University of Concepción
Universidad de Concepción
South-central Chile's traditional university, founded by Concepción's citizens in 1919, on three campuses.
- Tuition
- CLP 4.7M
- From · 2026
- Founded
- 1919
- QS World Ranking
- #662
- 2027 edition
- Campus
- Urban
- Concepción campus: 2,927,647 m² (about 293 ha), of which 171,613 m² built
About UdeC
The Universidad de Concepción (UdeC) was created in 1919 by a group of Concepción citizens who wanted a university for young people in south-central Chile; its founding programmes were dentistry, English teaching, pharmacy and industrial chemistry. It is one of Chile's traditional private universities, which receive state contributions, and students who qualify for the state's free-tuition scheme (gratuidad) pay no tuition.
UdeC has more than 30,000 students, over 90 undergraduate programmes and more than 150 graduate programmes across three campuses: Concepción, Chillán (founded 1954, focused on agronomy, veterinary science and agricultural engineering) and Los Ángeles. Its Concepción campus, known as the Barrio Universitario, covers almost 293 hectares of parkland around the Arco and the 1944 Campanil bell tower. Under Rector David Stitchkin the university created its science institutes, which turned it into a research-intensive university.
Admission is through Chile's PAES and the centralised Acceso system, with special routes for foreign secondary studies and the IB. UdeC suits students who want a large, traditional university with strong science, engineering and health programmes (its Medicine course attracts some of the highest scores in the country) and a campus that is also a cultural centre for the region.
Por el desarrollo libre del espíritu
“For the free development of the spirit” — university motto
Why students choose UdeC
More than 90 undergraduate programmes on three campuses, from Medicine and Aerospace Civil Engineering to Astronomy, Marine Biology and Theatre.
Medicine is among Chile's most selective degrees: its 2026 cut-off weighted score was 952.15 for 100 places.
Students without state gratuidad automatically receive the Beca Interna UdeC, which cuts annual tuition (by CLP 1,901,557 for Medicine, for example).
The Concepción campus is also a cultural landmark, home to the Casa del Arte and Jorge González Camarena's mural 'Presencia de América Latina'.
Admissions
Admisión 2027 (entry March 2027)
Selectivity
Chile's centralised system publishes no overall admit rate. In Admisión 2026 UdeC received 24,914 valid applications for 4,924 places, more than five per place. 2026 cut-off weighted scores included Medicine 952.15 (100 places), Chemistry and Pharmacy 875.2, Aerospace Civil Engineering 875.05, Law (Concepción) 803.15, Industrial Civil Engineering 800.1 and Commercial Engineering 705.15.
Typical entry requirements
| PAES (regular admission) | A weighted score above the programme's cut-off (from about 500 to 952 in 2026), a minimum weighted score of 500 and an average of 485+ in Reading and Mathematics 1. |
|---|---|
| Secondary education abroad (special admission) | At least two years of secondary school abroad, finished within the two years before entry; apply for one programme with legalised and translated transcripts, a certificate that you can enter university in that country, and a sworn statement that you can pay the fees and support yourself in Chile. Faculties may add tests or interviews. |
| IB Diploma (special admission) | At least 24 points; up to two programme choices. Those who finished secondary school in Chile (at least two years there) must also sit the PAES. Selection weighs IB score, school record and CV. |
| French Bac and German International Baccalaureate (GIB) | Separate special-admission routes with their own rules, published each year on the Ingresos especiales page. |
| English language | Teaching is in Spanish, and no English test is required. Foreign documents must be legalised and translated into Spanish. |
Deadlines
- Special admission: secondary education abroad (2026 cycle, past) Non-binding Passed9 January 2026, 13:00
The 2026 window ran from 5 to 9 January 2026. The IB route window was 19 January 2026. Dates for 2027 had not been published at the time of checking.
- PAES Regular (national exam) Non-binding Next deadline · In 55 days30 November to 2 December 2026
Registration closed on 27 July 2026 (extended deadline). Scores are published on 4 January 2027.
- Centralised application (Acceso) Non-binding In ~3 months7 January 2027, 13:00 (Chile)
Opens 4 January 2027 at 09:00. Selection results on 18 January 2027; first-stage enrolment 19-21 January 2027.
PAES and Acceso dates are from DEMRE's official Admisión 2027 calendar. UdeC's special-admission dates shown are from the 2026 cycle; expect similar January windows for 2027 and check the Ingresos especiales page.
How to apply
Register for and sit the PAES Regular with DEMRE, then apply on the national Acceso platform in January, listing programmes in order of preference. Special routes (secondary studies abroad, IB, BAC, GIB, sport, arts, Indigenous peoples and others) are applied for through forms at admision.udec.cl/ingresos-especiales within short windows. Students seeking gratuidad or state scholarships complete the FUAS form. Foreign students admitted through special routes pay fees directly and need a student residence visa and health insurance.
What admissions looks for
- A high weighted score combining NEM, class ranking and PAES results, with weights set by programme.
- At least 500 weighted points and a 485 average in Reading and Mathematics 1 to be eligible to apply.
- For foreign-studies applicants, a complete, legalised academic record and proof of financial means; faculties may add tests or interviews.
- For IB applicants, 24+ points, a solid school record and an academic CV.
Tips for applying to UdeC
- 1 Use the 2026 cut-offs on each programme page to place UdeC in your Acceso preferences: Medicine needed 952.15, Law 803.15 and Industrial Civil Engineering 800.1.
- 2 Some programmes are offered on more than one campus with different cut-offs, such as Law at Concepción (803.15) and Chillán (754.55).
- 3 If you studied abroad, get documents legalised by a Chilean consulate early: the special-admission window lasts only a few days in January.
