ShareUMD Exchange: Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile (Chile)
All students accepted to an Exchange program are automatically considered for an award of $1,000! See Cost tab for more information.
Host Institution
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (PUC Chile), founded in 1738, is one of Latin America’s oldest and most prestigious universities. It includes thirteen faculties that range from arts and sciences to law and medicine. The university has 23,000 undergraduate students and 55 libraries that contain some two million volumes, divided among the various departments. Students are fully integrated into the life of the university and able to take regular courses in any of its faculties, which are located in five campuses accessible by public transportation that includes a subway as well as buses.
Host City
Santiago is the capital and largest city of Chile. Recently, Santiago has undergone an economic and cultural boom and is now home to new cultural centers, museums, and parks. The region combines beautiful weather, wonderful beaches, and the splendid Cordillera de Los Andes. With a population of more than one million, the region has a multicultural flavor.
PUC Chile was rated the top university in Latin America in 2018!
Chile was rated the best country to travel to by Lonely Planet!
Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile and the University of Maryland are both members in Universitas 21 (U21). U21 is the leading global network of research-intensive universities; working together to foster global citizenship and institutional innovation through research inspired teaching and learning, student mobility, connecting our students and staff, and wider advocacy for internationalization.
Learn more about Universitas 21 and it's programs and mission on the U21 website: http://universitas21.com/
Exchange programs are highly competitive and space in each program is limited. You must meet the following eligibility requirements in order to apply to this program:
- 3.0 GPA
- Completion of 2 semesters at UMD
- You must have completed four (4) semesters of university level Spanish. Students who do not have four semesters of university level Spanish will not be considered.
Exchange programs are a good fit for students looking for immersion, personal growth, and the opportunity to strengthen qualities such as independence and adaptability.
Student Visa Information
A student visa is required for participation on this exchange. For more information, please visit our study abroad visa guide to view instructions for the country you will be visiting. Please note that visa information is subject to change and you are responsible for checking the embassy website for updates.
- Click "Apply Now" at the top of this page. You will log in with your UMD directory ID and password.
- Submit all application materials by the deadline listed below. This includes meeting with your EA advisor (listed at the top of this page), and may include requesting a faculty letter of recommendation, and submitting an official transcript. If a letter of recommendation and/or official transcript are required, it will be listed in MyEA once you start an application for this program.
- After the application deadline, we will review all completed applications and nominate students for available spots in each exchange program.
- If you are nominated to participate in this exchange, you will work with your EA advisor (listed above) to apply directly to the host university, who will formally admit you to the exchange program. Nominated students must complete the host university application in accordance with the host university’s stated deadlines and instructions.
- Nominated students will then work with their EA advisor (listed above) and our partner universities to coordinate all aspects of the stay at the host university such as course registration, visas and arrival.
Academic Planning
Visit the Academics & Study Abroad page which outlines key considerations for your academic planning as you navigate different phases of study abroad:
- Pre-Departure Course Selection & Approval
- Finalizing Course Enrollment Abroad
- Transcripts and Credits on your UMD Record
Coursework
Exchange students can enroll in regular PUC Chile courses or take special courses in English and Spanish. Courses are available in Agriculture and Forestry, Architecture, Design and Urban Studies, Arts, Biological Sciences, Economic and Administrative Sciences, Social Sciences, Communication, Law, Education, Philosophy, Physics, History, Geography, and Political Science, Engineering, Math, and Chemistry. Courses are taught in Spanish. PUC-Chile offers very limited courses in English each semester. Additionally, students can view restricted areas of study on PUC-Chile's website.
There may be other course offerings on this program that are not currently listed in the Study Abroad Course Database (SACD). If you are interested in taking a course not listed in the SACD, please submit a transfer credit evaluation request.
Credit
All credit you earn on this program will count as transfer credit towards your UMD degree. Most courses at Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile will be converted as follows:
| PUC- Chile Credit | UMD Credit |
|---|---|
| 1 PUC credit | 0.4 UMD credit |
| 10 PUC credits | 4 UMD credits |
The chart above was last approved by the UMD Transfer Credit Committee on March 12, 2015.
Grading
Undergraduates must receive a C- equivalent or better in order to be eligible for the transfer of credit.
| Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile Grade | UMD Grade |
| 4 | C - |
PUC-Chile does not offer accommodation for exchange students but provides a list of contacts, including a contact for homestays, which students can use to arrange independent housing.You can learn more about accommodation on the PUC-Chile website.
UMD students participating in an Exchange program have the benefit of paying UMD tuition rates to attend an institution abroad. For specific information about this Exchange program, please reference the Cost of Attendance Chart.
Tuition and fees for exchange programs are charged directly to your UMD account, which means you can apply UMD scholarships, state and federal financial aid, and alternative loans towards the cost of an exchange. Housing costs are paid directly to the host institution or on-site housing agency.
You can use the cost of attendance comparison worksheet to view how study abroad programs compare to each other and the amount you pay on campus at UMD. As always, your EA advisor (listed above) is available to help you complete this worksheet and find affordable programs that fit your study abroad goals.
Exchange Scholarship
All students accepted to an Exchange program are considered for an automatic award of $1,000! To be considered for this scholarship, you must:
- Be a current degree seeking undergraduate UMD student (graduate students are not eligible for this award)
- Not currently receive full tuition scholarship/benefits (i.e. Banneker Key, tuition remission, Frederick Douglass Scholarship, etc.)
Additional Financial Resources
Maximize your time abroad by taking advantage of resources at your host institution!
Student Clubs and Organizations
Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile offers extracurricular activities available for international students along with volunteer opportunities.
International Welcome/Orientation
There will be a mandatory orientation before the beginning of the academic year that will provide all necessary information about the university and life in Chile!
Counseling & Health Services
There are student health services available to all students at the university. These services include medical specialists, dentists, and psychologists available for counseling services.
| Term | Year | Application Deadline | Admission Notification | Program Start | Program End |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year (Fall-Spring) | 2023 | 03/01/2023 | 03/13/2023 | ||
| Fall | 2023 | 03/01/2023 | 03/13/2023 | ||
| Spring | 2024 | 10/01/2023 | 10/11/2023 |