Universidad de Chile
Chile's public university since 1842: alma mater of 21 presidents, with its own tests for students schooled abroad.
- Students
- 46,120
- 37,604 undergraduates
- Tuition
- CLP 3.6M
- From · 2026
- Founded
- 1842
- QS World Ranking
- #185
- 2027 edition
About UChile
The Universidad de Chile was founded in 1842, with the scholar Andrés Bello as its first rector, and is the country's oldest university. Its neoclassical Casa Central on the Alameda in Santiago has been the institution's symbolic home since 1872. The university counts 21 presidents of Chile among its former students, and both of Chile's literature Nobel laureates, Pablo Neruda and Gabriela Mistral, are linked to it.
In 2025 it had 46,120 students, including 37,604 undergraduates, 5,356 master's and 1,205 doctoral students, and 4,133 academics. It is organised into 16 faculties and 3 institutes, from Medicine, Law and Economics and Business to Physical and Mathematical Sciences (home of its engineering and science common core), Architecture, Arts, Government and Veterinary Sciences, and offers 75 undergraduate degrees.
Chilean-system applicants enter through the national PAES admission process, while students who completed their final secondary years abroad take UChile's own entrance tests in Santiago through the SIEXT route. As a public university it takes part in Gratuidad, which covered 16,308 of its students in 2024. It suits students who want a public, research-intensive university with a strong civic tradition.
Donde todas las verdades se tocan
“Where all truths touch” — university motto
Why students choose UChile
Former students include 21 presidents of Chile, among them Salvador Allende, Ricardo Lagos, Michelle Bachelet and Gabriel Boric.
A dedicated admission route (SIEXT) for students schooled abroad, with UChile's own entrance tests in October 2026.
The university reports 218 National Prizes (Premios Nacionales) linked to its community.
State Gratuidad covered 16,308 UChile students in 2024, and 2026 tuition for new students ranges from CLP 3.6 million to 9.5 million a year.
Admissions
Admisión 2027 (classes start March 2027)
Selectivity
UChile does not publish an overall admission rate. Places through the centralised system are allocated by weighted PAES scores; the SIEXT route for students schooled abroad has its own vacancies and weightings per programme.
Typical entry requirements
| Chilean secondary school + PAES | Weighted score (NEM, ranking and PAES tests) above the programme's cut-off in the centralised process |
|---|---|
| Secondary school abroad (SIEXT) | At least the last two years of secondary school abroad (or the three years before the final year if you finish in Chile), eligibility for university in Chile and in the country where you finished school, plus UChile's own entrance tests |
Deadlines
- SIEXT registration (studies abroad) Non-binding Passed2 October 2026
Opened 1 August 2026; tests 20-22 October 2026 at the Faculty of Economics and Business in Santiago.
- PAES Regular exam Non-binding Next deadline · In 55 days30 November-2 December 2026
Registration closed 27 July 2026.
- Centralised application (DEMRE) Non-binding In ~3 months7 January 2027, 13:00
PAES results and applications open 4 January 2027; selection results 18 January 2027.
Dates are for Admisión 2027 from UChile's SIEXT page and DEMRE's calendar. Applicants still in their final year of school abroad during the second half of 2026 must apply in the following year's process.
How to apply
Chilean-system applicants sit the PAES and apply through the national centralised system in January. Students schooled abroad register for SIEXT on UChile's online form (1 August-2 October 2026), upload documents, choose the specific entrance tests, pay the application fee and sit the tests in Santiago; SIEXT applicants may not also apply through the centralised system in the same year.
What admissions looks for
- A strong weighted PAES score, combining school grades (NEM), class rank and test results.
- For SIEXT applicants, strong results on UChile's own entrance tests in the subjects your programme requires.
- A complete record of secondary studies abroad that gives access to university in both Chile and the country where you studied.
- Readiness to study in Spanish.
Tips for applying to UChile
- 1 If you studied abroad, register for SIEXT by 2 October 2026 and download the 2027 test syllabi (temarios) for reading, mathematics and science from UChile's site.
- 2 Plan to be in Santiago on 20-22 October 2026: SIEXT tests are in person only.
- 3 Do not apply through the centralised system in the same year if you use SIEXT; it is one or the other.
- 4 Complete the FUAS form early if you hope to receive Gratuidad or state scholarships.
