Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María

The Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María (USM) is a Chilean university with a focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Its origins lie in the will of Federico Santa María, written in Paris in 1920; the foundation bearing his name was created in 1926, opened its School of Arts and Crafts and College of Engineers in Valparaíso in 1932, and became the Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María by supreme decree in the mid-1930s. Its main campus, Casa Central, is in Valparaíso, with further sites in Viña del Mar, Santiago (Vitacura and San Joaquín campuses) and Concepción. The university has about 19,000 students and states that it is accredited in all areas.

• Undergraduate degrees in architecture, civil engineering specialities, commercial engineering and other engineering fields
• Licentiate degrees in physics, astrophysics and chemistry
• University technician programmes (técnico universitario)
• Evening programmes for working professionals continuing their studies
• Master's, doctoral programmes and continuing education diplomas

Undergraduate admission is through Chile's centralised PAES test, direct entry to technician programmes or special admission. Special routes include one for Chilean or foreign applicants who completed secondary school abroad and one for holders of international qualifications such as the IB, the French Baccalauréat, the Italian Esame di Stato or the Abitur.