How to apply to university in Chile

The Chilean university admission system is designed to ensure equitable access to higher education through structured and inclusive processes. 

There are two main routes: regular admission, based on centralised criteria and standardised evaluations, and special or direct admission, which accommodates specific circumstances and promotes diversity among applicants. 

This is accompanied by a mixed funding system, which combines state and private support from the universities themselves. 

Regular admission

Regular admission is the primary mechanism for accessing universities affiliated with the Higher Education Access System. This process selects applicants based on academic merit and standardised-test performance.

The Chilean standardised tests are called Prueba de Acceso a la Educación Superior (PAES). Students are required to take these tests, which assess fundamental competencies: 

Reading competence (language and communication): mandatory for all degree programmes. Evaluates reading comprehension and critical text analysis.

Mathematical competence: there are two parts to this test. M1 is mandatory for all degree programmes. M2 is only required for programmes demanding advanced mathematical skills.

Science or history and social sciences: students choose which of these to sit based on the requirements of their intended programmes.

Each year in March, the Chilean Department of Evaluation, Measurement, and Educational Records (DEMRE) publishes its annual calendar of activities for students interested in enrolling in university the following year. The information includes the contents of the test, registration dates, the range of courses offered by universities, test dates, results and application dates, and registration.

1. Selection criteria

Each university and programme establish specific weightings for the following components, in order to define their ideal applicant profile:

PAES: results from mandatory and elective tests.

Grade ranking: reflects the student’s relative performance in their school.

Secondary-education grades: measures the student’s overall academic average in high school.

2. Centralised application platform

Applicants can select up to 20 programmes, listed in order of preference. Seats are allocated automatically, based on the weighted score and declared preferences.

3. Publication of results

DEMRE announces the final results through its official platform. Selected applicants must accept or decline their allocated seat before the established deadline.

Special or direct admission

In addition to regular admission, the Chilean system offers alternative pathways for applicants who do not meet traditional requirements or who possess exceptional merits.

Each university has the autonomy to define its own requirements for special admission, allowing them to address the specific needs of diverse applicant groups. Universities publish these options on their official websites, detailing requirements, deadlines and procedures. 

Higher-education financing system 

The financing system for higher education in Chile is designed to facilitate access to tertiary studies through state scholarships, internal university scholarships and the Crédito con Aval del Estado (CAE).

These options, combined, seek to promote equity and guarantee that students can continue their studies without an insurmountable financial barrier.

1. State scholarships 

State scholarships are financial aid granted by the government to students with academic merit and economic need. Among the best known are the New Millennium Scholarship, the Bicentennial Scholarship and the Juan Gómez Millas Scholarship. These cover part or all of the reference fee – the government-calculated cost of tuition, which may or may not cover the actual tuition fees – depending on the degree course and the type of institution.

2. Internal scholarships 

These are funding programmes designed by universities to meet the needs of their students. These may include awards for academic excellence, sports, artistic or socio-economic scholarships, depending on the criteria of each institution.

3. CAE 

CAE is a loan to finance tuition fees, granted by private financial institutions, but with a state guarantee. This credit allows the debt to be repaid once the studies have been completed, in instalments proportional to the graduate’s income.