Universidad de Palermo
A private Buenos Aires university known for design, business and one of Latin America's largest international student bodies.
- Founded
- 1986
- QS World Ranking
- 781-790
- 2027 edition
- Campus
- Urban
About UP
The Universidad de Palermo was created by the Fundación Universidad de Palermo, set up in 1986 by a group of academics and intellectuals; the university received provisional authorisation in 1990 and began teaching in March 1991. It is a private university with an urban campus of buildings spread across Buenos Aires, including its main information and enrolment office at Mario Bravo 1050, and it offers more than 60 undergraduate degrees in person, online or in a combined format.
Teaching is organised in faculties of Design and Communication, Business, Engineering, Social Sciences (including Psychology, Behavioural Sciences, Journalism and International Relations), Law and Architecture. UP is best known for design: it reports being 1st in Argentina (a shared position) for Art and Design in QS subject rankings for 12 years running. Its Business faculty holds a five-star QS Stars rating, and its Engineering faculty leads LABSAT IoT, a telecommunications research satellite that UP says will launch in 2026.
UP has students from more than 70 countries and reports being 1st in Latin America for QS's international students indicator for 13 consecutive years. Admission is by online enrolment rather than an entrance exam, with a free Spanish test for non-native speakers. It suits students who want a flexible, career-focused degree in Buenos Aires, particularly in design, fashion, business or communication.
Why students choose UP
UP reports being 1st in Latin America for international students in QS World University Rankings for 13 consecutive years (2015-2027), with students from more than 70 countries.
Design and Communication is its signature area: UP reports being 1st in Argentina (shared) for Art and Design in QS by Subject for 12 years, and its graduates include fashion designer Heidi Clair.
Most degrees can be taken in person, online or in a combined format, in morning, afternoon or evening shifts.
Buenos Aires was named the best student city in Latin America in the QS Best Student Cities 2027 ranking, which UP highlights for international applicants.
Admissions
2026-2027 intakes (several start dates a year)
Selectivity
UP does not describe an entrance exam or publish an acceptance rate: you enrol by completing the online application and paying the entry fees, then submit your secondary school documents. Non-native Spanish speakers must pass a free Spanish level assessment.
Typical entry requirements
| Argentine secondary school certificate | Secondary school title and certificate; students still finishing school can present a school statement (valid 60 days) and submit the title later |
|---|---|
| Foreign secondary school diploma | Title and certificate with a Hague Apostille (or consular legalisation for non-signatory countries), then validation (convalidación) by Argentina's Ministry of Education, which can be done while studying |
Deadlines
- Online enrolment (rolling) Non-bindingRolling; several class start dates each year
UP's admissions page currently advertises starting a degree in October; check the academic calendar for your faculty's start dates.
UP enrols on a rolling basis with several start dates per year; there is no single application deadline. Foreign students from MERCOSUR countries have 30 days after arrival and enrolment to apply for residence.
How to apply
Complete the online enrolment form (inscripción online) and pay the enrolment fees to reserve a place; you then receive a student number (legajo) and access to MyUP. Submit your documents, which can be completed during your first period of study before final exams. Foreign students must also handle residence procedures with Argentina's Dirección Nacional de Migraciones.
What admissions looks for
- A completed secondary education, with documents apostilled or legalised if issued abroad.
- Enough Spanish to read and fully understand texts and to communicate fluently in writing and speech.
- Completion of the online enrolment and payment of the entry fees.
- For transfer students, previous courses that can be recognised as equivalents.
Tips for applying to UP
- 1 Start the Hague Apostille or consular legalisation of your school certificate before you travel; UP needs it for your file.
- 2 If Spanish is not your first language, prepare for the free Spanish level test: failing it can mean a compulsory paid Spanish course or refusal of admission.
- 3 Ask UP's information office for the current fee list for your degree; fees vary by programme, number of subjects and study mode and are sent on request.
- 4 Paying by monthly direct debit all year earns a discount of up to 50% on the next year's enrolment fee (2026 terms).
Costs & financial aid
2026 · figures in ARS
UP does not publish its fee tables online; fees (an entry fee, an annual enrolment fee and study fees billed in monthly instalments) vary by degree, number of subjects and mode, and are sent on request. Its 2026 benefits include up to a 50% discount on the next year's enrolment fee for students who pay all 12 monthly instalments by direct debit, 25% or 50% semester scholarships for the two best students in each faculty, a 25% family discount and 15% off a second degree.
