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Universidad Espíritu Santo

Universidad Espíritu Santo

Quick facts

City
Samborondón
Country
Ecuador
Type
Private
Founded
1993
Students
4,782
International students
23 %
National ranking
#19
Guide score
7.0/10

Official website: www.uees.edu.ec

Overview

The Universidad de Especialidades Espíritu Santo (UEES) is a private non-profit university founded in 1993. Its single main campus is at km 2.5 of the Vía a Samborondón, in La Puntilla, just across the river from northern Guayaquil. It is one of Ecuador's most internationally visible private universities. It is placed 87th in the QS Latin America and Caribbean 2026 ranking, fourth among Ecuadorian universities in that table. It sits in the 951-1000 band in QS World 2026 and 901-950 in QS World 2027.

In Webometrics July 2026 it ranks 19th in Ecuador and 4,021st worldwide. UEES is accredited by CACES (Resolution 144-SE-33-CACES-2020), extended by Resolution 216-SO-29-CACES-2025.

Its QS profile reports 4,782 students, 1,098 of them international (≈23%). The previous QS profile said 3,098 and 777. Both give roughly a quarter international, but that is unusually high for Ecuador and likely includes short programmes, so treat it with caution.

Academic programs

There are nine faculties:

Most degrees follow a three-term year starting in January, May and September. Medicine runs two terms, starting in April and September. Teaching is mainly in Spanish.

Fees are not published. Applicants request a code through the university's online portal to see the cost of their chosen career, which is then paid in 12 monthly instalments covering all charges. Tuition is therefore null here. Expect private-university pricing and ask for the full-degree figure in writing.

Campus life

The campus is compact, green and modern, with labs, clinics for health careers, sports facilities and on-site residences. About a third of students come from outside Guayaquil. Social life centres on La Puntilla and Samborondón's malls and restaurants, with Guayaquil's Urdesa and Malecón a short ride away. Samborondón is more secure than much of Guayaquil, but still use registered transport at night.

Exchange programs

The International Affairs Office (IAO) manages more than 200 agreements. For incoming students it offers a Spanish as a Second Language programme and help choosing courses. Exchange students usually come through a partner agreement (tuition paid at home); freemovers should ask the IAO about fees.

Admissions

As a private university, UEES runs its own admission outside the public quota system; the admissions office lists career-specific requirements and documents on its website. Foreign applicants must homologate their secondary diploma with Ecuador's Ministerio de Educación (apostilled and translated). For a degree or long stay, apply for the student temporary residence visa via Cancillería's e-VISAS. You will need a passport valid for 6+ months, an apostilled criminal record, proof of means and a UEES admission letter. The visa lasts for the length of studies, up to two years at a time.

Student housing

UEES has on-campus residences: shared rooms and twin/junior singles at about USD 400/month, and a double with private bathroom at USD 500 per person (≈ €340-425). Off campus, furnished suites near the university in Entre Ríos are listed at around USD 550 (≈ €470). Cheaper rooms exist in Guayaquil proper, but the commute across the bridges is slow at rush hour.

Career services

Compulsory internships and community-service hours are built into every degree. Information pending on published employability figures and a central careers office — contributions welcome.

Academic programs

Application deadlines

Exchange

International Affairs Office manages 200+ agreements and a Spanish as a Second Language programme for incoming students; also listed in the Parlamento Andino / Uniwords network.

Universities in Samborondón

Next steps

Sources