residential courses, not student housing.
UPM schools are spread across Madrid: the Ciudad Universitaria (Moncloa), central districts, the South Campus and Montegancedo outside the city. Choose housing by school, because crossing Madrid can take over an hour. See our guide to student housing in Spain.
Visa, work and proof of funds
Studies over 90 days require a national student visa. The Spanish consulate in Moscow accepts applications through BLS visa centres and expects funds of $680 (€600) per month (100% of IPREM), health insurance and, for adults staying over 180 days, an apostilled criminal record certificate. Details are in the Spain student visa guide. The student permit allows up to 30 hours of work a week, though first-year engineering timetables rarely leave that much time.
Common mistakes
- Expecting an English-taught bachelor's. There is none, and B2 Spanish is checked when you apply.
- Choosing PCE subjects without the weighting table. Aerospace engineering and architecture reward different subjects; a poor choice can cost up to 4 of 14 points.
- Confusing UPM with UC3M. Both are strong in engineering, but only UC3M has English-taught degrees and an early admission scheme.
- Budgeting at the EU price. The $1,320 (€1,165.80) base price applies to EU citizens and residents; on a student visa you pay $8,760 (€7,714.20).
- Waiting for recognition before applying. Attach the proof of your recognition application; admission deadlines do not move for pending Ministry decisions.
Plan for the 2027/28 cycle
- Autumn 2026: shortlist 3–5 UPM degrees plus back-ups in other regions; start recognition of your school certificate.
- Winter 2026/27: register with UNEDasiss, pick PCE subjects from the weighting table, book a B2 Spanish exam.
- Spring 2027: take the PCE and the language exam; prepare documents.
- June to early July 2027: apply through the Madrid single district.
- July 2027: admission letter, course registration, then visa documents.
- September 2027: arrival and the TIE foreigner card within a month.
Personal shortlisting, document review and application support are provided under an agreement with StudyU. UPM admits students through the Madrid admission process, the Spanish Ministry of Education decides on certificate recognition and the consulate decides on visas.
FAQ
Does UPM offer bachelor's degrees in English?
No. All official UPM bachelor's degrees are taught in Spanish, with a catalogue of individual English-taught courses. Some master's programmes, however, are taught fully in English.
What level of Spanish do I need for UPM?
B2, if you are a national of a non-Spanish-speaking country and did not finish school in Spanish. It is shown in the UNEDasiss accreditation or through an ACLES-recognised certificate such as DELE or SIELE.
How much does a year at UPM cost for a non-EU student?
In 2026/27 most engineering degrees cost $8,760 (€7,714.20) per 60 credits, Biotechnology and Biomedical Engineering $9,300 (€8,186.40), and Mathematics or Business $7,750 (€6,822.60), plus about $39 (€34.77) in first-year fees.
Can I get into UPM without PCE exams?
Without a UNEDasiss accreditation, a non-EU school leaver can only join the July extraordinary round for leftover places. Popular degrees with cut-offs above 12 are out of reach without PCE results.
How does UPM differ from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid?
UPM is a purely technical university with 15 engineering and architecture schools teaching in Spanish. UC3M covers more fields, offers engineering fully in English and runs its own early admission. Tuition is the same because the Madrid region sets it.
Does UPM have student accommodation?
It runs one hall, Gómez Pardo in Chamberí, with 115 single rooms. Most students live in private colegios mayores in the Ciudad Universitaria or rent rooms, so start looking right after admission.
Sources
- UPM: bachelor's access and admission — Madrid single district, calendar, cut-offs, INEF and CSDMM tests; checked 30.09.2026
- UPM: cut-off scores 2026/27 (PDF) — checked 30.09.2026
- UPM: B2 Spanish requirement for foreign qualifications (PDF) — checked 30.09.2026
- UPM: bachelor's fees 2026/27 (PDF) and master's fees 2026/27 (PDF) — Decreto 43/2022, degree levels, non-EU rates, fees; checked 30.09.2026
- UPM: catalogue of English-taught courses (PDF) — checked 30.09.2026
- UPM, Campus of Opportunities (PDF) — students, schools, programmes, campuses; checked 30.09.2026
- UPM: history and Gómez Pardo residence — checked 30.09.2026
- UPM news: ARWU 2026, MIAM-UPM — checked 30.09.2026
- UC3M: Madrid single-district dates 2026/27 — shared calendar of the six universities; checked 30.09.2026
- Consulate General of Spain, Moscow — student visa documents — checked 30.09.2026
- Royal Decree 1155/2024 (BOE) — 30-hour weekly work limit; checked 30.09.2026
- Conversions to dollars follow the ECB rate published on 29.09.2026: €1 = $1.1355 (ECB)
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Next steps
- Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M): Admission, Fees and Campuses
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- Studying in Spain for international applicants
- Universities in Madrid for International Students: Six Public Universities, Private Options, Fees and Admission
- DELE and SIELE Spanish Exams: 2026–2027 Dates, Fees and the Level You Need to Study in Spain
