Madrid is the capital city of Spain and is located in the centre of the county about 650m above sea level. It is Spain’s largest city and is also the 3rd largest city in Europe after London and Berlin with its population of approximately 3.3 million people.
Madrid is a very important city for Spain as holds both its political and financial centres. The Spanish monarch resides here and it is where the Spanish government assemble.
Madrid plays host to some of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world. There are over a quarter of a million students in Madrid at its public and private universities and institutes, and there is plenty of student life to discover. The city has been voted in the top 20 for the best student cities in the world because of its thriving nightlife, many fine restaurants, more green areas per inhabitant than anywhere else in Europe, sports clubs, cinemas and sociable way of life.
Madrid is one of the top destinations for art and hosts a plethora of some of the world’s best art galleries, museums and theatres. There are some fantastic carnivals, festivals and live music events that take place throughout the year. Of particular notice is Carnival, which takes place in February each year.
Getting around the city is simple with its comprehensive network of metro lines, buses and trains. The Metro runs from 6am until 2am each day and some lines head completely out the main urban area of the city. Trains pick up other routes to the Metropolitan area. You can obtain a monthly 30 day Zone A Young Person’s pass (for people under 23) for around €34 a month.
The city of Madrid experiences around 300 days of sunshine a year. Temperatures can drop to freezing point in Winter and snow can happen, whilst in the Summer temperatures can reach heights of more than 40C.
Getting to / from Madrid
Flying to Madrid is very easy from the UK. There are several UK airports that fly directly to Madrid-Barajas many times a day, including all London airports, Bristol, Liverpool and Manchester. Airlines include British Airways, Iberia, Easyjet, Ryanair and more.
The Airport is located about 8 miles from the heart of the city and is easily connected by affordable public transport.
Practicalities of living in Madrid
As you would expect, the cost of living in Madrid is higher in comparison to other Spanish cities.
Students opt to stay in halls of residence, a room in a shared flat or rent their own studio flat or apartment. Where you stay will depend on the experience you are looking for and your budget.
A room in an apartment typically costs between 300€ and 500€ per month. You will need to pay bills, meals and other living costs on top of this. In halls of residence, you can expect to pay between 650€ and 1000€ a month. This generally includes your bills, and sometime your meals may be included as well.
If you are looking in the private sector for accommodation, always see the area and the room/flat before you sign any agreement and pay any money. Like any major city, Madrid is a big and there can be huge differences between districts.
Spanish healthcare is generally seen as one of the best systems in the world. It is available to British and Irish students with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) although it is worth checking the exact validity of this arrangement.
“ The University gives you the right balance between cultural experience and top class academic education. ”
A Star Future provides information and guidance to British students looking to pursue their undergraduate studies abroad.
Through our presentations in schools and our websites we aim to ensure that British-educated students are well informed about their choices.
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