- 25% with an average above 8.50; 50% above 9.00
- Top-student scholarship (per faculty, each semester)
- 25% for direct family members of regular students
- Family discount
- 30%; 50% with an average above 8.50; full scholarship above 9.50
- Graduate discount on UP postgraduate programmes
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters, with several start dates a year
Fashion Design (Diseño de Moda) and other design degrees
UP reports being 1st in Argentina (shared) for Art and Design in QS by Subject for 12 consecutive years (2015-2026).
MBA (Maestría en Dirección de Empresas)
2nd in Argentina and in the top 6 in Latin America in the QS Global MBA Rankings 2027, per UP; the Faculty of Business holds a five-star QS Stars rating.
Artificial Intelligence Engineering
One of several engineering and IT degrees (with Data Science, Informatics and Telecommunications) offered online, in person or combined.
Psychology
Offered by the Faculty of Social Sciences; graduate María Roca directs INECO Organizaciones.
Law (Abogacía)
Available in person, combined or online through the Faculty of Law.
Research
- The Faculty of Engineering leads LABSAT IoT, a research satellite for non-terrestrial telecommunications networks; UP's project page says it will be launched in 2026 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 into a sun-synchronous orbit.
- UP won the Premio Balseiro in 2009 for university initiatives linking science and technology with production.
- UP's Investigación y publicaciones section gathers the research and publications of its faculties.
Schools & faculties
- Facultad de Diseño y Comunicación
- Facultad de Negocios
- Facultad de Ingeniería
- Facultad de Ciencias Sociales
- Facultad de Derecho
- Facultad de Arquitectura
Student life
UP is a city university: classes take place in buildings across Buenos Aires rather than on a single enclosed campus, and many students combine in-person and online classes in morning, afternoon or evening shifts. The student body is unusually international, with students from more than 70 countries, and UP offers exchanges with partner universities such as NYU, Babson and Paris Dauphine. A sports department, a career development office, an entrepreneurship programme and a library support student life.
- Students from more than 70 countries.
- International exchanges with partner universities including NYU, Babson College and Université Paris Dauphine.
- Departamento de Deportes with sports and social activities for students.
- Desarrollo Profesional office for internships and job searches.
Housing. UP has no residence halls; its international students section offers guidance on accommodation in Buenos Aires.
Location
Buenos Aires is Argentina's capital and largest city, on the Río de la Plata. UP's buildings are spread across the city, and UP notes that Buenos Aires was ranked the best student city in Latin America in the QS Best Student Cities 2027 ranking. Classes are in Spanish, and foreign students must arrange residence with Argentina's Dirección Nacional de Migraciones.
Nearest airport: Ministro Pistarini International Airport, Ezeiza (EZE)
Notable alumni
- CC Carlos CirimeloCEO of logistics company Andreani; licenciado in Business Administration
- HC Heidi ClairFashion designer who founded her own label; UP fashion design graduate
- FK Fernanda KobelinskyJournalist and editor at Infobae América; UP journalism graduate
- DK Dmytro KormakovCo-founder of freight marketplaces Frete.com and CargoX; informatics engineering graduate
- MR María RocaDirector of INECO Organizaciones; psychology graduate
- MR Matías RepettoBrand and image manager at YPF; graphic design graduate
- KL Karina LabrañaProducer at Radio Mitre and A24 and Martín Fierro award winner; studied advertising at UP
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Universidad de Palermo cost?
UP does not publish its fees online. Costs depend on the degree, the number of subjects and the study mode; you pay an entry fee, an annual enrolment fee and monthly study fees, and UP sends the current fee list when you request information.
Does the Universidad de Palermo have an entrance exam?
UP does not describe an entrance exam for undergraduate degrees: you enrol online, pay the enrolment fees and submit your documents. Non-native Spanish speakers take a free Spanish level test.
Can international students study at UP?
Yes. Students from more than 70 countries attend. You need an apostilled or legalised secondary school certificate, later validated by Argentina's Ministry of Education, sufficient Spanish, and residence paperwork with the Dirección Nacional de Migraciones.
Are UP courses taught in English?
No. UP states that all its degrees are taught in Spanish, so students must be able to speak, read and write it; some may be required to take a paid Spanish course alongside their degree.
Does UP offer scholarships?
UP's 2026 benefits include semester scholarships of 25% or 50% for the two best students in each faculty, a 25% family discount, 15% off a second degree, and up to 50% off the next year's enrolment fee for students who pay by direct debit.
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.
- Universidad de Palermo: Ingreso (admissions)
- Universidad de Palermo: Preguntas frecuentes
- Universidad de Palermo: Guía para ingresantes
- Universidad de Palermo: Documentación y trámites (carreras de grado)
- Universidad de Palermo: Requerimientos de idioma español
- Universidad de Palermo: Beneficios arancelarios 2026 (PDF)
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