Where should you live if you're studying at Francisco de Vitoria University?

UFV is located on the Pozuelo-Majadahonda Highway, km 1.8, in Pozuelo de Alarcón: outside the city of Madrid and without a metro station right outside the door. If you’re studying at UFV, you have three reasonable options: the Colegio Mayor, on campus; a residence hall in Pozuelo, about a 5-minute drive or a 20-minute bus ride away; or an apartment in Moncloa, accessible via bus 659, which goes directly to the university. Here are the travel times, prices, and what each option includes.

The first thing to keep in mind: Francisco de Vitoria University is not located in any neighborhood in Madrid. It’s on a highway between Pozuelo and Majadahonda, with its own campus and its own parking lot. Neither the metro nor the light rail stops there.

Here's how to get there:

• From Moncloa: Lines 657 and 659. Line 659 is an express line: it makes no stops along the way until it reaches the university, and the trip takes about 15–20 minutes, according to the Transportation Consortium.
• From Aluche and Colonia Jardín: lines 561, 561A, and 561B.
• From Pozuelo and Majadahonda (circular route): 650, 561, 561A, and 561B.
• From Boadilla: Line 565.
• UFV Shuttles: The university has announced free shuttle routes running Monday through Friday from locations such as Aluche/Colonia Jardín, Plaza de Castilla, Alcorcón, Las Rozas, and Avenida de América. Check the UFV website to see which routes are still operating this academic year and at what times.

Translation: “Living near UFV” means living near one of these bus stops. Or having a car. There are a lot of brand-new driver’s licenses at UFV, and that’s no coincidence.

The Francisco de Vitoria College is located on campus. It’s the closest possible option to the classrooms and has its own unique model: community life, shared dinners, and an educational program featuring committees, lectures, and field trips. It’s not just a dorm with a different name. It’s a different way to experience the academic year, and for many people, it’s exactly what they’re looking for.

An off-campus residence in Pozuelo works the other way around: more independence and less structure. You organize your own schedule and meals.

The price comparison isn't direct. The college dorm includes most dinners and housekeeping, while at the residence hall, you're responsible for your own groceries. Calculate your actual food expenses before deciding based on the figure above.

Here's a summary:

• The Colegio Mayor is a good fit if you want to walk to class, have dinner ready, and be part of a community with organized activities.
• Consider an off-campus residence if you prefer to manage your own living arrangements, live with students from other universities (ESIC, Complutense de Somosaguas), or simply don’t want a curfew.

StepHouse Pozuelo is located on Canadá Street, next to Avenida de Europa. The ML2 light rail is nearby: the Avenida de Europa stop is one station away from the Complutense University’s Somosaguas Campus, and the same line takes you to Colonia Jardín, where you can transfer to the Madrid Metro.

For a UFV student, here’s what’s convenient: there’s parking at the residence (if you’re planning to drive, keep that in mind), private study rooms and coworking spaces for assignment weeks, a gym, a pool, and paddle tennis courts. The laundry is managed through an app, so you don’t have to go downstairs three times to see if a washer is free.

What it doesn't have: the UFV just a short walk away. Only the Colegio Mayor offers that.

Approximate door-to-door travel times from StepHouse Pozuelo on weekdays. During rush hour and when waiting for the bus, add a few minutes.

If you're thinking about living in Moncloa instead of Pozuelo, the bus number to look for is 659: it takes 15–20 minutes to get to the university, plus the time it takes to get to the transfer station and wait. There are fewer mid-morning departures than during rush hour, so check the schedule before assuming it will work for a class at 12.

ESIC's Madrid campus is located on Avenida de Valdenigrales in Pozuelo de Alarcón, not in the capital. From the Avenida de Europa area, it's about a 20-minute walk or a short ride on bus line 563.

That’s why Pozuelo works well for students from ESIC, UFV, and the Complutense University of Somosaguas all at once: three campuses less than half an hour away from the same location. If you share an apartment or dorm with someone from another university in the area, neither of you has to make a long commute.

It's possible. Moncloa is the logical choice because that's where the 657 and 659 buses depart from. You get to enjoy the city atmosphere, but the trade-off is taking the bus every day and having to keep an eye on the last bus back if you stay at the library.

If you're torn between the two neighborhoods, we have a more detailed comparison. And if you've already decided to stay in Pozuelo, here are the neighborhoods and prices.

1. Take a look at your actual schedule. A class at 8:00 a.m. four days a week makes a big difference in the decision.
2. Look for the bus stop, not the neighborhood. What matters is how long it takes you to walk to the stop for the 561, 657, or 659.
3. Take the trip during rush hour. On a Tuesday at 7:45 a.m., not on a Sunday.
4. If you're planning to bring a car, ask about parking and how much it costs.
5. Compare the price to what's included. Meals, cleaning, and supplies affect the final bill.

Francisco de Vitoria University is located on the Pozuelo-Majadahonda Highway, km 1.8, 28223 Pozuelo de Alarcón. It is outside the city of Madrid and can be reached by intercity bus, the university shuttle, or car.

Not directly. Neither the subway nor the light rail stops on campus. The closest stop on the transit network is Colonia Jardín (ML2 and Metro L10), where bus line 561 and one of the UFV shuttles depart.

Lines 657 and 659. Line 659 is an express line, and its first stop is the university itself; the trip takes about 15–20 minutes.

The published rate for 2025–26 is €1,325 per month from September through June, with a security deposit of €1,325. It includes dinner Monday through Friday, weekend meals, and weekly cleaning. Check ufv.es/colegio-mayor for the rate of the course you're interested in.

If you prioritize travel time, Pozuelo is about a 5-minute drive or a 20-minute bus ride away. If you prefer to live in the city, Moncloa, accessible via bus line 659, is the most direct option.

Both are in Pozuelo de Alarcón, but they aren't next to each other: ESIC is on Avenida de Valdenigrales, and UFV is on the Majadahonda highway. From the Avenida de Europa area, you can reach both in less than half an hour.

Check out the listings for StepHouse Pozuelo and reserve your spot for the second semester or for the 26-27 academic year.