Costs & financial aid
2026 · figures in CLP
As a public university, UChile participates in the state Gratuidad scheme, which covered 16,308 of its students in 2024; in the same year 1,254 students held internal scholarships and 1,482 external scholarships. Applying for state aid requires the FUAS socioeconomic form.
- 16,308
- Students with Gratuidad (2024)
- CLP 217,600
- Annual basic enrolment fee (2026)
- 1,254 / 1,482
- Students with internal / external scholarships (2024)
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters
Medicine
Alma mater of doctors-turned-presidents Salvador Allende and Michelle Bachelet; 2026 tuition CLP 9,468,300.
Law
The faculty where Gabriel Boric studied law; 2026 tuition CLP 6,964,300.
Engineering and Science Common Core (Plan Común)
The Faculty of Physical and Mathematical Sciences' shared first stage before students choose an engineering or science specialty.
Astronomy
Data from UChile's Department of Astronomy underpinned the research behind Brian Schmidt's 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics.
Architecture
Taught by the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism; 2026 tuition CLP 6,197,700.
Research
- The university describes itself as number one in Chile in basic and applied research, with 1,682 researchers (2024).
- 43 doctoral programmes and 121 master's programmes (2025), with 100% of doctorates accredited.
- Its Department of Astronomy contributed data to the supernova research that won Brian Schmidt the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Medicine
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Economics and Business
- Faculty of Physical and Mathematical Sciences
- Faculty of Sciences
- Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism
- Faculty of Arts
- Faculty of Philosophy and Humanities
- Faculty of Social Sciences
- Faculty of Government
- Faculty of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Faculty of Veterinary and Livestock Sciences
In 2024, 5,343 undergraduates, 2,141 postgraduates and 480 specialist and postgraduate-certificate students graduated.
Student life
UChile is spread across campuses in Santiago rather than one site, with the historic Casa Central on the Alameda at its heart. The University of Chile Student Federation (FECh) has been led by students such as Gabriel Boric, who went on to become president of Chile. The university fields 41 sports teams, runs 4 artistic ensembles and 44 libraries, and its long rivalry with the Universidad Católica extends to sport. Women make up 51.4% of undergraduates.
- The University of Chile Student Federation (FECh), whose past presidents include Gabriel Boric.
- 41 university sports teams and 4 artistic ensembles.
- 44 libraries.
- Casa Central, opened in 1872 on the Alameda.
Location
Santiago is Chile's capital and largest city, with the Andes on its eastern edge. The Casa Central sits on the Avenida Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins (the Alameda) in the city centre, and other faculties are spread across Santiago. The metro links the campuses, and the city has a large student population and a busy cultural scene.
Nearest airport: Santiago International Airport (SCL)
Notable alumni
- SA Salvador AllendePresident of Chile; medical doctor trained at UChile
- MB Michelle BacheletTwo-time President of Chile and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights; MD from UChile
- RL Ricardo LagosPresident of Chile; law graduate (1960)
- GB Gabriel BoricPresident of Chile; studied law (without graduating) and led the student federation
- PN Pablo NerudaPoet, Nobel Prize in Literature 1971; studied French at the university
- VJ Víctor JaraSinger-songwriter and theatre director; trained at the university's choir and Theatre Institute
Frequently asked questions
How can international students apply to the Universidad de Chile?
If you completed at least the last two years of secondary school abroad, apply through SIEXT: register between 1 August and 2 October 2026 and sit UChile's own entrance tests in Santiago on 20-22 October 2026.
How much does the Universidad de Chile cost?
Annual tuition for new students in 2026 ranges from CLP 3,588,100 to 9,468,300 depending on the programme (Medicine is 9,468,300), plus an annual basic enrolment fee of CLP 217,600.
Does the Universidad de Chile offer free tuition?
Yes, for eligible students through the state Gratuidad scheme, which covered 16,308 UChile students in 2024. Apply by completing the FUAS form.
When is the PAES for Admisión 2027?
The regular PAES is on 30 November, 1 and 2 December 2026. Results and applications open on 4 January 2027 and applications close on 7 January.
How many students does the Universidad de Chile have?
46,120 in 2025, including 37,604 undergraduates, with 4,133 academics across 16 faculties and 3 institutes.
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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