Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso is located in Valparaíso, a thriving cultural capital of Chile with one of the country’s most important seaports. The artsy and bohemian nature of the city has long attracted artists, including poet Pablo Neruda, and boasts some of the best street art in Latin America. The region is also home to beautiful beaches and the splendid Cordillera de Los Andes mountains. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Valparaíso’s narrow cobblestone streets, colorful architecture and unique system of trams, funiculars and escaleras (stairways) provide endless opportunities for exploration. 

Established in 1928, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso was the first university founded in the region of Valparaíso and the fourth university founded in Chile. Today, PUCV is recognized as one of the most prestigious, traditional higher educational institutions in the country, and is ranked as a top university in Latin America by QS World University Rankings. The university welcomes over 850 international students each year. 

ISEP students immerse themselves in Chilean culture and daily life by taking university classes with local students and living with a homestay family in the community. The university has an active student body, and ISEP students can participate in sports teams, cultural activities and student groups. 

Course Description

Deepen your fluency in Spanish and broaden your understanding of Chilean life by taking language and culture classes at PUCV.  For those who already have an advanced Spanish language skillset, direct enroll in almost any program at PUCV including Psychology, Political Science, Biology & Natural Sciences, Aquaculture, Food Engineering, Business and many more! To help get you started exploring the possibilities, the chart below highlights some of the more popular classes students have taken in the past. 

Credits Earned 

Students who complete the program in good standing can expect to take 180-225 hours of classes (4-5 classes) which ISEP recommends is the equivalent of 12-15 U.S. Credit Hours. Each course will be worth approximately 45 hours. 

If you use financial aid, please speak with a qualified financial aid advisor to understand your academic obligations and the requirements for using financial aid. 

Sample Classes Available: 

Area Studies 

Foreign Languages and Literatures (Spanish) 

 
International Relations 

 

History (in Spanish) 

Modern History of Chile 

Spanish as a Second Language  

(I-VI) 

 

Human Rights in Latin America 

History of Modern Chile 

Pre-Hispanic Art & Society in Chile 

Political & Social Change in Chile and Latin America 

Historical Research Methodology 

Regional & Urban History of Valparaíso 

Modernization and Revolution: The Bases of the Contemporary World 

History of Chile 19th Century 

Latin American History 

Cross- 

Cultural Encounters with the Native Mapuche People 

First Cultures of America and Chile 

For detailed instructions on how to search for all available courses, please click on the "other academic conditions" dropdown link below.

Website for Course Availability

ISEP STUDENT SERVICES OFFICER Kira Hakanson 703-504-9991 | KHakanson@isep.org Thanks for your interest in ISEP Study Abroad! I’m your Student Services Officer and main point of contact here at ISEP. As you search for programs, I'll be available to answer any questions you might have. Feel free to contact me at any point in your search process for help, tips or advice.

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, founded in 1928, has established itself as one of the most prestigious, traditional higher educational institutions in Chile. The student body numbers over 14,000 students....

Academics

Undergraduate
(in English)

*This program is OK for Sophomores

Fields of Study

  • Area Studies Recommended!

    Latin American Studies

  • Business

  • Foreign Languages and Literatures Recommended!

    Spanish Language and Literature

  • History Recommended!

  • Law/Criminal Justice

  • Liberal Arts and Sciences

    Humanities

  • Social Sciences

Academic Requirements

None

Special Application Instructions

Students are required to complete an internal course pre-registration process following their placement which is required of the host institution. Instructions will be sent by the ISEP Host Coordinator by email.

Passport: All students must have a valid passport to participate in this program. If you do not have a valid passport, we suggest you start the application process as soon as possible. 

Visa/Residence Permit: Students studying in Chile must either apply for a student visa or enter the country on a temporary permit (90-day period). Students who enter Chile on a temporary permit will be required to renew for a second 90-day period if their program is over 90 days. The renewal will cost $100. For more information on the process, please review the ISEP Country Handbook.

Special Needs Support

  • Learning

Undergraduate
(in Spanish)

*This program is OK for Sophomores

Fields of Study

  • Agriculture:

    Agricultural Business Operations Agricultural Economics Agricultural Mechanization Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture Agronomy and Crop Science Horticulture Operations Plant Protection and Integrated Pest Management Viticulture and Enology

  • Area Studies Recommended!

