BU’s eight Madrid programs offer the chance to study and live in one of the world’s most dynamic metropolises. All students have the unique opportunity to experience life in a Spanish homestay. Classes are taught either at the Instituto Internacional or the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. The Madrid Internship Program, offered fall and spring semesters, allows students to enhance their Spanish language skills while working abroad in one of Europe’s most important vibrant commercial centers. Students with sufficient language skills take three courses along with an internship, which ranges between 15 and 20 hours per week.
BU Abroad: Madrid's Deeper Meaning
BU Abroad: Madrid's Deeper Meaning
Requirements & Considerations
- All students must enroll according to, and remain in compliance with, the Boston University Study Abroad Course Load Policy.
- Minimum of fifth-semester college-level Spanish language or the equivalent (six semesters for students taking courses offered through the Madrid University Studies Program)
- Spring applicants must indicate on their application whether they are applying for the Madrid Internship Program with courses offered through the Madrid Spanish and European Studies Program, or the Madrid Internship Program with courses offered through the Madrid University Studies Program
- Admission requirements for all programs
Curriculum
Madrid Spanish and European Studies Program
Students who select courses from the Madrid Spanish and European Studies Program are required to enroll in one Spanish language course and then choose two additional courses from the electives offered in English or in Spanish, depending on their interest and proficiency level.
Required Language Course
All students are required to enroll in one Spanish language course from the list below. Students who have already completed four semesters of Spanish, or the equivalent, are permitted to enroll in up to two 300-level language courses.*
Required Language Course List
- CAS LS 111 First-Semester Spanish (4 credits)
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- Individual in Community
- For students who have never studied Spanish, or by placement test results. Introduction to grammatical structures. Emphasis on aural comprehension, speaking, and pronunciation. Introduction to Hispanic culture.
- Syllabus
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- CAS LS 112 Second-Semester Spanish (4)
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- Individual in Community
- Prerequisite: one semester of college-level Spanish or the equivalent
- Completes study of basic grammatical structures. Emphasis on speaking and aural comprehension with readings on contemporary Hispanic culture and writing assignments.
- Syllabus
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- CAS LS 211 Third-Semester Spanish (4)
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- Individual in Community
- Prerequisite: two semesters of college-level Spanish or the equivalent
- Completes study of grammatical structures of Spanish. Use of spoken language in conversation. Reading in Hispanic civilization and of contemporary short stories. Writing exercises involving more complex grammatical and syntactical patterns.
- Syllabus
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- CAS LS 212 Fourth-Semester Spanish (4)
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
- Individual in Community
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- Prerequisite: three semesters of college-level Spanish or the equivalent
- Review of the structures of Spanish. Intensive practice of spoken language. More advanced readings from Hispanic culture with frequent compositions.
- Syllabus
- CAS LS 306 Spanish Through Translation* (4)
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
- Oral & Signed Communication
- Prerequisite: four semesters of college-level Spanish or the equivalent
- Advanced study of the Spanish language through the translation of written texts. Analysis of the theory and practice of translation as a catalyst of cultural transfer. Taught in Spanish.
- Syllabus
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- CAS LS 312 Spanish Through Cultural Destinations: Madrid en Vivo (4)Effective
Fall '23- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
- Oral and/or Signed Communication
- Teamwork/Collaboration
- Students will further develop their oral and written skills allowing them to flourish within the Spanish-speaking world. They will become familiar with the city of Madrid through immersion in its history, neighborhoods, art, literature, and its cultural and social peculiarities.
- Syllabus
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- CAS LS 449Contemporary Spanish Novel: From “La Movida” to 15-‐M
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- Aesthetic Exploration
- Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
- Research and Information Literacy
- An overview of contemporary Spanish novels from the time of Franco’s death in 1975 to the present day. This class explores cultural issues within the literary, political, and social contexts of contemporary Spain.
- Syllabus
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- CAS LS 450 Contemporary Spanish Literature
- This course focuses on literary texts and contemporary Spanish and Latin American cultural phenomena through analysis and critical essays. Students will explore various literary genres in order to develop reading comprehension strategies and become familiar with basic critical reading concepts.
*No more than two 300-level Spanish language courses (LS 306, LS 307, LS 308, LS 310, LS 311) may be taken for credit at Boston University. All students should confirm in advance with their academic advisors which courses may be taken for major, minor, and departmental requirements, and which courses may be taken for elective credit.
