Chemistry Schools and Programs in Colombia

Chemistry Studies in Colombia

Chemistry (Química) is studied in Colombia as a professional undergraduate degree that leads to the title of Químico. The practice of the profession is defined by Ley 53 de 1975 and supervised by the Consejo Profesional de Química (CPQCOL). Three universities listed on SpainExchange are linked to this subject: two in Bogotá and one in Medellín.

University chemistry has a long tradition in the country. According to the CPQCOL, the Faculty of Chemistry of the Universidad Nacional de Colombia was created on 12 December 1940 and the first chemists graduated in 1942.

How the degree is organised

Colombian higher education is governed by Ley 30 de 1992. The law separates undergraduate programmes (pregrado) from postgraduate programmes, which are specialisations (especializaciones), master's degrees (maestrías), doctorates and post-doctorates. A master's degree is not a condition for entering a doctorate, and a doctorate ends with a thesis.

Workload is counted in academic credits. Under Decreto 1330 de 2019 one credit equals 48 hours of student work in an academic period, so Colombian credits are not the same unit as ECTS credits.

A chemistry pregrado takes eight to ten semesters. At the Universidad de los Andes (Uniandes) in Bogotá it lasts 8 semesters and has 130 credits, is taught on campus, admits students every semester and awards the title of Químico. At the Universidad de Antioquia in Medellín, Química is listed at 10 semesters; the same faculty offers a shorter technological degree, Tecnología Química, of 6 semesters. Uniandes students can do research in five areas: biochemistry, physical chemistry, analytical chemistry, inorganic chemistry and organic chemistry.

At postgraduate level, the Uniandes Maestría en Química takes 4 semesters and 40 credits, and its Doctorado en Química takes 4 years and 80 credits.

Where chemistry is taught

• Universidad Nacional de Colombia: Química at the Bogotá campus (SNIES 36) and at the Medellín campus (SNIES 117010) was in the list of programmes for the 2027-01 admission.
• Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá: the Departamento de Química reports that its pregrado has received international recognition from the American Chemical Society.
• Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín: Química and Tecnología Química are taught on campus in the Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences.

Beyond these three, the Red de Programas de Química y Tecnología, co-led by the CPQCOL, brings together 26 higher-education institutions that award degrees in Química, Química Ambiental, Química Industrial and Tecnología Química.

Admission and language

By law, applicants to any undergraduate programme need a secondary-school diploma (título de bachiller) or its foreign equivalent and must have taken the State examination for entry to higher education. Each institution adds its own requirements. The Universidad Nacional de Colombia selects through its own admission test; for the 2027-01 intake it was held on Sunday 20 September. Applicants who are abroad sit the test online at a Colombian consulate, and the registration fee paid from abroad was US$87.50 for the 2026-02 intake. At enrolment, admitted foreign students present their secondary-school diploma and the state exam result of their home country, validated by Colombia's Ministry of National Education. The university also notes that not every programme is offered every semester.

The Universidad de Antioquia accepts as a new applicant any foreigner who has completed the equivalent of Colombian secondary education. Teaching is in Spanish: for exchange stays, the Universidad de Antioquia asks students from non-Spanish-speaking countries for a Spanish certificate at CEFR level B1 or higher.

Recognition and professional registration

Under Ley 30, only higher-education institutions may award degree titles, and each programme carries a code in the national register (SNIES). For professional practice, Ley 53 de 1975 defines what counts as the exercise of chemistry, and it refers to the technical direction of laboratories by a chemist with the corresponding professional registration (matrícula profesional), which the CPQCOL handles. Graduates with a foreign degree should ask the council which steps apply to them.

Careers

Ley 53 de 1975 describes the work of a chemist: scientific research on the nature, composition and properties of substances; tests and chemical analyses to control quality and manufacturing procedures; applied research to develop and improve materials, products and industrial processes; and the technical direction of laboratories. The teaching of chemistry is also carried out preferably by chemists.

Student visa

Colombia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Cancillería) issues a visitor visa for students (visa V, Estudiante) that covers higher education, student internships and academic exchange between universities. Holders of passports from visa-exempt countries do not need it when their stay in Colombia does not exceed 180 calendar days. Applicants submit a certificate of admission or enrolment that states the programme and its duration, and a health insurance policy valid in Colombia. The visa is valid for up to two years (Cancillería, checked 8 October 2026).

Frequently asked questions

How long does a Chemistry degree take in Colombia?

Between eight and ten semesters. The Universidad de los Andes lists 8 semesters and 130 credits, and the Universidad de Antioquia lists 10 semesters.

What is the difference between Química and Tecnología Química?

Química is the professional degree. Tecnología Química is a shorter technological programme; at the Universidad de Antioquia it takes 6 semesters, compared with 10 for Química.

Who supervises the chemistry profession in Colombia?

The Consejo Profesional de Química (CPQCOL). The practice of the profession is defined in Ley 53 de 1975, and the council handles the professional registration.