Exchange opportunities in Latin America

By selecting a degree programme you are able to see the general content as well as the possible degree programme-specific content. You do not have to select a degree programme to see the Open University's instructions.

You can apply for the right to complete exchange studies at the University of Helsinki’s partner universities in Latin America in  Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Colombia, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay. The exchange opportunities are intended for either the students of all faculties or the students of specific disciplines. See detailed limitations under each university.

If you cannot find a suitable destination, see also independent exchange arrangements abroad.

Please note that the application period to exchange destinations outside the EU/EEA area can take place even 1½ years before your exchange begins. Prepare early!

Proficiency in Spanish or Portuguese is required of exchange students to Latin America (see Language requirements). Students must pay their accommodation and living expenses as well as travel, insurance and visa costs.

The academic year begins in February–March in many Latin American countries. The autumn term begins in July–August. The exchange period cannot be distributed over two academic years in the host university, which means that exchanges lasting an entire academic year for most destinations must begin their studies in January-March. There are some exceptions, please see university descriptions for details on the academic year.

 

This is a link back to Exchange opportunities around the world.

Brazil
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Ecuador
Mexico
Peru
Uruguay

Brazil

Universidade de São Paolo (USP)

USP homepage

University bilateral agreement: all faculties 

Stage of studies during the exchange Bachelor’s and Master’s students
GPA requirement At least 3 (all studies)
Language requirement Portuguese
Courses available to exchange students Faculties at USP

Course information:

  • By field: Disciplinas
  • or through search page, write the field in the Parte do Nome
  • Course descriptions in English
  • Graduação – undergraduate (bachelor's) courses
  • Pósgradução – graduate (master's) courses. If you apply to graduate level courses, you must be a graduate student at the University of Helsinki.

You can apply to undergraduate (graduação) or graduate (pósgradução) studies.

Undergraduate students can select pósgradução -opintoja, the prerequisite is that the previous studies required for the courses have been completed.

Graduate students can select graduação -studies.

Restrictions:
University of Helsinki minimum requirement for exchange studies 12 USP credits per semester
Credit conversion scale recommended by UH's International Exchange Services 1 USP credit = 2 ECTS
Living costs and housing information Costs vary depending on the location of the campus selected, here you can compare living costs in different Brazilian cities
 

USP does not offer dormitory places for exchange students, they recommend exchange students to join the USP ifriends -program to facilitate the search for housing. Additional housing information.

Duration of exchange Semester or academic year
Exchange opportunities February 23 call: Three places for spring semester 2024 or academic year 2024 (January-December).

Only students fully vaccinated against covid admitted

Pontifícia Universidade Católica oo Rio De Janeiro, Puc-Rio 

PUC-Rio homepage

University bilateral agreement: all faculties 

Stage of studies during the exchange Bachelor’s and Master’s students
Grade average requirement At least 3 (all studies)
Language requirement Portuguese

All exchange student must take a language test in Portuguese, so called Placement test at PUC-Rio at the beginning of studies (first day of the courses). The test confirms the required language skills for the courses.

There are some courses offered in English (see below). The exchange students must anyway take courses in Portuguese too

Courses available to exchange students Faculties at PUC-Rio

 

Courses:

Mainly for undergraduate (bachelor's) studies.

Undergraduate (bachelor's) students can only select undergraduate (graduação) studies.

University of Helsinki minimum requirement for exchange studies 4 courses per semester
Credit conversion scale recommended by UH's International Exchange Services 1 PUC Rio undergraduate or graduate credit = 1,5 ECTS
Living costs and housing information Here you can find information on living costs in Rio de Janeiro.
 

PUC-Rio doesn't have dormitories, here you can find information on home stays offered by PUC-Rio

Duration of exchange Semester or academic year
Exchange opportunities February 23 call: Two places for spring semester 2024 or academic year 2024 (January-December).

Only students fully vaccinated against covid admitted

Universidade Federal do Pará, UFPA - NEW DESTINATION!

UFPA homepage

University bilateral agreement: all faculties 

Stage of studies during the exchange Bachelor’s and Master’s students
GPA requirement At least 3 (all studies)
Language requirement Portuguese B1/B2, UFPA does not offer any courses in English
Courses available to exchange students Institutes at UFPA

There are 12 campuses: Abaetetuba, Altamira, Ananindeua, Belém, Bragança, Breves, Cametá, Capanema, Castanhal, Salinópolis, Soure e Tucuruí. 

It is not possible to take courses on two campuses at the same time

Course information

  • Programs offered
  • Course search SIGAA:  Select the correct level - Graduação – undergraduate (bachelor's) courses, Mestrado graduate (master's) courses. Select Tipo de Componente: Módulo. Write a search word or partial word (for example the subject you are interested in) and select the appropriate Responsible Unit
  • NB! If you apply to graduate level courses, you must be a graduate student at the University of Helsinki.

