Would you rather spend your semester abroad not at a faceless, mass-enrollment institution, but in a personal, values-driven environment right in the heart of one of Europe’s most vibrant capitals? Then Universidad Villanueva in Madrid is the perfect place for you. This small, private university is firmly committed to close student support, personal development, and hands-on learning. All of this takes place in the heart of Spain, in a city that uniquely combines history, art, a zest for life, and the vibrant energy of a major metropolis. On our website, you’ll find all the essential information about the university, the city, and more—and discover how your dream of studying abroad at Universidad Villanueva can become a reality. Who knows—maybe you’ll soon be strolling through the alleys of Malasaña, enjoying a siesta in Retiro Park, and working on your next project alongside fellow students from all over the world!
Universidad Villanueva has a long tradition of education, but as an independent university, it is relatively young. Its roots date back to 1977, when the Fundación Universidad Villanueva was founded in Madrid. For more than two decades, the institution operated as an affiliated center of the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, building an excellent reputation during that time in the fields of law, communication, educational sciences, and psychology. In 2019, Villanueva finally received official recognition as an independent private university and began offering courses as Universidad Villanueva in 2020. The result: a university with over four decades of educational experience, yet with the agility and personal touch of a young institution.
What makes Villanueva special is its consistently student-centered approach. Instead of focusing on mass enrollment, the university deliberately prioritizes small study groups where every student is known by name and receives individualized support. Teaching is grounded in a humanistic-Christian values framework that combines academic excellence with the development of character, critical thinking, and social responsibility. At the heart of this is the university’s proprietary teaching concept, “Programa Impronta,” in which students are supported throughout their entire academic journey by a personal advisor—from course selection to career guidance.
Academically, Villanueva specializes in the fields of business, communication, law, education, and psychology, offering ten undergraduate degree programs as well as several dual degree programs. Practical relevance is a top priority: With more than 1,200 partnership agreements with national and international companies and institutions, the university provides its students with an extensive network for internships and career entry. The academic program is complemented by the university’s own language institute, a career services team, and numerous extracurricular activities such as debate clubs, sports programs, and social projects under the “Villanueva Solidaria” initiative. The university also maintains an international network, enabling its students to study abroad at partner universities worldwide. If you’re looking for a university where you won’t get lost in the crowd but will truly be seen, Villanueva offers an environment that promises exactly that.
The main campus of Universidad Villanueva is located in the Mirasierra neighborhood in Madrid’s Fuencarral-El Pardo district, which is in a quiet area, has excellent public transportation connections, and is just a few minutes away from Madrid’s business district. Spread across several buildings on the same street, the facilities are easily accessible on foot, making everyday campus life pleasantly compact. Modern lecture halls, a well-equipped library, television and media studios for the communication programs, and simulation rooms for the psychology programs provide a practical learning environment.
The campus’s manageable size fosters exactly what Villanueva stands for: a close-knit, personal atmosphere where students quickly find their bearings and where fellow students and faculty members are not anonymous. Common areas invite students to study in groups as well as to socialize between lectures, and there are numerous extracurricular activities. From sports and debate clubs to social projects, these activities ensure that student life outside the lecture halls is also well-rounded.
In addition to its main campus in Mirasierra, Universidad Villanueva operates a second campus in Pozuelo de Alarcón, which specializes in health sciences. This campus features clinical facilities and simulation labs that enable hands-on training from the very beginning of the program, further demonstrating the university’s consistent focus on practical application.
With a population of around 3.3 million, Madrid is not only the capital but also the cultural and economic heart of Spain and one of Europe’s most vibrant cities. World-class museums such as the Prado and the Reina Sofía, the lush expanses of Retiro Park, countless tapas bars, and a nightlife that ranks among the most vibrant on the continent: Madrid offers a blend of culture, history, and joie de vivre that is unparalleled internationally. At the same time, the city is remarkably green and livable, with wide boulevards, countless parks, and a culinary scene ranging from traditional markets to trendy international restaurants.
For international students, Madrid is a particularly welcoming place: The city is safe, well-organized, and easy to explore even without a car thanks to a dense metro and bus network. Those who want to travel from time to time benefit from Madrid’s central location in Spain and its good train and flight connections to other European cities. Getting started with the language is also manageable: In the tourist and student districts, you can get by just fine with English, although knowledge of Spanish makes everyday life and interacting with locals considerably easier.
