Princess Leonor has officially started a new chapter in her education at the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M). On September 7, 2026, the Princess of Asturias began studying for a degree in political science at the university’s Getafe campus in Madrid. Her university education follows three years of military training across Spain’s Army, Navy and Air and Space Force.
The choice of Princess Leonor to Universidad Carlos III has attracted considerable attention because it marks her return to civilian academic life after several years of military education. The degree is scheduled to last four years and carries 240 ECTS credits. Unlike a specially designed royal programme, Leonor is studying the standard political science degree at UC3M.
Quick Answer: Where Does Princess Leonor Study?
Princess Leonor studies at the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, commonly known as UC3M. She is enrolled in the four-year political science degree at the university’s Getafe campus.
According to the university and the Spanish Royal Household, the degree contains subjects connected with political science, law, economics, sociology, history, humanities and international relations. Leonor began attending classes on September 7, 2026, for the 2026-2027 academic year.
| Detail | Information |
| University | Universidad Carlos III de Madrid |
| Common name | UC3M |
| Campus | Getafe, Madrid |
| Degree | Political Science |
| Duration | 4 years |
| Credits | 240 ECTS |
| Start date | September 7, 2026 |
| Academic year | 2026-2027 |
| Study language. | Spanish |
| First-year classmates | Around 40 new students in her degree |
The university’s current programme page confirms that the political science degree lasts four years and consists of 240 credits.
Why Did Princess Leonor Choose Universidad Carlos III?
The decision to study at a public Spanish university was announced by the Royal Household in April 2026. Leonor had completed the required selection process for students who completed their previous education abroad and received a favourable admission decision from the university’s evaluation committee.
Her choice also continues a broader educational connection between the Spanish royal family and public universities. Her father, King Felipe VI, studied law at the Autonomous University of Madrid before continuing his education abroad. Leonor’s academic route is different, however, because she is pursuing a full political science degree rather than a customised combination of subjects.
The Royal Household said Leonor would combine her university education with her institutional responsibilities as Princess of Asturias. This means her academic calendar must coexist with official duties and public engagements.
What Is Princess Leonor Studying at UC3M?
Princess Leonor is studying political science. The programme is designed to provide students with a broad understanding of political systems, institutions and public administration while also introducing them to related social sciences.
The official UC3M description says the degree combines core political science subjects with methodological, legal, economic and sociological areas. This multidisciplinary structure gives students the opportunity to examine political questions from several academic perspectives.
The degree also covers areas connected to:
- Political Science
- Public administration
- Law
- Economics
- Sociology
- History
- Humanities
- International relations
- Social research methods
This combination is particularly relevant to understanding how governments, institutions and societies operate. However, it is important to distinguish the academic purpose of the degree from assumptions about Leonor’s future responsibilities. The university provides the same academic framework for students enrolled in the programme.
Princess Leonor’s First Day at Universidad Carlos III
Leonor officially began her university studies on September 7, 2026, at the Getafe campus.
Before entering her faculty, she was welcomed by UC3M rector Ángel Arias, Vice-Rector for Students Pilar Otero and Antonio Descalzo, dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Law. She then attended the presentation of her degree and received information about the academic model and university life for the 2026-2027 year.
Her first academic day included several classes. According to UC3M, she attended an initial class on the theory of law, followed by classes in practical research methodology in social sciences and fundamentals of political science.
This provides a useful early look at the type of academic work she will encounter during her degree. The programme is not limited to political theory. Research methodology, law, social sciences and other disciplines form part of the wider educational structure.
Is Princess Leonor Studying Like Other Students?
Yes. Public reports and information from the university indicate that Leonor is studying the standard political science degree rather than following a separate academic curriculum.
Her degree lasts four years, just like the standard programme, and the university has described her as part of the regular student body. Around 40 new students are expected to share the first-year political science course with her.
The distinction is that Leonor has additional institutional responsibilities because she is the heir to the Spanish throne. The Royal Household has confirmed that she will coordinate her university education with her official schedule.
This creates an unusual balance between ordinary university studies and public responsibilities. Her academic life takes place within the same university structure as other students, while her official role requires additional scheduling and security considerations.
What Is the Getafe Campus Like for Leonor?
The political science degree is based at the Getafe campus of Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. The campus is located south of central Madrid and is home to several academic departments and programmes.
UC3M states that more than 20,000 students are part of the university, with around 12,000 based at the Getafe campus. Leonor’s first-year political science cohort includes approximately 40 new students.
The campus therefore provides a university environment considerably larger than the small group of students directly studying alongside her.
Her arrival has naturally attracted media attention, but university officials have emphasised her participation in the academic environment. The Royal Household has also published official photographs documenting her first day at the university.
How Long Will Princess Leonor Study at UC3M?
The political science programme at Universidad Carlos III is a four-year degree worth 240 ECTS credits.
Leonor began the programme in September 2026. If she follows the normal academic timetable without interruption, her undergraduate studies are expected to continue across four academic years.
The degree gives students a broad foundation before allowing them to develop more specialized knowledge through different subjects and academic activities. It also includes research and analytical skills that are central to political science.
