Study and find schools in Peru

Studying in Peru

Peru draws international students for two main reasons: Spanish courses in a country with a deep Andean and colonial history, and university study at institutions in Lima, some of them among the oldest in the Americas. The Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos in Lima traces its history to 1551.

Spanish is the language of teaching at Peruvian universities. The sector is large: according to SUNEDU, the national higher-education regulator, 107 universities held a valid institutional licence on 25 August 2026, both public and private, alongside a number of licensed graduate schools (escuelas de posgrado).

The education system

Higher education in Peru has two branches. Universities are licensed and supervised by SUNEDU (Superintendencia Nacional de Educación Superior Universitaria). Higher-education institutes and schools (escuelas de educación superior) come under the Ministry of Education (MINEDU) and offer shorter technical and professional programmes.

University degrees follow the Peruvian structure of academic degrees and professional titles: the bachiller (bachelor's degree) after undergraduate study, followed by the maestro (master's) and doctor degrees. SUNEDU registers degrees and titles, and universities ask graduate applicants for SUNEDU's record of their degree. The academic year is divided into two semesters, and admission exams are named after the semester they lead into: San Marcos, for example, holds its Examen de Admisión 2027-I in October 2026.

Public and private universities both appear on SUNEDU's list. Examples in our directory include the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (public, licensed in 2018), and the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP) and the Universidad del Pacífico (both private, licensed in 2016).

Admission and recognition

Each university runs its own admission, usually through an entrance exam with several admission routes (modalidades). At San Marcos, students from universities abroad can apply for an external transfer into the same degree once they have passed at least four semesters, two annual periods or 72 credits. Graduates with degrees from abroad who apply for postgraduate study must have their degrees revalidated or recognised under Peruvian rules.

For a semester abroad, exchange is the simplest route. The PUCP accepts undergraduate exchange students for one or two semesters in any of its specialities; they must be selected and nominated by their home university. Students from universities without an exchange agreement can come as visiting students and pay for their courses.

SUNEDU recognises foreign university degrees that are official in their country of origin. Recognition is granted when the institution is among the top 500 in the QS, ARWU, THE or Scimago rankings, or when a treaty signed by Peru provides for it. Documents need an apostille if the issuing country is part of the Hague Apostille Convention, otherwise consular legalisation.

Student visa and residence

Peru's immigration authority, the Superintendencia Nacional de Migraciones, handles student status online through its digital agency (checked October 2026):

• Temporary visa for study (formación): for foreign citizens who want to study in Peru for a short period. You apply from outside Peru. The stay is 365 days, extendable, for studies, and 90 days, not extendable, for exchanges or internships.
• Resident status for study (formación residente): for foreign residents who need to continue studying in Peru. It allows regular studies at institutions recognised by the Peruvian state, for up to 365 days, extendable for the same period, and is requested from inside Peru.

The requirements include a valid passport, an international police record check issued through INTERPOL Lima, a sworn statement of financial means for the length of the stay and, for higher education, a proof of enrolment from an officially recognised institution. Documents issued abroad must be legalised or apostilled, and documents in another language translated into Spanish by a certified translator.

Costs

Peruvian universities set their own fees, and private universities charge monthly fees (pensiones). The PUCP, for example, uses a differentiated fee system so that students from different backgrounds can afford to study. Exchange students usually pay tuition to their home university under the exchange agreement, while visiting students pay the Peruvian university directly. The national scholarship programme PRONABEC funds scholarships and student loans, mainly for Peruvian students.

Where to study

• Lima: the capital and the main university city, with San Marcos, the PUCP, the Universidad del Pacífico and several Spanish schools in our directory
• Cusco: the former Inca capital and the main centre for Spanish immersion courses, with schools such as AMAUTA Spanish School, Wiracocha Spanish School and Mundo Antiguo Spanish School
• Arequipa: the main city of southern Peru, home to Ceica-Peru Spanish School

Learning Spanish in Peru

Cusco has a concentration of small Spanish schools aimed at international students. They typically combine classes with cultural activities, volunteering or travel, and offer accommodation with host families. AMAUTA Spanish School offers standard courses from level A1 to C2 and courses combining Spanish with DELE preparation, Wiracocha Spanish School runs a DELE preparation course, and Mundo Antiguo Spanish School states that it is licensed by the Municipalidad Provincial del Cusco as a language and cultural education centre. Check each school's own accreditation and course details before booking.

Practical life

Peru's geography makes for very different student experiences. Lima is a large coastal capital, while Cusco and Arequipa lie in the Andes at high altitude, which many visitors notice in the first days. Health insurance and permission to work depend on your immigration status, so check them with Migraciones and your university before relying on either.

Frequently asked questions

How many universities are there in Peru?

According to SUNEDU, 107 universities held a valid institutional licence on 25 August 2026. You can check any university on SUNEDU's published list.

Which visa do I need to study in Peru?

For a short course or exchange you apply from abroad for the temporary visa for study (formación) through Migraciones; for longer regular studies there is a resident status for study. Exchanges and internships give a stay of 90 days that cannot be extended.

Can I spend a semester at a Peruvian university?

Yes, usually through an exchange agreement. The PUCP accepts undergraduate exchange students for one or two semesters, nominated by their home university, and also accepts visiting students who pay for their courses.

Where is the best place to learn Spanish in Peru?

That depends on what you want. Cusco has many small immersion schools with host-family accommodation, while Lima and Arequipa offer Spanish courses in a city setting.

Is my foreign degree recognised in Peru?

SUNEDU recognises official foreign degrees when the university is among the top 500 in the QS, ARWU, THE or Scimago rankings, or when a treaty signed by Peru provides for recognition.