STUDY
TERTIARY EDUCATION
Uruguay has 2 public universities with free access, 5 private universities and 10 private university institutes, providing a wide coverage throughout the country and many options in different areas of knowledge for access to undergraduate, graduate and master’s degrees.
The QS World University Rankings, which annually ranks the best universities in the world, shows two Uruguayan centers among the top 500: Universidad ORT and Universidad de Montevideo (UM).
Universidad de la República is a public institution of higher education and research in Uruguay that was founded in 1838 and currently accounts for 85% of the country’s university enrollment.
It has more than 290 undergraduate degree programs and over 300 postgraduate, Master’s, and PhD programs, with a strong presence in the city of Montevideo and specific training centers in 14 cities of the country. In the credit system used by the University, 1 credit is equivalent to 15 hours of student work associated with courses or activities.
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The educational offer covers all areas of knowledge. More information about the educational offer here.
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The Universidad de la República (UdelaR) is part of several programs that make it possible for students and professors to move to and from other universities through the International Relations Service of UdelaR, which organizes and disseminates updated information on mobility, as well as calls for exchange scholarships.
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UTEC is the Technological University of Uruguay with a focus on sustainable and inclusive development, innovation and applied research in the areas of Engineering and STEM.
It was created in 2013, being the second public and free access university in the country, with three Regional Technological Institutes (ITRs) located in Fray Bentos, Durazno and Rivera, and branches in Paysandú, San José, Colonia, and Mercedes.
It currently has more than 20 educational programs in areas related to science, technology, mechatronics, agri-environment, dairy production, and logistics, among others. In the credit system used by the University, 1 credit is equivalent to 15 hours of student work associated with courses or activities.
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UTEC promotes opportunities for international visiting scholars, international exchange students, joint and double degrees, capacity building programs, international research networks and high-level international events.
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Universidad Católica del Uruguay is the oldest private university in the country, founded in 1984. It is the main work of the Catholic Church in the field of higher education in Uruguay, based in Montevideo and several cities in the country.
It currently has more than 8,000 students and offers more than 30 undergraduate programs and over 40 graduate programs in the areas of art and communication, business, social sciences, law, education, computer science, engineering, nursing, dentistry and health. The University applies the credit system based on the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) parameters, 1 credit for every 25 hours of student activity.
The University offers different modalities to study within the framework of an exchange program: bilateral agreements / AUSJAL; ISEP - International Student Exchange Program; CINDA student mobility program; and free mobility programs.
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Universidad de la Empresa is a private university that was founded in 1998, with the support of the Association of Marketing Managers (ADM) and the main business chambers in the country.
It is based in Montevideo, Colonia and Punta del Este, and offers more than 20 undergraduate and graduate programs in the areas of agricultural sciences, education, health, business, law, design and communication, and engineering.
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The University has different modalities for international students: exchange students with universities under an agreement; temporary stay for one semester paying the registration fee; student travel for specific purposes.
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Universidad de Montevideo is a private university founded in 1997, with a Christian identity inspired by the teachings of Saint Josemaría Escrivá, founder of Opus Dei. It is based in the city of Montevideo.
It has more than 2,500 students enrolled in over 20 undergraduate programs and a wide range of graduate programs in the areas of business, communication, law, humanities and education, engineering, and biomedical sciences. In the credit system used by the University, 1 credit is equivalent to 10 hours of student work associated with courses or activities.
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The University offers a wide range of international programs to meet the interests of each international student. Students can study abroad for a semester or a year, as independent students (free movers) or as exchange students, which is coordinated among partner universities around the world.
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ORT is a private university with more than 20 years of experience and is a member of World ORT, an international education network founded in 1880 by the Jewish community of St. Petersburg, Russia.
More than 12,000 students study each year in five faculties and institutes with over 70 undergraduate, graduate and technical degrees in architecture, engineering, biotechnology, management, economics, international relations, design, animation, communication and education.
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Universidad ORT Uruguay offers foreign students several modalities: undergraduate students who meet the admission requirements, exchange students with partner universities and independent students (free movers) who can study for up to one academic year and choose from a wide range of courses and academic programs.
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In 2017, after six decades of existence and being a university institute between 1997 and 2017, UCLAEH was recognized as a university by the Ministry of Education and Culture of Uruguay and currently has 3 venues in Montevideo, Punta del Este, and Tacuarembó.
In 2017, after six decades of existence and being a university institute between 1997 and 2017, UCLAEH was recognized as a university by the Ministry of Education and Culture of Uruguay and currently has 3 branches in Montevideo, Punta del Este and Tacuarembó.
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It has three faculties with undergraduate degrees and specializations in medicine, law and culture, and an extensive academic offer of technical and graduate courses in areas such as local development, education, and health management. v
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Universidad CLAEH offers foreign students several modalities: undergraduate students who meet the admission requirements and exchange students with partner universities.
PRIVATE UNIVERSITY INSTITUTES
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In Uruguay, university institutes are those institutions authorized by the Ministry of Education and Culture that develop university-level programs in less than three disciplinary areas. The degrees they award are as valid as those issued by a university institution, so there are no differences when it comes to the authorization to practice university professions.
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PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS WITH TERTIARY COURSES
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PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS WITH TERTIARY COURSES
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SOCIAL LIFE AT UNIVERSITY
All of the country’s universities have a rich agenda of extracurricular activities involving sports, community, cultural and social activities.In fact, the University Sports League has a long track record in the country, with more than 9 sports disciplines that are deeply rooted among university students and graduates. More information here.
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Community engagement initiatives, known as “university outreach”, are also a widespread practice in all universities, linking university knowledge with the needs of different communities, vulnerable populations, or specific territories.
All universities organize social activities to welcome new generations and foreign students, as well as graduation ceremonies, which are an ideal excuse to create social and fraternity bonds. In addition, student associations carry out different types of activities to meet the needs of curricular and extracurricular academic development.
