Student Guide to Madrid

The prospect of moving away to study is as exciting as it is scary, especially if it’s to a brand-new country. If you’ve been thinking about Madrid as your place to study next year, you probably have a million questions about the city and its culture. 

We understand it’s all very overwhelming and you want to make the best decision possible - to help you get excited about living in Madrid, we’re here to answer as many questions as possible to help you know what to expect. 

This blog is a comprehensive student guide to Madrid, covering the following topics:

A vibrant city with so much to offer students, here is everything you need to know about studying in Madrid.

There are so many incredible cities in Spain - we’re quite partial to Seville and Valencia, too - but its capital, Madrid, is uniquely special. 

Here are a few reasons why you should study abroad in Madrid: 

There are over 50 universities in Madrid, giving the city a prestigious reputation for offering world-class educational opportunities and facilities. If you’re excited about the idea of studying in Madrid but unsure of where to start when researching which university is right for you, here is a short overview of some of the best academic options:

This is the largest university in Spain, home to over 85,000 students, it’s also one of the oldest operating universities in the world. It has extensive library resources and good research opportunities in a wealth of different subjects.

This is one of the leading private universities in Spain, with a campus in Madrid. The campus is one of the most unique in Madrid, as it’s located in the IE Tower, the fifth tallest tower in Madrid. This business school is a great option for studying abroad - 75% of the student population are international students!

Named after the Spanish philosopher, this is a private Roman Catholic university that was only founded in 1993. It’s still relatively young compared to other more established universities, but it has a bold, inspiring vision to create a better world through education. This is a great place to explore degrees in the sciences. 

This is the largest Spanish technical university. While there have been more courses added over the years, there remains a very strong technical focus at this university - if your passion is anything from architecture to civil engineering, this is the place to study in Madrid.

This is a popular private university that was only founded in 1995. They offer a range of Bachelors and Masters degrees and are known for their social sciences, computer science and engineering courses. There are also many fantastic programmes here that are geared towards employability.

A private university that offers courses in everything from dentistry to digital arts, Universidad Camilo José Cela takes a holistic approach to education. You’ll learn soft skills like communication alongside your degree, setting you up nicely for life after academia.

This is a private university that specialises in business and marketing and is one of the leading educational facilities in Spain - if you’re looking to make your mark in the corporate world, this is the place to create your foundations.

Proudly positioned in the Top 5 Forbes Universities ranking, Universidad CEU San Pablo has a plethora of accessible options for international students and high employment rates of 94% for graduates.

Focusing on science, law and engineering, University Carlos III of Madrid is a fantastic option for specialised degrees, with the ones operating in English clearly labelled. This is also a great option for postgraduate students looking for a central option - Madrid-Puerta de Toledo campus, located in the heart of Madrid, is the main venue for the UC3M Center of Postgraduate Studies. 

This private Catholic university, offering degrees in everything from business to gastronomy, has a storied tradition of excellence and cares about providing a comprehensive, innovative educational experience. If you want to study in Madrid and you’re looking for somewhere with strong humanistic values, this is the place to be.

Our three Madrid residences - Nido Aravaca, Nido Plaza Castilla and Nido Príncipe Pío - are centrally located, so getting to your university of choice from our accommodation will be easy no matter which one you choose!

Spain is a country where the climate can be drastically different from region to region. Madrid, right in the centre of the country, experiences a Mediterranean-Continental climate, which means Madrid experiences long summers and short cold winters. 

The weather in Madrid is usually warm and sunny, with average temperatures, with highs of 32°C in the peak summer months. It’s actually considered Europe’s sunniest capital city! The winters however, are quite cold and cloudy - January averages out at 6°C.

Like much of Spain, there is little rainfall compared to other parts of Europe - expect the winters and summers alike to be very dry. With beautiful clear skies, the weather is perfect for walking to and from lectures, exploring the city, and relaxing in the city’s many parks and gardens!

Madrid has a rich and complex story - the city dates back to the 9th century, if you can believe it! It was founded by Emir Muhammad, a prince of Córdoba (which in the Middle Ages was an Islamic centre), who named it Mayrit and used it as a military post.

