History
Universidad Poltécnica de Madrid (UPM) was founded in 1971 through the integration of the Higher Technical Schools which up until then made up the Higher Technical Institutes. The University Schools joined the following year.
Education
UPM degrees cover all areas of Architecture and Engineering in current society in which the technological advances are decisive and in which scientists and engineers acquire greater and greater responsibility.
As a guarantee of the training of future generations, the UPM combines the four main functions of a modern superior education institution: teaching, the generation of knowledge, the transfer of this knowledge to the productive sectors and the dissemination of the scientific and technological knowledge as an exponent of the overall service that must be rendered to our society.
Research
One of the most important characteristics of the UPM is its culture of intensive research, which aspires to develop projects of excellence by means of a wide scientific basis. At the same time, the intense collaboration with governmental bodies and industry guarantees that research at the UPM offers real solutions to real-world problems.
Career
Graduates from UPM enjoy strong career prospects, both in Spain and internationally. Here are some key opportunities:
- UPM has one of the highest graduate employment rates in Spain, especially in engineering, architecture, and IT-related fields.
- With its strong international reputation and partnerships, UPM opens doors to multinational companies, research institutions, and academic careers abroad.
- UPM fosters startup culture through innovation hubs and incubators, encouraging graduates to launch their own tech or engineering ventures.
- The University has close ties with major companies like Airbus, INDRA, Telefónica, IBM, and Siemens, offering internships, joint projects, and direct recruitment channels.
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) Key Statistics & Highlights
- #334 Ranking
- 17 Masters
- 56 Scholarships
- 2,500 Academic Staff
- 38,794 Students
- 5,819 Students (int'l)
- 12,414 Students (female)
- Public Institution Type
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) Overview
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) Scholarships
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) Scholarships
Below you will find scholarships related to Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM). Distinction can be made between scholarships provided by the University and those provided by independent providers.
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Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) Student Reviews & Awards
Based on 50 reviews
- 5 Star 16 Reviews
- 4 Star 24 Reviews
- 3 Star 9 Reviews
- 2 Star 1 Review
- 1 Star 0 Reviews
How Students Rated This University
- Overall Satisfaction 4.3
- Admission Process 4.4
- Quality of Student Life 4.2
- Career Development 4.2
my stay has been wonderful
i�ve met a lot of friendly people the environment at Universidad Polit�cnica de Madrid seems very peaceful and i�d recommend it to anyone who�s looking for a place that feels like home. it�s really refreshing here
Enriching experience
Spending four years at my university has been an incredibly unique and enriching experience. The level of attention from the teachers is exceptional, and the facilities available to students are top-notch. Most of the faculty members are highly knowledgeable and dedicated to helping students succeed. While, like any institution, there are a few downsides, the positive aspects far outweigh them. The academic structure is thoughtfully designed, and the extracurricular activities offered allow students to engage beyond the classroom and enrich their overall university life.
Curriculum
The curriculum delivers an extensive, in-depth understanding, covering a wide range of relevant information on each topic. In addition to the detailed courses, the university also offers a variety of extracurricular activities that enhance students' personal and professional development. These activities provide a balanced experience, allowing students to explore their interests beyond academics while gaining valuable skills.
Global Student Satisfaction Awards 2025
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2025. Universities with a score above 4.0 (out of 5) in any of the 7 award categories, receive Badges of Excellence. Congratulations!
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Overall SatisfactionHow would you rate your overall study experience?
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Admission ProcessHow simple was it to apply to your programme?
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Quality of Student LifeHow was your everyday life?
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Career DevelopmentDid the university provide support for your career development?
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) Rankings
Study Portals Meta Ranking
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
QS World University Rankings
By TopUniversities
Dropped 13 places compared to 2025
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend QS World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 349 | 321 | 334 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Academic Ranking of World Universities
By Shanghai Jiao Tong University
The university hasn’t moved up or down in the rankings over the past year.
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend Academic Ranking of World Universities
| 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 701 | 601 | 601 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
World University Rankings
By Times Higher Education
The university hasn’t moved up or down in the rankings over the past year.
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 801 | - | 1001 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Best Global Universities Rankings
By U.S. News & World Report
This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2026 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
3 year trend Best Global Universities Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 631 | - | - |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Housing services
UPM-associated accomodation options include Colegios Mayores and Residences, which are university-affiliated accommodations that provide full-board services, including meals, cleaning, and laundry. They also offer cultural activities and sports facilities, fostering a comprehensive student experience. The prices are between 650 and 1,000 euros. The residences are cheaper than the halls of residence. Other options include Private Housing Assistance, an Intergenerational Living Program, other temporary and budget-friendly options, as well as access to online platforms for student accommodation (Erasmus Play, Student.com, Uniplaces, Casita).
Library services
The history of our library is much older than the University itself as many of its centres were founded in the 18th and 19th centuries. The Library currently has around 775,000 monographs, 11,800 periodical publication titles, 12.000 units of audiovisual material, as well as a collection of 20.000 titles in electronic format.
ICT services
- UPM Student Email Account (@alumnos.upm.es): After enrollment, students receive a university email account.
- Politécnica Virtual: Online portal where students can manage academic activities.
- Wireless Network Access: Campus-wide Wi-Fi connectivity.
- Distance Learning Services: Platforms for online learning.
- Library and Information Resources: UPM's libraries offer extensive digital resources.
Medical services
Student Insurance covers students included in its scope of application for all contingencies expressly stated therein, provided that the health care expenses are incurred within the territory of Spain in accordance with the principle of territoriality as laid down in the General Law on Social Security.
Campus life
Located in the Greater Madrid area (Communidad de Madrid), the UPM offers its students an exceptional scientific and intellectual environment.
Sports facilities
The UPM also promotes sports practice and offers its teachers, researchers, students and administration and service staff the possibility of carrying out multiple activities. It has sports facilities in the Montegancedo Campus and Campus Sur, adapted for those people with limited mobility. Its twenty sports clubs, one for each Centre, stimulates them to participate in sports. Every year the Technical University of Madrid has an outstanding participation in the Spanish University Championships, and is one of those which has the greatest number of successes in medals.
Accreditation
Several prestigious accreditations underscore UPM´s commitment to academic excellence and international standards:
- ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology): Multiple engineering programs at UPM are accredited by ABET, ensuring they meet the quality standards essential for the global engineering profession
- NAAB (National Architectural Accrediting Board): UPM's architecture programs have received accreditation from NAAB, reflecting adherence to rigorous educational standards in architectural education
- EUR-ACE and EURO-INF Seals: They certify that UPM's engineering and informatics programs meet high European and international education standards, facilitating professional mobility across Europe