Universidad Espíritu Santo

Datos rápidos
- Ciudad
- Samborondón
- País
- Ecuador
- Tipo
- Privada
- Fundada en
- 1993
- Estudiantes
- 4782
- Estudiantes internacionales
- 23 %
- Ranking nacional
- #19
- Nota media de la guía
- 7,0/10
Web oficial: www.uees.edu.ec
Resumen
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.
Oferta académica
There are nine faculties:
- Architecture and Design
- Communication Sciences
- Health Sciences "Dr. Enrique Ortega Moreira" (Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing and others)
- Law, Politics and Development
- Entrepreneurship, Business and Economics
- Tourism and Hospitality
- Humanities
- Engineering
- International Studies
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.
Vida en el campus
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.
Intercambios
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.
Admisión
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.
Alojamiento
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.
Empleabilidad
Compulsory internships and community-service hours are built into every degree. Information pending on published employability figures and a central careers office — contributions welcome.
Oferta académica
- Medicine
- Dentistry
- Nursing
- Law
- Political Science
- International Studies
- Business and Economics
- Architecture
- Design
- Communication
- Tourism and Hospitality
- Engineering
- Humanities
Plazos de solicitud
- fall: September term (Medicine also starts in September), apply through the admissions office before the term
- spring: January and May terms (Medicine also starts in April)
Intercambio
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.
Universidades en Samborondón
Siguientes pasos
Fuentes
- uees.edu.ec/grado/
- uees.edu.ec/grado-admisiones/
- uees.edu.ec/en/requisitos-de-admision/
- uees.edu.ec/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/COLLATED-BOOKLET-2025.pdf
- topuniversities.com/universities/universidad-espiritu-santo-uees-ecuador
- ecuadoruniversitario.com/noticias-universitarias/26-universidades-de-ecuador-apa
- webometrics.org/ecuador
- ug.edu.ec/wp-content/uploads/PLANIFICACION/ACREDITACION-INSTITUCIONAL/Resoluci%C
- icasas.ec/propiedad/6667-a545-5bf19637-c8de6109ddd8-4d04
- gob.ec/mremh/tramites/concesion-visa-residencia-temporal-estudiante