Chile Applications

How to Apply to Chile Universities

A step-by-step walkthrough of the university application process for Chile. Learn how to navigate application systems, meet deadlines, and track your applications.

Application Systems

Chile University Application Systems

Chile has a national entry test for students finishing school in Chile, and other ways to apply for students who finished school outside Chile.

PAES (national entry test)

The national selection test. Students who finished school outside Chile usually apply another way.

Key Features

Used by the universities of the Council of Rectors (CRUCH, a group of universities) and several private universities.

Perfect For

Students finishing school in Chile.

Comparing Application Systems

Feature	Centralized System	Individual Portals
Coverage	CRUCH and some private universities	Each university
Main Focus	PAES test	Special admission
Essay Requirements	-	UC: personal motivation questionnaire
Special Features	Common selection for CRUCH universities	University tests or programme selection

Pro Tips for Choosing an Application System

If you take the PAES test for 2027 entry, you cannot also use UChile's way to apply for students who finished school outside Chile.

Application Process

Step-by-Step Application Process

How to apply to a Chilean university from India or Pakistan.

Choose your programme

Pick a programme and read its own entry rules and dates.

Key Considerations

UChile bachelor's programmes are taught only in Spanish.
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (UC) advises Spanish at about B2 (a good working level of Spanish).

Pro Tip

Most programmes are taught in Spanish. Check the language before you apply.

Check you can apply

UChile and UC ask that you did at least your last two years of school outside Chile.

Key Considerations

UC: you have never studied at a university. Your last school year must be no more than three years before you apply.
Master's: a licenciatura (a study degree) or título profesional (a degree for one job, such as engineer) in a related field.

Pro Tip

Bachelor's ways to apply for students who finished school outside Chile have rules on where you studied.

Prepare your papers

Marks, grading scale, certificates and passport copy, each with an apostille (an official stamp from your own country that shows your paper is real).

Key Considerations

Papers from India: apostille by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Papers from Pakistan: apostille by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).

Pro Tip

Scan each paper in full and clearly.

Apply online and pay

Fill in the university's online form and pay the application fee.

Key Considerations

UChile: CLP 40,000, or USD 50 from abroad.

Pro Tip

Keep the payment receipt.

Take tests or interviews

Some ways to apply include tests or interviews.

Key Considerations

UChile: mathematics and reading skills tests.
UC: each programme has its own selection, such as tests or interviews.

Pro Tip

UChile's tests are in Santiago.

Application Timeline Overview

A year at a glance for March 2027 entry at UChile.

August

UChile registration opened on 1 August 2026 for March 2027.

Summer

October

Registration closed on 2 October 2026. UChile tests were held on 20 to 22 October 2026.

May-July

September

Junior Year

March-April

Classes start in March.

January-February

Selected students enrol at UChile (sign up for classes).

November-December

UChile results come out on 15 December 2026.

Important Note

Dates here are for UChile's way to apply for students who finished school outside Chile. Other universities set their own dates.

Costs

Application Fees & Fee Waivers

Each university sets its own application fee.

Application Fee Structure

What you can expect to pay when applying to universities in Chile

UChile, bachelor's, students who finished school outside Chile

Upload the payment receipt with your papers.

CLP 40,000 (Chilean pesos), or USD 50 (US dollars) by bank transfer from abroad

UC, master's

Not returned if you are not accepted or if you stop your application.

Set by each programme

Multiple Applications Add Up

Check each university’s application fee before you apply.

Payment Methods

Accepted payment options for university applications

Bank transfer from abroad (UChile)
USD 50 to UChile's account at Banco de Chile. You pay the bank charges.

Monitoring

Tracking Your Applications

How you hear back.

Application Tracking Methods

Most updates come by email.

UChile sends results by email.

Pro Tip

Keep your application details safe.

Email Management & Communication

Best practices for managing university communications during the application process

Email Management Tips

Use an email address you check every day.

Common Email Issues

Spam filtering: Check spam/junk folders regularly

Full mailbox: Ensure you have storage space for emails

Typos in email address: Verify email address on applications

Missed emails: Check for emails from unfamiliar university addresses

Application Status Timeline

What to expect after you apply to UChile.

Day 1-7

Confirmation email

UChile sends a confirmation to your email after you submit the form.

Week 2-3

Week 3-4

Month 1-3

Decision Date

Results

UChile publishes who got a place and who is on the waiting list, and emails each applicant. Results for March 2027 come out on 15 December 2026.

Each university has its own way of telling you the result.

Troubleshooting

Common Issues & Solutions

Problems students from India and Pakistan often meet, and how to avoid them.

Paper problems

Most problems come from missing stamps or scales.

Papers without an apostille

UChile does not accept foreign papers without an apostille (or a Chilean official stamp). It also needs copies checked by a notary in Chile when you hand papers in.

Solution:

Get the apostille before you apply: in India from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in Pakistan from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).