Logo of Universidad de Santiago de Chile

Universidad de Santiago de Chile

Santiago, Chile • Founded 1849 • QS 2027 #551 =

Updated May 2026

Overview

English Name: University of Santiago de Chile
Local Name: University of Santiago de Chile
Acronyms: USACH
Founded: 1849
Institution Type: University
Control Type: Public
Entity Type: Non-profit
Rankings:
QS World University Rankings 2027 #551 = Times Higher Education 2026 #1501-2191 SCImago 2026 #1614
Motto: Labor laetitia nostra
Colours: Blue, orange and white
Mascot: Lion
Logo of Universidad de Santiago de Chile

Founded in 1849, the Universidad de Santiago de Chile (University of Santiago de Chile) is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the large metropolis of Santiago (population range of over 5,000,000 inhabitants), Region Metropolitana de Santiago.

Officially recognized by the Comisión Nacional de Acreditación, Chile (National Accreditation Commission), Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH) is a large-sized coeducational Chilean higher education institution. Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor's degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation), bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.

This 174-year-old Chilean higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations. The acceptance rate range is 20-29% making this Chilean higher education organization a very selective institution.

International students are welcome to apply for enrollment.

USACH also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.

Location & Contact

Universidad de Santiago de Chile's coordinates, postal address, and the contact channels admissions teams respond on. Campus tour bookings often have their own page distinct from general contact channels.

Address: Avenida Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins 3363 Estación Central
Phone: +56 (2) 718 0000
Social Media:

Academic Details

The academic indicators below give context on how Universidad de Santiago de Chile operates at scale. A lower staff-to-student ratio generally signals more faculty access, though research-heavy institutions skew the read.

Academic Year: March to December (March-July; August-December)
Recognition: Comisión Nacional de Acreditación, Chile
Accrediting Agency: National Accreditation Commission (CNA).
Admission Requirements: Secondary school certificate (Licencia de Educación Media) and national entrance examination (Prueba de selección universitaria (PSU))
Student Enrollment: 20,000-24,999
Academic Staff Range: 2,500-2,999
Campus Setting: Urban
Memberships & Networks
Asociación de Universidades Grupo Montevídeo (AUGM) Consortium for North American Higher Education Collaboration (CONAHEC) Red de Educación Continua de Latinoamérica y Europa (RECLA) Organización Universitaria Interamericana (OUI-IOHE) Grupo de Universidades Iberoamericanas La Rábida

Academic Structures

The institutional units housing Universidad de Santiago de Chile's programmes. Subject overlap across faculties is normal — interdisciplinary fields like data science or environmental studies often span multiple units.

Unit 9 items
  • Faculty of Administration and Economics
  • Faculty of Chemistry and Biology
  • Faculty of Engineering
  • Faculty of Humanities
  • Faculty of Law
  • Faculty of Medical Sciences
  • Faculty of Science
  • School of Architecture
  • Technological Faculty

Degrees

Also MBA

Doctoral 14 programs

Doctoral programmes train independent researchers, leading to academic, scientific, and senior advisory careers.

  • American Studies
  • Biotechnology
  • Chemistry
  • Computer Engineering
  • Electronics and Automation
  • Engineering
  • Engineering Management
  • Food Technology
  • History
  • Materials Engineering
  • Mathematics
  • Microbiology
  • Neurosciences
  • Physics
Other 75 programs
  • Accountancy
  • Administration
  • Advertising and Publicity
  • Agricultural Business
  • Applied Physics
  • Architecture
  • Biochemistry
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biotechnology
  • Business Administration
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Chemistry
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Communication Studies
  • Computer Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Cultural Studies
  • Curriculum
  • Design
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Educational Psychology
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Electronic Engineering
  • Engineering
  • Engineering Management
  • English
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Environmental Management
  • Environmental Studies
  • Finance
  • Fine Arts
  • Food Science
  • Food Technology
  • Gender Studies
  • Geological Engineering
  • Heating and Refrigeration
  • History
  • Human Resources
  • Industrial Engineering
  • International Relations and Diplomacy
  • International Studies
  • Japanese
  • Journalism
  • Latin American Studies
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Literature
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Materials Engineering
  • Mathematics
  • Mathematics Education
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Medicine
  • Metallurgical Engineering
  • Midwifery
  • Mining Engineering
  • Nursing
  • Obstetrics and Gynaecology
  • Philosophy
  • Physics
  • Political Sciences
  • Portuguese
  • Psychology
  • Psychotherapy
  • Public Administration
  • Public Health
  • Safety Engineering
  • Social Sciences
  • Spanish
  • Statistics
  • Taxation
  • Telecommunications Engineering
  • Translation and Interpretation

Faculties & Divisions

All faculties operate under Comisión Nacional de Acreditación, Chile.

