Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina
Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina "Santa María de los Buenos Aires"
Argentina's pontifical Catholic university, with its main campus on the Puerto Madero docklands of Buenos Aires.
- Students
- 18,296
- International
- 10%
- of students
- Tuition
- ARS 3.6M
- From · 2026 (fees in force from 1 July 2026)
- Founded
- 1958
About UCA
The Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina (UCA) was officially founded by the Argentine bishops on 7 March 1958. An earlier Catholic University of Buenos Aires had opened in 1910 but closed in 1922 because the state did not recognise its degrees. In 1960 the Holy See granted UCA the title of Pontifical university. Its full name is Santa María de los Buenos Aires, and the Archbishop of Buenos Aires is its Grand Chancellor.
UCA's main campus is in Puerto Madero, the redeveloped docklands next to downtown Buenos Aires. There are further campuses in Rosario, Paraná and Mendoza. In Buenos Aires, degree programmes are organised into faculties of Economics, Law, Medical Sciences, Social Sciences, Engineering and Agricultural Sciences, Psychology and Educational Psychology, Philosophy and Letters, Arts and Musical Sciences, Theology and Canon Law. Its graduates include a president of Argentina, the Queen of the Netherlands and the head of the IAEA.
Unlike Argentina's free public universities, UCA charges tuition. Entry is by a short, mostly online entrance course (curso de ingreso) plus a cognitive assessment, and for most programmes this course is not selective. Medicine is the exception: it has limited places allocated by merit. UCA suits students who want a structured private university in central Buenos Aires with a clear Catholic identity and strong links to business, law and public life.
Why students choose UCA
Graduates include President Mauricio Macri (civil engineering), Queen Máxima of the Netherlands (economics) and IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi (political science).
For most degree programmes the entrance course is diagnostic, not selective: it decides how much support you get in first year, not whether you get in.
Medical students do their clinical training at the Hospital Británico, UCA's teaching hospital.
The Philosophy degree's eleven monthly fee instalments are 100% waived for all students who meet the requirements, with no cap on numbers.
Admissions
Entry in March 2027 (ciclo lectivo 2027)
Selectivity
UCA publishes no admission rate. For most degree programmes the entrance course is 'ambientador y diagnóstico' (orientation and diagnostic) and not selective. Medicine is the exception: you must pass the specific subject, places are limited and they are allocated in order of merit.
Typical entry requirements
| Argentine secondary school | You must be in your final year of secondary school or have finished it (even with subjects still pending) to register. You then complete the curso de ingreso, or apply for direct entry if eligible. |
|---|---|
| IB Diploma | More than 30 points plus 4 or more in HL Mathematics exempts you from the entrance-course Mathematics subject for Engineering, Agricultural Sciences and Economics; English-subject exemptions apply with qualifying IB English scores. |
| A-levels (ESSARP agreement) | AS/A Level Mathematics at grade B or above exempts you from entrance-course Mathematics for Engineering and Economics; a C1 English certificate (e.g. CAE, CPE) exempts you from the English subject for English degrees. |
| International applicants | Foreign students who need to enter Argentina must obtain a consular student visa in their home country. UCA advises on the process once you have pre-registered and paid for the entrance course. |
| English language | Degree programmes are taught in Spanish, and no English test is required for most of them. Applicants to the English Licenciatura, Translation and Teaching programmes must show B2 English (CEFR) before the entrance course, or sit UCA's own English level exam. |
Deadlines
- Medicine entrance course (October cohort) Non-binding Passed2 October 2026 (last day to register)
Buenos Aires campus. Virtual course from 8 October to 26 November 2026 with hybrid sessions and an in-person assessment on 26 November. A February 2027 Medicine cohort is also offered.
- Entrance course, November cohort (most programmes) Non-binding Next deadline · In 24 days30 October 2026 (last day to register)
Buenos Aires campus. Virtual course from 4 to 25 November 2026, with a final assessment for programmes with applied mathematics and a final project for the others.
- Medicine direct-entry application Non-binding In 28 days3 November 2026
Two-stage process; results published on the last working day of November.
- Entrance course, February I cohort Non-binding In ~4 months29 January 2027 (last day to register)
Buenos Aires campus. Course runs 3-16 February 2027. A February II cohort is also scheduled before March classes.
