Eligibility
- 18 years of age or above
- Good academic and disciplinary standing at Penn State
- 3.0 cumulative GPA or better at the time of application
- Sophomore standing or above at the start of the program
- Prerequisites for certain university courses
- Current enrollment in a STEM field program (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics)
- Have completed at least 3 semesters of an Engineering, Math or STEM program by IES Abroad Madrid Engineering Program start date
Program Description
This program is designed for engineering, math, and science students who want to take courses taught in English or Spanish at a prestigious and academically-challenging university — Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. Specialize your studies with a range of engineering courses, from aerospace to mechanical. Science courses provide you with the chance to study pharmaceutical science as well as food sciences, with courses in biology and chemistry, too. Mix disciplines or focus on a single field for more concentrated studies.
IES Abroad offers unique courses that explore engineering, math, and science, as well as other topics, through an in-depth and hands-on approach. World-class professors and course options at the prestigious Universidad Carlos III enhance your academic experience and provide you with new perspectives each day in class.
Dates
Fall: late August - mid December
Spring: mid January - late May/early June
Refer to the IES Abroad website for the specific dates, if available.
Location
As the leading center of industry, commerce, and technology research in Spain, Madrid is an ideal city to study engineering, math, and science and their applications in the professional world. Madrid will also be your classroom. Take an architectural walking tour to see Madrid’s many beautiful buildings, churches, and structures. Enjoy trips to research centers. Visit the city’s famous museums like the Prado and Sorolla to inspire your coursework.
Education Abroad in Countries with a Penn State Restricted Travel Designation
In order to comply with Penn State’s International Travel Policy, students interested in studying abroad in countries that Penn State has designated as “restricted” for travel, a petition for a waiver must be submitted. Once a petition is complete, and if the student is approved for study on the program in question, the student may be asked to meet with the Director of Education Abroad and the petition will be reviewed by the Penn State International Restricted Travel Committee (IRTC). The necessary petition will be included in the online application process for this program. To see if your program is taking place in a restricted travel country, please visit the Global Programs website.
Available Fields of Study
Aerospace Engineering, Architecture, Art History, Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Business, Chemical Engineering, Communications, Computer Science, Data Sciences, Electrical Engineering, Energy Engineering, Engineering, Environmental Engineering, History, Industrial Engineering, Information Sciences and Technology, Information Systems, Management, Materials Science, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Mechanics, Physics, Religious Studies, Spanish, Statistics, Telecommunications
Course Listings
To find courses on the IES Madrid program, follow the instructions on the IES Abroad website under "Academics."
To see what Penn State students have previously taken on this program, see the Historical Course List, which is meant to be a guide as to what courses might be available and how they might transfer to Penn State. Courses listed here may not be offered during the semester you attend the program and the credit amount or course title may have changed.
Note: You are not limited to choosing classes on the program Historical Course List. You should consult the full list of courses on the IES Madrid program website before choosing a program.
Course Selection
To find appropriate courses that will fit into your degree requirements, you will need to work with your academic adviser. Suggested tips:
- Research courses available on your program
- Meet with your academic adviser to discuss potential courses abroad and your degree requirements
- Keep in mind that courses abroad may change or may be unavailable for your selected term, so you will need to discuss possible back-up course options
- To register for courses on this program you will work with IES Abroad
Program-specific Course Information
Students must take 15-19 credits per semester (16 credits recommended). All program-specific courses are taught in English except for the language courses. Craft your own academic experience by selecting from the following required and optional components:
- Universidad Carlos III English-taught Engineering, Math, and Science courses (optional, credits vary)
- IES Abroad Spanish language course (required, 4 credits)
- IES Abroad English-taught area studies courses (optional, 3 or 4 credits each)
- IES Abroad Spanish-taught area studies courses (optional, 3 credits each)
- Universidad Carlos III English-taught Business, Social Sciences, and Humanities courses (optional, credits vary)
- Internship placement and seminar (optional, 3 or 6 credits)
Some courses are available in Spanish for students with advanced language skills. You must meet the program’s specific requirements, including a GPA of 3.0 or above, and, in certain university courses, prerequisites, and junior or senior standing.
