Facultad de Ciencias Físicas, UCM

What Facultad de Ciencias Físicas, UCM does

The Facultad de Ciencias Físicas is a public university faculty within the Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), established in 1974 and celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024. The institution delivers higher education and conducts research across physics, astrophysics, geophysics, condensed matter physics, theoretical physics, quantum technologies, and climate science. It offers three undergraduate degree programs (Grado en Física, Ingeniería Electrónica de Comunicaciones, and Ingeniería de Materiales), multiple master's programs, and doctoral programs in physics and astrophysics. The Faculty serves both domestic students entering through Spain's national university admission system (EvAU/EBAU) and international students from over 50 partner universities across 16 European countries via Erasmus+, plus trans-Atlantic (TASSEP) and Australian (AEN-Utrecht) exchange programs.

The Faculty's core research infrastructure includes observatories, geophysics monitoring equipment, computational resources for simulation and data analysis, and structural integration with CSIC-UCM joint institutes including IGEO (Instituto de Geociencias) and IPARCOS. It is a member of the Campus de Excelencia Internacional (Moncloa), holds the European Commission's HR Excellence in Research (HRS4R) award, and participates in the UNA Europa European university alliance. Research output includes participation in the European Southern Observatory's MOSAIC instrument for the Extremely Large Telescope, the ARRAKIHS space mission (Phase A completed), and applied geophysics programs including the QuakeUp earthquake early warning system. The Faculty also runs the 'Hablemos de Física' public lecture series, which has hosted Nobel laureates and leading researchers since 2013, plus science outreach events (Semana de la Ciencia, PhDay, Jornadas de Puertas Abiertas).

The institution operates as a non-profit, government-funded educational entity under the Spanish public university system. Its revenue is derived primarily from public budget allocations from the Comunidad de Madrid and the Spanish national government, supplemented by competitive research grants (including European Research Council awards), institutional partnerships, and minor commercial income from campus space rental. Tuition is regulated and does not represent a market-based revenue stream. The Faculty markets itself principally through academic outreach (public lectures, open days, science communication) rather than commercial channels, and operates without venture capital, private equity, or equity market exposure. As a public institution, growth is constrained by government budget cycles, with no disclosed funding rounds, acquisitions, or expansion capital events.

Name

Facultad de Ciencias Físicas, UCM

Legal name

Facultad de Ciencias Físicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid

Website

https://fisicas.ucm.es

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Facultad de Ciencias Físicas is a public university faculty within Universidad Complutense de Madrid that delivers undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs in physics, astrophysics, and physical sciences engineering, supported by government funding, ERC-level research grants, and international exchange partnerships across 16+ European countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education (Physics)

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Space Research and Technology (927110), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAHAAAJ

Public Research Universities with National Laboratories/Big Science Facilities

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Public Research Universities

SECONDARYEDAHAAAD

Public Research Universities with Engineering/Polytechnic Emphasis

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Public Research Universities

Keywords

• Physics education
• Undergraduate degrees
• Doctoral programs
• Physics research
• International exchange

Headquarters

HQ city

Madrid

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations

Revenue model

1. Public University Funding: Funded primarily by the Comunidad de Madrid and the Spanish national government as a public university faculty. Receives institutional grants for research, teaching, and infrastructure.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Facultad de Ciencias Físicas, UCM is a public university faculty that delivers undergraduate degrees (Grado) in Physics, Electronic Communications Engineering, and Materials Engineering, plus master's and doctoral programs in physics and astrophysics. The faculty conducts fundamental and applied research through research groups and joint institutes (IGEO, IPARCOS) while providing student support services, international exchange programs, and science outreach including the 'Hablemos de Física' lecture series.

Product overview

Facultad de Ciencias Físicas, UCM is a higher education institution within the Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Its core offering consists of undergraduate degree programs (Grado), postgraduate master's programs (Máster), and doctoral programs (Doctorado) in physics and related physical sciences. The faculty operates a portfolio of support services including the SOFI student orientation service, international exchange programs (Erasmus+, SICUE, TASSEP), and research introduction workshops. The Ciclo de Conferencias 'Hablemos de Física' is a signature academic outreach program featuring over 100 lectures since 2013 from Nobel laureates and leading researchers. The faculty also conducts educational innovation projects and annual public engagement events including Semana de la Ciencia and PhDay Físicas.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Grado (Undergraduate Degree Programs) Undergraduate degree programs offering comprehensive education in physical sciences with theoretical and practical components, including Physics, Engineering in Electronic Communications, and Engineering in Materials. Designed for students admitted through the national university entrance exam (EvAU/EBAU).
• Máster (Master's Programs) Postgraduate master's programs in physics and related specializations, providing advanced research-oriented education for graduates seeking specialization in areas of physical sciences.
• Doctorado (Doctoral Programs) Doctoral programs in Physics and Astrophysics offering research training leading to PhD degrees in various areas of physical sciences, with thesis research conducted under faculty supervisors and in collaboration with research groups and institutes such as IGEO (CSIC-UCM).
• Programa de Movilidad Internacional (Erasmus+, SICUE, TASSEP) International exchange programs enabling student mobility across European universities (Erasmus+), Spanish universities (SICUE), and trans-Atlantic institutions (TASSEP), with over 50 partner universities across 16 European countries plus bilateral agreements with US, Canadian, Latin American, and Australian universities.
• Campus Space Rental Services Rental of campus spaces (aulas, Aula Magna, Sala de Grados, Sala de Comisiones, Sala de Reuniones, Sala de Gabinete) to external organizations for events, seminars, and conferences, with additional services available including catering, cleaning, and security.

