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Physics Schools and Programs in Argentina

4 schools in Argentina teach Physics.

Physics Studies in Argentina

In Argentina, physics is studied mainly at public national universities. The usual first degree is the Licenciatura en Física, a five-year programme that prepares graduates for research, university teaching and technical work. Teaching is in Spanish.

SpainExchange lists 4 schools in Argentina with physics programmes, all of them national universities: the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, the Universidad Nacional de La Plata, the Universidad Nacional de San Luis and the Universidad Nacional del Sur in Bahía Blanca.

How the physics degree is organised

The licenciatura is a grado (undergraduate) degree. Argentine universities describe their programmes by years, subjects and teaching hours rather than ECTS credits.

At the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (UNC), the Licenciatura en Física is taught at the Facultad de Matemática, Astronomía, Física y Computación (FAMAF) and lasts five years. According to the faculty, students join research activities in the final years of the degree.

At the Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP), the Facultad de Ciencias Exactas describes a five-year Licenciatura en Física with 30 subjects in total, including 7 electives that allow students to choose an orientation. The last year includes a year-long Trabajo de Diploma, an introduction to professional or research work. The same faculty also offers a Licenciatura en Física Médica.

The Universidad Nacional de San Luis (UNSL) lists a five-year, on-campus Licenciatura en Física with an intermediate qualification, Auxiliar en Física Aplicada.

After the licenciatura, graduates can continue to a doctorate. Under Argentina's Higher Education Law (Ley 24.521), postgraduate programmes (specialisation, master's and doctorate) must be accredited by the Comisión Nacional de Evaluación y Acreditación Universitaria (CONEAU). UNSL runs a Doctorado en Física and cites a CONEAU resolution for it.

Admission and language

Each university sets its own enrolment period and entry course. At UNLP, enrolment for the 2027 academic year runs from 9 November to 11 December 2026. Applicants whose native language is not Spanish must prove an adequate level of Spanish, for example with the CELU certificate (Lengua y uso). The UNC runs Spanish language and culture courses for international students (PECLA).

A secondary-school certificate from abroad must be legalised or apostilled and then recognised in Argentina. Students from countries that have an education agreement with Argentina, among them Spain, Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Chile and Italy, convalidate their certificate through the national education authority; the procedure is free.

Students from outside Argentina who enrol as regular students at an officially recognised institution can apply to the Dirección Nacional de Migraciones for a temporary student residence. UNLP tells foreign applicants that they need a student visa to enter the country for their studies.

Costs

Under Ley 24.521, undergraduate studies at state universities are free for Argentine citizens and for foreign nationals with permanent residence. Universities may charge other students for educational services, so international students should check the current rules with the university. UNLP describes itself as a public, free institution with no cap on places.

Where to study physics in Argentina

  • Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (Córdoba): Licenciatura en Física at FAMAF
  • Universidad Nacional de La Plata (La Plata): Licenciatura en Física and Licenciatura en Física Médica at the Facultad de Ciencias Exactas
  • Universidad Nacional de San Luis (San Luis): Licenciatura en Física and Doctorado en Física at the Facultad de Ciencias Físico Matemáticas y Naturales
  • Universidad Nacional del Sur (Bahía Blanca): physics at a national university in the south of the province of Buenos Aires

Careers after a physics degree

According to FAMAF, the main fields of work for physics graduates are teaching and research, in public and private institutions. It also lists bodies such as CONICET, environmental control agencies and diagnostic and radiotherapy centres. UNLP adds that some graduates work in laboratories, consultancy, IT and communications firms, and in the metallurgical, oil and nuclear industries. Many graduates continue with a doctorate in Argentina or abroad.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a physics degree take in Argentina?

The Licenciatura en Física lasts five years at the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, the Universidad Nacional de La Plata and the Universidad Nacional de San Luis.

Do I need to speak Spanish to study physics in Argentina?

Yes. Degrees are taught in Spanish, and UNLP asks non-native speakers to prove their level, for example with the CELU certificate.

Is studying physics at a public university free for international students?

The law makes undergraduate study at state universities free for Argentine citizens and foreign permanent residents. Universities may charge other students, so check with the university before applying.

Can I do a PhD in physics in Argentina?

Yes. Doctoral programmes must be accredited by CONEAU; the Universidad Nacional de San Luis, for example, offers a Doctorado en Física.