Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (UC) was founded on 21 June 1888 in order to become an institution that integrates academic excellence and training, inspired in the Christian doctrine.
UC was born with the mission of serving Chile in the creation of intellectual capital. From the beginning it has sought to give a solid education, rooted in science, arts and humanities, so that students are not only scientifically and technically trained, but also open to the various dimensions of human, social and personal responsibilities arising from the development of a society.
With more than 130 years of excellence and tradition, the university is placed among the 250 best universities in the world and Nº 1 in Latin America, 2021 QS Ranking; it receives the highest number of university applicants among Chilean universities.
Today the university has an enrolment of more than 27,000 undergraduate and graduate students, 4,000 postgraduate students, an academic staff of more than 3,500 teachers and researchers, 18 faculties, and 3 College Programmes. UC has 89 undergraduate programmes, 84 Master's programmes, 59 medical specialties, and 39 PhD programmes taught in four campuses located in Santiago, and one in Villarrica, located to the south part of Chile.
UC, as a pioneering institution in research and innovation, is one of the most important universities in Chile, developing 25% of higher education research in the country. This leadership in research and graduate programmes has made a significant impact on cultural and scientific society in Chile, contributing to study in several areas of knowledge including social sciences, natural sciences, health, economy, agriculture, philosophy, theology, arts and letters, creating a stimulating educational and intellectual environment.
Besides the importance given to research and innovation, UC has developed a comprehensive strategy of internationalization, viewing this process as a variable that should permeate all the work of the institution, emphasizing the promotion, management and support of the international academic development in the university.
UC has created strategic relationships with prestigious higher education institutions around the world, having international academic agreements at an undergraduate, graduate, and faculty level, including double degree and co-direction of thesis. UC's Exchange Programme currently receives around 1400 international students and sends approximately 500 students abroad.
UC joined U21 in 2012, committing itself to continue its growth as a center of excellence in undergraduate and graduate teaching and research, open to the international community, and being an active key partner in the strengthening of this network through the joint development of quality research, innovation and internationalization.