It wasn’t until the 16th century that King Philip II made Madrid the capital of the Spanish Empire - this was a key turning point that allowed the city to flourish into the political heart of Spain. A lot of Madrid’s famous cultural landmarks (including the Plaza Mayor) were built in the heights of this reign. 

Madrid played a key part in The Peninsular War against Napoleon in the early 19th century, where Spain was allied with the British and helped fend off the enormous French army. The Dos de Mayo Uprising (1808) famously took place in Madrid, where the people of Madrid revolted against Napoleonic troops. 

In the 20th century, Madrid would also become a major battleground during the Spanish Civil War. Since then, the city has grown into one of the cultural hotspots in the world, dominating food, sport, and art spaces!

Madrid is overflowing with culture. It’s a brilliant city to jump feet-first into as a student, as there are countless opportunities to discover the intricacies of the city’s customs, language, and communities. 

The official language of Madrid - more specifically, most residents of Madrid speak Castilian Spanish. This is also known as Peninsular Spanish and was originally spoken in northern and central Spain.

Madrid is a very popular city with tourists and international students, so a lot of people also speak English and you don’t need to be fluent in Spanish to have a great time studying Madrid. We recommend, however, learning at least some key Spanish phrases during your time in the city so you can be as polite and respectful to the local people as possible - this is one of the best tips for studying abroad in Madrid.

The people in Madrid are warm and friendly, very welcoming and accommodating to students. Despite Madrid being a built-up metropolitan area, the people enjoy a more laid-back way of living, so you can enjoy a blended bustling and relaxed lifestyle when studying in Madrid. Expect to see locals taking full advantage of their public spaces - the parks, gardens and plazas are always lively, and stay so until late.

Madrid is one of the largest metropolitan areas in Europe, only smaller in population than Moscow, Paris and London. People from all over the world come to Madrid to experience the liveliness of this city. 

There’s a rich appreciation for history, art and architecture in Madrid, with over 80 museums in the city centre and many artistic communities. Some of the most popular cultural and historical festivals celebrated in Madrid include the Fiesta de la Paloma, a summer celebration for the patron saint of La Latina, and San Isidro Festival to commemorate the San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers and agriculture.

This is perhaps the most well-known part of Madrid’s culture: Madrid has a so-called ‘tapas culture’. Some of the most popular tapas dishes in Madrid include Gambas al Ajillo, Tortilla and Patatas Bravas.

Daily life while studying in Madrid is relaxed and leisurely, but you’ll never be bored. This city is a treasure trove for students, home to countless attractions, activities and amazing sights with something fun to do around every corner. 

Madrid is considered a very affordable Spanish city to study in, with average monthly living costs of around €950-1,500, excluding tuition fees. It means that things like eating out are reasonably affordable - Madrid is a fantastic city to enjoy delicious food and drinks at affordable prices so you can taste authentic Spanish cuisine without breaking the bank. 

There are also plenty of opportunities to reduce costs in Madrid, from public transport cards to student discounts in shops - read our blog on Living Costs in Madrid to find out more.

Whether you see yourself exploring museums like the Reina Sofia Museum (which has free entry for students), taking refreshing walks through the Casa de Campo, spending evenings with friends at fantastic bars like Cavanna Pozuelo or sampling treats at any of the city’s amazing food markets, there’s something here to dazzle you.

Read our blogs on the Best Things to Do in Madrid, Best Restaurants in Madrid and Best Bars in Madrid for more recommendations. 

At Nido Living, we offer high quality young professional and student accommodation in major cities across Europe.  

We have three student residences in Madrid - Nido Aravaca, Nido Plaza Castilla and Nido Príncipe Pío - which are all centrally located and feature exclusive facilities such as:

Our residents feel the benefit of The Nido Difference, our commitment to their happiness and well-being. For example, we know how daunting it is to move to a new place and care about creating a community you can rely on, so we run a wide range of social events year-round to help you find your people. Moreover, residents receive 24/7 support from our dedicated residences teams, on hand to help with anything you need, from navigating the city to mental health first aid.

Discover more by browsing our available rooms, and don’t hesitate to contact us for more information - we’re always here to listen.