Universidad del Norte institutional logo

Universidad del Norte

Barranquilla, Colombia Founded 1966 World Rank #2616

Updated May 2026

Overview

English Name: University of the North
Local Name: Northern University
Acronyms: UNINORTE
Founded: 1966
Institution Type: University
Control Type: Private
Entity Type: Non-profit
World Rank: #2616
Rank in Colombia: #14
Colours: Black and red
View of the Universidad del Norte campus
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Founded in 1966, the Universidad del Norte (Northern University) is a non-profit private higher education institution located in the urban setting of the metropolis of Barranquilla (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), AtlantiCo. Officially recognized by the Ministerio de Educación Nacional, Colombia (Ministry of National Education of Colombia), Universidad del Norte (UNINORTE) is a large-sized coeducational Colombian higher education institution.

Universidad del Norte (UNINORTE) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study. This 58-year-old Colombian higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic records and grades.

The acceptance rate range is 60-69% making this Colombian higher education organization a moderately selective institution. International students are welcome to apply for enrollment.

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

Location & Contact

Mailing address, phone, email, and social channels for Universidad del Norte are gathered below for quick reference. Most enquiries route through the admissions team unless noted otherwise.

Address: Km.5 Vía Puerto Colombia
Other Sites: Also Teaching Hospital and 54 laboratories
Phone: +57 (5) 350 9509
Fax: +57 (5) 359 8852
Social Media:

Academic Details

Universidad del Norte's student-to-faculty composition and recognition standing are listed below. Student support staff (advisers, counsellors) are typically separate from academic staff and often uncounted here.

Academic Year: January to December (January-May; July-December)
Recognition: Ministerio de Educación Nacional, Colombia
Accrediting Agency: Gobernación Departamento del Atlántico; Consejo Nacional de Acreditación; Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET) for Industrial and Mechanical undergraduate programmes; SACS; EQUIS
Admission Requirements: Secondary school certificate (bachillerato) or equivalent, State examination (ICFES), admission test and entrance examination
Student Enrollment: 10
Academic Staff Range: 500-599
Campus Setting: Urban

Degrees

Below: Universidad del Norte's degree portfolio by level. Honours versus general degrees differ in academic depth and graduate-school recognition — read entry requirements carefully.

Doctoral 14 programs

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

  • Business Administration
  • Civil Engineering
  • Communication Studies
  • Computer Engineering
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Law
  • Marine Science and Oceanography
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Natural Sciences
  • Psychology
  • Social Sciences
Other 90 programs
  • Accountancy
  • Administrative Law
  • Applied Physics
  • Architecture
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Biomedicine
  • Business Administration
  • Business and Commerce
  • Civil Engineering
  • Civil Law
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Cognitive Sciences
  • Commercial Law
  • Communication Studies
  • Computer Engineering
  • Computer Networks
  • Constitutional Law
  • Construction Engineering
  • Cultural Studies
  • Dentistry
  • Development Studies
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Educational Administration
  • Educational Technology
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Electronic Engineering
  • Electronics and Automation
  • Engineering Management
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Environmental Management
  • Epidemiology
  • European Studies
  • Family Studies
  • Finance
  • Foreign Languages Education
  • Geology
  • Government
  • Graphic Design
  • Health Administration
  • Higher Education Teacher Training
  • History
  • Human Resources
  • Industrial Design
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Industrial Management
  • Information Technology
  • Insurance
  • International Business
  • International Relations and Diplomacy
  • International Studies
  • Journalism
  • Labour Law
  • Law
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Mass Communication
  • Mathematics
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Medicine
  • Modern Languages
  • Music
  • Nursing
  • Occupational Health
  • Ophthalmology
  • Paediatrics
  • Pedagogy
  • Philosophy
  • Political Sciences
  • Preschool Education
  • Psychiatry and Mental Health
  • Psychology
  • Public Administration
  • Public Health
  • Public Law
  • Radiology
  • Regional Planning
  • Road Engineering
  • Safety Engineering
  • Social Welfare
  • Social Work
  • Social and Community Services
  • Software Engineering
  • Statistics
  • Structural Architecture
  • Taxation
  • Telecommunications Engineering
  • Town Planning
  • Transport Engineering
  • Transport Management

Faculties & Divisions

All faculties operate under Ministerio de Educación Nacional, Colombia.

Urban and Regional Studies (Centre) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Regional Studies
  • Urban Studies
Basic Sciences (Department/Division) 5 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Statistics

Common Career Paths

  • Research Scientist
  • Lab Technician
  • Analyst

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

Engineering (Department/Division) 7 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Civil Engineering
  • Computer Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Electronic Engineering
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering

Common Career Paths

  • Engineer
  • Project Manager
  • Technical Consultant

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

Health Sciences (Department/Division) 3 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Health Sciences
  • Medicine
  • Nursing

Common Career Paths

  • Research Scientist
  • Lab Technician
  • Analyst

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

Humanities and Social Sciences (Department/Division) 7 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Arts and Humanities
  • Economics
  • History
  • Mass Communication
  • Philosophy
  • Psychology
  • Social Sciences

Common Career Paths

  • Researcher
  • Policy Analyst
  • Social Worker

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

Law, Political Science and International Relations (Department/Division) 3 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • International Relations and Diplomacy
  • Law
  • Political Sciences