    Latin American Studies

  • Biology:

    Anatomy Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Biophysics Botany/Plant Biology Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Entomology Genetics Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography Marine Sciences Microbiology and Immunology Neuroscience Parasitology Physiology Toxicology Wildlife Biology Zoology/Animal Biology

  • Business:

    Accounting Auditing Business Communications Business Management Economics Entrepreneurship Finance Human Resources Management International Business/Trade/Commerce Labor and Industrial Relations Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management Management Information Systems Marketing Organizational Behavior Studies Organizational Leadership

  • Communication:

    Digital Communication and Media Journalism Mass Communication/Media Studies

  • Computer and Information Sciences:

    Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications Informatics

  • Construction Trades

    Building Construction Technology

  • Education:

    Curriculum and Instruction Early Childhood Education Elementary Education Physical Education Teaching and Coaching Secondary Education Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education Special Education Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language

  • Engineering:

    Agricultural Engineering Chemical Engineering Civil Engineering Computer Engineering Computer Software Engineering Electrical and Electronics Engineering Industrial Engineering Mechanical Engineering Mining and Mineral Engineering Systems Engineering Transportation Engineering

  • English Language and Literature

  • Foreign Languages and Literatures:

    Interpretation and Translation Latin Language and Literature Linguistics Spanish Language and Literature

  • History Recommended!

  • Human Services

    Social Work

  • International/Global Studies

    International Relations and Affairs

  • Language and Culture

  • Law/Criminal Justice:

    Business Law International Law Legal Studies

  • Mathematics

    Statistics

  • Natural Resources/Conservation:

    Marine Resources Management Sustainability Studies

  • Philosophy and Religious Studies:

    Philosophy Religious Studies Theological Studies

  • Physical Sciences:

    Chemistry Geology/Earth Science Physics Theoretical and Mathematical Physics

  • Psychology

  • Social Sciences:

    Geography Political Science and Government Sociology

  • Sports Studies

    Kinesiology and Exercise Science

  • Visual and Performing Arts:

    Music Pedagogy Music Performance Music Theory and Composition Musicology and Ethnomusicology

Academic Requirements

  • U.S. GPA: 2.75 or higher
  • LPR Required
  • LPR Writing Score: B2 - Intermediate High-Advanced
  • LPR Reading Score: B2 - Intermediate High-Advanced
  • LPR Listening Score: B2 - Intermediate High-Advanced
  • LPR Speaking Score: B2 - Intermediate High-Advanced
LPR = ISEP Language Proficiency Report

Special Application Instructions

Students are required to complete an internal course pre-registration process following their placement which is required of the host institution. Instructions will be sent by the ISEP Host Coordinator by email.

Passport: All students must have a valid passport to participate in this program. If you do not have a valid passport, we suggest you start the application process as soon as possible. 

Visa/Residence Permit: Students studying in Chile must either apply for a student visa or enter the country on a temporary permit (90-day period). Students who enter Chile on a temporary permit will be required to renew for a second 90-day period if their program is over 90 days. The renewal will cost $100. For more information on the process, please review the ISEP Country Handbook.

Special Needs Support

  • Learning

Other Academic Conditions

All students studying at PUCV must have an A1 level in Spanish. Students taking regular university courses in Spanish must have a B2 level in Spanish. Students from non-English speaking countries looking to take courses in English must have a B2 level in English.

Remember that PUCV follows the Southern Hemisphere calendar. Students wishing to study for a full year in the Southern Hemisphere should consider starting their program at the beginning of the academic year in January. Be sure to search for courses using the correct semester parameters: Southern Hemisphere SM1 is March to July, Southern Hemisphere SM2 is August to December

Students arrive: Last week of February, Last week of July

Classes start: First week of March, First week of August

Classes end: First week of July, Second week of December

Exams: End of June/Early July, Mid December (Exam dates depend on course)

Courses for International Students in English and Spanish 

Click on the course names at this link to view syllabi for the courses open to incoming international students. PIIE courses are designed specifically for international students and include course material in both English and Spanish. Students can take Spanish as a second language courses from Beginner to Advanced.

Regular University Courses in Spanish

Access the Programas PUCV folder to view syllabi for the courses open to incoming international students. Courses with an odd number (1,3,5,7) listed for 'Semestre' are offered March - July. Courses with an even number (2,4,6,8) are offered August – December. Courses listed in the Programas PUCV folder are some of the courses available for ISEP students and is a tool to help students have an idea of what the academic offerings look like.

Courses in Architecture & Design are closed to ISEP students.

Some classes from the following departments are offered on a full-year basis only (March to December): law, philosophy, music, and special education. International students can take these courses only if they are attending PUCV for the full academic year (March to December); otherwise, no credit will be awarded.

Semester & Prices (based on your filters)

Select a semester to calculate the price. Semesters are named according to host university's calendar.


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Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso

Valparaíso, Chile

(17)

Tuition

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Total: US$0

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ISEP Application Fee US$100

ISEP Acceptance Fee US$450




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