Complete Guide for Access to the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM)

Information about the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM)

The Complutense University of Madrid has more than 20 faculties, standing out in areas such as humanities, social sciences, and health sciences, with three campuses: the University City campus, the Somosaguas campus and the Chamberí-Centro campus. It offers a wide variety of undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs, attracting students from all over the world. For more information, you can consult the official website of the MCU

The Complutense University of Madrid offers a wide range of services to support its students:

• The General Information Office provides assistance with university procedures and services, where you can also request information on access to scholarships and financial aid.
• The extensive library network It offers study spaces and bibliographic resources, while the sports facilities promote healthy living through various activities.
• You can also find La Casa del Estudiante, which offers services and resources for student well-being, including personal counseling and cultural events.
• The IT Services provide access to technological resources and technical support, and through the Complutense Language Center you can take language courses.
• They also have an Internship and Employment Office that facilitates job placement through internships and professional guidance.
• In addition, the UCM also offers health coverage, student insurance, a student card with multiple benefits and an academic management platform where students can consult addresses and schedules of administrative units.

History of the UCM

The Complutense University of Madrid (UCM) is one of the oldest universities in Spain.

The history of the UCM dates back to 1499, when Cardinal Cisneros founded an institution with the name of Complutense University in Alcalá de Henares by Papal Bull granted by Pope Alexander VI in 1499. However, Its origin dates back to 1293, when King Sancho IV of Castile created the General Schools of Alcalá. Around 1509-1510 there were already five faculties: Arts and Philosophy, Theology, Canon Law, Letters and Medicine.

In 1836, the University was moved to Madrid, where it was located on San Bernardo Street and took the name of Universidad Central. Years later, in 1927, the construction of a university area in Moncloa was planned, where the so-called Silver Age of Spanish CultureAmong the professors who taught in their classrooms were José Ortega y Gasset, Manuel García Morente, Luis Jiménez de Asúa, Santiago Ramón y Cajal and Blas Cabrera.

The Spanish Civil War caused the destruction of buildings and institutes located on the university campus, as well as the loss of part of its scientific, artistic and bibliographic heritage. In 1970, the Government approved plans to reform higher education, changing the name of the Central University to Complutense and creating the Somosaguas campus to house the faculties of Social Sciences.

Currently, the UCM offers a wide variety of study programs, including 69 degrees of Grade, 20 programs of Double Degrees, 157 Master's degrees University students, 14 international degrees, 58 ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR DOCTORAL PROGRAMS and numerous continuing education courses. This is one of the most comprehensive academic offerings in Europe. Students can choose between studying at one of the 26 faculties and 9 affiliated centres, or completing their training at 39 university research institutes, 7 vocational schools, and 14 university clinics and hospitals.

Teaching and faculty

The academic style of the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM) is characterized by having one of the most prestigious teaching staff in Spain, and for combining both master classes and advanced learning techniques in its classrooms. The UCM has more than 6.000 professors who cover practically all areas of knowledge. It has great filters of academic and scientific rigor that consolidate it as a One of the leading universities in Spain and even EuropeThe university also has a large number of professionals in administration and services to ensure its effectiveness and efficiency.

Contact details

The contact details for the UCM are:

• Phone: +34 91 452 0400
• Website: https://www.ucm.es/
• E-mail: informacion@ucm.es
• Postal address: Seneca Avenue, 2, University City, Madrid (28040)
• Video presentation

Admission Requirements for the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM)

Depending on each student's previous studies, there are various ways to access the University. Here we explain in more detail the different ways of access if you wish to begin your studies at the UCM:

a) Students without university studies started

There are two ways to access:

• Access to the UCM through Baccalaureate and University Entrance Exam. Admission will be based on the grade obtained in high school and in the University Entrance Exams (PAU), adding, if applicable, the specific weighting for this degree obtained in the Specific Phase.
• Access to the UCM through Specific Competence Tests (PCE) and homologation. The PCE, or Specific Competence Tests, are exams that foreign students must pass in order to study at a university in Spain or to increase their admission grade. You could say that the PCE are like a version of the university entrance exam, but aimed at students with foreign studies. The National University of Distance Education (UNED) organizes the PCE test through UNEDasiss, the body responsible for evaluating the academic records of international students and carrying out the tests necessary for them to access degree studies at universities in Spain. Homologation is a procedure that allows you to obtain the equivalence in Spain of your secondary studies obtained in another country. If you have studied abroad and have chosen to continue your education in Spain, it is essential that you complete all the necessary procedures to homologate your studies. We leave you 2 links that can help you:
• If you need help with homologation, contact us.
• If you need the best academy to prepare for the PCE, visit PCE School.

