There are 24 privately owned and 23 publicly run universities in Venezuela. These universities offer a broad range of undergraduate and postgraduate study degree programs.
There are four Venezuelan universities ranked in the top 100 of the QS Latin American University Rankings. The Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV) is the highest-ranked Venezuelan university in the 28th position.
Universidad Simón Bolívar is ranked 30th while the privately owned Universidad Católica Andres Bello and the Universidad de los Andes – (ULA) Mérida are ranked 65th and 75th in Latin America respectively.
Also, the Universidad de Carabobo, Universidad Metropolitana, and the Universidad del Zulia are ranked amongst the best 200 universities in the Andean region.
Why Study in Venezuela?
Universities in Venezuela offer a wide variety of courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Students from abroad are welcome to apply for admission into a study program in Venezuelan universities.
The tuition fees of universities in Venezuela are highly competitive, affordable, and. Comparably lower than many tertiary institutions listed amongst the top 200 in Latin America.
The average tuition fee for undergraduate students is just under USD 30,000, while prospective postgraduate students pay less than $40,000 per annum in tuition fees.
Eligibility Criteria
Students wishing to further their education with a higher educational degree need to pass the Prueba de aptitud académica, a national qualifying examination. A score is given to students, and based on their performance; they can then qualify to apply for a study program in the university of their choice.
Students normally choose as many as three different study programs, with each requiring a specific score for eligibility. International students will need to show proof of financial self-sustenance.
International students must prove that they can pay the tuition fees and have sufficient funds to cater for their accommodation and living expenses. Other documentation includes health insurance, academic diploma, certificates, and transcripts. A J-1 or F-1 visa is needed as well, and students can obtain this visa from the Venezuelan embassy or consulate in their home country.