Electives Courses
Students select two courses from the electives offered in English or in Spanish, depending on their interest and proficiency level. Each course carries four credits. All students should confirm in advance with their academic advisors which courses may be taken for major, minor, and departmental requirements, and which courses may be taken for elective credit. Note: Syllabi are for course approval and reference only. Elective course offerings vary and may not be offered every semester. Students will receive up-to-date syllabi when their courses begin.
Elective Courses Taught in English
- Spanish Economics within the European Union (4 credits)
- fall only
- The course will explore not only the economic and financial pillars of Spain, but also the major challenges of its economic structure in light of the European economic integration process and the role Spain plays within it. The course will focus on Spain’s modernization efforts after regaining democracy in 1975, the main economic drivers behind its growth and its role in the European economic and monetary union. It will cover the productive structure, main industries, foreign trade -inside and outside the European Union- and international expansion, particularly in South America. The course will then focus on the particularities of Spain’s labor market, the importance of the public sector (welfare state) and the prelude and impact of the financial crisis of 2008.
- Syllabus
- CAS LS 241 Cultures of Spain: Past and Present (4)
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
- Historical Consciousness
- fall only
- An introduction to Spanish civilization with special emphasis on history, art, and literature. Instruction begins in English and shifts gradually into Spanish as students’ fluency increases. Course content is enriched by visits to the Prado Museum, Segovia, Toledo, and others.
- Syllabus
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- CAS AH 364 Art and Architecture in Madrid: 1561–Today (4)
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- Aesthetic Exploration
- Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
- Creativity and Innovation
- Survey of architecture, sculpture, and painting in Madrid, and how these fit in the broader frame of European styles and historical context, 1561–present. Key theories in art history are introduced, giving students a broader perspective on critical approaches to art.
- Syllabus
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- CAS AH 368 Graffiti, Street Art, and Independent Interventions in Public Space in Madrid (4)Effective
Fall '24- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- Aesthetic Exploration
- Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
- Creativity and Innovation
- Introduction to graffiti and street art through case studies in Madrid. Combines contextual and aesthetic analysis with hands-on activities. Focus on artistic interventions in public spaces through the lenses of activism, the right to the city, and public space management.
- Syllabus
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- CAS AR 200 Heritage Matters: Introduction to Heritage Management (4)
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- Historical Consciousness
- Research and Information Literacy
- Social Inquiry I
- Fall only
- Protection and management of archaeological heritage, including sites, artifacts, and monuments. Survey of heritage values and stakeholders. Issues covered include cultural policy and legislation, international efforts, indigenous perspectives, looting, repatriation, underwater heritage, and heritage at war.
- Syllabus
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- CAS HI 256 History of Spain 711–1898 (4)
- Spring only
- A survey of Spanish history from 711 to 1898, examining the political, social, economic, and cultural events that shaped Spain in its modern form. Places Spain in a European context. Includes field trips around Madrid.
- Syllabus
- CAS PO 245 Nationalism in Spain within the European Context (4)Effective
Fall '23- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- Social Inquiry I
- Ethical Reasoning
- This course examines the origins of Spanish national identity and the later emergence of alternative national identities within the Spanish state in the Basque Country, Catalonian and Galician autonomous communities. We compare the case of Spain with that of other nation-states in the European Union where the emergence of peripheral nationalisms continues to challenge national and European integration politics. Non-state nationalist movements are analyzed in both a historical and contemporary context.
- Syllabus
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
Elective Courses Taught in Spanish
Language and culture courses are offered at the 300 level. Literature courses are offered at the 400 level.
- Mujeres en España (4)
- fall only
- Aims to help students understand the role of women in Spanish society from the Middle Ages until the present. The course traces the historical, social, political, economic, religious, and psychological evolution of Spanish women, paying special attention to the conflicts they suffered and the accomplishments they achieved throughout the process.
- Syllabus
- CAS AN 367Migrations and Cultural Diversity (4)
- Spring only
- This class analyzes current-day migratory flows and their implications for Spain and the EU through an anthropological viewpoint. Students will obtain conceptual and theoretical frameworks through which they will be able to critically analyze diversity and the complexity of migrations and their effect on society and culture.
- Syllabus
- CAS IR 323The Iberian Peninsula in a Global Context in the 20th Century (4)Effective
Fall '23- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- Historical Consciousness
- Social Inquiry I
- Spring only
- This course offers a multidisciplinary study of contemporary international relations with a special focus on the Iberian Peninsula. It will examine significant events that took place during the better part of the twentieth century with an emphasis on the relations between Spain and Portugal and the United States.
