Saint Louis University's campus in Madrid offers a first-class education and a safe, nurturing, positive environment in which students are able to discover themselves while achieving academic success and preparing for their professional future.
Academics and Accreditation
Yes. The University in Madrid is a branch campus of Saint Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. In Spain it is recognized by the Spanish Consejería de Educación de la Comunidad de Madrid.
Saint Louis University offers more than 100 degree programs, and more than a dozen can be completed in their entirety in Madrid. Students can start any SLU degree programs in Madrid, but will need to finish at SLU's St. Louis campus (or any other American university) if they aren't studying one of the Madrid-based full degree programs.
Students receive an American degree from Saint Louis University. Transcripts are issued from St. Louis, Missouri.
Students who have completed approximately one year of study at the university level are considered transfer students. Students who transfer to the Madrid campus are typically interested in majoring in one of the full degree programs offered in Madrid. Transfer students from other disciplines are welcome to apply, but will ultimately have to transfer to the Saint Louis campus (or any other American university) to finish their degree program.
Admissions Requirements
As student applications are received from all over the world, SLU-Madrid's admission requirements are flexible enough to account for differences in secondary school educational systems. Read more here.
Transfer students are required to submit an official transcript from all colleges or universities where they have received credit and proof of high school graduation. Please see transfer admissions information.
Study abroad students are required to submit a transcript from their current university where they are studying. Read the visiting student admission requirements for more information.
No. Most classes offered at SLU-Madrid are taught in English, so students don't need any prior knowledge of Spanish to attend. Students whose native language is not English have to provide evidence of their English level by submitting a TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo exam prior to being considered for admission. Most of our students acquire a competent level of Spanish while studying in Madrid.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition rates can be found on our website. Tuition is approximately 33 to 50 percent lower than comparable universities in the U.S.
Students can apply for on-campus Departmental Support Scholarships that help reduce tuition costs. These are scholarships designed to provide a form of need-based aid to students, while providing assistance to a variety of on-campus areas and departments of the University (e.g. library, bookstore, computer labs, Campus Ministry, Student Affairs, Office of Admissions, etc.).
Yes. Complete the FAFSA online at StudentAid.gov. Saint Louis University's FAFSA school code is 002506. Saint Louis University encourages all U.S. citizen and permanent resident students to file the FAFSA each year prior to March 1.
When an undergraduate student enters Saint Louis University he or she is reviewed for scholarship opportunities based on his/her academic merit. Students are encouraged to search for private scholarships not affiliated with Saint Louis University to help reduce their costs. Free scholarship searches are available on the web. Here are just a few sites to help you get started:
Living in Madrid
Upon arrival in Spain, all non-EU citizens who will be studying in Spain for more than 90 days need to apply for the residency card issued by the Spanish authorities.
SLU-Madrid is located in an ideal setting, on the northwest side of the city, with open views of the mountains to the north and west, and superb metro (subway) and bus access.
There are several options to choose from with regards to housing in Madrid. We strongly encourage those seeking housing to take advantage of the University-organized Host Family option through which students who wish to experience Spanish society to the fullest can be part of a Spanish household. Students can also live outside of University system in a colegio mayor (student residences) or a shared apartment.
SLU-Madrid Campus offers to arrange housing with host families for students. If the student has specific dietary needs, we recommend choosing the kitchen-privilege option, in which he or she cooks for himself/herself. Students willing to live by themselves or with other students may choose to live in studios or in shared apartments, though this is not arranged by SLU-Madrid.
Not at all. Many students choose to live in other neighborhoods around Madrid. Most students will find that the city is easily navigable and that the public-transport system in Madrid is clean, safe and reliable.
Most homes in European city centers are quite a bit smaller than what students in the U.S., for example, are accustomed to. However, all homes have been evaluated by our housing coordinator to ensure that students will be comfortable and most families have hosted SLU-Madrid students for many years. Cultural immersion greatly adds to the value of studying abroad. All the students who make the effort to try to adapt to Spanish customs and learn to speak Spanish invariably find that they have a much more memorable and fulfilling experience than those who do not.
No. Public transportation is affordable, safe and efficient. Students use the bus, subway and train system to travel around the city and country.
Safety
Generally Madrid is quite safe. Pick-pocketing and petty crime are prevalent, but violent crime is not common. Students are reminded to exercise logical precautions and generally being aware of their surroundings.
To better prepare students for life in Madrid, SLU-Madrid offers a welcome session. Our student affairs staff provides students with tips on how to avoid the common pitfalls of being in new surroundings.
All newly-arrived students are required to attend the welcome session and read both the Student Insider's Guide and the Pre-departure Information. The safety and security section of our website is updated regularly with information that both you and your student will find useful. Finally, students are strongly encouraged to have their Sanitas Medical Insurance card and the personal emergency protocol with them at all times.
All SLU-Madrid registered students are automatically covered by Multi Sanitas health insurance while they are enrolled for credit. Students must visit the Office of Student Affairs at the start of each semester to pick up their new card. Multi Sanitas card and a valid ID allow students to visit Sanitas network physicians free of charge. Prescriptions are not covered.
Keeping in Touch
Spanish data protection laws are very restrictive. If your child is 18 or older, SLU-Madrid cannot provide any information to anybody without their prior written consent.
Students who live with a host family arranged through the university will have wireless internet access. Keep the time difference in mind for phone calls and chat sessions. Students adapt to life abroad more successfully if contact with loved ones at home is regular without being excessive, though this may be different for every individual student.
At the first sign of trouble or discomfort, students should visit our student affairs staff for assistance. If we cannot directly address the problem, we will refer the student to a faculty or staff member who can.
If students are out sick, they are required to notify their professors as soon as they can. Traveling to other European cities every weekend may have detrimental effects academically and personally. Traveling is a good idea and very worthwhile, but balance and moderation are key to a successful and stress-free time abroad.