UAM-Banco Santander Mobility Program (CEAL)

Overview

The UAM-Banco Santander Mobility Program, run through CEAL, sends undergraduate students from partner Latin American universities to Universidad Autonoma de Madrid for a semester. It's a sponsored exchange that pairs UAM's hosting with Banco Santander funding, so the financial package is unusually complete for a single-semester stay. If you're enrolled at one of the partner institutions in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, or Chile, this is one of the more generous routes to study in Madrid.

The stay runs during UAM's second semester, January to June, and the funding is built to cover the real costs of being there. You get a full waiver of UAM tuition fees, a 1,000 euro travel allowance, travel insurance, and a monthly stipend of 900 euros for up to 4.5 installments tied to how long you're actually enrolled. That combination of waived fees plus living support is what sets this apart from exchange schemes that only handle paperwork and leave you to fund the trip yourself.

Selection runs through your home university, not directly with UAM. Your institution's International Relations office issues a public call, nominates candidates, and handles the academic credit recognition under its own rules. This guide covers who can apply, exactly what the package includes, how the nomination process works, and the documents you'll typically need so you can approach your International Relations office prepared.

Key Facts at a Glance

Eligibility Criteria

Academic Requirements

You should be an officially enrolled undergraduate student, preferably on a Grado (bachelor's) programme, at one of the partner universities. Good academic standing matters because your home institution selects and nominates candidates, and credit for your UAM courses is recognised back home under your university's regulations.

Nationality & Institution Requirements

The program is open to students at specific partner universities in four countries. Named partners include the Universidad de Buenos Aires, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, and Universidad Nacional de Cordoba in Argentina; PUC-Rio, Universidade de Sao Paulo, and UFRGS in Brazil; UNAM, Universidad de Guadalajara, and ITESM in Mexico; and Universidad de Chile and Universidad Central de Chile in Chile. You must be enrolled at one of the participating institutions to be nominated.

Language Requirements

Teaching at UAM is in Spanish, which fits the program's Spanish-speaking partner countries. There's no separate language barrier for most candidates from these institutions, but confirm the language demands of the specific UAM courses you plan to take.

Other Requirements

You need to be nominated through your home university's International Relations office; you can't apply directly to UAM. The stay is fixed to the second semester (January to June), so your availability must match that window.

What the Scholarship Covers

• Full waiver of UAM enrollment and tuition fees for the semester.
• A 1,000 euro travel allowance toward your flights to and from Madrid.
• Travel insurance for the duration of the stay.
• A monthly stipend of 900 euros to help with living costs.
• Up to 4.5 monthly installments of the stipend, set by how long you're actually enrolled.
• Academic credit recognition handled by your home university under its own rules.

How to Apply

1. Check you qualify. Confirm you're an enrolled undergraduate at one of the partner universities in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, or Chile.
2. Contact your International Relations office. Reach out to your home university's office, which manages the public call and the nomination.
3. Watch for the public call. Your institution opens an annual call for the spring (January to June) semester; apply within its window.
4. Submit your application package. Provide your academic record, course choices for UAM, and any forms your office requires.
5. Get nominated. Your home university selects and nominates candidates to UAM through the CEAL process.
6. Complete UAM enrollment. Once accepted, finalise your UAM registration and arrange your stay for the second semester.

Required Documents

• Proof of current undergraduate enrollment at your partner university.
• Academic transcript showing your record and standing.
• Learning agreement or list of UAM courses you intend to take.
• Nomination from your home university's International Relations office.
• Valid passport.
• Any application forms or motivation statement your home office requests.
• Banking details for stipend payment once selected.

Key Dates & Deadlines

The program runs an annual public call issued through your home institution for the spring semester, which at UAM covers January to June. Because the call is managed by your own university's International Relations office, the exact opening and closing dates depend on that office's calendar, and they fall well before the January start so there's time for nomination and enrollment. Contact your International Relations office early in the academic year to catch the call window. The stipend covers up to 4.5 installments aligned to your actual enrollment period.

Tips for a Strong Application

What helps

• Talk to your International Relations office early, since they control the call and nomination.
• Keep your academic record strong; nominations favour students in good standing.
• Choose UAM courses that map cleanly to your home degree for smooth credit recognition.
• Have your passport and transcripts ready before the call opens.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Trying to apply directly to UAM instead of going through your home university.
• Missing your institution's call window for the spring semester.
• Picking courses that won't be recognised back home.
• Assuming the stipend covers more than 4.5 months; it's capped at 4.5 installments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for the UAM-Banco Santander Mobility Program?

Undergraduate students officially enrolled at partner universities in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, or Chile. You apply through your home institution, not directly to UAM.

How much does the UAM-Banco Santander Mobility Program pay?

It waives UAM tuition, gives a 1,000 euro travel allowance, includes travel insurance, and pays a 900 euro monthly stipend for up to 4.5 installments based on your enrollment length.

When does the UAM-Banco Santander Mobility Program take place?

The academic stay runs during UAM's second semester, from January to June.

How do I apply for the UAM-Banco Santander Mobility Program?

Contact your home university's International Relations office, which runs the annual public call, selects candidates, and nominates them to UAM through CEAL.

Which universities take part in the UAM-Banco Santander Mobility Program?

Partners include institutions like the Universidad de Buenos Aires, Universidade de Sao Paulo, UNAM, ITESM, and Universidad de Chile, among others across the four countries.

Does the UAM-Banco Santander Mobility Program cover tuition?

Yes. It includes a full waiver of UAM enrollment and tuition fees for the semester.

Is the stipend in the UAM-Banco Santander Mobility Program enough to live on?

It provides 900 euros per month for up to 4.5 installments, plus a travel allowance and insurance, which is designed to support a single-semester stay in Madrid.

Can I apply directly to UAM for this program?

No. Selection runs through your home university's International Relations office, which nominates candidates.

How long does the UAM-Banco Santander stipend last?

Up to 4.5 monthly installments, tied to how long you're actually enrolled at UAM during the semester.

Will my UAM credits count toward my home degree?

Yes. Academic credit recognition follows your home university's own regulations, so coordinate your course choices with them.

What level of study does the UAM-Banco Santander Mobility Program target?

It's for undergraduate students, preferably those enrolled on a Grado (bachelor's) programme.

Do I need to speak Spanish for the UAM-Banco Santander Mobility Program?

UAM teaches in Spanish, which suits students from the Spanish-speaking partner countries. Check the language demands of the specific courses you plan to take.