You can apply to undergraduate (graduação) or graduate (mestrado) studies.

University of Helsinki minimum requirement for exchange studies minimum 16 UFPA credits per semester, up to 24 UFPA recommended
Credit conversion scale recommended by UH's International Exchange Services 1 UFPA credit = 1,25 ECTS
Living costs and housing information UFPA does not offer dormitory places for exchange students, information on housing and other useful information can be found in the Foreign Student Guide
Duration of exchange Semester or academic year
Exchange opportunities February 23 call: Two places for spring semester 2024 or academic year 2024 (March-December).

Only students fully vaccinated against covid admitted

Faculdades Est, São Leopoldo

Faculdades Est homepage

Faculty agreement: Faculty of Theology

Stage of studies during the exchange Bachelor’s and Master’s students
Grade average requirement No specific requirement
Language requirement Portuguese
According to the partner, also students with good skills in Spanish can succeed in EST. However, students with skills in Portuguese are prioritized in UH's selection.

 

Courses available to exchange students The agreement is  made for studying theology.

Here you can find course information in theology

University of Helsinki minimum requirement for exchange studies 8-13 EST credits / term = 20-30 ECTS
Credit conversion scale recommended by UH's International Exchange Services Full work load for a year is 20-26 EST credits = 60 ECTS
Duration of exchange Term or academic year
Exchange opportunities February 2023 call: 2 students for Spring term 2024

Chile

Universidad de Chile, Santiago de Chile

UChile homepage

University bilateral agreement: all faculties 

Stage of studies during the exchange Bachelor’s and Master’s students. At the time of the exchange, student must have completed at least two years of university studies
GPA requirement At least 3 (all studies)
Language requirement Spanish
Courses available to exchange students Faculties at UChile, you can find the faculties from the Cuerpo académico de la Universidad -section

More information on courses available to exchange students can be found here

The prerequisite for graduate studies is that your bachelor's degree is complete.
Acceptance to master's level studies is determined on a case-by-case basis. The faculties at UChile and the graduate program evaluate the applicant's academic qualifications for master's level studies.

Restrictions: You cannot apply for studies in medicine and health sciences.

You can select only Bachelor’s level courses. Master’s students usually complete minor subject studies.

University of Helsinki minimum requirement for exchange studies 30 UChile credits
Credit conversion scale recommended by UH's International Exchange Services 1 Universidad de Chile credit = 0,8 ECTS
Living costs and housing Estimate on average monthly costs (housing and food) ca US$ 800 - US$ 1000. Universidad de Chile does not have dormitories for exchange students, but they will assist exchange students in finding accommodation.
Duration of exchange Semester or academic year
Exchange opportunities February 23 call: One place for spring semester 2024 (March-July) or the Academic year 2024 (March-December)

Only students fully vaccinated against covid admitted

 

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

UC homepage

University bilateral agreement: all faculties 

Stage of studies during the exchange Bachelor’s and Master’s students
Grade average requirement At least 3 (all studies)
Language requirement Spanish
Courses available to exchange students Faculties at UC

Here you can find course information

Mainly for undergraduate (bachelor's) studies.

Undergraduate students can only select undergraduate level courses.

Restrictions:

  • You cannot apply for studies in the following fields: marine biology, communications (publicity courses)
  • The following fields have limitations:
  • Music: Only theory courses.
  • Medicine: Only certain theoretical courses in public health and clinical rotations.
  • Economics and Administrative Sciences: Courses restricted to applicants who fulfil the requirements of each course.
  • Psychology courses: Students in their second to fourth year in the major may apply.
  • Art courses: Art courses are available only to art major applicants.
University of Helsinki minimum requirement for exchange studies 40 UC credits

 

Credit conversion scale recommended by UH's International Exchange Services 1 UC credit =  0,6 ECTS
Living costs and housing  
Duration of exchange Semester or academic year
Exchange opportunities February 23 call: Two places for spring semester 2024 (March-July) or the Academic year 2024 (March-December)

Colombia

Universidad de los Andes, Bogota

UniAndes homepage

University bilateral agreement: all faculties 

Stage of studies during the exchange Bachelor’s and Master’s students
GPA requirement At least 3 (all studies)
Language requirement Spanish
Courses available to exchange students Faculties at UniAndes

Here you can find course information

Restrictions: You cannot apply for the following studies: Master’s level courses at the School of Management, courses at the School of Medicine

University of Helsinki minimum requirement for exchange studies Minimum requirement 12 créditos/semester,

Recommendation 17 créditos/semester

Credit conversion scale recommended by UH's International Exchange Services 1 UniAndes credit = 1,8 ECTS
Living costs and housing information Food 70-140 $ per month, one-way ticket in public transportation ca 0.9 $, leisure costs ca 75 $/month
 

Universidad de los Andes does not provide in campus housing. Each student is responsible to find their own accommodation. There are multiple housing alternatives near the university campus.
· City U https://vivienda.uniandes.edu.co
· The Spot https://thespotforliving.com
· Living X https://livinnxbogota.com
· Esstudia https://esstudia.com/bogota-17-4-centro

Popular neighbourhoods for exchange students near campus are La Candelaria, Las Nieves, La Macarena, Germania.

