Gap Year

Gap Year

Live an experience that will change your life, discover who you are!

This program is aimed at students who have just completed an academic stage (high school or undergraduate) and need some time before deciding whether they want to continue their studies or enter the job market.

Thanks to the Gap Year program you will be able to work on your soft skills (leadership, resilience, entrepreneurship...), learn a new language, travel around Spain (the gateway to Europe) and take certified courses to enhance your employability and your quality of life.

• Duration: 1 semester (4 months).
• Content: 28 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System).
• Languages: Spanish and English.
• Price: €6,000

 Area 1 | Discover by traveling

Travel broadens the mind, offers enriching cultural experiences, fosters personal development, provides relaxation, creates lasting memories and promotes cross-cultural understanding.

Camino de Santiago
Credits: 3 ECTS

This is the beginning: a fascinating 7-day journey through the area of Galicia (Spain). With the help of our expert guides, you will get to know the oldest and most celebrated route in Europe - follow the yellow arrows!

Surprise trip to Spain
Credits: 1 ECTS

The Gap Year program includes a weekend cultural trip to an important location in Spain. Other years we have seen World Heritage cities such as Cordoba and Salamanca - be amazed!

Trips and cultural visits a la carte (optional)
Credits: 1 ECTS
Separate service not included in the program price

In addition to the trips included in the program, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid offers all its students a complete list of optional trips (from 45 €) that includes destinations such as Seville, Granada or the Basque Country. Are you up for it?

Area 2 | Master new languages

Language courses will give you an extra immersion during your stay in Spain.

Experiential Spanish
Credits: 4 ECTS

The language courses will give you an extra immersion during your stay in Spain. The program includes a hybrid Experiential Spanish course with face-to-face workshops and off-campus activities. In addition, this course includes occasional outings to the center of Madrid where your teachers will teach you how to interact in Spanish while you walk around the country's capital. What more could you ask for?

European and non-European languages (optional)
Credits: 4 ECTS
Separate service not included in the program price

German, French, Italian, Portuguese... You can take advantage of your Gap Year to get started in all these European languages. Or, if you prefer to go further, you can start learning Arabic, Chinese or Japanese at the UC3M Language Center. You set the limits!

Area 3 | Find your ideal job

We offer you the opportunity to get closer to the reality of business and work, while improving your skills and acquiring new competencies, and you will be able to visit some of the most important companies in the country! This is what you will learn:

Inclusive leadership: mediation and conflict management
Credits: 2 ECTS

Conflicts and misunderstandings are inevitable in any work (and personal) area, so future leaders must be able to resolve them in a respectful, fair and effective manner. Learn how to get out of any situation!

Initiative and autonomy
Credits: 2 ECTS

Initiative is the ability to initiate projects or tasks independently, without being motivated by others. Autonomy refers to the freedom to make one's own decisions and take responsibility for them. Both are essential for personal and professional growth. Developing these skills allows people to take ownership of their work and be proactive in pursuing their goals. Let nothing hold you back!

Organizational culture
Credits: 1 ECTS

Organizational culture includes the shared values, beliefs and practices that shape the behavior of individuals in an organization. A positive organizational culture can lead to positive outcomes for the organization itself, for its partners, for its employees and for the territories in which it operates. Learn how to maintain a positive environment in any organization.

Mindfulness and resilience
Credits: 2 ECTS

Mindfulness is the practice of being present and fully engaged in the present moment, without judgment. Mindfulness promotes resilience, that is, the ability to recover from adversity and cope with stress and difficult situations. At a time when mental health is a priority, these practices are essential to prevent disorders such as anxiety, depression and dependencies. Free your mind!

Sports and nutrition
Credits: 1 ECTS

A healthy mind requires a healthy body. Spain stands out for having one of the best gastronomies in the world and is known worldwide for the quality of its athletes. What is the Spanish secret? Discover the Mediterranean diet and the benefits of sport!

Coaching: personal motivation
Credits: 1 ECTS

We believe in you! We know you are capable of anything and we want to help you achieve all your dreams and goals. Change your life with the help of our professional coach! Discover how much you have the power to change your life and the lives of others.

Area 5 | Be your best self

You can change the world. You may not believe it, but it's true. Young people are the future, and that's why we want to help you improve your skills and show you how each of your actions can have a positive impact on society.

Introduction to gender studies
Credits: 1 ECTS

Societies in which men and women have equal opportunities are more productive, culturally richer and socially happier. An egalitarian society has countless benefits for both men and women. We will prove it to you!

Workshop on Climate Change
Credits: 2 ECTS

Climate change is causing a number of negative impacts, such as rising sea levels, extreme weather events and changes in precipitation patterns that can lead to water scarcity and threaten biodiversity and human livelihoods. One of the solutions is the use of renewable energies - we'll show you what they are!

Volunteering
Credits: 2 ECTS
Separate service not included in the program price

There are many ways to volunteer, supporting those who need it most. From Universidad Carlos III de Madrid we provide you with different options if you want to be part of these initiatives.

This program is aimed at students who have completed their high school studies and are interested in learning about Spanish culture and acquiring skills, knowledge and abilities through an educational program that combines experiential and academic activities.

• Have completed secondary school studies
• Have at least B1 level in English or in Spanish

Documentation

• Passport.
• High school diploma.
• Academic certificate.
• Language certificate.

Application

• Deadlines: June 22nd through November 30th.
• Apply Now

Admission

• Applications are reviewed as they arrive.
• Once we have all the completed applications, the response to the admission is usually given within approximately one month.
• Admission is conditional upon payment of a 850€ reservation fee. This amount will be deducted from the total price of the program at the time of enrollment.

Enrollment

Date to be confirmed

• When does it start? The spring semester 23/24 is taken between the months of February and May.
• When can I apply for admission? Call for application open until November 30th.
• Are the activities evaluable? All activities are aimed at acquiring competences through experiential learning and are assessable.
• How many credits can be taken? In the course of one term you can take a minimum of 16 ECTS and a maximum of 28 ECTS.
• Is there any individualized guidance? During the course, individualized student follow-up is conducted through mentoring sessions organized by academic tutors.

Request Information

Need more information? We're here to help! Please fill out this form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

Thank you very much!