Studying in Chile: 2026 guide

Chile has 64 universities, including Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, and Universidad Austral de Chile. For a new international student, the first term is usually about finding your place in the academic calendar, housing, and everyday language use.

Cost of living → Working & jobs →

Chile’s academic year is set around local university life, so it helps to confirm dates and course timing with the university you choose before you arrive. With 64 universities across the country, students can find options in different academic settings, from Universidad Academia de Humanismo Cristiano to Universidad de Aconcagua.

Housing is usually something to sort out early in the first term, since settling in well depends on having a place close to campus and connected to daily routines. International students often compare options by university location and how easy it is to manage everyday life from there.

Spanish is the main language you should expect in daily life, including around campus, housing, and local services. In class, language use can vary by university and program, so it is worth checking what your courses require before the term begins.

For students planning a move, Chile can be a practical study destination with a lower price level than the US, based on 2023 comparisons. That makes budgeting important from the start, especially while you are covering the first term’s costs and getting used to study and life in a new place.