Pontifical Comillas University: A Legacy of Excellence and Global Engagement

The Comillas Pontifical University, with over a century of history, stands as one of Spain's most esteemed private universities. Rooted in a rich humanistic tradition and committed to rigorous academic standards, this institution, founded by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), offers students a unique educational experience in the heart of Madrid.

A Historical Overview

The university's origins trace back to 1890 when Pope Leo XIII established the Seminary of St. Anthony of Padua in Comillas, Cantabria. The Society of Jesus was entrusted with its administration. In 1969, the university relocated to Madrid. The university integrated the Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería (ICAI) and the Instituto Católico de Administración y Dirección de Empresas (ICADE) into its structure.

Academic Rigor and a Humanistic Approach

Universidad Pontificia Comillas combines a long history of experience in education, characterized by academic excellence and a humanistic tradition in teaching, with a constant desire for modernization stimulated by constant social change. The university provides an educational offering whose strong points include academic rigor, individualized student attention, and high social awareness and commitment.

Location and Campus Life

Located in Madrid, a cosmopolitan city with a population exceeding four million, the university benefits from its proximity to museums, theaters, cultural centers, and parks. Madrid serves as the seat of the Spanish government and a vital financial and cultural hub.

The university has several departments and schools. KU students can take courses at three of the departments and the school of engineering on two Madrid campuses: Alberto Aguilera and Cantoblanco.

The Alberto Aguilera campus is near the metro stops Argüelles, San Bernardo, and Ventura Rodríguez and several bus lines. The Cantoblanco campus is accessible through the Cercanías trains at the Universidad Pontificia Comillas stop as well as several bus lines.

Academic Programs and Departments

During the year more than ten thousand students study careers in law, business administration and management, industrial engineering, computer science, theology, nursing and human and social sciences.

KU and Comillas have exchanges with three departments and one school that are located on two campuses in Madrid. Each of them has a lot of information available online including syllabi, course lists, and general information. Students should plan on taking all of their classes from the department or school in which they are enrolled.

ICAI School of Engineering

The ICAI School of Engineering at Comillas has two main academic areas: Industrial Engineering (including mechanical, electrical, and electronic) and Telecommunications Engineering. Students develop intellectual and professional capabilities, critical thinking skills, and professional skills like leadership, teamwork, and internationalization as part of the program. This program is designed for engineering students and will allow them to gain international experience without missing the required technical courses. Students gain a cross-cultural perspective while learning besides Spanish students. Many course offerings are taught in English, and additional courses are taught in Spanish.

Department of Economic Sciences and Business Administration (Comillas ICADE)

In the Department of Economic Sciences and Business Administration, which is AACSB accredited, students can take courses in business, international business, economics, marketing, and finance, among others.

Department of Law (Comillas ICADE)

In the Department of Law students can take courses in political science, law, and international law, among others.

Department of Humanities and Social Sciences

In the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences students can take courses in education, global and international studies, philosophy, political science, psychology, and social work, among others. The department offers the Diploma in Humanities and Global Challenges (Diploma HUGO), which focuses on International Relations from a European perspective and can be earned by taking four courses from a list of over twenty-five. Many courses offered through the diploma are taught in English, while many of the regular courses in the department are offered in Spanish. Be sure to take a close note of the language of instruction.

Internationalization and Study Abroad Opportunities

Comillas Pontifical University is associated with prestigious international university networks. Comillas has more than a century of educational tradition and forms part of the most extensive network of universities in the world (it has more than 600 agreements with other universities all over the world). It is at the top of the international rankings in aspects such as student services and employability. In fact, it is the second Spanish university in the ‘employment connection’ and ‘employer reputation’ indicators. Students that study at Comillas's often find themselves immediately inserted into the job market.

Students have a unique opportunity to study at RIT exchange partner university Universidad Pontificia Comillas in Madrid, Spain. Students will directly enroll at Comillas and take courses in Spanish or English. Spanish language courses are offered at the beginning and intermediate levels.

Exchange Programs

Currently the only department that has available exchange spots is Engineering. Students in Business, Humanities, and Law are not able to study at Comillas at this time.

Read also: History of the Block 'M'

SAPIENS Program

The SAPIENS program includes some Spanish language and culture courses, and research opportunities. Students can elect to participate in the Fall or Spring, though Spring has a larger number of course options.

Summer SAPIENS Program

Students interested in the Summer SAPIENS program should see the Universidad Pontificia Comillas SAPIENS Summer program page.

Resources for International Students

The International Relations Service office at Comillas works with exchange students and has many links on their page including a Guía para estudiantes extranjeros (written both in Spanish and English) with detailed information for international students.

