Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso
A Catholic university in the port of Valparaíso with top seven-year national accreditation and sites across the region.
- Students
- 19,063
- 17,215 undergraduates
- Tuition
- CLP 4.4M
- From · 2026
- Founded
- 1928
- QS World Ranking
- 851-900
- 2027 edition
About PUCV
The Catholic University of Valparaíso opened on 25 March 1928 with 700 students, funded by Isabel Caces de Brown and her daughters. Its first faculties taught applied sciences and mathematics, and economics and commerce. The Jesuits reorganised the university from 1951. PUCV's history page says it made Chile's first experimental open-air television broadcast on 5 October 1957 and opened UCV Televisión, which it calls the country's first television channel, in August 1959. The Holy See gave it the title Pontifical in 2003. It belongs to the Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities (CRUCH), so it takes part in the national PAES admission system and in the state's free-tuition scheme.
In 2024 PUCV had 17,215 undergraduates and 1,848 postgraduates across 9 faculties and 34 academic units, with 63 undergraduate degrees, 41 master's and 20 doctoral programmes. The historic Casa Central on Avenida Brasil sits in central Valparaíso, and other campuses and sites are in Viña del Mar, Quillota, Quilpué, Curauma and Providencia in Santiago. Since 2022 it has held seven years of CNA accreditation, the maximum, and PUCV's accreditation page says it is one of five Chilean universities at that level.
PUCV suits students who want a traditional university with strong engineering, law, marine science and teacher-training programmes, set in a port city on the Pacific.
Fides et labor
“Faith and work” — university motto
Why students choose PUCV
PUCV holds seven years of institutional accreditation from Chile's CNA, the maximum level; its accreditation page says it is one of five Chilean universities at that level.
Law and Industrial Civil Engineering are among its most selective degrees, with minimum weighted PAES scores of 776.9 and 788 for 2026 entry.
In 2024, 10,163 undergraduates (about 59%) studied under Chile's gratuidad free-tuition scheme.
PUCV has 134 mobility agreements with 127 universities worldwide, and 454 international exchange students studied there in 2024.
Admissions
Admisión 2027 (entry March 2027)
Selectivity
PUCV does not publish an acceptance rate. Selection goes through Chile's centralised PAES system, and each degree's minimum weighted score varies widely. For 2026 entry: Industrial Civil Engineering 788, Law 776.9, Psychology 768.05, Architecture 729.7, Bioquímica 697 and Geography 482.95.
Typical entry requirements
| Chilean secondary education (PAES route) | PAES Reading and M1 average of at least 485 (or top 10% of your school), then selection by weighted score (NEM, school ranking and PAES) through the national system |
|---|---|
| International diplomas (special route) | IB Diploma, French Baccalauréat, German International Abitur or Italian Esame di Stato, with a school average of at least 5.5 on Chile's 1 to 7 scale. Applicants must still sit the PAES and apply through the national system if they enrol early. |
| English language | Teaching is in Spanish. No English test is required for admission. |
Deadlines
- Special entry (NEM, inclusion, outstanding talent, VHP routes) Non-binding Passed30 September 2026
Registration and documents from 21 August to 30 September 2026; selection from October 2026 to January 2027.
- Special entry (direct access and prior higher education routes) Non-binding Next deadline · In ~2 months15 December 2026
Opened 28 August 2026.
- National admission (PAES) applications Non-binding In ~3 months7 January 2027, 13:00 (Chile)
Applications open 4 January 2027 at 09:00; results from 18 January 2027 at 12:00.
These are PUCV's published dates for Admisión 2027 (first semester 2027). PAES test dates are set nationally by DEMRE.
How to apply
Most students apply through Chile's Sistema de Acceso: take the PAES, then rank up to 20 degree programmes across participating universities on the national online platform. PUCV also runs special-entry routes (school grades, inclusion, outstanding talent, international diplomas, women in science and engineering, and others) through its own platform. You may apply to at most 2 degrees by 1 special route.
What admissions looks for
- PAES results in Reading and M1, plus the elective tests your chosen degree weights (and M2 where required).
- Secondary school grades (NEM) and ranking within your school, which count in the weighted score.
- For teaching degrees, the higher legal minimum under Law 20.129 (567.5 average or equivalent routes).
- For special routes, evidence of the specific profile: sustained grades, outstanding achievement in arts or science, leadership, or an international diploma.
Tips for applying to PUCV
- 1 Check which degrees require PAES Mathematics M2 before you register for the tests.
- 2 Compare your weighted score with PUCV's published minimum scores for recent years: Psychology, Law and Industrial Civil Engineering have needed well over 760.
- 3 Order your 20 choices carefully: once you are selected for one, all lower preferences are dropped.
- 4 If you hold or are taking the IB, French BAC, German Abitur or Italian Esame di Stato, look at the Bachillerato Internacional special route, but you still need to sit the PAES.
Costs & financial aid
2026 · figures in CLP
As a university in Chile's gratuidad scheme, PUCV waives tuition and registration for eligible students: Chilean nationals, or foreigners who completed secondary school in Chile and hold permanent residence, from the lowest-income 60% of households. Others can get Ministry of Education scholarships, the Fondo Solidario loan (Chileans only, 2% interest), the state-guaranteed CAE loan and internal PUCV scholarships. Paying the full year upfront by 31 March earns a 7% discount (not for students with benefits).
