Studying in Colombia: all you need to know

There are four types of higher-education institutions in Colombia: 

• professional technical institutions
• technological institutions
• university institutions or technological schools
• universities. 

All higher-education institutions in Colombia must be non-profit, and are regulated by the Ministry of National Education. 

For this article, I am going to focus on the “university professional”, which refers to the undergraduate options that students from international schools in Latin America tend to pursue. 

Studying in Colombia: where to apply

The most recognised public universities are: 

• Universidad Nacional de Colombia (which has several campuses, including the main one in Bogotá)
• Universidad de Antioquia (which has several campuses, including the main one in Medellín)
• Universidad del Valle (which has several campuses, including the main one in Cali)
• Universidad Industrial de Santander (which has several campuses, including the main one in Bucaramanga)
• Universidad de Córdoba (which has several campuses, including the main one in Montería).

The admissions process for public universities is usually through an entrance examination designed by each university, and entry into a specific course depends on the score obtained in those exams. The higher the demand for a programme, the higher will be the score required for admission. 

For private universities, the admission process varies by institution and by course. 

Admissions requirements 

Admissions requirements depend on each university (see below). There are, however, some common requirements. 

Saber 11

The Colombian Institute for the Evaluation of Education (Instituto Colombiano para la Evaluación de la Educación – ICFES) is responsible, among other functions, for constructing and implementing standardised national assessments that evaluate the performance achieved by high-school students, according to the basic competencies defined by the Ministry of National Education. 

Students can take this test – known as Saber 11 – on one of two possible dates per year. All students graduating from a school based in Colombia (regardless of their nationality) will take this test, since it is a requirement for enrolment at any Colombian university. 

High-school transcripts

Since the Covid pandemic, Colombian universities have started including high-school grades as part of their admission requirements. This often allows for an early admissions process that does not depend on the publication of the Saber 11 results. 

Entrance exam 

Depending on the university and programme, faculties may require a specific admissions exam to assess the competencies needed for each programme. Some universities require this for programmes such as medicine, social communication, design and art. 

Interview

The admissions interview is a requirement for some universities as part of the application process. This can depend on the programme the student is applying for – for example, it’s usually a requirement for medicine, psychology, law and business administration.

Deadlines

Colombian universities have two semesters per year, one from January to May and the other from July to November. Students can start during either of these two intakes.

Applications usually open in January for the semester running from July to November, and in July for the semester running from January to May.

Tuition fees

Fees range from US$800 to $1,200 per semester.

Admissions requirements for specific universities

CESA

Admissions requirements for Colombian and international students:

• high-school diploma
• copy of ID
• grades from the last two years of school
• admission interview

For more information, see the university website for undergraduates and its admissions page. Alternatively, contact the university, at: felipe.saenz@cesa.edu.co   

Universidad de la Sabana 

Admissions requirements depend on each programme, but usually include: 

• transcripts for last two years
• interview 

For more information, visit the undergraduate website, which includes information for international students and details of scholarships available.  

Universidad de los Andes

For the past couple of years, the Universidad de los Andes has been implementing an admissions process that allows students to apply with a certificate of grades indicating their position in relation to the rest of the class. This is done in order to expedite the process before the results of the Saber 11 test are released. 

If the student is not admitted through this pathway, they must wait to take the Saber 11 test, and admission will depend on the score obtained – an average of 300 points is typically required. 

Medicine requires an interview, and programmes such as music require a specific test. 

International students or students who graduated in Colombia with an international diploma need to achieve the following grades:

• International Baccalaureate (IB): 28 points
• German high-school diploma: no points required
• French Baccalaureate: 1,200
• SAT: 1,600/SuperScore
• American College Testing: 25/SuperScore
• Italian state exam: 80
• Cambridge exams: five or more IGCSE subjects
• PAA del College Board para América Latina: C
• Cambridge AICE Spanish test: 6 

More information is available on the university undergraduate website, which also provides information for international applicants. Students can also find out more about scholarships and financial aid. There is also information about university housing and life in Bogotá. 

Universidad Nacional de Colombia

All applicants must take an admissions test. To sit the test, you must attend the assigned location on the date and time specified in your summons, and present the original identity document used during your registration. Additionally, you must bring a number 2 black lead pencil, an ink pen, an eraser and a pencil sharpener. 

Key dates in the application calendar can be found here, alongside further information for international applicants. The university also provides a step-by-step guide for applicants. 

Pontificia Universidad Javeriana

Some faculties – such as communication, industrial design, architecture, visual arts and music – require an admissions test. Another access route is using the results of Saber 11 or equivalent international tests. 

Some faculties, such as business and law, request an admissions interview where the admissions committee assess candidates’ attitude and aptitude. It’s very important that students know very well the programme they are applying for and are informed about local and international news. 

Other faculties, such as medicine and engineering, request grades from the last three years of high school. 

More information can be found on the university website, and in this promotional video. Details of financial aid available can be found here. For any additional information, contact the university, at: relacionamientodmpa@javeriana.edu.co.

Double degrees and internationalism

Most universities in Colombia allow students to pursue a double undergraduate degree programme after completing the first two or three semesters, but this can depend on the academic performance of the student. 

Additionally, students can spend an academic semester abroad.

Student visas 

For information about student visas, please visit this website.