Course Information and Credit Transfer

ResourcesStudents are encouraged to use the following resources to research available courses at Comillas and to determine if these courses will meet their academic requirements at KU. - Comillas course syllabi: Please see above for links to each department or school and instructions on finding syllabi. - KU Course Equivalency Database is a list of:Courses that are currently pre-approved for KU credit (approved equivalency)Courses that students have had approved for KU credit in the past (expired-approval required)- Credit Approval Process: This is the procedure for obtaining KU course equivalency approval for courses you plan to take abroad.All courses taken and grades earned while abroad must be posted as KU equivalents on a student’s KU transcript and grades will figure into a student’s KU GPA. Students typically earn 12 to 16 KU credit hours during one semester abroad, which is 24 to 32 ECTS credits at Comillas. In order to get a rough estimate of how many ECTS credits are equivalent to KU credits, cut the ECTS credits in half. For example, 6 ECTS credits is generally 3 KU credits. If students have any questions about the credit conversions, please be in touch with the program coordinator.

Housing and Accommodation

Universidad Pontificia Comillas does not have campus housing, so students are responsible for finding their own housing. Housing options typically include host families and apartments. Please note that that housing on the budget is a host family with half board. If a different housing option is chosen, the cost will vary. Comillas suggests some housing companies that students can work with to arrange their housing during their time in Madrid. Some of these companies have discounts for students attending Comillas.

Visa Requirements

citizens must have a passport and obtain a student visa in order to study on this program. Students who do not have a passport should view the processing times and apply for one immediately. passport.Students with a passport should verify that it is an adult passport (valid for ten years), not a child's passport (valid for five years). Students with a child's passport should either apply for an adult passport or consult with the program coordinator about the expiration date. Passports must be valid for one year at the time of submission for a student visa (approximately October or June).In order to submit the visa application, students must be accepted into the program and receive paperwork that Comillas will send to Study Abroad & Global Engagement. Once submitted at the consulate, the student visa will take up to nine weeks to be issued.The consulate can change their policies at any time, but currently, visa applications must be submitted in person to a visa processing agency in Chicago.

A Transformative Experience

Studying abroad at Universidad Pontificia Comillas offers a transformative experience that extends beyond the classroom. Students often report gains in independence, confidence, and adaptability. Immersion in Spanish culture and the opportunity to interact with international students broadens perspectives and fosters cross-cultural understanding.

Students gain a cross-cultural perspective while learning besides Spanish students. Many course offerings are taught in English, and additional courses are taught in Spanish.

Personal Growth and Cultural Immersion

Aside from all the material I learned in my classes and all the experiences I acquired while traveling across Europe, I became a more independent and confident person. It was very worthwhile. I learned to get out of my comfort zone and to not compromise my goals.

Going abroad, most of all, allowed me to explore not only the Spanish culture, but other European cultures as well. In the program there were many students from Europe, and it was interesting to be able to share different perspectives and experiences with them. I gained a lot of knowledge about the world and myself. Learned to live like a european, and yes it was worthwhile. Apart learning the content taught in lectures, I learned to be able to adapt to surroundings and customs of others. I learned a lot about how other people live and about different cultures. I learned how to be independent and how to adapt to a foreign country. I learned how to enjoy my own company and realize that I can enjoy traveling by myself. I learned a lot about myself and what I am capable of. I did things that I have always wanted to do and made friends that I consider to be some of the greatest people that I have ever met. The Spanish language and self sufficiency. Very worth while, I learned about my time management and behavior, experiences fresh sensations of wonder and joy, I learned no body is perfect. It was worthwhile, for sure. Classes taken in Spanish are way harder then taking Spanish language classes. I met lots of people from many different countries and had the opportunity to travel in Europe. I also got to experience another culture and be completely on my own. I would definitely recommend studying abroad! way too much to write in this box. Learned a lot about several different cultures, languages, habits. It was definitely worth while.

Language Acquisition

Prior to going abroad I had decent Spanish skills and understanding, but I was always too afraid to speak Spanish aloud, so studying abroad in Spain forced me to speak Spanish all the time and improved my Spanish and confidence!

Building Global Connections

I could have been friends with other American students but I went out of my way to make as many international friends as possible. Now I have connections in almost every European country and Australia.

Gaining a Global Perspective

One of the most important things I gained was greater insight into the way people from other countries viewed the US. Because the primary elections were taking place during my semester abroad, it was very interesting to learn what people from other countries thought on the matter. It was definitely worthwhile. I learned a lot about myself, about the culture, and about people. The experience was definitely worthwhile.

Commitment to Values

Comillas is committed to the person, educational innovation and ethical and social commitment, and is motivated by the desire to contribute to scientific innovation and to the critical and transforming sense.Since 1890 we have been training professionals committed to society and people prepared to lead and assume responsibilities.

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