Because Leonor has official responsibilities, her schedule may occasionally differ from that of students who do not have public duties. The Royal Household has already confirmed that her university education will be coordinated with her institutional commitments.
What Subjects Will Princess Leonor Study?
The exact subjects Leonor will take depend on the academic plan and semester, but the UC3M Political Science programme provides a broad multidisciplinary education.
The first part of the degree introduces students to core concepts and research methods. Students can encounter areas such as political institutions, social research, economics, law and sociology.
International politics is also part of the wider academic field. UC3M course information for Political Science includes study of international relations, global political developments, international institutions, conflicts and major challenges facing the international system.
This broad curriculum means that Leonor’s university education goes beyond simply learning about governments or elections. Political science also examines institutions, societies, public policy, international affairs and methods for analysing political and social issues.
How Does the Degree Connect With Leonor’s Future Role?
Leonor’s political science degree provides academic exposure to subjects that are relevant to public institutions, government and international affairs. However, the degree itself should not be presented as professional training specifically designed for a future monarch.
The official university description focuses on developing students’ ability to understand and analyse politics in national and international contexts. It also emphasises critical analysis and multidisciplinary learning.
For Leonor, this academic experience comes after three years of military education. Her earlier training included studies and practical instruction across Spain’s three military branches. Her university education therefore represents a new academic environment with a stronger focus on social sciences and political analysis.
Together, these stages form part of her broader education as Princess of Asturias.
Universidad Carlos III and Leonor’s Previous Education
Before attending university in Spain, Leonor completed the International Baccalaureate in Wales. She then spent three years completing military education in Spain before beginning her university degree.
The decision to study at a Spanish public university brings her back into the Spanish education system after her secondary education abroad.
The Royal Household confirmed that she successfully completed the admission process applicable to students who had completed their previous studies outside Spain.
Her education has therefore included international schooling, military training and now a Spanish university degree.
What Makes Princess Leonor’s University Education Different?
The main difference is not the academic curriculum itself but the circumstances surrounding her studies.
Leonor is the Princess of Asturias and heir to the Spanish throne, meaning that her university years take place alongside an established programme of official engagements. She also has security arrangements because of her public position.
At the same time, the university has presented her as a student within the ordinary academic structure. UC3M’s official account of her first day shows her attending the same degree programme and beginning classes with other new students.
This combination makes her university experience unusual while keeping the academic programme itself clearly defined.
Princess Leonor, Universidad Carlos III: What Happens Next?
The next stage will be the continuation of her political science studies during the 2026-2027 academic year. Over the following years, she is expected to progress through the four-year degree programme at the Getafe campus.
Her university schedule will also need to coexist with official activities. The Royal Household has already stated that her institutional commitments will be coordinated with the university calendar.
As her studies progress, more information will likely become available about the subjects, academic activities and university events in which she participates. For now, the confirmed information is that she has begun a four-year political science degree at UC3M.
Frequently Asked Questions
What university does Princess Leonor attend?
Princess Leonor attends the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, also known as UC3M. She studies political science at the Getafe campus.
What is Princess Leonor studying?
Princess Leonor is studying for a degree in political science. The programme covers political science and administration alongside areas including law, economics, sociology, humanities, history and international relations.
How long is Princess Leonor’s university degree?
The political science degree at UC3M lasts four years and is worth 240 ECTS credits.
When did Princess Leonor start university?
Princess Leonor started her classes at Universidad Carlos III on September 7, 2026.
Where is the Carlos III University campus where Leonor studies?
Leonor studies at the Getafe campus of Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, located in the Madrid region.
Does Princess Leonor study the same degree as other students?
Yes. She is enrolled in the standard political science degree at UC3M. Reports about her admission and university start describe her as studying within the regular academic programme.
Will Princess Leonor continue her royal duties while studying? programme.
Yes. The Royal Household has confirmed that she will combine her higher education with her institutional commitments as Princess of Asturias.
Key Takeaways
- Princess Leonor began studying at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid on September 7, 2026.
- She is enrolled in the political science degree.
- Her studies take place at the Getafe campus.
- The degree lasts four years and includes 240 ECTS credits.
- The curriculum combines political science with law, economics, sociology, humanities, history and international relations.
- Her first university classes included Theory of Law, research methodology and Fundamentals of Political Science.
- She will combine university education with her institutional responsibilities.
- Her UC3M education follows three years of military training in Spain.
Conclusion
The story of Princess Leonor Universidad Carlos III marks an important new stage in the education of the Princess of Asturias. After completing the International Baccalaureate in Wales and three years of military education in Spain, she has now entered a four-year political science degree at the public Universidad Carlos III de Madrid.
Her studies at the Getafe campus give her a multidisciplinary academic foundation covering political science, law, economics, sociology, history, humanities and international relations. Most importantly, the university has confirmed that she is participating in the regular degree programme alongside other students.
As the 2026-2027 academic year continues, Leonor’s university experience will develop alongside her responsibilities as Princess of Asturias, creating a distinctive combination of academic study and institutional life.
