Gap Year

Gap Year Program

Discover your potential. Transform your future.

This program is designed for students who have recently completed a stage of their education (high school or university) and need time before deciding whether to continue their studies, what to study, or how to approach entering the job market and transitioning to adulthood.

The Gap Year Program is structured around personalized student support. The selection of activities focuses on an immersive introduction to Spanish culture, skills development, personal growth, and the exploration of future life opportunities through experiential learning, self-awareness, personal autonomy, and cooperative and intercultural interaction with the university and the local community.

• Duration: 1 semester (4 months), with the option to study for a whole year.
• Certified content: up to 30 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System).
• Languages: English (including optional experiential and online introductory activities to the Spanish language)

The program is divided into two semesters:

Autumn semester: from September to December
Spring semester: from February to May

The majority of the program activities are taught in English. In order to complete the program, you must take all activities, except for History of Spanish Culture and Experiential Spanish, in which case you must choose one of the two. To take the second activity, you need at least a basic level of Spanish and an interest in improving your knowledge of the language.

The volunteering programs universally offered are in English, but students who accredit sufficient Spanish level will also have the option to volunteer in a program carried out in Spanish language.

The program awards up to 30 ECTS credits. Upon completion, these will be certified by an official university certificate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Area 1 | Spain. Language, Society, and Culture

This first area of ​​the Gap Year Program has been designed to immerse students in the country's rich cultural and historical heritage:

• Through local language exposure via authentic, everyday experiences.
• On foot, exploring the city's history and culture at key urban landmarks.
• Through adventures, trips to cities of socio-historical significance, and iconic tours.

Area 2 | Soft Skills

This module offers key subjects for personal, academic, experiential, and professional development, exploring:

• The development of self-organization, motivation, and resilience skills, promoting autonomy and the ability to navigate challenging situations from an inclusive perspective.
• The student's knowledge and understanding of a context of technological growth and diversification, and the ability to articulate and apply a foundation of critical thinking within it.

Area 3 | Healthy Habits

This area is designed to equip students with new perspectives and support them in building balanced and healthy lifestyle habits that can last for years:

• Through learning practices for mental well-being and resilience in the face of adversity.
• Through participating in workshops and activities related to physical well-being and movement.
• By exploring the world of food from a perspective that emphasizes the benefits and customs of Mediterranean culture.

Area 4 | Social and Environmental Impact

This module focuses on experiential learning about various issues facing global society, in which students:

• Participate directly in activities that contribute to the development of their university or local community. By making positive contributions, they can better understand their place in the world.
• They become more aware of social inequalities and stigmas. Valuing and promoting diversity and inclusion contributes to a deeper understanding of citizenship.
• They acquire concepts related to environmental challenges and human dignity, sharpening their sense of citizenship in a complex global environment.

Mentoring Program

Personalized support and continuous monitoring of each student throughout the program. This monitoring includes regular mentoring sessions coordinated and conducted by a specialized team that assesses the students' skill acquisition while helping them maximize their potential and answering their questions.

The Autumn edition will take place between September 4th and December 15th, 2026.

This program is aimed at students who have completed their secondary education and are interested in learning about Spanish culture and acquiring skills, knowledge, and abilities through a training program that combines experiential and academic activities.

• Completion of secondary education
• At least a B1 English level qualification

Required Documents

• Passport.
• Secondary education diploma.
• Academic transcript.
• Language certificate.

Application

Application period: From January 12th till June 3rd, 2026.

 

Price

Price: 10.000 €

Admission

• Upon receiving the application, the admissions process will begin. Applications will be reviewed and processed in order of arrival. This validation phase may take up to one month.
• Admission is subject to a deposit amounting to 10 % of the total tuition fee (equivalent to 1000 €). This sum will be deducted from the total price upon enrollment.

The enrollment period for the September 2026 edition will remain open from January 12th to June 3rd, 2026.

For further information and/or to procceed with registration contact us at gapyear@uc3m.es.