b) Access to the UCM for graduates with a Higher Technical Degree in Vocational Training or equivalent

• For this type of access, the average grade of the student's record will be considered. If the demand exceeds the number of places available, the access grade will be calculated by adding the weighting obtained for this degree in the specific phase of the access test to the average grade of the student's record. The weighting table is the same for Baccalaureate and Vocational Training.

c) Access to the UCM for people over 25 years of age, 45 years of age and 40 years of age with certified work experience

• 3% of places are reserved for those over 25 years of age in all branches of knowledge, and 1% for those over 45 years of age and for those over 40 years of age with certified work experience. In all cases, the grade obtained in the entrance exam will be considered. Please note that each university establishes its own entrance exams and requirements.

d) Students with university studies

For this case there are 2 alternatives:

• Starting a new degree at the UCM. Students who hold an official university degree issued by a Spanish university or equivalent according to state regulations (bachelor's degree, diploma, degree, master's degree) may start a university degree again. You should know that the grade for admission will be the average grade obtained in the access qualification and that the reserved quota of places in each degree is 1%.
• Access to Master's Degree at UCM. Students wishing to access a master's degree at the UCM must have one of the following qualifications:
  • Official University Degree issued in Spain.
  • Academic certification of studies completed, including subjects passed, credits and grades obtained, and, if applicable, the date of issue of the degree.
  • Degree awarded by an institution of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) that allows access to master's studies in the country of origin.
  • Qualification from educational systems outside the EHEA that allows access to master's studies in the country of origin.
  • Other documents that may be requested:
    • Certificate of Equivalence of Average Grades. It must be prepared on the website of the competent Spanish Ministry or you can ask us for help through this link.
    • Credential of homologation or declaration of equivalence at the degree level or equivalent academic level issued by the competent Spanish Ministry. This is only mandatory for qualifying master's degrees.
    • In addition, students from foreign educational systems whose mother tongue is not Spanish must prove a B2 level of Spanish (or higher), unless specific master's programs indicate otherwise in their teaching guides. Specific requirements for the requested master's degree must also be considered, which can be consulted on the corresponding master's degree website.

e) Access to doctoral studies at the UCM

To access an official doctoral programme, it is generally required to have an official Spanish Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree, or their equivalent, with at least 300 ECTS credits completed between the two. Those who meet any of the following conditions can also access the programme:

• Possess a degree from the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) that certifies level 7 of the European Qualifications Framework.
• Have a degree from an educational system outside the EHEA, equivalent to a Spanish university Master's degree and allowing access to a doctorate in the country of origin, without the need for homologation, subject to verification by the university.
• Possession of an Official University Master's Degree obtained in Spain or in the EHEA after 2007.
• Having completed at least two years of training in a specialization program in Health Sciences (MIR, FIR, PIR, etc.) with a positive evaluation.
• Possess another Spanish or foreign doctorate degree approved or equivalent to a higher qualification in Spain.
• Possess an official university degree corresponding to level 3 of the Spanish Qualifications Framework for Higher Education.
• Be studying official Spanish or EHEA studies that allow access to a doctorate and prove that you have obtained the degree and its correspondence with the qualification levels before the dates indicated in the admission call.

f) Continuation of studies started at another university

• Transfer of records from a Spanish university to the UCM. To transfer your academic record, you must have completed partial official Spanish university studies and wish to enter the Complutense University with a minimum of 30 recognised credits. The application is made through an online form addressed to the Student Secretary of the corresponding Faculty. Please note that you must check with the Faculty Secretary if there are places available for transfers, as not all faculties accept students through this means.
• Partial validation of foreign studies. To continue university studies started at a foreign university, it is necessary to carry out a partial validation of foreign studies. For this process, it is essential to take into account that not all degrees at the Complutense University of Madrid have places available each year to carry out this process. It is necessary to check the offer of places each year to find out if it would be possible to carry out the process.