Compared to other Western European capitals, the cost of living in Madrid is still moderate, even though rents have risen noticeably in recent years. A room in a shared apartment costs between 450 and 650 euros per month, depending on the location and neighborhood; student dorms typically range from 600 to 900 euros, including meals and utilities. Those who prefer their own studio should expect to pay between 800 and 1,100 euros. Popular student neighborhoods include the lively Malasaña with its alternative café and bar scene, the chic Salamanca near the campus, and Chamberí with its quieter yet central location. If you start looking for housing early, you’ll find good and affordable options in Madrid and can focus fully on an unforgettable semester abroad.
Munich Business School (MBS) offers you the opportunity to combine your studies in Munich with a semester abroad at Universidad Villanueva in Madrid—all as part of your bachelor’s degree program! You can complete your semester abroad at Villanueva as part of the Bachelor of Arts in International Business program at MBS through the Erasmus program. Learn more about our degree programs now!
Note: Despite careful maintenance of our content, individual details regarding the semester abroad may occasionally change. For binding and up-to-date information, we recommend checking our partner university database.
Has the Bachelor of Arts in International Business at Munich Business School piqued your interest? If so, you can easily apply through the MBS application portal to start your studies in February or September. Provided you meet the necessary academic and language requirements, you’ll then be invited to a selection interview. It’s best to apply early to give yourself the best chance of spending a semester abroad at Universidad Villanueva!
Once your application to Munich Business School has been accepted and you have successfully enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts in International Business program, your time as a student in Munich begins. During your first few semesters, you’ll learn key business fundamentals, choose your areas of concentration and electives based on your interests, and collaborate with your fellow students on exciting projects.
Your first semesters at Munich Business School are also the ideal time to plan your Erasmus semester abroad at Universidad Villanueva. When you’ll study abroad in Madrid depends on when you started your degree program. If you began your bachelor’s program in the fall, your semester abroad will take place during your fourth semester. If you started in February, you’ll go abroad during your sixth semester. The MBS International Center is here to help you plan your semester abroad at Villanueva and will answer all your questions about course selection, housing, and Erasmus formalities.
Once you’ve successfully completed your first semesters at Munich Business School and finalized your plans for your Erasmus semester at Villanueva, it’s finally time to get started. Yay, your semester abroad in Madrid is about to begin! Immerse yourself in Villanueva’s personal, values-driven learning environment, make new friends with students from all over Europe, enjoy the Spanish way of life, and create memories that will last a lifetime! One thing is certain: the experience of studying abroad in Spain will stay with you forever, and you’ll return a changed person. After your semester abroad, you’ll return to Munich Business School and complete your bachelor’s degree after one to three more semesters.
To qualify for a business degree program at Munich Business School—and thus also for an Erasmus semester abroad at Universidad Villanueva—you must meet certain academic and language requirements. MBS offers several application rounds. We recommend applying early, as the number of exchange spots is limited.
A semester abroad at Universidad Villanueva in Madrid is a dream for many young adults—and for good reason! At the same time, studying abroad in Spain is a major step that requires careful planning and financing. To help you organize your experience as best as possible, this FAQ provides answers to common questions about studying at Villanueva.
Universidad Villanueva stands out above all for its personalized support and individualized teaching approach. Rather than focusing on large student bodies, the university deliberately positions itself as a small, values-driven institution where every student is known by name and receives individualized support throughout their entire course of study. With over 1,200 partnership agreements with companies and institutions, Villanueva also offers a strong professional network. International rankings by major business accreditation bodies have not been a factor for Villanueva so far, but anyone seeking a close-knit learning atmosphere with a clear focus on practical application will find an authentic environment here.
Compared to other Western European capitals, Madrid is still one of the more moderately priced cities, even though rents have risen recently. For housing, food, transportation, and leisure activities, you should expect total monthly costs of between 900 and 1,200 euros. A room in a shared apartment usually costs between 450 and 650 euros, while a room in a student dormitory costs about 600 to 900 euros. If you combine your semester abroad at Villanueva with your studies at Munich Business School as part of the Erasmus program, you’ll generally benefit from reduced or waived additional tuition fees. You can get detailed information on this from the International Center at MBS.
Most of the regular courses at Universidad Villanueva are taught in Spanish. However, for international exchange students, the university offers select English-language courses as well as support through its in-house language institute, which also teaches Spanish as a foreign language. A basic knowledge of Spanish is therefore recommended to help you navigate both the course offerings and everyday life in Madrid as effectively as possible, and to make it easier to connect with local classmates.
Elsenheimerstraße 61
80687 München Germany