University of Wisconsin–Madison
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WIP Universidad Complutense de Madrid

The rooftops of older, moderately-tall buildings at sunset.

Talk to a representative for this program at the Study Abroad Fair.

Spain, Madrid

Immerse yourself in the Spanish experience by living in Madrid, home to some of Spain’s finest museums, theater, and cinema. Join the UW-Madison WIP Madrid program for an academic year or semester to enjoy tapas, futbol, y arte while studying in Spain’s vibrant capital!

This program, a consortium of students from Wisconsin, Indiana, and Purdue (WIP), allows you to study alongside Spanish students in university courses at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, an authentic complement to additional courses at Universidades Reunidas that are specially designed for American students and are jointly sponsored by WIP and other U.S. colleges and universities with programs in Madrid. Want to take courses taught in English? Check out the WIP Madrid English program!

The goals of the WIP Madrid program seek to advance your competence with the Spanish language and knowledge of Spanish literature, culture, history and the arts. By enrolling in courses at Complutense, you will integrate into the academic and social environment of being a student at a global institution. Housing options of either renting a room in an apartment shared with Spanish and international students or living in a homestay will offer you different levels of cultural immersion and perspectives on today's Spanish society. This program is ideal if you’re seeking a challenging academic program with immense rewards in personal and academic development through immersion experiences.

Complutense is located on an old estate known as La Moncloa, which traces its history back to 1499. The grounds encompass full range of facultades (or "schools"), each housed in a separate building with its own library and offices. This campus serves as your home base in a city of nearly five million inhabitants. 

Learning Objectives

We have overall Goals and Expectations for Study Abroad Participants, covering the personal, academic and professional aspects of study abroad. Additionally on this program, you can:

  • Gain competence with the Spanish language; knowledge of Spanish history, culture, literature and the arts
  • Take advantage of the course offerings at the Complutense University
  • Integrate into the academic and social environment of the Complutense University
  • Develop a literacy in day-to-day life in Madrid
  • Experience intentional immersion in a supportive environment
  • Achieve personal development and the ability to adapt to a new culture

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to providing quality study abroad and domestic study away programs for every UW-Madison student. We work strategically to identify, address, and remove barriers that may prevent participation and to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for students. Our staff actively engages with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds and prioritizes the continuous development of our knowledge and cultural competence. We also recognize the importance of increasing access to study abroad for historically underrepresented student populations. We are committed to diversity and inclusion so that every student can engage with and understand their identity through a new lens and continue to develop and make progress on their personal, professional, and academic goals.

Sustainability

We recognize that the future of study abroad, domestic study away, and international internship programming requires a Commitment to Sustainability. We are devoted to examining, developing, and improving sustainability in all our endeavors, aligning with campus priorities and following through with UW-Madison's climate action and Resilience Commitment. Join our efforts and learn more about how to study abroad sustainably.

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Eligibility

  • Open to UW-Madison degree-seeking students and degree-seeking undergraduate students within the UW System. Degree-seeking undergraduate students outside of the UW System must be a Wisconsin resident. Consortium university students should apply directly to their home university.

  • At the time of participation students must have completed 4 semesters at a US College or University. 

  • 2.5 cumulative GPA
  • Language Prerequisite: 5th semester of college-level Spanish

  • Junior, Senior
  • 3.0 cumulative GPA in all Spanish language courses
  • Language Prerequisite(s):
    Variable (see notes) Spanish
  • Good academic and disciplinary standing
  • At the time of application and the semester prior to participation, UW-Madison students must be currently enrolled. Transfer Students to UW-Madison need to be currently enrolled at their home institution

Advising Location

Program Structure

UW Signature

Subjects

Arts, Spanish language, humanities, and social sciences

Classroom Language

Spanish

Housing

Local Hosts, Apartments

Program Duration

Academic Year: Late August - Early June
Fall: Late August - Mid-December
Spring: Mid-January - Early June

Application Deadline(s)

Fall 2026-27 2/6/2026 Cost Details
Year 2026-27 2/6/2026 Cost Details
Spring 2026-27 8/7/2026 Cost Details
Fall 2027-28 2/5/2027 Cost Details
Year 2027-28 2/5/2027 Cost Details

Future durations will be posted at a later date.

APPLY NOW

 

The WIP program is a rigorous and challenging study abroad program in the best and most rewarding way possible.  -Karlee C.

Depending on the term you are abroad, you will take a combination of Reunidas and Complutense courses, all located on the Complutense campus. All classes are taught in Spanish.

Reunidas is a consortium of six study abroad programs that represent more than nine U.S. universities. The Reunidas course list covers a wide range of disciplines that include arts and philosophy, Spanish literature and language, history and the social sciences. Courses at Reunidas are taken with other U.S. students studying abroad and are taught by local faculty.

At Complutense you will directly enroll in regular university courses with Spanish classmates. Courses available to you at Complutense will be within the following three Facultades (schools): 
     -Facultad de Filologia (Spanish language and literature);
     -Facultad de Filosofia (philosophy, religion and ethics); and
     -Facultad de Geografia e Historia (art history, geography, history, and music)

The WIP program will provide you with a Spanish peer tutor to assist you with your Complutense courses and orient you towards the most effective way to study. The peer tutor is either in the class with you or has previously taken the class with the same professor. Peer tutors are optional, but data suggests that students who work together with a peer tutor are more likely to receive higher grades in their Complutense courses.

Academic Year: You will take a minimum of one Complutense course during the fall and spring semester. Your other courses will be a combination of Complutense and Reunidas for a total of 15 credits minimum per term. 

Fall Only: You will take 15 credits of Reunidas courses for the fall term. Complutense courses are not an option for the fall term due to the final exam schedule. 

Spring Only: You will take a minimum of one Complutense course during the spring semester. Your other courses will be a combination of Complutense and Reunidas for a total of 15 credits minimum.

In addition to the WIP Madrid Spanish program, there is a WIP Madrid English program. Students participating in the Spanish program may be eligible to take up to one course from the WIP English program if the course is required for their major or degree progress. A letter explaining the need for this course from your academic advisor will be required. 

The WIP Resident Director, a faculty member from a WIP school, will provide you with academic assistance and advising in registering for your courses on-site. To help you prepare for university life at Complutense, Reunidas provides information and perspective on the academic culture in Spain

Affiliate Institution(s)

Universidad Complutense de Madrid Universidades Norteamericanas Reunidas

Foreign Courses

Course Offerings at Reunidas (Students on this program select only from the courses offered in Spanish and are not eligible for courses offered on the English track)

Course Equivalents

Use the links below to see a list of courses that past students have taken on this program and the UW equivalents. Note: This list only includes pre-approved courses for your program and may not be an exhaustive list of courses, departments or equivalents. Courses may not be available the semester you are abroad. You will receive instructions on the course equivalent process after acceptance. View Course Equivalents