UPM SERVICES

It can be a big, exciting and sometimes daunting change moving to another country to study. Here is some information about UPM student services and resources that may help you settle in at UPM.

Accommodation

The best way to find accommodation is to check out the accommodation options and book temporary accommodation in Madrid before you arrive. Once you are in Madrid, you will be able to look for accommodation that is better suited to your needs. If you do not find accommodation before you arrive, you should arrange to be in Madrid 10 to 15 days before lectures start. This will give you time to find a place to stay. The cost of accommodation depends very much on the area you choose to live in. If your budget is tight, you should look further outside the city centre. If you prefer the city centre (Gran Vía, Bilbao, Sol, Tribunal or La Latina), then you should be prepared to pay more.

Average rental prices in Madrid are:

• • • – A room in a shared apartment from €300 per month
    • – A studio from €550 per month
    • – An apartment for two starting from €800 per month
    • – A room in a student residence from €860 per month.

Bear in mind that your rent may not include bills (electricity, water, cleaning, WiFi, gas, taxes). Also take into account that the huge majority of landlords will ask you for a deposit at check-in usually equivalent to one month’s rent. This deposit will be refunded to you at the end of your stay provided you leave the accommodation in good condition. This means that you will have to pay the first month’s rent plus the deposit.

Shared flats:

www.aluni.net

www.uniplaces.com

www.spotahome.com

www.emes.es

Student residences:

http://fundaciongomezpardo.es/residencia/

https://nexoresidencias.com/

https://residencias-abay.com/

https://www.easo.es/en/

University residences:

Through the Madrid Association of University Residences (Asociación de Colegios Mayores de Madrid), the UPM can help you find accommodation at one of the Association’s partner university residences.

Further information: http://www.asociacioncm.es/asociacion/colegios-mayores-asociados/

UPM contact address: international.incoming@upm.es

Spanish Language Courses

The UPM Language Centre, run by the UPM’s Vice Rectorate for Academic Strategy and Internationalisation, has developed a flexible offer of Spanish language courses adapted to the special demands of its higher education community. The Spanish Language and Culture courses aim to provide students with the necessary Spanish language communication skills and strategies for everyday situations in both academic (formal) and sociocultural (informal) settings, as well as to prompt and encourage interest in and curiosity about Spanish culture, traditions and customs.

The UPM Language Centre offers courses for proficiency levels A1 to B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL) and personalized solutions for students of other levels, as well as tailor-made courses for institutions.

Every year international students attend the following courses:

• • • – Pre-semester courses (Aug/Sept and Jan/ Feb) – 50-hour intensive Spanish language and culture courses, including a 20-hour cultural programme covering three weeks
    • – Semester-long courses (Sept/Dec and Feb/ May) – 40-hour fall and spring semester courses
    • – Summer courses (July) – 100-hour intensive course, including face-to-face classes and cultural activities over a four-week period.

The UPM is also an official DELE and SIELE examination centre. DELE and SIELE are Spanish language proficiency certificates awarded by the Cervantes Institute on behalf of the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports.

Further information: http://www.lenguas.upm.es

Mentor Programme

The aim of the UPM mentoring project is to set up a guidance and assistance programme for first-year and international students. Senior students are responsible for mentoring under the supervision of lecturers.

The main aim of the mentor programme is to set up mechanisms to help new students (first-year and international students) with their academic and social integration at the university and ensure that they continue and succeed in higher education. This is achieved through:

• • • – Academic guidance: providing mentored students with the help they need to cope with the subjects that they are studying from the viewpoint of the mentor as a former student of these subjects.
    • – Social guidance: helping new students adapt to the university with particular attention to diversity.
    • – Administrative guidance: providing new students with guidance for general administrative procedures.

The International Office at the school where you are studying will tell you if the mentor programme is running and put you in touch with mentors who can help you adapt to life at the UPM.

Wi-Fi on Campus

WI-FI was devised as an alternative connection to the university’s wired network as a way to provide mobility and allow access to the network from any point within range. Wi-Fi is available at all UPM schools and at the Central Administration Offices. This means that users from any school can connect to the network in the specified areas, regardless of the school at which they are studying. The UPM’s Wi-Fi network is part of the worldwide eduroam service. Students who have eduroam installed in their devices will have Wi-Fi access directly. Students who do not have eduroam access will be able to use our network as soon as they have a UPM student email account

Assistance for the Disabled

The Vice-Rectorate for Student Affairs has a Disabled Care Unit to assist disabled students with everything they need, providing as much help as possible so they are able to study.

Further information:

http://www.upm.es/UPM/CompromisoSocial/UnidadAtencionDiscapacidad

Phone:  91 067 06 71

e-mail: discapacidad.alumnos@upm.es