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.
University Ranking
QS World University Rankings by TopUniversities
2025
321 28
2024
349 139
2023
488
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.
Academic Ranking of World Universities by Shanghai Jiao Tong University
2024
601 100
2023
701 -100
2022
601
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.
World University Rankings by Times Higher Education
2025
-
2024
801 200
2023
1001
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.
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report
2025
-
2024
631 -67
2023
564
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.
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