Credits
- Name: Autonomous University of Madrid
- Founding Year: 1968
- Location: University City of Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
- Email: information.general@uam.es
- Phone: +34 91 497 50 00
- Website: www.uam.es
- Students: Approximately 28.000
- Number of employees: 3000
- Number of degrees and careers: More than 80 degrees
- Number of masters: 130
- Spain Ranking (according to Thimes Higher Education): 5
- Europe Ranking: 143 - 162
History
The Autonomous University of Madrid was founded in 1968, during a time of social and political changes in Spain. It was one of the first universities in Spain to adopt a model of university autonomy, which allowed it to have greater flexibility in terms of organizational structure and academic curriculum.
The main objective of the UAM upon establishment was to promote educational innovation and academic excellence. Over the years, it has maintained this commitment, becoming one of the leading universities not only in Spain, but also in Europe.
Since its inception, UAM has shown an unwavering dedication to quality research and teaching. The university has excelled in various academic disciplines, including natural sciences, social sciences, humanities and medicine. In fact, UAM has regularly been ranked among the best universities in the world in terms of research impact.
Location
The Autonomous University of Madrid has two main campuses:
- Cantoblanco Campus: This is the main campus of UAM, where most of the faculties and schools are located, as well as several research institutes. The Cantoblanco Campus is located north of the city of Madrid, in a quiet area and surrounded by nature. It houses the faculties of Sciences, Law, Philosophy and Letters, Psychology, Economics and Business, Teacher Training and Education and the Higher Polytechnic School. You can see it in Google Maps.
- Medicine Campus: The UAM Medicine campus is located next to the La Paz University Hospital on Paseo de la Castellana. This campus houses the Faculty of Medicine, the National School of Health and the Health Research Institute Hospital Universitario La Paz (IdiPAZ).
Interesting Figures
- Students: The UAM has approximately 28,000 students, making it one of the largest universities in Madrid.
- Faculties and Schools: The UAM has 8 Faculties and Schools that offer a wide range of study programs.
- Study programs: The university offers more than 80 bachelor's degrees and 130 master's programs.
- Research: The UAM is recognized for its strong focus on research. According to 2021 data, the UAM has participated in more than 100 research projects funded by the European Union.
- International positioning: According to the 2021 QS World University Rankings, the UAM is ranked among the top 200 universities in the world, and within the top 10 universities in Spain.
- Alumni: UAM has produced a number of distinguished alumni, including leaders in politics, science, business and literature.
- Staff: The UAM has more than 3,000 employees, including prominent professors and researchers.
- Library: The UAM Library is one of the largest in Madrid, with more than 1 million volumes in its collection.
Bachelor's and Master's Studies
The UAM offers a wide range of undergraduate and master's courses in a variety of academic fields. Degree courses cover the arts and humanities, sciences, social and legal sciences, medicine and nursing, and engineering. Regarding master's studies, the university offers programs in fields as diverse as biotechnology, international economics, gender studies and international law.
The 20 most demanded degrees:
- Degree in Physics
- Degree in Mathematics
- Degree in Chemistry
- Degree in Biology
- Degree in Medicine
- Degree in Psychology
- Degree in law
- Degree in economics
- Degree in Business Administration and Management
- Degree in Computer Engineering
- Degree in Telecommunications Engineering
- Degree in Philosophy
- Degree in History
- Degree in English Studies
- Degree in Hispanic Philology
- Degree in Translation and Interpretation
- Degree in Sociology
- Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Sciences
- Degree in Pedagogy
- Degree in Nursing
Pricing
The prices of bachelor's and master's degrees at the UAM vary depending on the programme and the student's status (EU or non-EU). For the 2024/2025 academic year, the price per credit for a bachelor's degree is between 15 and 40 euros, while for a master's degree it ranges between 45 and 80 euros per credit.
You can see the prices for different Spanish regions in our post about Spanish university prices (updated).
access requirements
If you want to see the entry requirements for this university and others in the Community of Madrid, take a look at our post: Entry Requirements for Universities in Madrid
Illustrious Students
The UAM has produced a considerable number of illustrious students throughout its history. They include notable figures in politics, science, the arts and business.
- Luis de Guindos – Economist and politician who served as Minister of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness of Spain from 2011 to 2018. He is currently Vice President of the European Central Bank.
- Luis Garcia Montero, – Poet and literary critic, a relevant figure in contemporary Spanish poetry. He is currently Director of the Cervantes Institute.
- Margaret Salas – Prominent scientist in the field of biochemistry and molecular biology. She has received numerous awards for her contributions to science, including the Prince of Asturias Award for Scientific and Technical Research.
- Ignacio Sanchez Galan – President and CEO of Iberdrola, one of the largest energy companies in the world. Under his leadership, Iberdrola has become a benchmark in the renewable energy sector.
- Javier Marías – One of the most prominent writers of contemporary Spanish literature, author of international bestsellers such as “Corazón tan blanco” and “Mañana en la battle, think of me.” He is a member of the Royal Spanish Academy.
Conclusion
The Autonomous University of Madrid continues to be an institution of choice for those seeking quality higher education in Spain. With its continued commitment to academic excellence and focus on innovation, UAM is poised to continue leading higher education for decades to come.
