Programas de Intercambio

The UCM is aware that the professional future of students is more dependent every day on their global vision, their ability to adapt to different sociocultural environments, their mastery of other languages and their direct experience in university studies and the ways of life of other countries. For this reason, the UCM participates in numerous international programs, embracing most geographical areas, with special attention to the European Union, Iberoamerica and the United States. The Department of English Studies of the UCM and ISU (Illinois State University) run a program which encourages the interchange among students of both universities. Students from ISU who study in the Programa de Estudios para Extranjeros hold organized meetings with Spanish students from the English Department.

The Complutense University traces its origin to the 13th century (1293), as the "Studium Generale" that King Sancho IV of Castilla founded in a little town on the bank of the river Henares called Complutum by the Romans and Al-kala-en-el-Uhar (nowadays Alcala de Henares) by the Arabs. In the 15th century, Pope Kalixt III established three professorships for Latin Grammar. One of their former students, Francisco Jiménez de Cisneros, Archbishop of Toledo and Cardinal, promoted their growth into a full university. Following his request, Pope Alexander VI executed in 1499 the foundation papal bulls (permission) of the new University giving it the Roman name of its place of origin "Universitas Complutensis". In 1836 it was transferred to Madrid, which, in the meantime, had become the capital of Spain. Finally, the new law of 1970 on the Statutes of Universities gave it the definitive name of "Universidad Complutense de Madrid", in this way rewarding the initiative of its founder Cardinal Cisneros, being integrated by the campus of Moncloa and that of Somosaguas, opened up in 1969, as first extension of the Universidad Complutense. Five years later, and due to the great demand, the Universidad Complutense de Madrid expands again creating a new Campus in Alcalá de Henares that, in 1977 is segregates from Universidad Complutense giving place to the new university of Madrid denominated Universidad de Alcalá de Henares.

For further information on the Universidad Complutense consult: http://www.ucm.es/info/vicrint/UCM/index.htm

For information on UCM international activities consult: http://www.ucm.es/info/vicrint
Campus Map http://www.ucm.es/ucmd/localizacion/localizacion.htm

Founded in 1857 Illinois State University has more than 150,000 alumni. Students enjoy the warm and inviting atmosphere they encounter every day on campus and in the classroom at their home away from home. All benefit from "the small-school feeling they get from this large university" (Yale Daily News).

The university offers programs abroad for ISU students and for Non-ISU students. The duration of these programs varies: You can find Semester/Academic Year Programs as well as Short Term/Summer Programs. For more information on Foreign Study Programs at ISU visit the Web Page for International Studies .
For more information on ISU (location, courses, etc.) visit: http://www.ilstu.edu/home/visitors/

UCM Courses for Foreigners

The Universidad Complutense, through the Faculties of Philology, Geography and History, Philosophy and Education Center for Faculty Formation organizes annually a series of Courses for Foreigners, whose goal is the teaching of Spanish language and culture.

El Curso de Estudios Hispánicos (Hispanic Studies Course), of a year's duration, offering a synthesis of basic instruction about the most representative aspects of Spanish culture.

Curso General para Extranjeros (General Course for Foreigners): Four trimester courses of similar structure and organization. Instruction is given on four levels, in accordance with the students' fluency in Spanish. Their content includes the study of Grammar, Spanish language practice, textual analysis, conversation and diverse conferences on Hispanic cultural subjects.

Cursos de Verano (Summer courses) : during the month of July various intensive courses in Spanish Language are offered, as well as a general course in Spanish Language and Culture and an upper course in Spanish Language and Literature.

For more information visit: Programa de Estudios para Extranjeros

Visiting Students at UCM

Before registration as "estudiante visitante", the students should choose the classes according to the faculty offers, keeping in mind these exceptions:

a) No one can sign-up for first year/freshman year classes.
b) No one can register in the Faculty of Medicine (Nutrition, Occupational Therapy, etc.) and Dentistry.
c) Registration in courses in the Faculty of Fine Arts require previous authorization of the professors.
d) All students wishing to register in the Faculty of Economics Sciences and Journalism, have to be identified as an "exchange students" by bilateral agreement signed between your university and UCM and you must go the corresponding Faculty ERASMUS office. Otherwise "Visiting Student" will not receive credits or grades in the courses (See point 8).
e) If you are already degree, you can make credits of PhD (never Masters). You must get in touch with the professor of the PhD program and get his/her approval. Visit the following web site: http://www.ucm.es/info/vterci

Undergraduate students can enrol in a maximun of 60 credits (aproximatly 7 subjects/each semester).
- Graduate students can enrol in a maximun of 20 credits/semester.

Facilities at UCM

Once registered, students are given a student "identification card" with the name of the faculty in which he/she is registered. This card will allow access into sports, clubs, libraries, computer rooms, museums, etc. Students can also use the free access facilities to Internet. They can also participate in sport activities .

For more information on the Programa de Intercambio you can contact the Program Director