Language Immersion Gap Year Programs in Madrid,Spain

Your First Year Abroad program in Madrid lasts 12 weeks and is designed for students from all academic backgrounds. You will enroll in a combination of CIEE courses and courses taught online through CIEE’s global academic partner, Arizona State University (ASU). Enhance your experience with co-curricular and extracurricular activities while immersing yourself in Spanish culture. Live and learn in Madrid! Madrid is Spain’s cultural capital, beaming with energy and creativity – the perfect backdrop for students with any interests. Spend 12 weeks exploring the gardens of El Retiro Park, catching live music in Malasaña, and wandering through the colorful stalls of El Rastro market. Whether you’re studying business, science, engineering, technology, communications, psychology, health sciences, liberal arts, language, or fine arts, Madrid is the perfect place to study abroad.

Sunny Madrid! Spain's most populous and capital city is arguably also the most well-known. It has a population of 6.7 million and is the second-largest city in the European Union. It is the country's political, economic, and cultural epicenter, located in the central region, right off the River Manzanares. Madrid is a European city with the highest number of trees and green surfaces per inhabitant and the second-highest number of aligned trees in the world, with 248,000 units, only exceeded by Tokyo. Its citizens have access to a green area within a 15-minute walk. Since 1997, green areas have increased by 16%. Presently, 8.2% of Madrid's grounds are green areas, meaning there are 16 m2 (172 sq ft) of green area per inhabitant, far exceeding the 10 m2 (108 sq ft) per inhabitant recommended by the World Health Organization. As for culture and the arts, Madrid is considered one of the top European destinations concerning art museums. Best known is the Golden Triangle of Art, located along the Paseo del Prado and comprising three major museums: the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofía Museum, and the Thyssen Bornemisza Museum.

Universidad Carlos III de Madrid is a leading Spanish public university, known for academic excellence, international focus, and a diverse student body from over 100 countries. 70% of our bachelor’s degrees are taught in English across a wide range of fields. Gap Year CIS-UC3M is a joint program between CIS University and Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, offering a unique four-month experience in Spain focused on culture, personal growth, and academic development. From February to May 2026, students will study in Madrid and Getafe, join workshops, volunteering, and trips, and build their soft skills with personalized mentoring. Fee: €8,500. Optional Camino de Santiago experience available!

TtMadrid's Program I is the perfect choice for non-EU citizens who want to earn an accredited TEFL qualification, obtain a student visa for Spain, and immerse themselves in Spanish life. Delivered in partnership with Universidad Europea del Atlántico, this one-year postgraduate program combines world-class teacher training with cultural and language learning. You’ll begin with our 180-hour, Ofqual-regulated Level 5 TEFL course. The hybrid format comprises 65 hours of online study and a two-week intensive in Madrid, plus six observed teaching practices with real students. This ensures you graduate with a qualification that is globally recognized and practical skills that make you classroom-ready. You'll also study Spanish: four weeks of intensive classes followed by seven months of evening lessons. These will help you connect with the culture and feel at home in Madrid. With your University student visa, you can legally work up to 30 hours a week while studying. We provide lifetime job assistance, including CV guidance, guaranteed interviews, and ongoing job alerts. This program is a comprehensive package with everything you need to launch your new life in Spain.