- Syllabus
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- CAS AH 258 The Spaces of Art: from Velazquez to the Private Gallery in Spain (4)
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- Aesthetic Exploration
- Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
- An overview of the use of space in Spanish art and architecture from the early 17th century Baroque style to contemporary art. A journey from the aerial perspective of Velazquez's paintings to urban street art, installation art, and modern galleries.
- Syllabus
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- CAS LS 449Contemporary Spanish Novel: From “La Movida” to 15-‐M
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- Aesthetic Exploration
- Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
- Research and Information Literacy
- An overview of contemporary Spanish novels from the time of Franco’s death in 1975 to the present day. This class explores cultural issues within the literary, political, and social contexts of contemporary Spain.
- Syllabus
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- CAS LS 450 Contemporary Spanish Literature
- This course focuses on literary texts and contemporary Spanish and Latin American cultural phenomena through analysis and critical essays. Students will explore various literary genres in order to develop reading comprehension strategies and become familiar with basic critical reading concepts.
- CAS CI/LS 477/COM CI 477 Contemporary Spanish Cinema (4)
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- Aesthetic Exploration
- Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
- Research and Information Literacy
- An overview of Spanish contemporary cinema and the variety of genres that have emerged in the last decades. Using different resources from films and literature, students will be able to better understand the diversity of Spanish society, which they will experience for themselves on the streets of Madrid. This course also explores how the technical elements of film (camera shots, angles, etc.) can express emotions as well as cultural and social values.
- Syllabus
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
Madrid University Studies Program
The Madrid University Studies Program is only available for the spring semester.
Students who select courses from the Madrid University Studies Program are required to enroll in an advanced-level seminar on contemporary Spain with other program participants as one of their courses. Students then enroll directly at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid for two elective courses.
Required Course
Students enroll in the following course:
Required Course
- Contemporary Spain: Political and Social Topics (4)
- The course examines the Spanish Political System and takes a comparative approach while also focusing on current political reality and its influence on the daily life of Spaniards and vice versa. The course will look at Spanish political institutions in the context of Spain’s membership in the European Union and will also examine social movements and current challenges: unemployment, public policies, migration, historical memory, etc.
- Syllabus
Note: Syllabus is for course approval and reference only. Students will receive an up-to-date syllabus when their course begins.
Elective Courses
At the UAM, students enroll in two elective courses. Courses are offered in a wide variety of subjects, including:
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid Courses
- Anthropology
- Archaeology
- Art History
- Cinema
- Economics
- History of Philosophy
- Latin American Literature
- Politics
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Spanish Language
- Spanish Literature
- Spanish Philosophy
For a complete list of courses, visit the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid website.
Please note: Students are required to submit additional application materials for the UAM following admission to the Boston University program. Admission to the UAM is not guaranteed.
Internship Course
Study Abroad will enroll students in a non-credit Hub co-curricular and a four-credit internship course, which includes a classroom component. Course numbers depend on the field of specialization in which the students complete their internships. Placements are contingent upon the students' past experiences, professional interests, and relevant academic history, as well as the availability of opportunities in any given semester; flexibility is essential. Upon successful completion of the internship experience, students will receive a Hub unit in the area Individual in Community from the co-curricular HUB SA 330.
Internship Course List
- Non-credit Hub Co-curricular: HUB SA 330 Study Abroad Internship
- This course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area:
- Individual in Community
- This course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area:
- CAS AH 505 Internship in the Arts/Architecture (4 credits)
- CAS CS 219 Internship in Information Technology (4)
- CAS EC 497 Internship in Business/Economics (4)
- CAS PO 401 Internship in Politics (4)
- CAS PO 403 Internship in Comparative Law (4)
- CAS PO 405/IR 455 Internship in International Organizations (4)
- CAS PS 495 Internship in Health/Human Services (4)
- COM CM 471 Internship in Advertising/Public Relations (4)
- COM FT 493 Internship in Film/TV (4)
- COM JO 412 Internship in Journalism (4)
- SHA HF 390 Field Placement in Hospitality Administration (4)
Internship Components:
- The internship itself, including supervisor’s evaluation
- Participation in the internship seminar
- A highly structured, mid-term oral briefing
- Assigned readings
- A final research paper relating to the professional field of the internship placement
Internship Area
Please note that these are examples of past internship placements only. While BU Study Abroad guarantees an internship to program participants, specific placements vary from semester to semester and may not always be available. Likewise, internship placements may be available in academic areas not listed.
