Study in Buenos Aires, Argentina

About Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, an autonomous city on the Río de la Plata at the heart of a much larger metropolitan area. It is the country's main centre for universities, publishing, media and business, and one of the most popular destinations in Latin America for learning Spanish.

Students come for two main reasons: degree or exchange programmes at the city's private universities, and Spanish courses at language schools that take new students almost every week. Argentine Spanish, with its voseo and distinctive accent, is what you will hear and learn here.

Studying in Buenos Aires

Our directory lists 26 schools in Buenos Aires: 9 universities, 16 language schools and one higher-education college, the journalism school Instituto Superior Crónica.

Among the universities, the Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires (ITBA) was created on 20 November 1959 and describes itself as the only private university in Argentina specialised in technology, engineering and management. The Universidad Torcuato Di Tella (UTDT) welcomes incoming students for a semester, a year or a short programme and has agreements with more than 140 universities abroad; it publishes the external evaluation report of CONEAU, Argentina's national university evaluation agency. Other examples include the Universidad Católica Argentina (UCA), the Universidad de Belgrano, with programmes from law to hospitality and tourism, the Universidad Argentina de la Empresa (UADE) and the Universidad Austral.

The language schools range from small academies to schools with their own accommodation. Vamos Academy was founded in Buenos Aires in 2009 and also teaches in Málaga since 2023; Ailola Buenos Aires has taught Spanish in the city since 2005. Both prepare students for the DELE exam, and both arrange homestays or other housing. Argentina's own Spanish exam is the CELU (Certificado de Español Lengua y Uso), the only exam officially recognised by the Argentine Ministry of Education and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It certifies Spanish for work and study and now has three levels: basic, intermediate and advanced.

Student residence

Argentina's National Migration Directorate offers two student residence permits. A temporary residence (residencia temporaria) is for foreigners enrolled as regular students in officially recognised secondary, tertiary, university or postgraduate programmes. A transitory residence (residencia transitoria) of up to 365 days covers courses outside the official education system, such as language courses, and international mobility students. Requirements include a valid passport, an Argentine criminal record certificate (for applicants over 16), proof of address, regular entry into the country and an electronic enrolment certificate from the school.

Cost of living and getting around

Public transport is paid with the SUBE card. According to the fare table published on argentina.gob.ar (checked in October 2026), a subway (Subte) ride costs $1,817.00 with a registered SUBE card for the first 20 trips in a month and falls to $1,090.20 from the 41st trip; without registration every ride costs $2,525.63. City bus fares with a registered card start at $920.48 for up to 3 km, and train fares at $450.00. Register your card: unregistered fares are much higher.

We found no official figure for student rent. Language schools publish their own prices for homestays, residences and shared flats, which is the easiest way to compare accommodation costs before you arrive.

Frequently asked questions

Is Buenos Aires a good place to learn Spanish?

Buenos Aires has a large choice of Spanish schools: our directory lists 16 language schools in the city, many with homestays and DELE preparation. You will learn Argentine Spanish, and you can certify your level with the CELU exam.

What is the CELU?

The Certificado de Español Lengua y Uso is Argentina's Spanish exam for work and study, the only one officially recognised by the Argentine Ministry of Education and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It has three levels.

Do I need a residence permit to study in Buenos Aires?

Students on official degree programmes apply for a temporary residence; students on language courses or mobility programmes can apply for a transitory residence of up to 365 days. Both are handled by the National Migration Directorate.

How much does public transport cost in Buenos Aires?

With a registered SUBE card, a Subte ride costs $1,817.00 for the first 20 trips in a month and city buses start at $920.48, according to the official fare table checked in October 2026.