How to apply to study in Mexico

Mexico is home to public and private universities, including many prestigious institutions. The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and National Polytechnic Institute (IPN), both in Mexico City, are considered two of the best universities in Latin America.

Applying to university in Mexico

Students will need to apply through their chosen university’s website. They will be required to submit information such as academic transcripts, a high-school diploma, language-proficiency certificates, letters of recommendation (required by some schools) and a copy of a valid passport.

While there are general principles in the admission process, specific requirements can vary from one institution to another.

Higher-education admission exam

Some institutions require applicants to take the Exani higher-education admission exam. This exam is a prerequisite at many of Mexico’s foremost universities, including UNAM, IPN and state universities, such as those in Guadalajara and Puebla.

The Exani assesses students’ knowledge in key areas, such as language and codes and their technologies, mathematics and its technologies, human sciences and their technologies, and natural sciences and their technologies. The exam evaluates candidates’ understanding of natural phenomena and the interplay between science and technology.

However, performing well in the Exani is not sufficient for admission. Many institutions set additional criteria, such as the quality of academic records. This applies to those public universities previously mentioned, as well as private schools such as the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (ITESM).

High academic standards

When it comes to the analysis and evaluation of academic records, some programmes and institutions have more stringent requirements than others. For instance, UNAM and IPN require exemplary academic transcripts for candidates wishing to study fields such as medicine, engineering, architecture and economic sciences. 

Likewise, ITESM imposes rigorous standards for evaluating the academic records of applicants for medicine, engineering, business administration and social sciences. The Universidad Panamericana, in Mexico City, maintains strict criteria for its law and business-administration programmes.

Factors such as course competitiveness, available slots and the specific nature of fields of study play a significant role in determining the standard required from successful applicants.

Funding opportunities

Academic scholarships

Public and private institutions in Mexico provide scholarships for their students. For instance, UNAM considers academic performance throughout a student’s educational journey, as well as financial needs. It maintains an affirmative-action system, which supports students from Indigenous backgrounds. 

Similarly, IPN offers scholarships, with criteria focusing on academic and financial considerations. Comparable criteria, with slight variations, are applied by institutions such as the University of Guadalajara and the Autonomous University of Nuevo León.

Benefits of scholarships can include waivers or reductions in fees (such as tuition), financial support for acquiring educational materials (physical and digital), assistance for transportation and meals, access to paid services on campus and opportunities for internships and employment. 

Specific institutions may vary what they offer or have additional unique benefits.

Athletic scholarships

Mexican universities also provide athletic scholarships. The country is particularly recognised for soccer, and its leading university, UNAM, boasts one of the most famous teams in the nation: Pumas UNAM. Many prominent players graduated from the university on sports scholarships. It is important to highlight that these opportunities for student athletes are accessible to men and women.

Applying for a visa

Mexico offers student visas, which come in two forms: temporary and permanent. The temporary visa lasts up to one year, while the permanent visa allows for a more extended stay. However, having a permanent visa does not guarantee that the student will be able to reside in Mexico indefinitely. 

Applicants will need to provide basic identification documents when applying for a student visa, and must submit their application – with supporting documents – at a Mexican embassy or consulate. 

Upon arrival in Mexico, the student must promptly register with the National Migration Institute to obtain a student residency permit.