Español

Universities in Argentina

Universidad Nacional de Córdoba

Cordoba, Argentina
The National University of Cordoba is the oldest university in Argentina, being founded in 1613. Moreover, it stands as one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in the Americas, and is located in Cordoba, the capital of Cordoba Province. The school offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in a wide array of fields, including Architecture, Agriculture, Economics, Physical and Natural Sciences, Medicine, Law, Languages, and Psychology. There is also an interdisciplinary team of young professionals, working towards the implementation of a Distance Learning Program.... See full description.

Universities in Argentina by City:

Bahia BlancaBuenos AiresCordobaCorrientesLa PlataMendozaRosarioSáenz PeñaSan LuisSanta FeVictoria

About universities in Argentina

The public system of higher education in Argentina is a responsibility that is shared by the national government and the individual provinces, although most policy decisions are made by the Ministry of Education.  Since its formation, the system has been based on the colonial model of education, in that it is divided between the teaching of professions and teaching that leads to professional degrees.  This is the same model that was used in Europe, prior to the Bologna Declaration.
All post-secondary education in Argentina, at least at the undergraduate level, is funded by the national government and is completely tuition-free and open to all students, although hidden costs, such as those for transportation and course materials, often pose obstacles for lower income families.  It is estimated that roughly 50 percent of all college age students take part in the higher education system in Argentina each year, but lower income students comprise only 20 percent of that overall total.

At the public level, the government of Argentina operates 39 National Universities that cater to approximately 80 percent of the 1.5 million students enrolled in higher education annually.  The remainder attends one of the smaller private or parochial universities in the country, of which there are 46 in total.

Higher Education in Argentina:  The Structure

In Argentina, higher education is broken down into three levels or categories:  tertiary education, university education, and post-graduate education.  Below we will take a closer look at the responsibilities and purpose of each.

Tertiary Education

The tertiary education level in Argentina consists of coursework and degrees leading to certain careers and professions.  Here the goal is to provide students with the education and training they need to fill various positions throughout the country at both the public and private level.  Degree programs at this stage can be as short as 1 year or as long as 3 years depending on the profession in which the student is interested.

University Education

The structure of university education in Argentina is quite different than in many North American and European countries, in that only four main degree tracks are offered:  Engineering, Medicine, Law and Licentiate.  The first three are self-explanatory, and the fourth, “Licentiate,” can be seen as a type of catch-all in the Argentinean system of university education.  This word is derived from the Latin, and its meaning is very similar to the Master of Arts Degree in North America in that it signifies someone who holds a 4-6 year completion certificate or license of competence in a specific subject/career field.  Those in Argentina who pursue this degree can technically be studying very different coursework from each other, as “Person A” may be pursuing an Accounting Licentiate, while person B a similar license in teaching or economics.  University degree programs usually span 4-6 years, depending on the profession.

Post-Graduate Level

The post-graduate level of higher education in Argentina is the only level in which students must pay tuition.  To qualify for admittance, students must possess at least a university degree or licentiate, and pass an entrance exam.  Students in post-graduate education would first pursue a Specialist Degree in their respective field of study, followed by a Master’s Degree (MS).  Those that successfully complete these two programs can apply for candidacy in one of the few doctorate programs offered in Argentina, consisting of coursework and research that generally leads to a Doctor of Law, Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Science or Doctor of Philosophy.