Complutense University of Madrid

The Complutense University of Madrid, known in Spanish as the Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), is a public research institution that has been shaping minds since the late 13th century. Its roots trace back to 1293, when it was founded in Alcalá de Henares, making it one of the oldest operating universities on the planet. In 1836, the institution packed up and moved to the Spanish capital, where it now anchors the entire Ciudad Universitaria district, a sprawling campus that feels like a city within a city, plus additional annexes in Somosaguas, near Pozuelo de Alarcón.

As a research powerhouse, UCM consistently ranks among Spain's top universities, attracting students from across the globe. Its academic offerings span virtually every field, from humanities and social sciences to cutting-edge STEM programs. The university's library system is one of the most extensive in Europe, holding millions of volumes, including priceless historical manuscripts. Over the centuries, UCM has produced a staggering number of influential alumni, including Nobel laureates, heads of state, and literary giants like Federico García Lorca and José Ortega y Gasset. With a student body exceeding 80,000, it's not just an educational institution; it's a cultural and intellectual hub that pulses with activity day and night. [edit]

UCM's mission centers on higher education, scientific research, and cultural dissemination. It positions itself as a driver of scientific research and entrepreneurship, with influence throughout Europe. As the largest university in Spain, it serves as a cultural and intellectual hub, attracting students from across the globe. [edit]

Founded in 1293 in Alcalá de Henares, the university's name derives from the Roman name for the town, Complutum. For over five centuries it operated there, becoming a center of learning during the Spanish Golden Age. In 1836, the institution relocated to Madrid, eventually settling in the purpose-built Ciudad Universitaria campus in the 1920s and 1930s, which was designed as a self-contained academic city.

The modern legal entity dates from 1970, when a reorganization under the University Reform Act consolidated its structure. Since then, UCM has expanded its faculties and research centers, solidified its reputation as Spain's leading public university, and weathered periods of political upheaval, including the Spanish Civil War and the Franco era.

Recent years have seen the university navigate public controversies, such as the 2022 incident involving misogynistic chants by students, which drew national condemnation. It has also been drawn into a high-profile graft trial involving Begoña Gómez, wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, with the university seeking €113,509 from her if she is convicted. [edit]