- 10,163 of 17,215 (about 59%)
- Undergraduates studying under gratuidad (2024)
- 7% for paying the full year by 31 March
- Early payment discount (first-year, 2026)
- CLP 280,000
- Annual registration fee (first-year, 2026)
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters: in 2026 first-semester teaching ended in late June, and second-semester classes ran from 3 August to 28 November
Law (Derecho)
A 2026 minimum weighted PAES score of 776.9; graduates include Valparaíso mayor Jorge Sharp and minister Catalina Parot.
Industrial Civil Engineering
The highest 2026 minimum weighted score (788) in PUCV's published table of enrolment scores, one of 14 civil engineering degrees in its Faculty of Engineering, including Data Science, Mining and Transport.
Architecture
The School of Architecture in Viña del Mar (minimum score 729.7 in 2026) trained Public Works minister Juan Carlos García and Housing minister Iván Poduje.
Psychology
One of the most competitive degrees, with a minimum weighted score of 768.05 in 2026.
Oceanography or Marine Biology
A common first-year plan in the Faculty of Marine Sciences and Geography, drawing on the university's Pacific coast location.
Agronomy
Taught by the Faculty of Agronomic and Food Sciences, which has an experiment station in Quillota.
Research
- In 2024 PUCV won 89 externally funded research projects, 75 from Chile's ANID and 14 international.
- Its researchers published 675 Web of Science and 228 Scopus papers in 2024.
- A PUCV prototype kelp-forest system (0.5 hectares) aims to reduce wave damage to beaches by up to 25% while capturing carbon.
- A solar plant on the Curauma campus covers about 30% of that campus's energy use.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Economic and Administrative Sciences
- Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism
- Faculty of Philosophy and Education
- Faculty of Agronomic and Food Sciences
- Faculty of Sciences
- Faculty of Marine Sciences and Geography
- Ecclesiastical Faculty of Theology
Student life
PUCV's students are spread across several sites rather than one campus: the Casa Central on Avenida Brasil, the Sausalito and Curauma campuses, faculty buildings on Valparaíso's hills such as Cerro Barón and Playa Ancha, agronomy in Quillota and the art institute in Viña del Mar, with PUCV buses serving students. Student life includes a student federation (FEPUCV), university sports teams in the national university championship, pastoral activities, volunteering and competitive funds for student projects. In 2026 the winter break ran from 13 July to 1 August.
- PUCV's history page says its UCV Televisión, opened in August 1959, was Chile's first television channel.
- 454 international exchange students came in 2024, and 179 PUCV students went abroad on exchange.
- University teams play in Chile's National University Championship, where PUCV reached the basketball quarter-finals in 2026.
- Minors, a basic-training (Formación Fundamental) programme and an English-strengthening programme run across degrees.
Location
Valparaíso is a historic Pacific port city built on steep hills (cerros) around its bay, and PUCV's Casa Central sits on Avenida Brasil in the flat centre. Neighbouring Viña del Mar hosts the School of Architecture and the art institute, and many students live between the two cities. PUCV's other sites include Quillota inland, Quilpué, Curauma and a centre in Providencia, Santiago.
Nearest airport: Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport, Santiago (SCL)
Notable alumni
- AF Alejandro FoxleyChile's Minister of Finance 1990 to 1994 and Foreign Minister 2006 to 2009; chemical engineering degree
- RE Ricardo EzzatiCardinal (since 2014) and Archbishop of Santiago 2010 to 2019; studied philosophy
- AG Alfonso Gómez-LoboGeorgetown philosopher and member of the US President's Council on Bioethics; studied at PUCV
- JS Jorge SharpLawyer and mayor of Valparaíso 2016 to 2024; studied law
- JC Juan Carlos García Pérez de ArceArchitect and Chile's Minister of Public Works 2022 to 2023; BA in architecture
- IP Iván PodujeArchitect and urban planner, Minister of Housing and Urbanism from March 2026; studied at the School of Architecture
- CP Catalina ParotLawyer and politician, Chile's Minister of National Assets; studied law
- JG Juan GrimmLandscape architect; began architecture studies at PUCV (1970 to 1972) before finishing in Santiago (non-degree)
Frequently asked questions
How much does PUCV cost per year?
For 2026 (the latest published fees), first-year annual tuition ranged from CLP 4,438,000 to CLP 7,035,000 depending on the degree, plus a CLP 280,000 annual registration fee. 2027 fees are not yet published. Eligible low-income students under Chile's gratuidad scheme pay nothing.
What PAES score do you need for PUCV?
You need at least a 485 average in Reading and M1 to apply (567.5 for teaching degrees). Competitive degrees need much more: in 2026 the minimum weighted score was 776.9 for Law and 788 for Industrial Civil Engineering.
When is the PUCV application deadline for 2027?
National PAES applications run from 4 to 7 January 2027, with results on 18 January. Special-entry routes close on 30 September 2026 (school grades, inclusion, outstanding talent and VHP routes) or on 15 December 2026 (direct access and prior higher education routes).
Is PUCV a public or private university?
PUCV is a private Catholic university, but it is a 'traditional' university in Chile's Council of Rectors (CRUCH) and takes part in the state's free-tuition (gratuidad) scheme.
What is PUCV's QS ranking?
PUCV is in the 851-900 band of the QS World University Rankings 2027.
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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