Why should I study in Chile?

The land of extremes: from desert lands to glaciers, from volcanoes to fertile valleys, from dense forests to open plains.

How to study in Chile

Chile offers many study opportunities for international students at more than 50 institutions of your choice. Chile's Higher Institution System is based on the Bologna Model. The higher education system in Chile provides the following structure for universities:

First, the bachelor: in many subjects, the bachelor is awarded to students after three years. However, there are also licentiate programmes (architecture, engineering, medicine, etc.) that lead to a professional degree after seven years.
Second, master's degree: two-year master's degree programmes can be completed on the basis of the bachelor's degree.
Third, doctorate: the doctorate is the highest educational qualification in Chile. The prerequisite for this is the completion of a master’s degree and the writing of a doctoral thesis and its defense.

Chile's universities can be divided into two categories: state and private universities. The state universities are much older and support newly founded private universities with the curricula and supervise the organisation and examinations.

Chile's Higher Education System in International Comparison

In this section, we highlight the overall performance of Chilean universities on the institutional level per U-Multirank dimension. The table below shows the national breakdown of Chilean universities and how they stand across the spectrum of above average (receiving a score of ‘A’ (very good) or ‘B’ (good)), versus below average (receiving a score of ‘D’ (below average) or ‘E’ (weak)).

In doing so, U-Multirank offers a clear picture of the country’s strengths and areas for improvement. It becomes apparent that in general Chile’s HEIs perform particularly well in international orientation as well as in regional engagement. The results of teaching refer to graduation rates and completion time.

National performance: Chile

Percent of all Universities 100% 80% 60% 40% < below Average above > 40% 60% 80% 100% Teaching & Learning 30.76923076923077% 46.15384615384615% Research 31.318681318681318% 29.12087912087912% Knowledge Transfer 84.07643312101911% 12.738853503184714% International Orientation 8.450704225352112% 67.6056338028169% Regional Engagement 44.73684210526316% 39.473684210526315%

How much does it cost to study in Chile?

Since 2016, not all students have to pay tuition fees. Some universities offer a tuition fee waiver for lower-income groups for undergraduate courses. The amount of fees varies greatly depending on the degree programme and university. However, the state universities that offer tuition fee waivers for low-income students are subject to a cap so that they do not transfer the cost of the offer to the other students. Private universities are free to charge their tuition fees. Annual tuition fees average $7654 for state universities and $7156 for private universities.

There are various study grants for foreign students to help pay for tuition fees.

What are the entry requirements for Chilean universities?

The basic requirement is the highest school-leaving qualification of a country, i.e. a secondary school leaving certificate.  In addition, admission is regulated by an examination - Prueba de Selección Universitaria (PSU). It is also necessary to prove that you have good Spanish language skills. Further admission requirements can be set individually by the universities, which is why more detailed research may be necessary.

How to get a Stipend/Scholarship in Chile?

No matter the reason, paying high tuition fees can be a source of stress for many. However, there are many options for financing your studies, including the use of scholarships. There are various scholarship opportunities available for international students looking to study in Chile. Depending on your country of origin and the level of studies, there are different options for funding. To explore what scholarship options are available, check this scholarship database.

Do I need a student Visa for Chile?

In order to be able to study in Chile you must apply for a study visa at the consular mission before entering the country. To do this, you need a certificate from the university confirming that you have a place to study. After entering Chile, you must register with the Chilean police responsible for your place of residence (Jefatura Nacional de Extranjería y Policía Internacional). Then you have to register with the responsible immigration authority (Departamento de Extranjería y Migracíon), which issues you a Chilean identity card for non-nationals (cédula de identidad para extranjeros).

However, it is also true here that there can be changes in the process and that the steps from different countries can differ, which is why individual research is important.

Cities in Chile

Consumer Basket

Main course

6.90 €

Drinks

3.40 €

One-way ticket

0.80 €

Cinema ticket

5.70 €

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