Enrollment Process at the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM)

The registration process includes online pre-registration, submission of documents and confirmation of place. Here we explain each step in detail:

Registration process for undergraduate students at UCM.

• The registration process at the UCM is carried out by completing a single online application to apply for a place at the public universities of Madrid (Alcalá, Autónoma, Carlos III, Complutense, Politécnica and Rey Juan Carlos).
• Students who have passed the Entrance Exam for those over 25, 40 and 45 years of age must pre-register individually at each university where they wish to apply for a place.
• After completing and confirming your application, you will receive a pre-registration receipt with details about the documentation you must submit electronically.

Registration process for master's students at the UCM

• Pre-registration is done online. During the pre-registration period, you can access the Official Master's website to complete the form with your personal details and attach the required documentation in PDF format.

Registration process for PhD students at UCM

• Applications for admission must be made online. A single application must be completed in which up to a maximum of three doctoral programs may be chosen in order of preference.

Important dates for admission to the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM)

Make sure you meet the established dates and keep an eye on official publications so you don't miss any opportunities. Please note that these are approximate dates and correspond to the 2024/2025 academic year.

Ordinary Phase dates for access to university degree 2024/2025:

General Dates:

• From June 7 to 28 for all students.
• Foreign Students: From June 7 at 9:00 a.m. to July 8 at 14:00 p.m. for students from Foreign Education Systems (art. 38.5 of Organic Law 2/2006, of May 3, on Education). If you do not have your documentation by that date, your EvAU Community of Madrid 2024 Students: Will pre-register from June 14 at 9:00 a.m.
• Degrees with Specific Access Test: Pre-registration from June 7 to 19 (until 14:00 p.m.).
• Publication of Lists of Admitted Applicants: July 12 at 9:00 a.m.
• Claims: July 12, 15 and 16.
• Waiting Lists: July 15, 16 and 17.

Extraordinary Phase dates for access to university degree 2024/2025:

• Offer of Degrees: Only those degrees in which vacancies have remained after the distribution of the ordinary phase will be offered.
• Dates: From July 22 at 9:00 a.m. to July 26 for all students at the six Public Universities of Madrid.
• Publication of Lists of Admitted Applicants: September 4 at 9:00 a.m.
• Claims: September 4 and 5.

Dates for access to master's degrees at the UCM

For the 2024-2025 academic year, different deadlines have been established for admission to master's degrees:

Dates First Ordinary Term:

• Application for Admission: From February 1st to 23rd
• Publication of Admitted: Starting March 18
• Claims: March 18, 19 and 20
• Registration: May 31st to June 6th

Second Ordinary Term Dates:

• Application for Admission: From April 22 to May 22
• Publication of Admitted: Starting June 19
• Claims: June 19, 20 and 21
• Registration: June 19-28
• Waiting List Management: During the month of July

Extraordinary Deadline Dates (exclusively for masters with free places):

• Application for Admission: From September 2 to 6
• Publication of Admitted: From September 13
• Claims: September 13-16
• Registration: September 13-19
• Waiting List Management: At the request of the coordination if there are students on the waiting list

Dates for access to PhD at UCM

• Enrollment period for the 2024/2025 academic year.
• Admitted in the extraordinary early deadline: From June 24 to 28, 2024
• Continuing students and new students admitted during the regular period: From October 15 to 31, 2024

Documentation required for admission to the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM)

Depending on your destination, you will have to submit one type of documentation or another:

General documentation for the Online Application for access to a university degree at the UCM:

• Identity document (NIF, NIE, Passport)
• Certificate of Studies and/or University Degree.
• Specific Documentation: As required by the corresponding Faculties.
• Standard Registration Form: Available through the Visiting Student Office during registration periods.
• Passport Size Photo: One recent photo.

Documentation for admission to master's degrees at the UCM

• When applying for admission to master's degrees, it is mandatory to digitally attach the following documentation along with the electronic form within the established deadlines:
• Identity document (NIF, NIE, Passport)
• Academic certification of the studies completed, including subjects passed, credits, workload, grades obtained and, if applicable, the date of issue of the degree
• UCM Model of Commitment to Obtaining a Degree (for those students who have not yet completed their access studies)
• Curriculum vitae detailing academic and professional training
• In addition, students with previous studies carried out in foreign centers must provide the documentation translated into Spanish and the Declaration of Equivalence of the Average Grade of university academic records (link), issued by the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training (MEFP).

