Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (Catholic University of Chile)

• Established: 1888
• Location: Santiago, Chile
• Students age: from 17 years old
• Number of students: 22,122 students
• Language of instruction: Spanish, English
• Type of study: papal university.

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile is one of the 6 Catholic universities in Chile and one of the two Pontifical Universities in the country, along with the Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaiso.

The Catholic University of Chile was founded on June 21, 1888 at the initiative of the Archbishop of Santiago, Monsignor Mariano Casanova, as an institution combining academic excellence and teaching inspired by Christian teachings. Its creation is inscribed in the universal and local historical circumstances that influenced the Catholic Church, prompting it to educate professionals in a true Christian understanding of life, which will serve as a "renewal fermentation" for new generations. The university offers a strong academic education in the natural sciences, humanities, arts, Catholic morality.

Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile does not have student residences and does not coordinate the placement of international students.

UC offers a variety of extracurricular activities for any international student:

• Tandem UC is a program that serves as a liaison between international and Chilean students who wish to practice a language other than their native language. The idea is to practice the language through conversation, fostering cultural integration.
• For those interested in volunteer work, there is the opportunity to join any of the organizations or social interaction projects.
• Comision de Acogida UC is a non-profit organization dedicated to the integration of international students and hosts several cultural and recreational activities.
• Extracurricular workshops, sports activities for those who want to improve their skills, to meet people who share the same interests.

UC is the only educational institution in the country that is ranked among the top 150 universities in the world. The university is distinguished by the highest level of academic work.

1. The Casa Central campus is an imposing neoclassical building dating back to 1917: originally it was even called the University Palace. Today it houses the main institutions of the university, the faculties of medicine, law, life sciences and communications.
2. Campus Orienta is a beautiful building that functioned as a monastery until 1971: today it is the headquarters of the Faculty of Arts and the Institute of Aesthetics.
3. San Joaquin is the largest campus of the university, which has become a real university city with 13 faculties. It belongs to the university since 1891, but the first faculties began to be built here only in the 1960s.
4. Le Contador is an old hacienda of the 18th century. Since 1958, it has housed the Faculty of Architecture, Design and Urbanism. It is a national monument and part of the architectural heritage of Santiago.
5. Campus Villarrica is located in one of the most beautiful cities in southern Chile. It houses the local university administration and offers courses in basic general and preschool education.

The campus organizes the following  events, such a visiting of:

• Children's and adult theaters
• Galleries
• Exhibition spaces
• Libraries
• Cinema
• Editorial office of the university journal.

The UC academic year consists of two semesters:

• 1 semester - from March to July
• 2 semester - from August to December.

Additional expenses:

• Administrative payment
• Spanish courses.

Applicants provide the following documents:

• High school diploma
• Spanish language certificate (level B2 according to CEFR)
• Copy of the passport
• Photo in JPG format from 20 to 60 KB on a light background.

Online Application Dates:

• 1 semester - until October 30 of the year preceding the start of studying
• 2 semester - until May 2 of the current year.

UC offers Spanish courses for international students.

Scholarships are awarded for academic merit / research:

• Father Hurtado Award
• Monsignor Joaquin Larrain Gandarillas Award for Academic Achievement
• Monsignor Casanova Prize
• Academic Achievement Award (Hall of Fame)
• Additional UC Professor Scholarship
• Cardinal Raul Silva Henriquez Scholarship
• Cristobal Condé Scholarship
• Theology Study Scholarship
• UC Grant Complementing Help Fee
• Father Luis de Valdivia Scholarship for Indigenous Peoples (for Law Degree only)
• Francisco de Vitoria Scholarship for Foreigners (exclusively for legal studies).

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision