Steps of Choosing the Right Course to Study in Colombia

Colombia offers a wide range of study programmes and choosing one is a difficult task. Right advice, planning and timing is of the utmost importance while “Choosing the Right Course to Study in Colombia”. Follow the below mentioned steps of “Selecting the Right Programme”: 

Find out your career goals and aspirations. Decide what you want to do, why you want to study this particular course, and the impact it would have on your professional and personal development. Once you know the programme you want to pursue, research about the programme. Check with the higher education institutions in Colombia offering that study programme. Know the admission requirements, entrance/admission exams, application procedure, course structure, fees, financial support and scholarships, student accommodation options and other related things.

The academic requirements in Colombia vary depending upon the institution, study programme and level of study.

Following are the prerequisites for admission to the various higher education institutions study programmes, in addition to those specified by each higher education institution: 

For all undergraduate courses of study, students must hold a secondary school diploma (Bachiller Academico or 

Tecnico certificate) or an equivalent qualification, and also must have undertaken the “State Examination (examen del estado)” for admission to higher education in Colombia.

For specialization programme, students must hold a degree in the related occupation.

For master's programme, students must hold an undergraduate degree. 

For doctorate programme, students must hold a masters degree in a related field.

Apply to the Colombian higher education institution of your Choice directly. Fill in the application form and submit it along with the required documents before the deadline. 

Applicants are required to pass a personal interview and an additional admission exam organized by the higher education institution/ faculty to which they are applying. Click here to know in detail about the admission requirements and procedure for higher studies in Colombia. 

If you're accepted, an admission letter/ acceptance letter is issued by the concerned institution. After receiving the letter of acceptance, apply for scholarship (if required) and visa for Colombia

The Government of Colombia offers scholarships to students for graduate study in Colombian higher education institutions. The Colombian Institute of Educational Credit and Technical Studies Abroad (ICETEX, or  Instituto Colombiano de Credito Educativo y Estudios Tecnicos en el Exterior) is a Colombian government entity that provide scholarships to international students for graduate studies-specialisation, master’s and doctorate in Colombia. Click here to know in detail about the scholarships offered for international students in Colombia. 

International students must apply for study visa after receiving the acceptance letter from the institution. Apply for the Colombian student visa at your nearest Colombian embassy/consulate.