Study in Ecuador
Who this applies to
Students at Ecuadorian universities. Spanish-medium; free public + private + polytechnic schools.
Governing authority
SENESCYT (Secretaría de Educación Superior); CES (Consejo de Educación Superior); CACES accreditation.
Degree system
Tercer nivel/grado (4–5 yrs) · Maestría · Doctorado (PhD). Spanish-medium.
Admission
- How
- Bachillerato + national admission exam (EAES, formerly ENES) for public-university placement; private universities set own admission; international students apply directly.
- Language
- Spanish.
Tuition
- Public
- Free at public universities (constitutionally guaranteed since 2008).
- Private
- Fee-paying (USFQ, PUCE).
- Note
- Free public higher education is constitutionally guaranteed.
Student visa & residence permit
Student visa for non-nationals.
Scholarships
SENESCYT scholarships (national & international).
Sources & references
- SENESCYT — https://siau.senescyt.gob.ec/pontificia-universidad-catolica-del-ecuador (2026-06-12)
- USFQ — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universidad_San_Francisco_de_Quito (2026-06-12)
Universities in Ecuador