Chemistry Schools and Programs in Chile

Chemistry Studies in Chile

Chemistry in Chile is a university degree that usually combines an academic degree, the Licenciatura en Química, with the professional title of Químico (chemist). The full programme takes about five years and is taught in Spanish. Mining, pulp, food and other process industries are among the employers that Chilean universities mention for the subject.

SpainExchange lists 7 schools in Chile with chemistry programmes: three in Valparaíso, two in Santiago and one each in Concepción and Valdivia. All are universities. According to the Ministry of Education's Mi Futuro portal, the Chilean system has 58 universities, and only universities can award all academic degrees (licenciado, magíster and doctor).

How the degree is organised

Chilean universities award academic degrees and professional titles. In chemistry the two are normally stacked in one programme. The Universidad de Concepción (UdeC) shows the pattern clearly: its programme leads to the degree of Bachiller en Química after 4 semesters, Licenciado en Química after 8 semesters and the professional title of Químico after 10 semesters.

Most programmes at the listed universities follow this five-year model:

• Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (UC Chile), Santiago: Química, 10 semesters, with the degree of Bachiller/Licenciado en Química and the title of Químico
• Universidad de Santiago de Chile (Usach): Química, 10 semesters, Licenciado en Química and the title of Químico
• Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV): Química Industrial, 10 semesters, leading to Químico Industrial / Licenciado en Química
• Universidad Austral de Chile (UACh), Valdivia: Química, 10 semesters at the Isla Teja campus, with the degree of Licenciado en Ciencias Químicas and the title of Químico
• Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María (USM), Valparaíso: a Licenciatura en Ciencias, mención Química, and the professional programme Químico, mención Química Industrial, each lasting 4.5 years (9 semesters)

Shorter and neighbouring options exist. The UdeC also offers Químico Analista, a four-year programme focused on quality control and chemical analysis. Química y Farmacia is a separate career: at the Universidad de Valparaíso (UV) it lasts 11 semesters and leads to the title of Químico Farmacéutico, one of the professional titles that Chilean law reserves for holders of a licenciado degree. Biochemistry (Bioquímico) is on the same legal list.

After the licenciatura, graduates can continue to a magíster and a doctorate. The USM, for instance, offers a Magíster en Ciencias, mención Química, and a Doctorado en Ciencias, mención Química, run jointly with the UV.

Admission and language

Applicants need a secondary school-leaving certificate (licencia de Enseñanza Media). A certificate obtained abroad must be recognised by the Chilean Ministry of Education. Each university defines its own requirements; the universities of the Council of Rectors and several private universities select through a common system based on the national entrance test, the PAES. Chemistry programmes take the mathematics and science tests into account. Not every programme has direct entry: the USM states that its Químico programme is not entered directly through the PAES but through a common engineering first year.

Universities also have special admission routes. UC Chile lists one for applicants who completed secondary school abroad. Classes and laboratory work are in Spanish.

International students apply for a temporary residence permit for students (Residencia Temporal). The Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (page updated on 18 December 2025) states that the application is made online from abroad, with a valid passport, a criminal record certificate, a certificate of enrolment and proof of financial support.

Costs and quality

Each university sets an annual tuition fee (arancel) per programme. Published fees for the 2026 admission year include CLP 6,560,000 for Química at UC Chile, CLP 5,710,000 at the Usach and CLP 5,871,000 at the UACh, where an enrolment fee of CLP 270,000 is added. The UdeC lists CLP 6,435,599 for its chemistry programme.

The Comisión Nacional de Acreditación (CNA) is responsible for quality assurance. Institutional accreditation has been compulsory since 2020 and is granted for periods of 3 to 7 years.

Careers

The Usach describes the field of work of its chemists as all areas of the chemical industry (food, steel, petroleum, pulp, paints, cement, agro-industry, plastics, cosmetics and mining, among others) as well as research centres. The UdeC mentions research groups in basic and applied science and the management of chemical laboratories. The PUCV points to postgraduate study, university teaching and research, and research and development in the national chemical industry. Analytical chemists from the UdeC typically work in quality control and analysis laboratories in the public and private sectors.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a chemistry degree take in Chile?

The usual programme takes 10 semesters and leads to the Licenciatura en Química and the professional title of Químico. Some programmes last 9 semesters, and the Químico Analista programme at the UdeC takes four years.

What is the difference between Química and Química y Farmacia?

They are separate careers. Química leads to the title of Químico and work in industry, laboratories and research. Química y Farmacia leads to the title of Químico Farmacéutico, a regulated health profession; at the UV it lasts 11 semesters.

Can international students apply?

Yes. A foreign school-leaving certificate must be recognised by the Chilean Ministry of Education, and some universities, such as UC Chile, have a special admission route for applicants with secondary studies abroad. A student residence permit is requested from abroad.

How much does it cost to study chemistry in Chile?

Fees differ by university. For the 2026 admission year the listed universities publish annual fees between about CLP 5.7 million and CLP 6.6 million for their chemistry programmes.