Universidad Europea - Real Madrid Graduate School

The School has created the Real Madrid Chair, innovative and with a clear vocation for integration, which aims to contribute directly to the generation of knowledge, to satisfy the demands of the sporting and university spheres, and to share it with society as a whole.

Sport and its environment have become a field for advanced research in areas such as physiology, nutrition, rehabilitation therapies, health, and an observation laboratory for the social sciences.

Directed by Mario Vargas Llosa, the Real Madrid Chair aims to bring together under the same umbrella all those educational and research projects that provide a global and complete vision of sport.

The main objectives of the Real Madrid Chair are:

• To develop cooperation between the University and sport, creating new knowledge and disseminating it at all levels.
• To promote research and development in all aspects related to sport in order to evolve and integrate the academic and sporting worlds.

Today, sport has taken on a dimension that goes far beyond the playing field. Is the Real Madrid Graduate School – Universidad Europea the best platform to explore these new territories?

Absolutely. Sport has evolved into something much bigger than just what happens on the pitch. It’s not only a form of entertainment, but also a leisure activity, a tool for health and wellness, and a global phenomenon that draws in advertising and impacts the economy.

As a result, there’s a growing need for professionals specialized in health, leisure, communication, and management within the sports sector. The Real Madrid Graduate School – Universidad Europea was created to meet those needs by preparing experts in each of these areas.

Why is the Real Madrid Graduate School – Universidad Europea a unique and pioneering institution?

To this day, there’s no other university-level school specifically dedicated to training professionals with such specialized knowledge and skills in fields like health, management, communication, and physical activity within the context of sport.

What do Real Madrid C. F. and Universidad Europea de Madrid have in common?

Both institutions are driven by the goal of delivering an innovative, cutting-edge academic experience with excellence at its core—anchored in one central theme: sport.

They also share a strong international focus. Universidad Europea has a global outlook, and Real Madrid C. F. has clearly become a worldwide phenomenon, transcending the sport itself. With fans on all five continents, it’s now one of the most recognized brands globally.

You know Real Madrid C. F. like few others—as a legendary player and now as a senior executive. How do you bring that experience to your leadership of the School?

You could say I grew up at the Santiago Bernabéu and around the club. Over the years, I’ve absorbed a set of core values that have been essential to my life. Real Madrid C. F. competes to win, always. That’s the same mindset we bring to this project—we’re here to succeed and to protect the club’s image.

That’s why we care deeply about ensuring that everyone involved in the School has an excellent experience. I draw on everything I’ve learned over the years to apply the club’s principles to the daily life of the School.

What does the future hold for the Real Madrid Graduate School – Universidad Europea?

One of our main goals is to continue expanding internationally. In fact, we’ve launched an ambitious plan to double our student body over the next five years. This year, for example, we’re opening in several countries across Asia and the Americas. We also aim to offer international experiences to students based in Spain, giving them a global perspective on sport. Today, our students already benefit from programs in the U.S., the UK, and Germany.

We’re also committed to innovating in both our undergraduate and postgraduate programs, across our three core academic areas: physical activity, management and communication, and health.

At the postgraduate level specifically, we’re expanding our offering with more master’s degrees, including programs taught in English and online—so that students from all over the world can join us.

What does Real Madrid C. F. bring to the School?

The club’s commitment to the School is absolute. Beyond its reputation and experience as a world-renowned institution, it also provides access to its facilities, including the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium and the Valdebebas training complex—offers internships, such as at Real Madrid TV, and involves top-tier professionals in the development and delivery of our programs.

Both Real Madrid C. F. and Universidad Europea de Madrid are internationally focused institutions. Does the School follow the same path?

Without a doubt. The School has a strong international outlook, not only thanks to the institutions behind it but also because it already has a presence in several countries across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

What are the core pillars of the Real Madrid Graduate School – Universidad Europea?

The School stands on three clear pillars. First, it’s about training expert leaders in disciplines tied to the sports world. Second, it’s about international perspectives deeply embedded in the DNA of both founding institutions. And third, it’s the professional focus: our programs are developed and delivered by highly respected professionals from both Real Madrid C. F. and Universidad Europea de Madrid.

Lucia Villegas Rico
International Expansion Director
E-mail: lucia.villegas@universidadeuropea.es