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Universidad Central del Ecuador

Universidad Central del Ecuador

Datos rápidos

Ciudad
Quito
País
Ecuador
Tipo
Pública
Fundada en
1826
Estudiantes
45.143
Estudiantes internacionales
1,4 %
Ranking nacional
#8
Matrícula (estudiantes locales)
0 US$
Matrícula (internacionales)
0 US$
Nota media de la guía
6,8/10

Web oficial: www.uce.edu.ec

Resumen

The Universidad Central del Ecuador (UCE) in Quito is the country's oldest university still operating (established as Universidad Central in 1826) and one of its largest public institutions; the national press describes it as second in Ecuador by enrolment. Its QS profile reports 45,143 students, 615 of them international (≈1.4%). A second QS page shows about 30,000, so treat the headcount as approximate.

UCE is CACES-accredited (Resolution 137-SE-33-CACES-2020). In October 2025, Resolution 216-SO-29-CACES-2025 extended that accreditation until results of the next institutional evaluation, which begins from September 2026. In Webometrics July 2026 it ranks 8th in Ecuador and 2,595th worldwide. QS places it in the 1201-1400 world band (2025 edition). Its QS Latin America profile shows 171-180 (2026 position unconfirmed).

The main campus is the Ciudadela Universitaria on the slopes west of Av. América, between Miraflores, Santa Clara and La Gasca. It is a real walled campus with a stadium, faculty buildings and green space, a short bus or Metro ride from La Mariscal. UCE also teaches in Cayambe and Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas.

Oferta académica

There are 76 undergraduate careers in five knowledge areas: Arts; Physical Sciences and Mathematics; Social and Human Sciences; Human Health Sciences; and Life Sciences. They run in face-to-face, blended, distance and online modes. Medicine, Law (Jurisprudencia), Economics, Architecture and Engineering carry the traditional prestige. Teaching is in Spanish.

Public undergraduate study is free (gratuidad) under Constitution Art. 356 and LOES Art. 80. Foreigners in Ecuador share this right, but you must enrol in at least 60% of the credits each term. You lose gratuidad permanently after failing, cumulatively, 30% of your curriculum. Second enrolments in a subject are not covered. Postgraduate programmes charge fees.

Vida en el campus

UCE is politically lively, with active student associations, faculty festivals and a campus stadium. Quito sits at about 2,850 m, with cold mornings and sudden rain. Petty theft around campus exits and on buses is a real concern; carry little.

Intercambios

The Dirección de Relaciones Internacionales e Interinstitucionales (DRII), based in the Casona de Relaciones Internacionales (Gaspar de Carvajal N23-25 y Gatto Sobral), publishes an incoming call every semester to partner universities and networks. Freemovers are also accepted. The university's mobility rules require you to be a regular student who has completed at least one term, with an average of at least 70% (or equivalent) and Spanish at B1 if it is not your mother tongue. You can take a single course up to a full semester, or two semesters. Apply early through your home office.

Admisión

Since 2025, public universities run their own admission after a compulsory national registration (Registro Nacional, run by MINEDEC). UCE's exam covers verbal, numerical and logical reasoning and counts for 50% of the score; your bachillerato grade is the other 50%. Arts applicants also sit an aptitude test. For the second period of 2026: registration 6-18 July, exam 12-14 August, places assigned 7 September, with about 8,000 places. A former rector has put demand at up to 100,000 applicants per semester, so popular careers are very competitive. Acceptance happens on the MINEDEC platform.

Foreign degree-seekers must first homologate their secondary diploma with the Ministerio de Educación (apostilled documents, Spanish translation) and hold a valid ID or visa. For longer stays they need a student temporary residence visa (Cancillería e-VISAS; valid for the length of studies, up to two years).

Alojamiento

UCE has no residences for general students. The streets around campus (La Gasca, Pérez Guerrero, Versalles, Av. América) are full of student rooms: furnished rooms typically cost USD 120-150/month and mini-suites USD 160-180 (≈ €100-155), often with a two-month deposit and a one-year contract.

Empleabilidad

Information pending on a central careers office — contributions welcome. Pre-professional internships are a graduation requirement in every career, and faculty agreements with public hospitals, ministries and firms are the main pipeline into work.

Oferta académica

Plazos de solicitud

Intercambio

Incoming exchange (one course up to two semesters) via the Dirección de Relaciones Internacionales e Interinstitucionales for partner and freemover students; Spanish B1 required. Also listed in the Parlamento Andino / Uniwords network.

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