Duration of exchange Semester or academic year
Exchange opportunities February 23 call: Four places for spring semester 2024 or academic year 2024 (January-December).

Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogota & Cali

Javeriana homepage

University bilateral agreement: all faculties 

Stage of studies during the exchange Bachelor’s and Master’s students - when going on exchange, the student must have completed at least two years of studies
Grade average requirement At least 3 (all studies)
Language requirement Spanish
Courses available to exchange students Courses in Bogotá. See also Instructions on how to find courses

Some courses offered also in English, see List of Courses in English

NB! It is also possible to apply to the Javeriana campus in Cali, see here for programs and course information

 

University of Helsinki minimum requirement for exchange studies Minimum requirement 12 créditos/semester,

Recommendation 17 créditos/semester

Credit conversion scale recommended by UH's International Exchange Services 1 Javeriana credit = 1,8 ECTS
Living costs and housing information Housing 200-500 USD/month, see this information on housing.
 

Food 180 USD/month, public transportation, books, etc. ca. 70 USD/month

Duration of exchange Semester or academic year
Exchange opportunities Four places for spring semester 2024.

Universidad Externado de Colombia

UExternado homepage

Faculty level agreement: Faculty of Social Sciences

Stage of studies during the exchange Bachelor’s and Master’s students
Grade average requirement At least 3 (all studies)
Language requirement Spanish
Courses available to exchange students Courses -> Click at field of study Ver programa and then Plan estudios

You can apply to the courses from Facultad Ciencias Sociales.

University of Helsinki minimum requirement for exchange studies Minimum requirement 18 créditos/semester (UExternados requirement)
Credit conversion scale recommended by UH's International Exchange Services 1 U Externado credit = 1,8 ECTS
Living costs and housing information Housing 200-400 USD/month, UExternado does not have dormitories but t cooperates with two buildings offering dormitory services: LivinnX and CityU Viviendas
Duration of exchange Semester
Exchange opportunities Not open for applications

Costa Rica

Universidad de Costa Rica, San José

UCR homepage

University bilateral agreement: all faculties 

Stage of studies during the exchange Bachelor’s and Master’s students
GPA requirement At least 3,5 (all studies)
Language requirement Spanish
 
Courses available to exchange students Here you can find the faculties and course information at UCR

Restrictions:

  • Studies in medicine and dentistry (School of Health) are not available to exchange students due to limited space.
University of Helsinki minimum requirement for exchange studies 12 UCR credits
Credit conversion scale recommended by UH's International Exchange Services 1 Universidad de Costa Rica credit = 2 ECTS
Living costs and housing information UCR offers Home Stays for 700 USD / month including two meals per day.  Exchange students can also find housing independently.
Duration of exchange Semester or academic year
Exchange opportunities Not open for applications

Ecuador

Universidad San Francisco de Quito 

USFQ's homepage

Introduction of the exchange programmes

University bilateral agreement: all faculties 

Stage of studies during the exchange Bachelor’s and Master’s students
GPA requirement At least 3 (all studies)
Language requirement Spanish / NB! For the fee-charging Galápagos Semester programme, no Spanish language requirement
Courses available to exchange students USFQ offers two programmes for exchange students, one of which charges a fee. You can find more information on the programmes and their courses through the links below

1) Cumbaya programme on campus in Quito

2) Fee-charging Galapagos Semester programme:

The fee varies between US$ 13 600 - 15 700. See more information on the fees here. NB! As an exchange student from UH, you will only pay the Track fee, not Tuition fees.