Dates are from UCA's Formación Preuniversitaria schedules for March 2027 entry at the Buenos Aires campus. Rosario, Paraná and Mendoza publish their own schedules. Some programmes also have an August intake.
How to apply
Pre-register online (inscripcion.uca.edu.ar), pay the registration fee for the Proceso de Ingreso, and enrol in the entrance-course subjects through the student Campus up to 48 working hours before the course starts. After you complete the course and meet the requirements, you are added to the programme within 72 working hours and your enrolment (matrícula) is generated. Medicine also offers a two-stage direct-entry process: apply by early November, with results on the last working day of November.
What admissions looks for
- Completion (or final-year enrolment) of secondary school; the entrance course is diagnostic for most programmes.
- For Medicine, a pass in the specific subject (Introduction to Medical Sciences) and a high merit ranking, because places are limited.
- For English programmes, a certified B2 level of English before the course.
- Strong school grades if you want direct entry or a merit scholarship: 8.50 average for PRIUNES direct entry, and 8 for PRIUNES and parish-school scholarships.
Tips for applying to UCA
- 1 Check whether your school is a PRIUNES partner: you may qualify for direct entry, a 50% discount on the registration fee and merit scholarships.
- 2 If you took the IB or A-levels, ask for exemptions from entrance-course subjects; Mathematics can be waived with qualifying grades.
- 3 For Medicine, register for the October cohort by 2 October 2026 or apply for direct entry by 3 November; places go in order of merit.
- 4 Budget for the one-off Proceso de Ingreso payment (for example ARS 1,255,000 for Law in Buenos Aires), part of which is credited against your first enrolment payment.
Costs & financial aid
2026 (fees in force from 1 July 2026) · figures in ARS
UCA offers non-repayable scholarships on the eleven annual instalments: PRIUNES merit scholarships (50% or 25%), a full parish-school scholarship, need-based Monseñor Derisi and UCA Comunidad scholarships, the Papa Francisco scholarship (100%) for students from informal settlements, a 50% Beca Tomás Casares for Law, and 100% coverage of Philosophy instalments. Scholarships for Medicine and Dentistry are capped at 50%. There is also a one-off Proceso de Ingreso fee, part of which is deducted from the first matrícula.
- 12 (1 matrícula + 11 instalments)
- Payments per year
- ARS 262,000 (Nursing) to ARS 1,446,000 (Engineering, Architecture, Design); Medicine ARS 685,000
- Proceso de Ingreso (one-off), Buenos Aires
- 100% of the 11 instalments waived for eligible students
- Philosophy degree
- 50% of fees
- Scholarship cap for Medicine and Dentistry
Academics
Academic calendar: Academic year starting in March (some programmes also admit in August)
Medicine
Six years, with places limited and allocated by merit; clinical training at the Hospital Británico, UCA's teaching hospital, and small-group tutored learning.
Law (Abogacía)
Five years, with morning, afternoon and evening shifts and an August intake; the Beca Tomás Casares covers 50% of the instalments for selected students.
Economics and Business (Economía, Administración de Empresas, Finanzas)
The Faculty of Economics produced Queen Máxima, Alfonso Prat-Gay and MALBA founder Eduardo Costantini.
Political Science and International Relations
Alumni include IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi and former Buenos Aires Province governor María Eugenia Vidal.
Engineering (Industrial, Civil, Informatics, Artificial Intelligence, Renewable Energy)
A broad five-year engineering offer in Buenos Aires, including newer degrees in Artificial Intelligence and Renewable Energy.
Philosophy
All eleven annual instalments are 100% waived for eligible students, a rare full-fee benefit at a private Argentine university.
Research
- UCA runs the Observatorio de la Deuda Social Argentina, a research programme on social deprivation in Argentina.
- The Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas is one of UCA's research institutes, alongside institutes of bioethics and the integration of knowledge.
- The Faculty of Engineering and Agricultural Sciences operates its own agricultural establishments and laboratories.
