Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
About
UC3M is a Spanish public university that excels in research, teaching and innovation. It is among the best universities in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2025 and among the best institutions in employability, according to The Global University Employability Ranking and Survey (Geurs2024). In the latest edition of THE Impact Rankings, it was ranked 24th in the world for its commitment to peace and justice. It has more than 780 agreements with universities in 57 countries, among which there are some of the best universities in the world according to the Shanghai University ranking. 27,8% of its students are international. The University is one of the promoters of the Young Universities for the Future of Europe (YUFE) alliance, one of the networks selected by the EU in its European Universities Initiative. UC3M is the first university in Europe to obtain the ACEEU dual accreditation for its contribution and impact on the industrial and social fabric, and it also has other accreditations and distinctions of quality such as the EUR-ACE seal in the field of engineering or the AACSB accreditation in business and finance programs.
Introduction
UC3M is a Spanish public university that excels in research, teaching and innovation. It is among the best universities in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2025 and among the best institutions in employability, according to The Global University Employability Ranking and Survey (Geurs2024). In the latest edition of THE Impact Rankings, it was ranked 24th in the world for its commitment to peace and justice. It has more than 780 agreements with universities in 57 countries, among which there are some of the best universities in the world according to the Shanghai University ranking. 27,8% of its students are international. The University is one of the promoters of the Young Universities for the Future of Europe (YUFE) alliance, one of the networks selected by the EU in its European Universities Initiative. UC3M is the first university in Europe to obtain the ACEEU dual accreditation for its contribution and impact on the industrial and social fabric, and it also has other accreditations and distinctions of quality such as the EUR-ACE seal in the field of engineering or the AACSB accreditation in business and finance programs.
History
UC3M was established by an Act of the Spanish Parliament on 5 May 1989, within the framework of the University Reform Act of 1983. From the outset it was intended to be a relatively small, innovative, public university, providing teaching of the highest quality and focused primarily on research. Our first Chancellor was Professor Gregorio Peces-Barba.
Mission
UC3M´s mission is to contribute to the improvement of society through teaching of the highest quality and cutting-edge research in line with stringent international guidelines. The University aspires to excellence in all its activities, with the aim of becoming one of the top universities in Europe.
Values
The university actively encourages the personal development of all those connected to the higher education community. All our activities are guided by the values of merit, ability, efficiency, transparency, fairness, equality and respect for the environment.
Campus Features
Getafe Campus
Located in the town of Getafe to the south of Madrid, this campus has two schools: the School of Social Science and Law, and the School of Humanities. The modern campus installations include two libraries, computer rooms in various buildings, audiovisual rooms, recording studios, court rooms, wifi throughout the campus and a sports centres with facilities for basketball, tennis, squash, beach-volleyball and sauna, among others.
Leganés Campus
Located in the town of Leganés, to the south of Madrid, this campus houses the School of Engineering. Its modern installations include the library, computer rooms in various buildings, laboratories, wifi throughout the campus and a sports centre with an indoor swimming pool. There is also an Auditorium where plays, opera and concerts are performed throughout the year.
Colmenarejo Campus
Located in the town of Colmenarejo, to the northeast of Madrid, the campus has three schools: the School of Social Science and Law, the School of Humanities and the School of Engineering. Its modern installations include a library, work, study and research rooms and a journals library, among others.
Madrid-Puerta de Toledo Campus
The Madrid-Puerta de Toledo campus, located in the heart of Madrid, is the main venue for the UC3M Center of Postgraduate Studies (University Master’s programs and professional training and development), as well as scientific and cultural activities geared toward the public. The Campus is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, among which we can highlight its library, multimedia rooms, Conference Hall, workspaces with Wi-Fi, and Auditorium with its wide array of technical equipment. The campus facilities and location make it an ideal spot for holding all types of cultural or scientific activities.
Rankings
International Rankings
- 319th position on the QS World University Rankings 2024
- Among the 136 best universities in the world for employability, according to the THE’s Global University Employability Ranking 2022
- The UC3M is ranked among the 170 best universities in the world and the top ten universities in Spain in terms of employability, according to the new edition of the QS Graduate Employability Ranking 2022
- Amongst the best universities worldwide in seven academic fields according to THE Ranking by Subject 2022
- UC3M, is among the world’s best universities in 13 academic fields, according to QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023
- It is ranked 24th in the world among the best centres to specialise in finance and is the only Spanish public university in this ranking
- 35th spot worldwide and ranked 10th in Europe, on QS Top 50 Under 50 Ranking
- Classified in the Shanghai Ranking as one of the best universities in the world in 14 academic subjects
- UC3M among the best universities in the world for its commitment to the SDGs according to THE Impact Rankings 2023
- Second best Spanish university according to U-Multirank 2020
- Among the 250 best young universities in the world according to THE Young University Rankings 2020
- Among the 50 best European universities in teaching excellence according to the 2019 THE Teaching ranking
National Rankings
- Among the 4 best Spanish universities, according to Fundación Conocimiento y Desarrollo CYD Ranking
- Leader in U-Ranking 2023 for its performance
- Ranked among the best Spanish universities for its academic performance, according to the report “La Universidad Española en Cifras. Año 2017 y curso académico 2017/2018” (The University in Figures. Year 2017 and academic year 2017/2018) published by the Conferencia de Rectores de las Universidades Españolas (CRUE) (Spanish University Rectors Conference)
- Twelve UC3M Bachelor's degrees ranked among the best in Spain according to El Mundo newspaper’s 50 Degree Ranking 2023
- 25 UC3M Master’s programs are among the best in Spain according to the El Mundo 2023 250 Masters Guide
Accreditations
Campus Life & Facilities
For teaching and research
- Libraries
- Laboratories and workshops
- Television and recording Studios
- Courtroom
- Audiovisual Rooms
- Language Activity and Resource Centres
- Teleteaching rooms
For Culture and Sports
- Auditorium
- Centros deportivos
Spaces for individual and group:
- Computer rooms
- Group Study Rooms
- Virtual Rooms
