Pontifical Catholic University of Peru
Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú
Peru's top-ranked university: a private Catholic campus in Lima with fees on nine income-based scales.
- Students
- 31,256
- 25,472 undergraduates
- Tuition
- PEN 12,434
- From · 2026
- Founded
- 1917
- QS World Ranking
- #357
- 2027 edition
About PUCP
The Pontifical Catholic University of Peru was founded in 1917 by the priest Jorge Dintilhac, SS.CC. Its main campus sits on Avenida Universitaria in San Miguel, Lima, covering about 41 hectares that include green spaces, sports grounds and two pre-Hispanic archaeological sites, Huaca 20 and a stretch of ancient road.
PUCP had 25,472 undergraduates and 5,784 graduate students in the 2026-2 semester. Most undergraduates start in one of two general studies units, Estudios Generales Letras (humanities and social sciences) or Estudios Generales Ciencias (science and engineering), before moving into one of 13 faculties, which range from Law and Engineering to Performing Arts and Gastronomy. It has topped Peru in the QS World University Rankings for 14 years running and places 357th globally in the 2027 edition.
PUCP is known for its differentiated fee system: after admission, each family's finances are assessed and the student is placed on one of nine pay scales, with the university subsidising all but the highest. Teaching is in Spanish and admission runs through several routes, from school-performance tracks for final-year students to an interview route for IB, Abitur, French and Italian baccalaureate holders. It suits motivated students who want Peru's most prestigious academic environment in the capital.
Et lux in tenebris lucet
“And the light shines in the darkness” — university motto
Why students choose PUCP
PUCP has been Peru's best university in the QS World University Rankings for 14 consecutive years and ranks 10th in Latin America in the 2027 edition.
Fees are set on nine income-based scales (G1 to G9), with the university subsidising every scale except the highest.
Holders of the IB, Abitur, French Baccalauréat, Italian Maturità or Cambridge AICE diploma can be admitted by interview and essay, and can have up to 36 credits recognised.
Alumni include UN Secretary-General Javier Pérez de Cuéllar and painter Fernando de Szyszlo.
Admissions
Admisión 2027-1 (classes start March 2027)
Selectivity
PUCP does not publish an overall admit rate, but publishes applicants and entrants by programme. In the smaller mid-year 2026-2 intake, Estudios Generales Ciencias had 1,515 applicants and 358 entrants, and Estudios Generales Letras 1,195 applicants and 545 entrants; Computer Engineering admitted 84 of 328 applicants and Architecture 52 of 243.
Typical entry requirements
| Peruvian secondary education (La Primera Opción, Evaluación del Talento) | Academic test of 28 reading and 40 mathematics questions (48 for Sciences and Education), weighted 50/50 or 40/60 for Sciences, plus school grades; places filled in order of merit. |
|---|---|
| Admisión por Rendimiento Superior (ARS) | For students from selected schools who are in the top half, top third or top fifth of their class (depending on the school), plus a minimum score of 450 on the academic test. |
| IB, Abitur, French Baccalauréat, Italian Maturità or Cambridge AICE (obtained from 2021) | Admission by personal essay and virtual interview with a panel, scored on a rubric; up to 36 credits of baccalaureate courses can be recognised. |
Deadlines
- La Primera Opción and ARS (3rd call), Admisión 2027-1 Non-binding Next deadline · In 54 days29 November 2026 (academic test)
Registration open; results published 30 November 2026. La Primera Opción is only for students in their final (5th) year of secondary school.
- Diploma de Bachillerato (2nd call), Admisión 2027-1 Non-binding In ~4 months28 January 2027 (last interviews)
Registration open; interviews scheduled as files are completed; results 2 February 2027.
Classes for Admisión 2027-1 start in March 2027. Evaluación del Talento (for secondary graduates), Architecture, Performing Arts, adult entry and transfer routes have their own calendars on PUCP's admissions site.
How to apply
Choose your programme and admission route, then register online with ID (DNI, carné de extranjería or passport), a photo, school transcripts (Peruvian COE or CLA; foreign documents must be apostilled or legalised) and route-specific documents. PUCP validates the file within two working days and then asks you to pay the application fee: S/ 400 for public-school applicants and S/ 550 for private-school applicants.
What admissions looks for
- Strong reading comprehension and mathematics, measured by PUCP's own academic test.
- Consistent school performance throughout secondary school, which counts for 20% of the score.
- For baccalaureate diploma holders, interests and motivation shown in a personal essay and interview.
- For the ARS route, a class ranking in the top half, third or fifth, as set for your school.
Tips for applying to PUCP
- 1 If you are in your final year of school, La Primera Opción lets you secure a place before you graduate; the 2027-1 test is on 29 November 2026.
- 2 Check whether your school qualifies for Admisión por Rendimiento Superior, which rewards class rank and needs a score of 450 on the test.
- 3 IB and European baccalaureate students can skip the test entirely and apply by essay and interview, and may get up to 36 credits recognised.
- 4 Take part in the socioeconomic evaluation after admission: families that don't are automatically placed on the highest pay scale.
Costs & financial aid
2026 · figures in PEN
PUCP's differentiated pension system subsidises the cost of study on every scale except the highest, with G1 to G3 reserved for exceptional cases with the greatest subsidy. Admitted students can apply for PUCP scholarships such as the Becas R.P. Jorge Dintilhac, LUCET, Fe y Alegría and COAR awards, state Beca 18 scholarships from PRONABEC, co-funded awards such as the BCP scholarships, and an institutional education loan for students with good grades.
