Universidad de Costa Rica (San José)

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General information for exchange students

Course information scroll down to STUDENT VISITOR > then look under "Enrollment Intent"

Fact Sheet for more information

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Semester I: 1^st week of August - 1^st week of December
Semester II: 1^st week of March - 2^nd week in July

Orientation generally commences end July for Semester I and end February for Semester II.

Exams take place the 1^st week of December for Semester I and the 1^st and 2^nd week of July for Semester II.

GPA (Average Grade)

The GPA requirement at this university is 8.00 out of 10 but a little bit lower is usually allowed (not lower than 7.5).

English Language Requirement

• A B1 certificate in Spanish is required, but B2 level is recommended to be able to follow courses well
• Any course that provides a certificate is sufficient (e.g. Cervantes)

It is recommended you start your language course early!

Other

• Minimum credits: 12
• Students must arrive on time for Orientation Sessions and for enrolment process.
• Visa procedure is quite expensive (around €600).

• Arts: performing, musical, plastic.
• Sciences: biology (limited to Biology students and to space), mathematics, physics, chemistry.
• Education: teaching, orientation, physical education, administration in education.
• Economic Sciences: business management (limited), public administration, economics/financial, statistics.
• Social Sciences: psychology, political sciences, social work, sociology, anthropology.
• Engineering: electrical, civil, mechanical, chemical, industrial.
• Agronomy: agribusiness, food technology.

No

Almost all courses are in Spanish, a limited amount of courses in English is available

The university coordinates a home stay program, with Costa Rican families. The cost is $425 per month, which includes room and board, meals (twice a day on weekdays, and three times a day on weekends), laundry, and orientation. A$75 fee is charge for family selection procedures.

Students can opt to find alternative housing.

Average living costs are around $850 per month. (Estimate from 2020).

• Accommodation: $425 per month
• Transportation (local): $2.00 per day (approximately)
• Meals (once a day): $4.00 at the Campus cafeteria
• Books and reading material (approximately):
  • For sciences, engineering, and economics $100 per course
  • For Social sciences and others $80 per course

You can find information on this university’s credits in the credit conversion table

2 places per year

Selection was not necessary in the past few years.