Universidad Estatal a Distancia was established in 1977 as the first higher education institution specialised in teaching online, pioneering distance education in Latin America. The university is made up of a network of 37 university campuses throughout the Costa Rica.
The university has four main schools across which it offers both undergraduate and postgraduate education: administration sciences, educational sciences, exact and natural sciences, and social sciences and humanities. Students do not need to take an admission exam that must be taken before enrolling. Across its four main schools, Universidad Estatal a Distancia offers a breadth of courses such as business administration, preschool education, computer science, and agroindustrial engineering.
The model of study allows students to be in control of their learning process accompanied by tutors and other resources.
Other study routes at the university include free and extension courses, specialisation courses and OpenCourseWare which develop skills in areas such as customer service, project management and care.