Administration and Economics (Faculty) 9 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Accountancy
  • Administration
  • Business Administration
  • Economics
  • Finance
  • Human Resources
  • Management
  • Public Administration
  • Taxation

Common Career Paths

  • Economist
  • Policy Analyst
  • Financial Consultant

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Chemistry and Biology (Faculty) 6 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Biochemistry
  • Biological and Life Sciences
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Environmental Studies
  • Microbiology

Common Career Paths

  • Chemist
  • Lab Researcher
  • Quality Control Specialist

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Engineering (Faculty) 17 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Chemical Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Computer Engineering
  • Construction Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Electronics and Automation
  • Engineering
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Geography
  • Heating and Refrigeration
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Materials Engineering
  • Measurement and Precision Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Metallurgical Engineering
  • Mining Engineering
  • Telecommunications Engineering

Common Career Paths

  • Engineer
  • Project Manager
  • Technical Consultant

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Humanities (Faculty) 14 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Arts and Humanities
  • Education
  • Educational Sciences
  • English
  • History
  • Journalism
  • Latin American Studies
  • Linguistics
  • Literature
  • Modern Languages
  • Philosophy
  • Psychology
  • Sports
  • Translation and Interpretation

Common Career Paths

  • Researcher
  • Editor
  • Cultural Analyst

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Law (Faculty) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Law

Common Career Paths

  • Lawyer
  • Legal Consultant
  • Compliance Officer

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Medical Sciences (Faculty) 3 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Medicine
  • Nursing
  • Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Common Career Paths

  • Physician
  • Clinical Researcher
  • Healthcare Specialist

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Sciences (Faculty) 8 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Computer Education
  • Computer Science
  • Mathematics
  • Mathematics and Computer Science
  • Mathematics Education
  • Natural Sciences
  • Physics
  • Statistics

Common Career Paths

  • Research Scientist
  • Lab Technician
  • Analyst

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Technology (Faculty) 8 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Advertising and Publicity
  • Agricultural Business
  • Agricultural Management
  • Food Technology
  • Graphic Design
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Industrial Maintenance
  • Technology
Architecture (School) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Architecture

Common Career Paths

  • Architect
  • Urban Planner
  • Interior Designer

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Programs Offered

The programmes you can apply for at Universidad de Santiago de Chile are grouped by degree level. Programme-level accreditation (separate from institutional) matters for regulated professions like law, medicine, and engineering.

195 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Chile

Doctorate 19 programmes

Showing 10 of 19.

How to apply to Universidad de Santiago de Chile

Below is a five-step path through the application process at Universidad de Santiago de Chile, useful for first-time applicants and international students.

  1. 1
    Research programmes at Universidad de Santiago de Chile

    Universidad de Santiago de Chile's catalogue includes 195 programmes. Browse by level, identify candidates matching your prior qualifications, and note their entry requirements for the next step.

  2. 2
    Review admissions criteria

    Entry requirements vary by programme and degree level. Verify academic minimums, language tests (if international), and any additional documents required for Universidad de Santiago de Chile's admissions process.

  3. 3
    Gather supporting documents

    Typical documents include academic transcripts, identity proof (passport or national ID), language proficiency test scores, a personal statement or motivation letter, and recommendation letters. International applicants should account for translation and notarisation time.

  4. 4
    Lodge your application

    Submit your completed application through Universidad de Santiago de Chile's official website at www.usach.cl. Most institutions use an online portal — register an account, complete the application form, and upload your prepared documents. Keep copies of all submissions and confirmation receipts.

  5. 5
    Confirm receipt and track progress

    Follow up to confirm your application was received and is being processed. Reach the institution by phone at +56 (2) 718 0000. Admissions teams may request interviews or additional documents — respond promptly to keep your application active.

Frequently Asked Questions about Universidad de Santiago de Chile

Common questions students ask about Universidad de Santiago de Chile — answers pulled straight from the institution's published profile.

How old is Universidad de Santiago de Chile?

The institution opened in 1849 (approximately 177 years ago).

What city is Universidad de Santiago de Chile in?

Universidad de Santiago de Chile operates from Santiago, Chile.

Is Universidad de Santiago de Chile public or private?

Universidad de Santiago de Chile is a public institution.

How big is Universidad de Santiago de Chile's student body?

Universidad de Santiago de Chile serves approximately 20,000-24,999 students.

How is Universidad de Santiago de Chile ranked?

It ranks QS 2027 #551 =.

What degrees does Universidad de Santiago de Chile offer?

Programmes at Universidad de Santiago de Chile cover doctoral programmes.

How is Universidad de Santiago de Chile organised academically?

Universidad de Santiago de Chile is organised into 9 academic units across its disciplines.

Is Universidad de Santiago de Chile accredited?

Yes, Universidad de Santiago de Chile is recognised by National Accreditation Commission (CNA)..

What is Universidad de Santiago de Chile's official website?

You can find Universidad de Santiago de Chile online at www.usach.cl.

Members of Grupo de Universidades Iberoamericanas La Rábida

Members of Grupo de Universidades Iberoamericanas La Rábida, alongside Universidad de Santiago de Chile.

Faculties at nearby universities

Also in Santiago: universities located close to Universidad de Santiago de Chile.

Where Else to Study General Engineering

General Engineering is also taught at these universities in Chile.

Universities Compared with Universidad de Santiago de Chile

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