Internship Area List
Advertising/Marketing/Public Relations
- Study marketing techniques, media, and consumer behavior while working in the marketing/PR department of a Spanish company, multinational firm, or advertising agency. Previous internship placements have included OM Premium, Procter & Gamble, Elipse Iniciativas, IFEMA (convention center), and JBan.
Arts/Arts Administration
- Study the current art market in Madrid. Learn about the funding bodies that support the arts and work in one of Madrid’s art galleries, museums, preservation projects, or local arts centers. Past internship placements have included Galería Durán, Museo de Artes Decorativas, and Sotheby’s.
Business/Economics
- Study the current economic, political, and social issues affecting Madrid and work in an organization with an economic dimension. Internship placements have included American Express, AFI, Marsh & McLennan, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Vista Capital.
Film, Radio & Television
- Study communications and society in Madrid and work for one of the radio and television stations or film production companies. Internship placements have included Boca a Boca Films, CNN, Eco Casting, Madrid Film, Lua, Dos Mundos TV, and Rioja Films.
Health & Human Services
- Study health care and human services issues and participate in the daily work life of hospital rehabilitation, therapy, or education programs; health center administration; social service departments; community care centers; or social activist organizations. Internship placements have included Centro de Mujeres Progresistas, Hospital de la Zarsuela, Interlab, Centro Dato, and PharmaGen.
Hospitality & Tourism
- Study Spanish culture and learn how the tourism industry works in Madrid. Students intern in placement areas such as travel agencies, hotels, and restaurants. Past internships have included Groupo Zena, Hotel Ritz, and Travel Leader.
International Organizations & NGOs
- Work in social activist organizations, environmental organizations, human rights organizations, and associated government departments. Internship placements have included Amigos de la Tierra and Casa de América.
Journalism
- Study news media in the context of the political, cultural, and social life of Madrid by participating in the daily life of a newspaper, magazine, publishing house, or broadcast news organization. Past internship placements have included The Broadsheet, Rolling Stone, InMadrid, LIPS, and The New York Times.
Politics & International Relations
- Study the issues and institutions of Madrid's culture and work in a political setting, including Parliament, party organizations, lobbying groups, or political public relations agencies. Internship placements have included Embassy of México (commercial office), Embassy of the United States (commercial office), Office of European Commission, INCIPE, and UNICEF.
Pre-law
- Study the history and practice of the law in Madrid and participate in the daily life of an NGO working in human rights and immigration law. Internship placements have included Bufete J. Ruiz and Hombre y Tierra.
Housing & Student Services
- Individual bedrooms in local family home. Each room has a bed, a desk, and some storage space. Linens are provided and washed regularly. Kitchen access is not guaranteed. Students will have the ability to reheat food.
- Board included: All meals (3 meals per day/ 7 days per week) will be provided by the host family. A packed lunch will be provided by the host family if the student is unable to commute home for lunch.
- Host families provide laundry, internet.
- Gyms at the university and in town but may be expensive. Students can study at the Instituto or the Autonoma. Many students study at home, as university libraries have more restricted hours than in the US.
Program Dates
- Fall Semester: Early September to mid-December
- Spring Semester:
- Madrid Internship Program (Spanish and European Studies): Early January to early May
- Madrid Internship Program (University Studies): Early January to mid-May
Application Timeline
This program follows rolling admissions and may fill before the official deadline.
Fall Semester
- Applications Open December 15
- Applications Deadline March 15
Spring Semester
- Applications Open June 1
- Applications Deadline October 1
This program is rolling admissions; applications are reviewed once all application materials are received, prior to all deadlines. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all required materials are received by the BU Study Abroad office. Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible as some programs and internship tracks have limited space and may fill up before the deadline. Submitting a complete application prior to the application deadline, does not guarantee acceptance. Students will be emailed an admissions decision within three weeks of a completed application.
Information for BU Students Awaiting an Admissions Decision and exceptions to the standard admission calendar for all students can be found here.
Cost & Financial Considerations
- 2023/2024 Tuition and Fees: $41,284
Cost includes tuition, housing, board, program related activities, administrative fee, overseas medical insurance, and emergency evacuation coverage. - Estimated program budget, including cost of living expenses.
- Grants and Scholarships available