Quantifiable outcome

• HR Excellence in Research Award (HRS4R) granted by the European Commission recognizing the institution's commitment to excellent research working conditions
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• European Universities under Erasmus+ Program (50+ institutions across 16 countries)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Faculty maintains active Erasmus+ exchange agreements with over 50 European universities in 16 countries, enabling student and staff mobility. Partner countries include Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Slovenia, France, Greece, Italy, and others. The program supports both inbound and outbound mobility for study periods and traineeships.
• TASSEP (Trans-Atlantic Science Student Exchange Program)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTASSEP is a transatlantic exchange program enabling physics and science students from UCM to study at North American universities (including the University of California system) and vice versa. The Faculty actively participates with annual calls for applications.
• SICUE (Sistema de Intercambio entre Centros Universitarios Españoles)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Spanish university exchange program allowing students to transfer between Spanish universities for one or two semesters. Managed in coordination with the Vicedecanato de Movilidad y Prácticas.
• UCM – Universidad de California Exchange ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBilateral exchange agreement between UCM and the University of California system, providing study abroad opportunities for Faculty students at UC campuses.
• MAUI-Utrecht (US Universities)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMAUI-Utrecht is a consortium enabling UCM students to study at partner US universities coordinated through Utrecht University.
• AEN-Utrecht (Australian Universities)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAEN-Utrecht is a consortium enabling UCM students to study at Australian partner universities coordinated through Utrecht University.
• ESO (European Southern Observatory) – MOSAIC Instrument on the ELTcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearchers from the Faculty participate in the agreement between ESO and the MOSAIC instrument consortium for the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), the world's largest optical telescope. Faculty astrophysicists contribute to the development and scientific use of this next-generation astronomical instrument.
• IGEO (Instituto de Geociencias, CSIC-UCM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Institute of Geosciences IGEO is a joint institute between CSIC and UCM, with researchers from the Faculty of Physical Sciences actively participating in geophysics, Earth physics, and climate research. Notable research includes magnetic field studies, earthquake early warning systems (QuakeUp), and volcanic geophysics.
• IPARCOS-UCM (Institute for Cross-Disciplinary Physics and Complex Systems)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIPARCOS is a UCM research institute in which the Faculty plays a central role, hosting colloquium series, seminars, and research in quantum physics, statistical physics, and complex systems. Notable activities include the IPARCOS Colloquium series featuring international speakers.
• UNA Europa AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUCM is a founding member of UNA Europa, a European university alliance of leading institutions. The alliance enables joint programs, student mobility, and research collaboration across European universities, with the Faculty contributing to science and physics-related initiatives.
• HousingAnywhere (International Student Housing Platform)minorOthersUCM collaborates with HousingAnywhere, an international student housing platform, to facilitate accommodation for both outgoing and incoming exchange students. Students can list rooms and book accommodation in 100+ countries.
• Airbus Mentoring ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Faculty participates in the Airbus Mentoring Program (VII Edition), connecting students with industry mentors from Airbus for career guidance in physics and engineering fields.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Departamento de Física, Universidad de Salamanca: Regional peer — Spanish public university physics department with comparable undergraduate and master's programs, sharing the same national admission system and regulatory environment, though based in a different regional market (Castilla y León).

Others

• IGEO (Instituto de Geociencias, CSIC-UCM): Adjacent — the joint CSIC-UCM geosciences institute is a strategic partner that conducts much of the geophysics research attributed to the Faculty (QuakeUp, Tajogaite, magnetic field studies); comparable in structure as a public research organization drawing from the same faculty talent pool.
• Observatorio Astronómico Nacional (IGN): Adjacent — Spain's national astronomical observatory, which collaborates with UCM's astrophysics group on instruments and observational programs; relevant comparable for understanding the Spanish public-sector astrophysics ecosystem in which the Faculty operates.

Direct peers

• Facultat de Física, Universitat de Barcelona (UB): Direct peer — a leading Spanish physics faculty providing undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs in physics, astrophysics, and applied physical sciences; competes nationally for top EvAU students and shares the same Spanish public-university regulatory framework.
• Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM): Direct peer — the UAM Faculty of Sciences is the most immediate competitor in the Madrid region for physics undergraduates entering via the same EvAU/EBAU system, offering closely aligned Grado en Física programs and competing for the same high-scoring student cohort.
• Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Zaragoza: Direct peer — Spanish public university faculty with physics and materials engineering programs, comparable in scale and mission; active in similar European research networks and Erasmus+ partnerships.
• Facultat de Física, Universitat de València: Direct peer — another major Spanish physics faculty with strong astrophysics (observatory in Aras de los Olmos) and condensed matter groups, competing for the same national student pool and EU research funding.
• Departamento de Física Teórica, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (IFT UAM-CSIC): Direct peer — the joint CSIC-UAM theoretical physics institute is a closely comparable Spanish public research entity in physics, sharing IPARCOS-style structure, CSIC affiliation, and competing for the same ERC and AEI grants.

Broad incumbents

• Department of Physics, Imperial College London: Broad incumbent — a larger, internationally ranked physics department that competes with UCM Física for European research talent, ERC grants, and astrophysics instrumentation; comparable in offering doctoral and master's programs in physics and astrophysics, though operating on a UK regulatory framework.
• Faculty of Physics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU): Broad incumbent — a major European physics faculty that partners with UCM through Erasmus+ and UNA Europa networks; competes for the same pool of European physics talent and offers comparable undergraduate/doctoral programs at a larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Fisicas_UCM
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCu5BzuIDAMijchClT2hpQtw
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/facultad-de-ciencias-f%C3%ADsicas-ucm
• Instagraminstagram.com/fisicas_ucm

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Facultad de Ciencias Físicas, UCM