Study in Costa Rica

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With its fascinating climate and good educational system, Costa Rica has been a popular choice among many international students. Home to several universities, the country offers higher education at reasonable costs. In this article, we will provide you with all the information regarding study in Costa Rica

Study in Costa Rica

Why Study in Costa Rica?

Migrating to Costa Rica for your further education would be a great idea. There are several reasons for choosing Costa Rica for international students as their study abroad destination. Here are a few:

  • Students coming from other countries to Costa Rica are assured of high education standards. It is proved by its literacy rates which are among the highest in the world.
  • By Studying abroad in Costa Rica, you will get an opportunity to study a foreign language, Spanish. This will enhance your CV and get you good offers in the international job market.
  • When compared to many other Western countries, the living cost is low in Costa Rica. Simultaneously, a high standard of living is assured. Combinations of these 2 make a big impression on international students.
  • Costa Rica is among those countries which have political stability and safety. And since safety and political stability ranks high for reasons to study abroad students prefer a particular location.
  • The majority of study programs in Costa Rica are taught in the Spanish language. However, an increasing number of options are also available in English. So you can study in costa Rica in English

How to study in Costa Rica

The process of studying in Costa Rica is simple. You will  have to follow the steps mentioned below: 

  1. Explore the study options and choose the university of Costa Rica as well as a course.
  2. After deciding, check whether you are eligible or not and also know the documents requirements for the specific course
  3. As mentioned on the website of the university, collect all the documents required.
  4. Fill the university application form correctly and submit it along with all the supporting documents.
  5. The institute will examine your application. If your application is selected, they will issue an admission letter.
  6. After you get your admission letter, apply for a study visa.
  7. Obtain your student visa and fly to Costa Rica for attending your semesters.

Universities in Costa Rica

There are 5 public universities in Costa Rica and several other private universities. The higher education institute in Costa Rica is also listed in the QS world university ranking. Here is the list:

Universities

QS world university Ranking

Universidad de Costa Rica

571-580

Tecnológico de Costa Rica -TEC

801-1000

National University of Costa Rica

801-1000

Other universities are:

  • INCAE Business School, Costa Rica, Alajuela
  • Universidad Latina de Costa Rica, San Pedro
  • Universidad Veritas, San José
  • Universidad Latinoamericana de Ciencia y Tecnología, San José
  • Universidad EARTH, Guácimo
  • Universidad Centroamericana de Ciencias Sociales, San José
  • Universidad para la Cooperación Internacional, San Pedro

Costa Rica abroad programs

Public universities teach a wide range of subjects at undergraduate and postgraduate levels compared to private universities. The universities also offer specialist vocational study programs. Some of the popular study programs in Costa Rica are:

  • Study Business Administration in Costa Rica
  • Study Medicine in Costa Rica
  • Study Engineering in Costa Rica
  • Study Project management in Costa Rica
  • Study International Law and Diplomacy in Costa Rica
  • Study Economics in Costa Rica
  • Study Journalism and Communication in Costa Rica
  • Study Technology in Costa Rica

Requirements to study abroad in Costa Rica

To get admission to Costa Rica’s university, you will need to submit some of the documents along with your application form. As there is no central body in charge of admission in Costa Rica, the requirements to get admission in Costa Rica depends on the institution you choose. However, here are some of the common documents you would have to provide:

  • You educational certificates
  • Proof of proficiency in Spanish
  • Police record 
  • Health insurance
  • Birth certificate
  • Four-year bachelor‘s degree equivalent to Bachillerato Universitario, Licenciatura(for masters degree)
  • Master’s / graduate degree equivalent to Maestria, Especialidad professional(for doctoral degree)
  • Reference letters(if required)
  • Statement of Purpose(if required)

The officers of the universities can also help you to know the requirements if asked. Or else the university websites are available for providing all the information.

Cost of studying in Costa Rica

Annual tuition fee can be as low as 8359011 CRC ($13,710) in public higher educational institutions. It can be as high as 24540498 CRC ($40,250) in private universities in Costa Rica

Depending on the location and lifestyle you choose, 304850 CRC ($500) and 426791 CRC ($700) is enough budget to live comfortably in Costa Rica. Rents of decent apartments suitable for students can be as low as 231686 CRC ($380) per month.

Cheap Universities in Costa Rica

Although the tuition fee in Costa Rica is lower than in other parts of Europe, still studying abroad is always expensive. So for the students who want to get good education at low price, we have made a list of Cheap Universities in Costa Rica below:

1. Tecnológico de Costa Rica
2. Veritas University
3. Universidad de Costa Rica
4. Universidad Biblica Latinoamericana
5. Universidad Católica de Costa Rica
6. Universidad del Turismo
7. University for International Cooperation
8. Universidad de Ciencias Médicas, Costa Rica
9. Universidad Latinoamericana de Ciencia y Tecnología Costa Rica
10. Earth University

Scholarships for Costa Rica

Studying abroad is always costly compared to continuing studies in the home country. Several universities grant competitive international scholarships to international students who have an excellent academic background and are in financial need. Here is a small list of scholarship offered in Costa Rica:

  • UCI Online Master Scholarship in Project Management at Costa Rica, 2021
  • Asian Peacebuilders Scholarship (APS)
  • University for International Cooperation Scholarship
  • Environmental Studies Scholarship
  • Vaya en America Latina Merit Scholarship
  • Robert B. Bailey Grant
  • Diversity Abroad Scholarship

Student visa for Costa Rica

To get entry permission in Costa Rica, an international student should hold a tourist visa. At the airport or your chosen point of entry, you would be granted a student visa for Costa Rica only for those courses with durations of more than 90 days. You would need to have some documents to gain the visa. Here is the list of document requirement:

  • Completed visa application form and passport-size photos
  • Birth certificate
  • Proof of accommodation in Costa Rica
  • A copy of a valid passport or any travel document
  • Admission letter from the institute of higher education in Costa Rica.
  • A police report of non-delinquency
  • Proof of financial support
  • Apostilled copies of a criminal record check

We hope that this information on the study in Costa Rica was helpful. So start exploring and start your process of getting admission in Costa Rica for studies as soon as possible.

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