Pontifical Catholic University of Chile

The Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, in Spanish the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile or PUC, was founded in 1888. It was declared a Pontifical university - an academic institution approved directly by the Holy See - in 1935 when its Faculty of Theology was launched, although most students study secular subjects.

Academic Highlights

The University has 18 schools distributed among its five campuses. Regarded as one of the best universities in Latin America, it is responsible for a significant proportion of the nation’s research.

Location

PUC has four campuses in Santiago, Chile’s capital, and one in Villarrica, a town 750 kilometres south of Santiago named for the active volcano that dominates the skyline. Flanked by the Andes mountains, Santiago is a lively and cosmopolitan city that is home to a growing food and art scene.

Did you know?

One of the most recognised educational institutions in Latin America, PUC's alumni include former presidents Sebastian Piñera and Eduardo Frei Montalva.

Handbook/Catalogue

For information on the location, structure and availability of units (referred to as courses) consult the Course Finder (Buscador de Cursos). For a list of courses available by subject, consult the Course Catalogue (Buscador Catálogo).

Restrictions

• Before you choose your units, see the Restricted Programs of Study.
• You cannot study a full time load of Spanish language classes. Some units must be chosen from other fields of study.
• Units at PUC Chile are primarily taught in Spanish. Students whose mother tongue is not Spanish must have B2 level (according to CEFR) of Spanish proficiency at the moment of applying.

Full-time Credit Load Equivalents

Adjusted credit load 17 April 2023.

Academic Calendar

PUC Chile First semester (Monash semester 1): early March - mid-July
PUC Chile Second semester (Monash semester 2): early August - early December

PUC's Academic Calendar

Note

• The listed disciplines are not necessarily exhaustive and other fields of study might also be available at the institution.
• Approval to study particular subjects at any institution is always at the discretion of the departmental/discipline and faculty advisers in your managing faculty(ies) and subject to available places at the host.

Important notes

• PUC requires students to have studied four semesters of Spanish at a university level (or equivalent) prior to commencing their exchange semester at PUC, with C1 level recommended. You must meet PUC's language requirements to apply.
• A limited number of courses are taught in English. Spanish Language Courses are available but are not covered by the exchange agreement, meaning you must pay PUC for these language courses.

To begin your application and study plan, click the button below.

Apply here

Have you been to the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile and want to share your experience? 
Let us know about your exchange via this survey form and your testimonial could be shown here!

Freya Harding
Bachelor of Science & Diploma of Languages (Spanish)
Semester 1, 2017
Studied: Elective units

Study Experience

I was able to study my elective units for my Bachelor of Science in Spanish. Therefore, I could choose units which I had not taken as part of my degree before (Health, Chilean Culture and Interdisciplinary Human Rights). I would recommend the Chilean Culture course which helped me to understand why there are many protests in Chile and why a Chilean may not ask you to dinner more than once. My favourite course by far was Human Rights, thoroughly interesting and enlightening, especially in the Chilean context with the relatively recent dictatorship of Pinochet.

Culture

I was able to live in the city centre for half the price of rent of living in the suburbs of Melbourne. This meant that everything (shops, main eating/dancing district, La Moneda, main central station) was easily accessible walking distance from me (except for university in which I took the metro). Waking up every day to a view of the mountain range was a very cool experience. The metro was far busier than Melbourne (watch out for pickpockets) and often smoggy. However, once you get out of the city into the beautiful country, this is no longer a problem!

Benefits of going on exchange

The major benefit of studying in Chile was the improvement to my Spanish. Whilst it was hard to begin with (or when I was tired) my Spanish has improved incredibly, and I am now confidently able to converse in Spanish with native speakers and my Spanish grades have improved since returning.

Career Benefits

I have returned to Australia with wider perspectives in where my career could take me in the world. My immersion in another culture has prepared me for a job position in a global context and my improved Spanish will benefit my future career.

Money and Budgeting

I only heard about certain language scholarships offered through Monash after it was too late to apply, so get onto those applications and really do your research. In terms of saving, I budgeted quite strictly, not eating or buying drinks out much in the semester before I left (a good mindset is, I could have this coffee in Australia or I could save the money and have it in Chile!)

Top tips

• Overbudget, I had friends who underbudgeted and had to say no to some very cool experiences
• Do as much as possible with as many different people as possible (you won't get this experience again and you'll make friends for life)
• Join the university exchange student club (you'll meet travel buddies!)
• Join a local club (you'll meet locals and get to practise your Spanish)
• Pick your house well (you'll end up spending a lot of time with these people, and good location can make life easier)