FindUniPath EditorialUniversidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) at a glance
- City
- Madrid
- Type
- Public university
- Website
- upm.es/internacional
Key takeaways
- UPM's current price list sets €84.07 per ECTS for most masters for non-resident non-EU students, against €45.02 for EU students.
- That is about €5,044 for a 60-ECTS master, plus a €27.54 file fee and €6.11 secretariat fee.
- Our data lists 13 English-taught UPM masters, mainly in computing, telecom and biomedical engineering.
- Non-EHEA applicants must show an English B2 certificate and legalised documents.
- The 2nd pre-registration period for a February 2027 start runs 16 November 2026 to 14 January 2027; the 1st period opens in January.
On this page
The Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) is Madrid's public technical university, and it is one of the cheapest ways to study an English-taught engineering master's in the Spanish capital. Non-resident non-EU students pay €84.07 per ECTS for most masters, which is about €5,044 for 60 ECTS.
That is higher than in Catalonia or Andalusia, but still far below private universities in Madrid. Here is the full picture.
Why UPM is good value
- Public prices in Madrid: about €5,044 for most 60-ECTS masters at the non-EU rate.
- Focused English catalogue in software, data science, IoT, wireless communications and biomedical engineering.
- Two entry points: a main period opening in January, and a second period for programs that can start in February.
- No pre-registration fee stated: you only pay a €150 reservation once admitted.
UPM tuition fees
UPM's price page lists per-credit prices 'for this academic year' under the Community of Madrid public price rules. The non-EU price applies to foreign students over 18 who are not residents and not EU nationals.
| Master type | EU student | Non-EU, non-resident |
|---|---|---|
| Most masters | €45.02 | €84.07 |
| Annex I masters | €19.43 | €154.80 |
| Teacher training master | €16.92 | €126.00 |
Add a file-opening fee of €27.54 and secretariat costs of €6.11. Which masters belong to Annex I is listed separately on the UPM website, so check before you choose: an Annex I master costs much more for non-EU students. The page does not name the academic year, so confirm the price for 2027/28 when it is published.
English-taught programs at UPM
| Field | Example masters | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Computing and data | Software Engineering; Data Science; Formal Methods in Computer Engineering | 60–120 ECTS |
| Digital innovation | Digital Innovation; Digital Innovation – Health and Medical Data Analytics | 120 ECTS |
| Telecommunications | Internet of Things; Wireless Communications; Signal Theory and Communications | 60 ECTS |
| Biomedical | Biomedical Engineering; Neurotechnology; Computational Biology | 60 ECTS |
| Physics and materials | Quantum Technologies (inter-university); Materials Engineering | 60–90 ECTS |
Search UPM's English-taught master's list, and compare other cities in English-taught programs in Spain.
Admission requirements for non-EHEA graduates
- Degree: an official university degree from a non-EHEA country that gives access to master's study, legalised by apostille or the diplomatic route. No fixed minimum grade.
- English: a B2 (CEFR) certificate is mandatory for non-EHEA applicants, from UPM's accepted list.
- Documents: passport, legalised degree certificate (or proof of application), legalised transcript with credits and grades, and official translations if not in Spanish or English.
- Homologation: only for professional (habilitante) masters.
You may apply to one master per period; if rejected, you can apply again in the next period. See Spain university admission requirements.
Deadlines
| Period | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1st period (all programs) | Opens in January | Recommended for non-EHEA and non-EU applicants |
| 2nd period, 2026/27 (February 2027 start) | 16 Nov 2026 – 14 Jan 2027 | Only programs with places that can start in the second semester; admitted list 27 Jan 2027 |
Use the first period for a September start
UPM advises non-EHEA applicants to use the 1st period because of legalization and visa times. The exact 2027/28 1st-period dates were not in our data yet; check the UPM calendar.
Scholarships
We found no UPM master's scholarship for incoming non-EU students on the pages checked. EIT Digital programs may offer their own scholarships. See scholarships in Spain for international students.
Living in Madrid and visa money
Madrid is Spain's capital, and housing demand is high. For the visa you must prove funds of 100% of the IPREM per month (less with prepaid housing; tuition does not count) and have health insurance from an insurer authorised in Spain. You may work up to 30 hours a week if it fits your studies. After a master's, you can apply for a 24-month job-search residence; see work and stay in Spain after graduation.
Who should choose this university
UPM is a good choice if you want a public, English-taught technical master in Madrid in software, data, IoT, telecom or biomedical engineering, and you can apply in the January period. If you want an English bachelor's in Madrid, look at Carlos III. If the lowest tuition matters most, Catalan and Andalusian options in this list are cheaper. Whatever you choose, read each program page carefully, because entry backgrounds, English levels and periods differ from one master to the next.
Mistakes to avoid
- Assuming a student visa makes you a resident. For tuition purposes a study-stay authorisation is not residence, so budget for the non-EU rate.
- Applying in the last period. Late admissions often leave too little time for document legalization and the visa appointment.
- Forgetting the visa funds. The visa needs proof of 100% of the IPREM per month on top of tuition; tuition payments do not count.
- Picking an Annex I master by accident. Annex I masters cost €154.80 per ECTS for non-EU students instead of €84.07.
Honest pros and cons
Benefits
- Public technical university in the capital
- Strong English options in data, IoT and biomedical engineering
- Low €150 reservation and no stated application fee
- Second-semester start for some programs
Difficulties
- Non-EU rate nearly double the EU rate
- Annex I masters cost €154.80 per ECTS for non-EU students
- One master per application period
- No UPM scholarship for non-EU students found
Applying from Afghanistan
Afghan applicants
UPM requires non-EHEA documents legalised by apostille or the diplomatic route. Afghanistan is not in the Apostille Convention, so you need the full diplomatic chain, and the Spanish Embassy in Kabul is closed. Visas go through Islamabad or Tehran with proof of legal residence. See our documents guide.
How to apply step by step
- 1
Pick one master
Check that it is not an Annex I master if you want the lower non-EU price.
- 2
Legalise documents and get B2
Prepare your legalised degree and transcript and an accepted English certificate.
- 3
Apply in the 1st period
Use the UPM online pre-registration form via UPM procedures.
- 4
Pay the €150 reservation
Pay within the deadline after admission; it is deducted from tuition and not refunded if you do not enrol.
- 5
Apply for your visa
Apply at least two months before classes; see the Spain student visa guide.
Also in Madrid: Carlos III University. Browse all Spain guides and track deadlines for free on FindUniPath.
Frequently asked questions
How much does UPM cost for non-EU students?
UPM lists €84.07 per ECTS for most masters for non-resident non-EU students, about €5,044 for 60 ECTS. Annex I masters cost €154.80 per ECTS.
Does UPM teach masters in English?
Yes. Our data lists 13 English-taught masters, including Data Science, Software Engineering, IoT and Biomedical Engineering.
What English level does UPM require?
Non-EHEA applicants must provide an English B2 (CEFR) certificate from UPM's accepted list.
Can I start a UPM master in February?
Some programs with places can start in February. For February 2027, the 2nd period runs 16 November 2026 to 14 January 2027.
Official sources
Checked on 16 October 2026. Rules, fees and dates change — always confirm on the official page before you apply.
- 1.UPM — Master's enrolment and prices
- 2.UPM — Admission for non-EHEA graduates
- 3.UPM — Master's calendar
- 4.UPM — English-taught master's programs
- 5.Spanish Ministry of Inclusion — Study stay authorisation
- 6.Spanish Ministry of Inclusion — Job-search residence after studies
- 7.Embassy of Spain in Kabul