- 4 Foreign students admitted by special routes must pay fees themselves and cannot claim UdeC financial support, so budget for the full tuition.
Costs & financial aid
2026 · figures in CLP
UdeC takes part in the state's free-tuition scheme (gratuidad): students who qualify confirm their enrolment without paying, and those later granted gratuidad have the enrolment fee refunded. Students without gratuidad automatically receive the Beca Interna UdeC, which reduces annual tuition (for Medicine from CLP 10,236,008 to CLP 8,334,451). UdeC also offers its own scholarships for academic, artistic and sporting excellence and for olympiad medallists, including full fee exemptions and, for some students in need, free residence and a monthly food allowance.
- CLP 1,901,557 off annual tuition, applied automatically
- Beca Interna UdeC (Medicine example)
- 100% of basic fee and annual tuition
- International informatics or maths olympiad medallists
- 89 students (academic, artistic and sporting excellence)
- Students receiving UdeC excellence scholarships (latest award)
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters
Medicine
A seven-year degree with 100 places and a 2026 cut-off of 952.15; accredited for 7 years, with 98.2% first-year retention (SIES data).
Aerospace Civil Engineering
One of UdeC's most selective engineering degrees, with 18 places and a 2026 cut-off of 875.05.
Astronomy
A dedicated astronomy degree with 35 places and a 2026 cut-off of 770.8.
Marine Biology
One of UdeC's marine science degrees, with 30 places and a 2026 cut-off of 735.7.
Forestry Engineering
Part of UdeC's strong forestry and agricultural tradition; its cut-off rose by 58 points in 2026.
Law
Offered in Concepción (145 places, cut-off 803.15) and Chillán (65 places, 754.55).
Research
- The science institutes created under Rector David Stitchkin turned UdeC into a research university, according to its own history.
- The Chillán campus hosts the Centro del Agua para la Agricultura y Minería and the Centro de Desarrollo Tecnológico Agroindustrial, and one of Latin America's most complete agricultural libraries (founded 1955).
- UdeC offers more than 150 graduate programmes.
Schools & faculties
- Facultad de Medicina
- Facultad de Ingeniería
- Facultad de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales
- Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Administrativas
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas
- Facultad de Ciencias Físicas y Matemáticas
- Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Oceanográficas
- Facultad de Ciencias Forestales
- Facultad de Agronomía
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias
- Facultad de Humanidades y Arte
Programme-level SIES data on UdeC's admission pages: for example, Medicine graduates have 92.9% employment in the first year and 90.4% in the second year after graduation.
Student life
The Concepción campus, known as the Barrio Universitario, is a large park open to the city, entered through the Arco and centred on the Campanil, the bell tower opened in 1944. The Casa del Arte (Pinacoteca) holds 2,068 paintings and the mural 'Presencia de América Latina' by Mexican artist Jorge González Camarena, and its halls host performances by the UdeC Choir and Symphony Orchestra. Outdoor shows, literary readings, exhibitions, plays and round-table debates run throughout the year.
- The Campanil, opened in 1944, and the Arco are symbols of the university and the city.
- The Casa del Arte José Clemente Orozco holds a collection of 2,068 paintings.
- UdeC has its own Symphony Orchestra and Choir, and historically the TUC theatre company.
- Three campuses: Concepción, Chillán and Los Ángeles.
Housing. Some needs-based scholarships include free residence in university homes for students from outside the province of their campus.
Location
Concepción is the capital of the Biobío Region in south-central Chile. UdeC's Concepción campus doubles as a park and walking route for local residents, and the university shapes the city's cultural life. The Chillán campus serves the neighbouring Ñuble Region, and the Los Ángeles campus the south of Biobío. All three campuses teach in Spanish.
Nearest airport: Carriel Sur International Airport, Concepción (CCP)
Notable alumni
- RR Raúl RettigLawyer and Radical Party leader; law degree from UdeC, where he was top of his class
- EC Elicura ChihuailafMapuche poet and winner of Chile's National Literature Prize; qualified in obstetrics at UdeC
- HC Hilda CidCrystallographer and the first Chilean woman to earn a doctorate in the exact sciences; began her physics and mathematics teaching degree at UdeC
- JV Jacqueline van RysselberghePhysician and senator for Biobío (2014-2022); medical degree (1989)
- BS Beatriz SánchezJournalist and politician; studied journalism at UdeC
- ÁH Álvaro HenríquezSinger-songwriter and one of Chile's most influential musicians; briefly studied music at UdeC
Frequently asked questions
How hard is it to get into the Universidad de Concepción?
It depends on the programme. UdeC received more than five applications per place in 2026; Medicine's cut-off was 952.15, while many science and humanities programmes admitted students in the 500-700 range.
How much does UdeC cost?
Annual tuition listed on its programme pages runs from about CLP 4.7 million to CLP 10.2 million (Medicine), plus a small enrolment fee. Students without gratuidad automatically receive the Beca Interna UdeC discount, and eligible students with gratuidad pay no tuition.
Can international students apply to UdeC?
Yes. There is a special admission route for students who did at least two years of secondary school abroad, and an IB route requiring 24+ points. Foreign students pay fees directly and need a student visa and health insurance.
What PAES score do I need for UdeC?
You need at least 500 weighted points and a 485 average in Reading and Mathematics 1 to apply. Actual cut-offs in 2026 ranged from about 500 to 952 depending on the programme.
Does UdeC have campuses outside Concepción?
Yes: Chillán, focused on agronomy, veterinary science and agricultural engineering, and Los Ángeles, which offers programmes such as nursing, education and commercial engineering.
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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