- Nine (G1 to G9), assigned after a socioeconomic evaluation
- Pay scales
- S/ 304.60 (G1) to S/ 1,164.10 (G9) per credit
- Credit value, 2026-2
- 14 scholarships; applications 14 September to 9 October 2026
- Becas R.P. Jorge Dintilhac
- S/ 400 (public school) or S/ 550 (private school)
- Application fee
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters (two academic cycles a year; the first starts in March)
Law
One of PUCP's largest faculties (more than 3,000 students), whose graduates include Javier Pérez de Cuéllar and former prime minister Salvador del Solar.
Economics
The most popular Letras programme in the 2026-2 intake (248 applicants), with alumni such as Harvard finance professor Victoria Ivashina.
Computer Engineering
The most sought-after Sciences programme in 2026-2, with 328 applicants for 84 places.
Mechanical Engineering
Part of the Faculty of Science and Engineering, where fire-safety engineer José Torero earned his degree.
Architecture
Its own admission route; 243 applicants for 52 places in the 2026-2 intake.
Art and Design
PUCP's school of plastic arts trained the abstract painter Fernando de Szyszlo.
Research
- PUCP ranks first in Peru for academic reputation, employer reputation, international research network and sustainability in the QS World University Rankings 2027, and is in the global top 10% for academic reputation.
- The campus includes Huaca 20, a pre-Hispanic archaeological site, and a preserved section of pre-Hispanic road.
- PUCP reinvested S/ 9.5 million in research, innovation and technological development in its latest reported year.
Schools & faculties
- General Studies: Humanities (Estudios Generales Letras)
- General Studies: Sciences (Estudios Generales Ciencias)
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Science and Engineering
- Faculty of Social Sciences
- Faculty of Management and Senior Leadership
- Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism
- Faculty of Art and Design
- Faculty of Communication Sciences and Arts
- Faculty of Psychology
- Faculty of Performing Arts
- Faculty of Education
PUCP is in the global top 25% for employer reputation and employment outcomes in the QS World University Rankings 2027, and first in Peru for employer reputation.
Student life
PUCP is a single, walkable campus in San Miguel with large green areas, sports grounds and a central dining hall, plus the Huaca 20 archaeological site within its grounds. First-year students share the general studies units, so Letras and Ciencias students meet peers from many future majors before specialising. Campus buildings range from the Central Library to the MacGregor complex tower. The university also offers exchange places for students from partner universities abroad.
- Two general studies units (Letras and Ciencias) where most students spend their first years.
- About 16.7 hectares of green space and 2.9 hectares of sports areas on the main campus.
- Huaca 20 and a section of pre-Hispanic road inside the campus.
- Four income-linked scholarship programmes for new students (Dintilhac, LUCET, Fe y Alegría and COAR) open each September.
Location
Lima is Peru's capital and largest city, on the Pacific coast. PUCP's single main campus is at Avenida Universitaria 1801 in the San Miguel district: about 41 hectares, with some 16.7 hectares of green space, 2.9 hectares of sports areas, 564 classrooms and its own pre-Hispanic archaeological site, Huaca 20.
Nearest airport: Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM)
Notable alumni
- JP Javier Pérez de CuéllarSecretary-General of the United Nations (1982-1991) and Prime Minister of Peru; law degree, 1943
- FS Fernando de SzyszloAbstract painter; graduated from PUCP's school of plastic arts in 1948
- SD Salvador del SolarActor, film director and Prime Minister of Peru (2019); law graduate
- VI Victoria IvashinaFinance professor at Harvard Business School; BA in economics
- JL José L. ToreroFire-safety engineer and fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering; BSc in mechanical engineering
- JH Javier HeraudPoet; studied at PUCP
- GW Gabriela WienerWriter and journalist; studied linguistics and literature
- OH Ollanta HumalaPresident of Peru (2011-2016); master's degree in political science
Frequently asked questions
How much does PUCP cost per year?
It depends on your pay scale. Using 2026 credit values, two semesters of 20 credits cost roughly S/ 12,400 on scale G1 to about S/ 47,500 on scale G9, including enrolment fees. The scale is assigned after a socioeconomic evaluation of your family, and credit values may rise with inflation each year.
Can international students apply to PUCP?
Yes. Foreign applicants register with a passport or carné de extranjería and apostilled school documents. Holders of the IB, Abitur, French Baccalauréat, Italian Maturità or Cambridge AICE can apply by essay and interview. Teaching is in Spanish.
What is on the PUCP admission test?
Reading comprehension (28 questions) and mathematics (40 questions, or 48 for Sciences and Education). The test counts for 80% of the score and school grades for 20%.
When is the PUCP admission exam for 2027?
For La Primera Opción and the ARS route, the academic test for Admisión 2027-1 is on 29 November 2026, with results on 30 November. Classes start in March 2027.
Does PUCP offer scholarships?
Yes. Admitted students can apply for PUCP awards such as the Becas R.P. Jorge Dintilhac (applications 14 September to 9 October 2026), state Beca 18 scholarships and co-funded awards, as well as an education loan programme.
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.
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