Are you coming to Madrid to study and you don’t really know where your university is located? Yes, this is an important matter in order to choose your accommodation. Keep reading and discover how to reach the most famous universities of Madrid.

Here we have listed for you the important universities of Madrid, where they’re located and how to reach them, in order to get there from the main areas of the city. Our first tip is choosing a room for rent in the centre of Madrid or inside the M-30 highway. Even though some important campuses are located outside the city or far from the centre, the bustling atmosphere of Madrid is in its main areas. Moreover, you’ll be able to use a great transportation service (bus, train and metro) to reach the university; anyway, at night this might not be possible and taking a taxi or uber to those further areas can be pretty expensive.

Therefore, if you want to fully enjoy your Spanish experience , renting a room in the centre of Madrid is the best way to carry out your adventure abroad: the perfect balance between student life and fun activities!

Take a look at our list of the most famous universities in Madrid and discover how to get there!

Is it worth studying in Spain?

Every year, thousands of young people (mostly international students and professionals) from all over the world come to Madrid to have their lifetime experience. Spain has been ranked as the first country in Europe for exchanges programs (read more about it here). 

For many reasons young internationals decide to move here to study or have an internship, but mostly because:

• Spain has a great educational system (the most famous universities of Madrid - and business schools, as well - are internationally renowned).

• Studying in Spain is affordable.

• Fun in Spain is next level. 

• The cost of life in Spain is cheap (compared to other European countries popular among students).

• The Spanish climate and weather are amazing.

• Everyone falls in love with Spanish language, culture and habits.

Famous universities of Madrid: areas and transportation

Universidad Complutense

Complutense is one of the most important universities of Madrid. Located in the city center, in the Moncloa area, it’s quite easy to reach from most of the neighbourhoods of Madrid. You can go there by metro, using line 3 (metro stop: Moncloa) and also line 6 (metro stop: Ciudad Universitaria).

The other smaller campus of Universidad Complutense is located in Somosaguas area and the best way to get there is by taking a bus from the metro stops Moncloa or Aluche.

The best area to live for students at Complutense is Argüelles, the closest district or Sol-Gran Vía area , where you can take the L3 metro and go straight there!

Universidad Autónoma

Universidad Autónoma is located in Cantoblanco, in the northern area of the city, outside the M-30 highway. The best way to reach the university is by train, called Cercanías (C4 to Colmenar Viejo and Alcobendas-San Sebastián de los Reyes). Or, if you’d rather go by bus, you can take 714, 827, 827A or 828. And you will reach your destination in around 30 minutes.

The areas that we suggest you is Sol and Atocha, where you have the Cercanías train and also the metro lines that will take you to the bus stops.

Universidad Politécnica

This university boasts 2 campuses, Moncloa and Montegancedo. The Moncloa Campus is way easier to reach, by walk or by metro (you can basically choose to live anywhere in the centre of Madrid, but our suggestions are Argüelles or Malasaña). 

For the Montegancedo Campus, far from the city centre, you’ll need to take line 5 metro, therefore, living around Plaza Callao (Sol-Gran Vía area) or in La Latina will be perfect for you.

Universidad Europea

As many other big campuses, also Universidad Europea is located in the outland, in Villaviciosa de Odón. You can reach the campus by taking a bus from the famous Principe Pío station (metro line 10, Ramal). And the best area to live would be Opera (Sol-Gran Vía neighborhood).

While, for those who’re going to the Alcobendas Campus, it is better to take the train (Cercanías C4) or buses; and the best area to live is definitely Sol.

Universidad Rey Juan Carlos

URJC, as it is one of the main universities of Madrid, has many campuses, out of the core areas of the city: Alcorcón, Aranjuéz, Fuenlabrada, Móstoles, Vicálvaro.

To reach the ones in Fuenlabrada and Móstoles, C5 train is what you need; therefore, living close to a Ceranias train station, such as Sol area, is perfect for you.

While, in order to reach the Vicálvaro Campus, in the southern part of the city, the best transport connections are from Salamanca neighborhood.

Universidad Carlos III

UC3 has 4 campuses: three in the outskirts, Getafe, Leganés, Colmenarejo and one in the centre of Madrid, in Puerta de Toledo.

In order to reach the further campuses, you’ll need to take the train, Cercanías (C4 or C5); therefore living in Sol or Atocha is the best choice, 

While if you’re going to attend classes in Puerta de Toledo, no worries, you can pick any neighbourhood in the centre of Madrid: Lavapiés, Sol, Gran Vía, Malasaña and many others... you’ll be there by walk in 20 minutes or you can easily go by metro.

Universidad San Pablo CEU

It has 2 campuses, one in the Moncloa neighbourhood and the other one in Montepríncipe, outside central Madrid. To reach the Moncloa Campus, you can take the metro lines 6 or 7 ( and from here you can also use the free shuttle service to the Montepríncipe Campus). The best areas to look for a room for rent could be Argüelles and Malasaña.

IED Madrid

The “Instituto Europeo de Diseño”, has its campus right in the center of Madrid, between Sol and Gran Vía. By studying and living around here you’ll be able to walk literally anywhere and to be close to all the facilities.

European School of Economics - Madrid

ESE is located in the most prestigious area of Madrid: between Retiro and Salamanca neighborhoods, where you’ll find plenty of dining spots, shops, museums and great transport connections to the other sides of the city.

IE Business School

This worldwide popular business school is located in the exclusive area of Salamanca, but you also will be close to Chamberí. Therefore, you can look for a room for rent in these two neighborhoods or you can even choose to live in the city centre and take advantage of the great metro service that Madrid offers.

Universidad Pontificia Comillas ICAI-ICADE

Located in Alberto Aguilera Street, this university is quite central and the closest metro stations are Argüelles, San Bernardo and Ventura Rodríguez. You can choose to live wherever you want in the city centre, since the distance is quite walkable, or you can use the efficient metro service. Anyway, Malasaña could be the best area to rent your accommodation.

Universidad Francisco de Vitoria

Also this campus is located in Madrid's outskirts and you’ll need to take buses from Moncloa to reach them. You can rent a room in the Moncloa/Argüelles or Lavapiés areas or, if you want to live in the heart or the city, Sol will be perfectly connected by metro. 

Well, we truly hope this article will be helpful to your flat-hunting! If your university is missing in our list, you can always leave a message or contact us at infomadrid@helphousing.com and we’ll be glad to find the best housing option for you.