Because of the high academic rigor of these courses, IES recommends you take the following courses in your U.S. home institution:
- Thermal Engineering
- Fluid Mechanics
Academic Policies
- You must enroll in a minimum number of 15 credits and a maximum number of 19 credits
- You cannot take any courses abroad on a Pass/Fail basis
- World Campus courses should not be taken in addition to or as a substitute for courses offered abroad
- You may not take sport or physical activity courses (e.g. sailing, bowling, yoga, etc.) abroad
- If you are studying abroad in your final semester at Penn State, please note that Penn State may not receive your grades in time for graduation
Course Equivalency Process
In order for courses from abroad to appear on your Penn State transcript, each course must be given a course equivalency. Please visit the Academics section of the Global Programs website for information on the course equivalency process.
Courses can be submitted for course equivalency before, during, or after the education abroad program, however, you should begin this process as soon as possible as it can take on average 2-4 months or more for courses to receive a Penn State course number. In some cases, it can be difficult to obtain syllabi from abroad before the start of the term, but when possible, courses can be submitted for review before departure. Talk to your Education Abroad Adviser about requesting syllabi.
Grade and Credit Conversion Scale
Grades and credit conversions from your host institution cannot be changed. They will be converted to Penn State credits and grades based on the following scales:
Grade Conversion Scale
| Host Institution Grade |
Penn State Grade |
| A |
A |
| A- |
A- |
| B+ |
B+ |
| B |
B |
| B- |
B- |
| C+ |
C+ |
| C |
C |
| D |
D |
| F |
F |
Credit Conversion Scale
| Host Institution Credit |
Penn State Credit |
| 3 credits per course |
3 credits per course |
Program Costs
Fall Costs
Spring Costs*
The cost of a program is based on Penn State tuition rates and partner institution fees. Due to the variety of locations and partner institutions, costs will vary depending on the program. Education Abroad works closely with our partners to ensure the most accurate cost estimates, however, fees can change quickly and without prior notice. Consult the cost sheets for your chosen program often and if you have any questions please contact your Education Abroad Adviser.
*Students choosing to study for an Academic Year on an IES program will receive a tuition reduction on their spring semester bill.
Scholarships
The Education Abroad Office awards a number of grants and scholarships to students who participate in an education abroad program through Global Programs. The application for the scholarships awarded through the Education Abroad Office is included with your program application. Eligibility is based on academic merit and/or financial need. You must have a current FAFSA on file to be awarded. There are additional scholarship opportunities through our partner universities, Penn State Academic Departments, and other sources. To view a full list of scholarships, eligibility requirements, and deadlines visit Funding Study Abroad.
Program-specific Scholarships
Students studying on IES Abroad programs are eligible to apply for IES funding opportunities. Learn more on IES' scholarships website.
Student Aid
Penn State students who plan to study on a Penn State approved program can use most forms of financial aid towards the cost of the program. Exceptions include work-study awards and some athletic scholarships. If you have specific questions regarding your aid awards, contact the Penn State Office of Student Aid.
Withdrawal & Refund Policy
Withdrawal and refund details are dependent on the timing and reason for your withdrawal from a Penn State Education Abroad Program. For specific details and steps on how to withdraw, read the Education Abroad Policies.
After Commitment
Once a student has committed to a Penn State Education Abroad program, they are financially responsible for any fees incurred on their behalf. Therefore, if a student plans to withdraw from a program it is their responsibility to immediately notify the Education Abroad office, in writing; email is preferred.
Regardless of the timing or reason for the withdrawal, the student will be responsible for paying the Education Abroad Administrative Fees. Additional fees from the partner institution will be assessed according to their withdrawal and refund policies at the date of the withdrawal notice.
After the Start of the Program
If a student withdraws after the start of a program, any adjustment of Penn State tuition charges will be made according to the Tuition Adjustment Schedule as determined by the Office of the Bursar. Students may be responsible for up to 100% of program costs. In most cases, partial credit cannot be awarded for leaving a program before its successful completion.
For additional information on withdrawal policies, separate and apart from financial consequences, please consult the University Senate Policy on Withdrawal and Leave of Absence.
