Students on exchange pay in-state tuition directly to USC and do not pay tuition to UFV. All housing, food, and personal expenses are paid by the student in Madrid. To get an idea of​ ​life on site, you will find the typical cost of living in Madrid on the numbeo website. 

The majority of courses offered are taught in Spanish, but courses taught in English are available for Business and International Relations, however, students must be aware that English taught courses have limited spots and students must be prepared to take their course load in Spanish with native speakers if they cannot obtain an English taught course.

Please note that programs cannot be mixed, and students must register for courses belonging to their specific area of study per UFV's course registration policy. To find the course offerings at UFV, navigate to General Information, then Academic Offer. Students who are interested in language acquisition can sign up for an intensive Spanish language program prior to the start of the semester or Spanish as a Foreign Language course during their semester(s) abroad. 

To see courses USC students have taken at this university, please reference the Registrar's Course Equivalency Table. 

While the exchange program does not provide for organized excursions, there are many student organizations that students can get involved with and which may include travel in their activities. Being the capital of Spain, Madrid is home to many cultural sites, events, and amenities that take place throughout the year, allowing students to become more immersed in Spanish culture. 

Students are also welcome to enroll in the buddy program, allowing them to be paired with local students prior to and upon arrival to help them adjust to life in Madrid. Local buddies may pick up students can pick up students from the airport and accompany students during the university orientation. The international office will host optional events and activities for students and their buddies. 

Per university policy, all USC students will be charged for  emergency medical, evacuation and repatriation insurance of for their time abroad. Students will be enrolled in this insurance by the education abroad office prior to their departure. This charge will appear on the USC bill for the semester(s) in which they are abroad. Contact the Education Abroad Office for more details. 

UFV does not have a housing office, therefore students must arrange all housing on their own. However, the International Relations Office has useful information that cold help students locate housing. The most economical option is to rent a flat shared with other students (estimated between 1,000-1,200€/month for housing + personal expenses). The options are diverse: single rooms with or without ensuite bathroom, full-floor rental, families, student residences, etc. UFV reccomends students to contact Citylife Madrid who will assist students in everything related to their stay, even before arriving in Madrid (accommodation, bank account, transportation, mobile hiring, Internet, etc.).

The official school year runs similar to that of USC, the fall semester running from early September through mid-December or mid-January, depending on the courses of the student; and the Spring semester starting in mid-January and concluding in early June. 

A mandatory orientation for all international students will take place each semester before classes begin at UFV.

Students who attend UFV for a semester or academic year are required to obtain a Spanish visa at the consulate within their home juristdiction. In many cases, students must appear in person at the Spanish consulate or embassy within their juristdiction. The Spanish consulate in Miami, FL is the closest consulate for South Carolina residents and USC students. Planning ahead is vital as each consulate and embassy operate on their own timelines and require specific documents. Please contact the Education Abroad Office for information on the Spanish visa process.