Universities in Uruguay

Uruguay's university system is small and built around one large public institution. The Universidad de la República (Udelar), founded on 18 July 1849 in Montevideo, describes itself as the country's main institution of higher education and research. It has more than 160,000 students, more than 140 undergraduate degrees that are open and free of charge, and more than 130 master's and doctoral programmes, and it is present in 16 of the country's departments.

Spanish is the language of teaching, which makes Uruguay a natural choice for Latin American students looking for a full degree and for exchange students who want to study in Spanish. Besides Udelar, the country has a second public university with a technological profile, the Universidad Tecnológica (UTEC), and several private universities. The five universities in our directory are all in Montevideo, the capital.

How the university system works

Uruguay's General Education Law (Ley 18.437) sets out the levels of formal education: early-childhood education, primary education, lower and upper secondary education (educación media básica and superior), non-university tertiary education, and university education at undergraduate (grado) and postgraduate level. The upper-secondary certificate gives access to tertiary studies, including undergraduate university degrees. The law defines university education as tertiary education that combines teaching, research and extension and leads to undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.

The main kinds of university are:

• Udelar: an autonomous, co-governed public body recognised in the Constitution, run under its Organic Law (Ley 12.549, approved in 1958) and teaching in all fields, from medicine and engineering to arts, agronomy and veterinary science
• UTEC: a public university with a technological profile, oriented to research and innovation, whose aims include wider access to higher education outside Montevideo
• Private universities: governed by Decree-Law 15.661 of 1984 and its regulations; they include the Universidad Católica del Uruguay (campuses in Montevideo, Salto and Punta del Este), Universidad ORT Uruguay, the Universidad de Montevideo and the Universidad de la Empresa (UDE)

The academic year follows the southern-hemisphere calendar. Udelar registers new students for 2027 in February, and ORT is taking applications for degrees starting in March 2027. Since 2025 Udelar has used a descriptive grading scale instead of numerical marks.

Admission for international students

There is no national entrance exam. Students who finished secondary school abroad can enter Udelar in two ways: with their school-leaving certificate, legalised or apostilled, which the faculty assesses within a maximum of 40 working days, or with a revalidation of their secondary studies from the National Public Education Administration (ANEP). Students who started a university degree abroad can ask for those courses to be revalidated and continue at Udelar.

Pre-registration is online and asks for a valid identity document, a photo and a valid health card (carné de salud). Applicants can pre-register online for up to four degrees in two faculties. Udelar has an office that gives information, guidance and support to foreign and migrant students. Exchange students usually come through mobility programmes such as AUGM's Escala and Erasmus+; in August 2026 Udelar welcomed more than 100 international students arriving for a semester. Private universities set their own admission rules and deadlines.

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. For a full degree, students apply to the National Migration Directorate for temporary residence, granted for 6 months to 2 years and renewable. Students prove their status with an official certificate from their institution and must show sufficient means of support. Nationals of Mercosur member and associated countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Suriname and Guyana) can apply instead for temporary Mercosur residence of up to 2 years.

Costs and funding

Udelar's degrees have no tuition fee or monthly charge, whatever the student's country of origin. Private universities charge tuition, paid in instalments (cuotas), and run their own scholarships and discounts; ORT, for example, offers 50% off the first instalment for early registration for March 2027 degrees.

For students with limited means, Udelar's welfare service (SCIBU) awards grants for food, financial support, accommodation, transport and study materials. The Fondo de Solidaridad pays grants of $13,728 (Uruguayan pesos) a month in 2026 to young people who need financial support to study at Udelar, UTEC or the tertiary level of UTU; applications are accepted from 1 November to 28 February.

How to choose a university in Uruguay

• Public or private: free tuition at Udelar against smaller private universities that charge fees
• Field of study: Udelar covers all fields; UTEC focuses on technology; private universities are organised around faculties such as business, law, engineering, communication, design and health
• Location: most programmes are in Montevideo, but Udelar has regional centres across the country and some private universities teach in Salto, Colonia or Punta del Este
• Type of stay: a full degree, a postgraduate programme or an exchange semester through your home university
• Recognition: Udelar is the body that revalidates and recognises foreign degrees and studies in Uruguay

Frequently asked questions

Is university free for foreign students in Uruguay?

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

Can I enter Udelar with a school-leaving certificate from another country?

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

Do I need a visa or residence permit to study in Uruguay?

Spanish citizens can stay up to 90 days without a visa. 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.

Are there public universities other than Udelar?

Yes. The Universidad Tecnológica (UTEC) is a public university with a technological profile that focuses on the interior of the country. All other universities are private.