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Study In Chile in : Admission, Cost of Living, Tuition Fees & Top Universities

  • March 7, 2023

Do you wish to Study in Chile? We got your back with the latest information on Chile’s Cost of Living, the University in Chile’s Admission Requirements, Chile’s Tuition Fees, and a List of Top Universities. Sit back and enjoy a good work of research.

Chile is a top-rated destination in South America due to the excellent quality of its academic institutions and the many universities to choose from. The country is known for its beautiful landscapes and high quality of life.

Chile has a great climate due to the extreme length of the territory. The Andes mountain range is another fundamental factor in the weather as it regulates the passage of air masses from Argentina and the ocean winds from the Pacific. The Ocean also has a significant effect on the Chilean climate.

The capital, Santiago de Chile, is the biggest city with a population of about 5 million. This predominantly Catholic country runs a presidential system of government and uses the Peso as its currency. 1 USD is about 664 CLP.

Table of contents

Reasons to Study in Chile

  1. The quality of its educational institutions is among the best in Latin America.
  2. It is the most developed country in South America
  3. It is very safe, and its roads are rated the best in Latin America.
  4. Its territory is diverse and has incredible landscapes: beaches and mountains.
  5. The number of international students coming to study in Chile is increasing yearly.

Cost of Living

Life in Chile is expensive by Latin American standards but cheap compared to the United States and European countries. Basic food, services, and public transportation are quite affordable, but universities and housing are relatively more expensive.

A modest monthly living budget, including food, transport, and rent, can range from approximately US$700 to US$1,100 on a more generous allowance.

However, as in all countries, this depends on each specific case and the city where you live. Santiago de Chile, the capital, is the most expensive. Here are listed the major Items that constitute the Chilean Cost of Living.

Cost of some specific items

  • Coca Cola (0.33L)                                  1.14 USD
  • 1 liter of milk                                         1.12 USD
  • Fresh white bread (500g                         1.07 USD
  • 12 eggs€                                               2.47 USD
  • Water (1.5L)                                          1.28 USD
  • 1 liter of petrol                                       1.14 USD
  • Mobile rate (price / min)                          0.17 USD
  • An Internet rate (monthly)                      36.61 USD
  • Potatoes (1kg)                                        1.08 USD
  • White Rice (1kg)                                     1.31 USD
  • Tomatoes (1kg)                                       1.37 USD
  • Bananas (1kg)                                        1.09 USD
  • Onions (1kg)                                          1.17 USD
  • Red meat (1kg)                                       9.49 USD

(source)

Accommodation for students

Chile offers excellent accommodation for all types of budgets. Foreign students can choose to live in a university residence, rent a room in a shared flat or take a studio or flat.

The choice of one type or another of accommodation usually depends on the student’s financial resources and lifestyle.

Since it is a critical decision, it is advisable to begin the search for accommodation in advance and patiently.  

An excellent place to get information about the most suitable place to live is to ask the university’s International Relations Office.

University Accommodation

In Chile, almost all universities have student residences within or very close to the campus.

The rooms are furnished and are usually shared by two or more students of the same sex.

This is an excellent option for young people who have never lived outside their homes and want to meet people and integrate quickly into the university environment.

To get a place in a student residence, you can contact the Office of International Relations of your university in Chile, as they usually have areas reserved for foreign students.

Rented Apartments

This accommodation option gives you greater independence and privacy but is also more expensive, especially if you want a flat. The most common thing is to share it with other students to spread the expenses.

The rooms may be furnished or unfurnished. The latter is cheaper and more numerous, and the contract’s duration is negotiated with the property owner.

When signing the contract, ensure that everyday expenses such as water, Internet, electricity, and gas are included in the rent, or you must pay them separately. Remember that in this type of accommodation, asking for a deposit returned at the end of the contract is also usual.

Chilean Tuition Fees and Scholarships

Over 26,000 foreign students each year are attracted to Study in Chile by the excellent quality of its academic institutions and the high standard of living in the country.

The flow of international students has increased considerably in recent years, and universities are accustomed to having foreign students, so you will feel quickly integrated.

Chilean university enrollments are expensive, so an essential part of preparing for your trip is calculating how you will pay for your stay and studies in Chile. On average, though, students in private and public universities pay around USD5,500 per year.

Medical students, though, should expect to pay around USD 6,300 per year, while science students in courses like Engineering, Mathematics, and Technology pay on average about USD 5,900 per year.

Through the Agency for International Cooperation for Development of Chile (AGCID), the Chilean government offers several scholarship programs for citizens of Latin America, the Caribbean, and some countries of South Africa to study for postgraduate degrees in the country.

The grants cover maintenance, school supplies, medical insurance, and university tuition.

Students from countries that are part of the Organization of American States (OAS) also can apply for OAS scholarships for postgraduate studies.

Medical Insurance

International students need to take out medical insurance to be able to be cared for, both in public and private universities.

It is likely that when you enroll in a Chilean university, you have to present health insurance, so you should get it in your country.

Before traveling to Chile, you must also pass a medical examination and obtain a certificate stating that you are in good health.

For more information on the Chilean health system, you can visit the website of the Ministry of Health.

Chilean Student Visa

Less than 90 days stay

Those students who will stay in Chile for less than 90 days do not need to apply for a student visa to access the country.

If they come from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, or Uruguay, they only need a national identity document to enter Chile. No visa is required.

Citizens of the European Union, the United States, Canada, and other countries with which the Chilean government has agreements also do not need a visa to enter Chile. They can do it simply with a valid passport.

On the website of the Department of Immigration and Migration, you can find a link to the list of countries exempt from visas.

Citizens of countries with which Chile has no agreement must apply for a tourist visa to get into the country.

Stay up to 90 days or more.

All foreign students staying for more than 90 days in Chile must apply for a student visa. To do this, you must go to a consulate of Chile in your country and present the following documents:

  • Passport
  • Visa application form
  • Letter of admission to the university
  • Three passport photos
  • Evidence of enough funds
  • Police report

The steps to obtain the visa can last for about a month, so you must request it in advance, but not too much because you have 90 days to enter the country once you receive it.

Visas have a maximum duration of one year, but you can renew them without a problem if your studies last longer.

When you arrive in Chile, you have 30 days to register your visa at the International Police office and request a national identity card for foreigners.

Language

The language of instruction is Spanish, and it is necessary to master it to be admitted to the programs, although some universities also offer courses in English.

Admission Process

Foreign students have two different ways to enroll in Chilean universities.

The first option is to undergo the same admission process as the Chilean students, which is determined by the results of a test called the University Selection Test (PSU). Each university selects students based on their PSU score and secondary school performance.

The PSU takes place between November and December, and to do it, you have to register online several months in advance.

This admission process is followed in all public universities and some private universities. The others usually use their tests to select their new students.

Special Admission System

The second option foreign students can use the so-called particular admission system, which is aimed at people who have completed two or more years of secondary education abroad and is different in each university.

To know the deadlines, exams, and documents required, you must consult the website of the university in which you want to enroll.

Top 10 Universities in Chile

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