Documentation for admission to a PhD at the UCM

• Identity document (NIF, NIE, Passport)
• Curriculum vitae detailing academic and professional training, as well as previous research experience.
• Degrees that give access to the program (bachelor's and master's degrees)
• Academic certificates of bachelor's and master's degrees, which certify the duration of the studies, the subjects passed and the grades obtained
• Doctoral thesis project or plan.
• Brief report or endorsement by the doctoral thesis director proposed by the candidate
• Accredited knowledge of English (minimum level B2)
• Cover letters from university professors or other research institutions who are directly familiar with the applicant's competency.
• For non-Spanish speaking applicants, documentation proving knowledge of Spanish, since it is the language in which the program is taught, the training activities are developed and the administrative procedures are carried out at the UCM.

Admissions Tips for the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM)

By following these tips, you will be able to handle the selection process with greater confidence and efficiency, increasing your chances of success in accessing the Complutense University of Madrid:

• Prepare in Advance. Have all your documents ready and check the deadlines before you start your application.
• Learn about the Specific Requirements. Find out about the additional requirements of your faculty and program of interest.
• Use a calendar. Write down all important dates such as application deadlines, admission lists, and appeal periods.
• Verify and Save Documents. Make sure your documents are current and legible, and keep digital copies of all documents and communications.
• Consult with professionals for any questions you may have. Bureaucratic processes such as approvals, registrations or obtaining certificates can often be complex. Consult with our team (link) if you need help.

Testimonials from students at the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM)

Here are some testimonials from UCM students:

• Laura Martín, student at the Faculty of Education at the Complutense University of Madrid: “This is my fourth and last year studying at the Complutense University. The good atmosphere in the faculties of the Complutense is incredible, especially in my own, because even if you don’t know half of the people, everyone is very friendly. The professors, despite there being so many students in the classrooms, are very attentive and always willing to help at any time.”
• Pablo Obregón, student of the Degree in Social and Cultural Anthropology at the UCM: “There are some very good professors who stand out above the average. The subjects are very interesting and diverse, but especially from the second and third year onwards. The faculty itself is a meeting place and a place for the circulation of ideas, associations, groups and activities that keep the place always alive and intellectually attractive.”

Frequently asked questions for admission to the Complutense University of Madrid

• What are the admission requirements to the UCM for students who have not yet started university studies? Students can access through the Baccalaureate and University Entrance Exam (PAU), Specific Competence Tests (PCE) and homologation, Higher Technical Vocational Training, or through specific tests for those over 25, 40 and 45 years of age.
• How can students with university studies access the UCM? Students with university studies can start a new degree, access master's degrees or doctorates depending on their previous qualifications and meet the specific requirements of each program.
• What is the registration process for undergraduate students at UCM? The process includes online pre-registration, submission of documents and confirmation of a place. Details vary depending on the type of previous studies and the program you wish to access.
• What are the steps to enroll in a master's degree at the UCM? Pre-registration and application for admission are done online, attaching the required documentation in PDF format.
• What are the key dates for admission to undergraduate courses at UCM for the 2024/2025 academic year? Important dates include the pre-registration period from June 7 to 28, publication of admission lists on July 12, and claims from July 12 to 16.
• What are the admission dates for master's degrees at the UCM? The first regular period is from February 1 to 23, with registration from May 31 to June 6. The second regular period is from April 22 to May 22, with registration from June 19 to 28.
• What documents are required to apply for access to a university degree? An identity document, certificate of studies, specific documentation depending on the faculty, registration form and a passport-sized photograph are required.
• What documents are required for admission to master's degrees? The identity document, academic certification, curriculum vitae, and for foreign students, the Declaration of Equivalence of the Average Grade must be attached.

What services does UCM offer to support its students?

The UCM offers information services, access to scholarships and financial aid, libraries, sports facilities, personal advice, IT services, language courses, internships and employment, health coverage, and more.

We hope this guide has been helpful to you. If you need more information, please do not hesitate to contact us through our social networks or by email at info@legalspain.com. You can also check the official UCM website for more details. We wish you much success in your admission process!