UAM is one of the most highly rated public universities in Spain, so admission is variable by program. Medicine around 12.8-13/14 cut-off grade (the most competitive), Psychology around 11-12/14, Law around 9-11/14, Business around 8-11/14, and many science and education programs are more accessible (5-9/14). For Romanians, the cut-off grade is calculated from the Baccalaureate through UNEDasiss. A Baccalaureate average of 9 plus is recommended for competitive programs, Baccalaureate 8 plus is enough for most. To raise your grade you can take the PCE (Pruebas de Competencias Específicas) in additional subjects. The cut-off grade figures vary from year to year.

As an EU citizen, you pay statutory EU fees set annually by Comunidad de Madrid: approximately €1,200-€2,000 per year (60 ECTS x approximately €20-€33 per credit, depending on the program). Madrid accommodation: €450-€800 per month (university residence or shared apartment). Food: €250-€400 per month. Transport: the public transport youth pass in Madrid is very cheap (approximately €20-€40 per month). Total cost per year: approximately €11,000-€16,000. Total 4-year bachelor's all-in: under €60,000, drastically lower than the UK (over 180,000 pounds) or the USA (over 280,000 dollars). Note: bachelor's degrees in Spain take 4 years (240 ECTS), not 3 as in the UK.

Becas MEC (Ministerio de Educación): for EU citizens with family income below the threshold, covers tuition plus a living component. Becas de la Comunidad de Madrid: regional grants for EU students studying in Madrid. UAM's own scholarships: for students with good results or financial need. Erasmus+: if you come initially on an academic exchange of 1-2 semesters, you receive €350-€500 per month. Bursa Spania of the Romanian Ministry of Education: for Romanians admitted to a Spanish public university, combinable with Spanish scholarships. Important: the EU fees you receive automatically (approximately €1,200-€2,000 per year) are already a substantial advantage over non-EU students.

Most bachelor's degrees at UAM are taught in Spanish, so you need B2 Spanish level (proven through DELE or SIELE). However, there are also programs or courses in English, especially at master's level and in certain Business, Economics and International Studies courses. For Romanians who do not yet speak Spanish, the recommendation is to start your language preparation early, since Spanish is learned relatively quickly and opens up UAM's entire offering. At master's level the offering in English is broader. UAM remains one of the best public universities in Spain, with an affordable EU fee.

UAM is renowned for: Law (Facultad de Derecho, one of the most prestigious in Spain), Medicine (affiliated with the La Paz, Puerta de Hierro, La Princesa hospitals), Physics and Mathematics (among the best ranked in Spain, with areas in the QS by Subject global top 100), Biology and Biochemistry, Economics and Business, Psychology, Philosophy and Humanities, Education Sciences. The partnership with CSIC (Higher Council for Scientific Research) makes UAM a strong research hub, especially useful for students who want to continue with a master's and doctorate.

UAM has its main campus at Cantoblanco, approximately 15 km north of Madrid, a green and modern campus integrated with CSIC research institutes. You reach the center of Madrid in approximately 30 minutes on the cercanías train (Renfe, line C-4). Madrid is a vibrant capital: culture, major museums (Prado, Reina Sofía), gastronomy, nightlife, sport and a growing tech and business scene. Public transport for young people is very cheap. International community: thousands of international students, the Erasmus Student Network (ESN), events and trips. Everyday language: Spanish, although English works well in international settings.

Yes, as an EU citizen! Unlike the United Kingdom or the USA where you must apply for a work visa, as a Romanian (EU) citizen you have the automatic right to work in Spain without a visa. Madrid is Spain's main economic hub, with the headquarters of major companies (BBVA, Santander, Telefónica, Indra, Iberdrola) and a growing tech and startup scene. Main industries: finance, telecom, tech, consulting, energy, healthcare, administration. Graduate salaries: Engineering/IT approximately €25-€40k starting; Business/Econ approximately €22-€35k; Law approximately €22-€32k; Medicine (MIR resident) approximately €30-€45k. Plus, with an EU degree, you can work anywhere in the EU without a visa.

Bachelor's degrees at UAM last 4 years (240 ECTS), in line with the European Bologna system. That means one year more than the UK (3 years) and the same as the USA (4 years). ECTS (European Credit Transfer System): 1 ECTS equals approximately 25-30 hours of total study (lectures plus individual work). A standard academic year is 60 ECTS equals 2 semesters x 30 ECTS. To obtain the bachelor's ("Grado") you must accumulate 240 ECTS plus complete a Trabajo Fin de Grado (TFG), a bachelor's thesis in the final year. Advantage of the ECTS system: you can transfer credits to other European universities (useful for Erasmus exchanges). Exceptions: Medicine takes 6 years (360 ECTS), and Pharmacy takes 5 years (300 ECTS).