Schools & faculties
- Facultad de Ciencias Económicas
- Facultad de Derecho
- Facultad de Ciencias Médicas
- Facultad de Ciencias Sociales
- Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias Agrarias
- Facultad de Psicología y Psicopedagogía
- Facultad de Filosofía y Letras
- Facultad de Artes y Ciencias Musicales
- Facultad de Teología
- Facultad de Derecho Canónico
- Rosario faculties (Ciencias Económicas; Derecho y Ciencias Sociales; Química e Ingeniería)
- Facultad Teresa de Ávila (Paraná) and Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias Económicas (Mendoza)
Student life
UCA's main campus sits along the docks of Puerto Madero, about 500 metres from the Casa Rosada and close to downtown Buenos Aires. Student life mixes the city with campus services: UCA Sports, a language school, tutoring and the Pabellón de las Bellas Artes art gallery. There are faculty student centres, and the international office welcomes more than 700 exchange students a year. The university's Catholic identity is visible in its Institute of Spirituality and Pastoral Action and in its institutional mission.
- Deportes UCA sports programme and a university language school.
- Pabellón de las Bellas Artes, UCA's art gallery on the Puerto Madero campus.
- More than 700 international students spend a semester at UCA each year, through more than 120 partner agreements.
- Faculty student centres and the university-wide Student Federation (FEUCA).
Location
Puerto Madero is Buenos Aires' redeveloped docklands neighbourhood, next to the financial district and the historic centre, with riverside walks, restaurants and good transport links. Buenos Aires is a big, lively capital with a large student population and several major universities. Prices in pesos change quickly with inflation, so budget carefully.
Nearest airport: Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP) for domestic flights; Ministro Pistarini International Airport, Ezeiza (EZE) for international flights
Notable alumni
- MM Mauricio MacriPresident of Argentina (2015-2019); trained as a civil engineer at UCA
- QM Queen Máxima of the NetherlandsQueen consort of the Netherlands; economics degree from UCA (1995)
- RG Rafael GrossiDirector General of the International Atomic Energy Agency; BA in political science from UCA (1983)
- ME María Eugenia VidalFormer Governor of Buenos Aires Province; political science degree from UCA
- AP Alfonso Prat-GayFormer Argentine Treasury minister and central bank president; economics degree from UCA (1989)
- EC Eduardo CostantiniBusinessman and founder of the Museum of Latin American Art of Buenos Aires (MALBA); economics degree from UCA (1971)
- AO Alec OxenfordCo-founder of OLX and Letgo and Argentina's ambassador to the United States; business administration degree from UCA
- AB Ana BecciuPoet, editor and literary translator; studied at UCA
Frequently asked questions
Is there an entrance exam at UCA?
Every degree programme has an entrance course (curso de ingreso) with two subjects and a cognitive assessment. For most programmes it is diagnostic rather than selective, but Medicine has limited places awarded in order of merit.
How much does UCA cost per year?
At the Buenos Aires campus you pay 12 payments a year. At fees in force from 1 July 2026 that is about ARS 3.6 million a year for Nursing, ARS 10.2 million for Law, ARS 11.8 million for Economics and Business, ARS 12.7 million for Engineering and ARS 16.4 million for Medicine. Fees are adjusted for inflation.
When do I need to apply to UCA for March 2027?
You can take the entrance course in several cohorts: the November course (register by 30 October 2026) or the February courses (February I registration closes 29 January 2027). Medicine's October course closes on 2 October 2026, and its direct-entry route on 3 November 2026.
Does UCA offer scholarships?
Yes. There are merit scholarships for PRIUNES partner schools, need-based Monseñor Derisi and Papa Francisco scholarships, a 50% Law scholarship, and 100% coverage of Philosophy instalments. Scholarships for Medicine and Dentistry are capped at 50%.
Can international students study a full degree at UCA?
Yes. Foreign students pre-register and pay for the entrance course like anyone else, and UCA then helps them apply for the consular student visa needed to enter Argentina. Programmes are taught in Spanish.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
- UCA: Aranceles (fee API used by uca.edu.ar, Buenos Aires region, fees from 1 July 2026)
- UCA: Ingreso
- UCA Formación Preuniversitaria: ¿En qué consiste el curso de ingreso?
- UCA Formación Preuniversitaria: ¿Cuándo se realizan los cursos de ingreso? (schedules)
- UCA: Curso de ingreso November 2026 schedule (image)
- UCA: Medicine entrance course October 2026 schedule (image)
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