Study and find schools in Uruguay

Studying in Uruguay

Uruguay is a small, stable country on the Río de la Plata, between Argentina and Brazil, with 3,499,451 inhabitants according to the 2023 census of the National Statistics Institute (INE). Spanish is the language of daily life and of university teaching, so Uruguay attracts two groups of students: Latin Americans who come for a degree, and students from elsewhere who come to learn Spanish.

Higher education is dominated by one large public university, the Universidad de la República (Udelar), founded on 18 July 1849, alongside several private universities, most of them in Montevideo. Udelar's undergraduate degrees are open and free of charge, and this applies regardless of the student's country of origin.

The education system in Uruguay

Universities offer undergraduate degrees (carreras de grado, such as the licenciatura and professional degrees in law, medicine or engineering) and postgraduate studies (specialisations, master's and doctoral degrees). Uruguay does not use ECTS credits; programme length and credits are set by each university, so check the study plan of each degree.

The main types of institution are:

• Udelar, the public university: an autonomous, co-governed body established in the Constitution, present in 16 of the country's departments and teaching in all fields of knowledge
• Private universities, such as the Universidad Católica del Uruguay, Universidad ORT Uruguay, Universidad de Montevideo and Universidad de la Empresa, which charge tuition fees and are strong in business, law, engineering, communication and design
• Spanish language schools for foreigners, mainly in Montevideo and Punta del Este

The academic year follows the southern-hemisphere calendar. At Udelar, registration for 2027 takes place in February. Since 2025, Udelar has used a descriptive grading scale instead of numbers.

Admission and recognition

There is no national entrance exam. At Udelar, students who finished secondary school abroad can apply in two ways: with their legalised or apostilled school-leaving certificate, which the faculty assesses within 40 working days, or with a revalidation of their secondary studies processed by the National Public Education Administration (ANEP). Students who started a university degree abroad can ask for their courses to be revalidated and continue at Udelar. Registration is online and requires an ID document, a photo and a valid health card (carné de salud); students can pre-register for up to four degrees in two faculties. Udelar has an office that advises foreign and migrant students.

Udelar is also responsible for revalidating and recognising foreign degrees and academic qualifications. Private universities set their own admission procedures; contact them directly.

Student visa and residence

Spanish citizens do not need a visa to enter Uruguay and can stay up to 90 days, which can be extended on request, according to the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Students who stay longer apply for residence with the National Migration Directorate:

• Temporary residence: for foreign nationals of any country who settle in Uruguay to work or study, for 6 months to 2 years, renewable. Students prove their status with an official certificate from their institution and must show sufficient means of support
• Temporary Mercosur residence: for nationals of Mercosur member and associated countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Suriname and Guyana), for up to 2 years, renewable

Spanish applicants for residence must provide an apostilled criminal record certificate. Uruguay has applied the Hague Apostille Convention since 14 November 2012, which simplifies the legalisation of foreign documents.

Costs

Undergraduate degrees at Udelar have no tuition fee or monthly charge for any student. Private universities charge tuition, usually in monthly instalments, and publish their fees through their admissions offices. Living costs are concentrated in Montevideo, where most students live; no official student budget is published, so plan with the university's welcome service.

Where to study

All the schools in our directory are in Montevideo, the capital. Besides Udelar, the city has the Jesuit Universidad Católica del Uruguay (with further campuses in Salto and Punta del Este), Universidad ORT Uruguay, with faculties of business and social sciences, architecture, communication, design and engineering, the Universidad de Montevideo, which includes the IEEM business school, and the Universidad de la Empresa. For Spanish courses, La Herradura teaches in Montevideo and Punta del Este, and Academia Uruguay is in the historic centre of Montevideo. The Uruguayan American School is an international school for younger students.

Culture and practical life

Uruguayan Spanish belongs to the Rioplatense variety, shared with Buenos Aires, with its own pronunciation and the use of "vos". Students who come to learn Spanish will hear it in daily life. Seasons are the reverse of Europe's: summer runs from December to February, and winters are cool and damp.

A valid health card is required to register at Udelar, and students should arrange health cover for their stay. The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs rates the risk of terrorism in Uruguay as low.

Frequently asked questions

Is university free in Uruguay for foreign students?

At the public Universidad de la República, yes. All its undergraduate degrees are free, with no tuition or monthly fee, whatever the student's country of origin. Private universities charge fees.

Do I need a visa to study in Uruguay?

Spanish citizens do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days. For longer studies, foreign students apply for temporary residence, of 6 months to 2 years, with the National Migration Directorate; Mercosur nationals have their own procedure.

How do I get into Udelar with a foreign school-leaving certificate?

You can apply with your apostilled or legalised certificate, which the faculty assesses within 40 working days, or with a revalidation from ANEP. Registration for 2027 is in February.

Is Uruguay a good place to learn Spanish?

Yes. Spanish is the only language of daily life, and language schools in Montevideo and Punta del Este offer courses for foreigners.