  • Students select courses from one of four Academic Tracks in the biological and social sciences: (1) Evolution, Ecology and Conservation, (2) Marine Ecology; (3) People, Politics and the Environment and (4) Sustainable Tourism. Each academic track consists of five intensive 3-credit courses taught in 3-week modules. The first module takes place at USFQ’s main campus in Cumbayá valley, located just outside of Quito, followed by three modules that will take place in San Cristobal Island, Galápagos and then come back to the mainland where they will have an excursion to Tiputini research station in the Amazon Basin. All courses are taught in English. Please note courses are subject to change. Starting on Fall 2023, students should take all the courses from the track chosen at the moment of application,  students cannot take courses from other tracks. Students in all tracks also take a required Spanish conversation class (1 credit). Volunteer placements (non-credit) in San Cristobal are also available to interested students.
University of Helsinki minimum requirement for exchange studies 12 USFQ credits

 

Credit conversion scale recommended by UH's International Exchange Services 1 USFQ credit = 2 ECTS
Living costs and housing information Administrative one-time fee 275 $ includes a sim card, books and other academic costs ca 50 USD per semester, other costs ca 1500-2000 $/ semester
Housing: USFQ offers Home Stays for 25 $ /day including two daily meals. Student can also arrange housing independently with the permission of University of Helsinki.
Duration of exchange Semester or academic year. NB! Academic year at USFQ runs from August to May
Exchange opportunities February 23 call: One place for spring semester 2024.

Only students fully vaccinated against Covid admitted

Mexico

Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, UNAM

UNAM homepage

University bilateral agreement: all faculties

Stage of studies during the exchange Bachelor’s or Master’s students
GPA requirement At least 3,5 (all studies)
Language requirement Spanish
Courses available to exchange students Faculties of UNAM 
Courses

Mainly for undergraduate studies.

Graduate student can be considered, if the aim of the exchange period is to studies minor studies.

By exception the applicant can be considered at UNAM for graduate level courses, faculties at UNAM will determine case-by-case, if the student can take graduate courses, prerequisite is that bachelor's degree is complete by the application time.

Restrictions: Placements are highly uncertain in Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine

University of Helsinki minimum requirement for exchange studies 30 UNAM credits/semester
Credit conversion scale recommended by UH's International Exchange Services 1 UNAM credit = 0,75 ECTS
Living costs and housing information Estimate of monthly costs:
Housing 150-300 USD, food ca  200 USD, public transportation 40 USD, leisure activities 80-160 USD and study materials depending on the study field

UNAM does not offer dormitories, exchange students can apply for housing through  CEPEN  (the site requires registration)

Duration of exchange Term or academic year. NB! The academic year at UNAM runs from August to June
Exchange opportunities February 23 call:  Two places for spring semester 2024.

Peru

Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Lima

PUCP homepage

University bilateral agreement: all faculties 

Stage of studies during the exchange Bachelor’s and Master’s students
GPA requirement At least 3 (all studies)
Language requirement Spanish
Courses available to exchange students Faculties at PUCP, click on Facultades y departementos

Here you can find course information, select faculty from Unidad academica, from Ciclo de dictado select latest academic year

Restriction: Exchange students cannot apply for courses offered by the Centrum Graduate Business School.

University of Helsinki minimum requirement for exchange studies 10 PUCP credits
Credit conversion scale recommended by UH's International Exchange Services 1 PUCP credit = 2 ECTS
Living costs and housing information Monthly housing costs depending on the form of accommodation:

  • Home stay 300 - 450 USD (meals included)
  • Student dormitories 150-250 USD

PUCP does not have its own dormitories for exchange students, but applicants are provided with a list of either home stay or dormitory alternatives depending on the applicant's wishes.

  • Private apartment 300-600 USD

Meals 150 USD, public transportation 150 USD, study materials 50 USD, personal costs ca 100 USD

Duration of exchange Semester or academic year
Exchange opportunities February 23 call: Two places for spring semester 2024 or academic year 2024 (January-December).

Only students fully vaccinated against covid admitted

Uruguay

Universidad de la República Uruguay, Udelar

Udelar's homepage

University bilateral agreement: all faculties 

Stage of studies during the exchange Bachelor and Master level students NB! Exchange students at Udelar have access mainly to bachelor level courses. There is a limited availability of master level courses and some of them incur a fee.
GPA requirement At least 3 on all studies
Language requirement Spanish
Courses available to exchange students You can browse the course selection through degree introductions

Degrees present their course offerings in different ways. You should select all your courses from one campus and one Faculty/School.

University of Helsinki minimum requirement for exchange studies The length of a semester varies between Faculties and is usually between 4-5 months. Minimum requirement is 10 Udelar credits per exchange month, i.e. the minimum requirement per semester is 40-50 Udelar credits per semester.

 

Credit conversion scale recommended by UH's International Exchange Services 1 Udelar credit = 0.5 ECTS
Living costs and housing information Udelar has no dormitories for exchange students but they provide a list of available housing options for applicants.

Living cost information not yet available

Duration of exchange Semester or academic year (February-December)
Exchange opportunities February 23 call: Five places for spring semester 2024 or academic year 2024 (February/March-December). Max two students per Udelar Faculty per semester