Business Administration Schools and Programs in Argentina

Business Administration Studies in Argentina

In Argentina, business administration is a first university degree, the Licenciatura en Administración (often called Licenciatura en Administración de Empresas). It lasts four to five years, is taught in Spanish and often awards an intermediate title partway through. Faculties of economic sciences usually teach it alongside public accounting (Contador Público) and economics.

SpainExchange lists 12 schools in Argentina with business administration programmes, spread across Buenos Aires, Bahía Blanca, La Plata, Santa Fe, Mendoza, Sáenz Peña, Córdoba, Villa María and San Luis. They include national universities such as the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, the Universidad Nacional del Sur, the Universidad Nacional de San Luis and the Universidad Nacional de Tres de Febrero (UNTREF), and private universities such as the Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires (ITBA), the Universidad Católica Argentina, the Universidad Católica de La Plata (UCALP), the Universidad Católica de Santa Fe and the Universidad Champagnat.

How the degree is organised

Under the Higher Education Law (Ley 24.521), only universities can award the licenciado degree, and officially recognised titles are valid throughout the country. The schools' own pages show how the programmes vary:

• Universidad Nacional de Córdoba: five-year Licenciatura en Administración at the Faculty of Economic Sciences, starting with a levelling cycle in mathematics, accounting and economics; the title has official recognition
• UNTREF: four to five years to the title of Licenciado en Administración de Empresas, with an intermediate title of Técnico en Administración de Empresas about halfway through
• Universidad Champagnat, Mendoza: four-year degree, with an intermediate title of Analista en Información Gerencial after three years, small classes and a separate study plan in San Rafael
• UCALP: five-year plan that combines administration, accounting, economics, law and statistics with philosophy and theology courses
• ITBA, Buenos Aires: a four-year, full-time Licenciatura en Negocios y Tecnología (eight four-month terms) that combines management with artificial intelligence, cloud computing and data analytics

Argentine programmes are counted in years and subjects, not in ECTS credits. Postgraduate programmes, such as master's degrees in business, must be accredited by CONEAU, the national university accreditation agency.

Admission and language

Applicants need a completed secondary education and must meet the admission rules of each university. At the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, entry to the Licenciatura en Administración is open (ingreso libre e irrestricto) for students who have finished secondary school; in exceptional cases, people over 25 with suitable preparation or work experience are also admitted. The ITBA runs its own admission process and has two intakes, in March and August.

Students who finished secondary school in a country that has an education agreement with Argentina must validate their certificate (convalidación) to study at a national institution; the procedure is free. Teaching is in Spanish. The Universidad Nacional de Córdoba runs Spanish and culture courses (PECLA) for international students. For a full degree, the university must be registered in the RENURE register and requests the student's entry permit from the Dirección Nacional de Migraciones; the student then collects the visa at the Argentine consulate.

Costs and funding

Since decree DNU 366/2025, undergraduate study at state universities is free for Argentine citizens and for foreigners with permanent residence. State universities may charge other students, who can still receive scholarships where university statutes or agreements provide them. Private universities charge tuition fees. The ITBA, for example, has a scholarship programme that supports students throughout the degree.

Careers

According to the UNTREF, private companies, public bodies and non-profit organisations all employ graduates to apply management techniques and to design and control processes. The UCALP notes that the professional scope of the Licenciado en Administración de Empresas is defined by law. Graduates lead studies in production, marketing, finance and budgeting, and can act in the courts as experts or insolvency trustees (síndico concursal). The Universidad Champagnat highlights strategic management roles and starting a business.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a business administration degree take in Argentina?

Four to five years, depending on the university: four at the Universidad Champagnat and the ITBA, five at the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba and the UCALP. Several programmes give an intermediate title on the way.

Is there an entrance exam?

It depends on the university. The Universidad Nacional de Córdoba has open entry with a levelling cycle at the start, while private universities such as the ITBA run their own admission process.

Do public universities charge foreign students?

They may. Since decree DNU 366/2025, free undergraduate study is guaranteed only for Argentine citizens and foreigners with permanent residence, so check each university's current rules.

Are the programmes taught in English?

The degree programmes described here are taught in Spanish. International students should plan to reach a good level of Spanish before they start.