Common Career Paths

  • Lawyer
  • Legal Consultant
  • Compliance Officer

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

Music (Department/Division) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Music
Education (Institute) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Education

Common Career Paths

  • Teacher
  • Educational Administrator
  • Curriculum Specialist

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

Languages (Institute) 7 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Chinese
  • English
  • French
  • German
  • Italian
  • Portuguese
  • Spanish

Common Career Paths

  • Translator
  • Interpreter
  • Language Teacher

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

Architecture, Urbanism and Design (School) 3 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Architecture
  • Design
  • Town Planning

Common Career Paths

  • Architect
  • Urban Planner
  • Interior Designer

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

Business (School) 3 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Finance
  • International Business
  • Marketing

Common Career Paths

  • Business Analyst
  • Operations Manager
  • Strategy Consultant

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

Programs Offered

Look through Universidad del Norte's programmes by level or filter for keywords. Programme-level scholarships exist alongside institution-wide ones; the programme page typically lists them.

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

Bachelor's Degree 30 programmes

Bachelor's Degree in Administracion de Empresas
Business Administration
Bachelor's Degree in Arquitectura
Architecture
Bachelor's Degree in Ciencia Política y Gobierno
Politics & International Relations
Bachelor's Degree in Comunicacion Social y Periodismo
Journalism
Bachelor's Degree in Contaduría Pública
Accounting
Bachelor's Degree in Derecho
Law
Bachelor's Degree in Diseño Gráfico
Applied Design
Bachelor's Degree in Diseño Industrial
Applied Design
Bachelor's Degree in Economia
Economics
Bachelor's Degree in Enfermeria
Nursing

Showing 10 of 30.

Master's Degree 51 programmes

Maestria en Administracion de Empresas
Business Administration
Maestría en Ciencia Política y Gobierno
Politics & International Relations
Maestria en Ciencias Basicas Biomedicas
Medicine
Maestría en Ciencias Naturales
Biological Sciences
Maestria en Comunicacion
Journalism
Maestría en Cooperación Internacional y Gestión de Proyectos
Politics & International Relations
Maestría en Derecho
Law
Maestría en Derecho Ambiental y Urbano-Territorial
Law
Maestría en Derecho del Comercio
Law
Maestría en Derecho del Comercio y de la Responsabilidad
Law

Showing 10 of 51.

Doctorate 15 programmes

Doctorado en Administración
Business Administration
Doctorado en Ciencias Biomédicas
Medicine
Doctorado en Ciencias del Mar
Biological Sciences
Doctorado en Ciencias Naturales
Doctorado en Ciencias Sociales
Social Work
Doctorado en Comunicación
Journalism
Doctorado en Derecho
Law
Doctorado en Economía
Economics
Doctorado en Educación
Education & Teaching
Doctorado en Ingeniería Civil
Civil Engineering & Construction

Showing 10 of 15.

Postgraduate Certificate 75 programmes

Postgraduate Certificate in Especializacion en Analisis y Dise¿O de Estructuras
Civil Engineering & Construction
Postgraduate Certificate in Especializacion en Analisis y Gestion Ambiental
Environmental Engineering
Postgraduate Certificate in Especializacion en Arqueologia
Library Science
Postgraduate Certificate in Especializacion en Ciencia Politica
Politics & International Relations
Postgraduate Certificate in Especialización en Derecho Administrativo
Law
Postgraduate Certificate in Especialización en Derecho Ambiental, Territorial y Urbanístico
Law
Postgraduate Certificate in Especialización en Derecho Civil y de Familia
Law
Postgraduate Certificate in Especializacion en Derecho Comercial
Law
Postgraduate Certificate in Especialización en Derecho Constitucional
Law
Postgraduate Certificate in Especialización en Derecho de Sociedades
Law

Showing 10 of 75.

How to apply to Universidad del Norte

The standard application path for Universidad del Norte, broken into five practical steps with the documents and channels you will need at each stage.

  1. 1
    Identify the right programme

    Universidad del Norte's catalogue includes 171 programmes. Browse by level, identify candidates matching your prior qualifications, and note their entry requirements for the next step.

  2. 2
    Check entry requirements

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

  3. 3
    Prepare your application 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
    Submit via the institution

    Submit your completed application through Universidad del Norte's official website at www.uninorte.edu.co. 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
    Get in touch with admissions

    Follow up to confirm your application was received and is being processed. Reach the institution by phone at +57 (5) 350 9509. Admissions teams may request interviews or additional documents — respond promptly to keep your application active.

Frequently Asked Questions about Universidad del Norte

Concise answers to the most-searched questions about Universidad del Norte, useful as a quick orientation before exploring the rest of the profile.

When was Universidad del Norte founded?

Universidad del Norte was established in 1966 (approximately 60 years ago).

Where is Universidad del Norte located?

Universidad del Norte is located in Barranquilla, Colombia.

Is Universidad del Norte a public or private institution?

Universidad del Norte operates as a private institution.

What is the student enrolment at Universidad del Norte?

Student enrolment at Universidad del Norte is around 10,000-14,999.

Where does Universidad del Norte stand in university rankings?

Universidad del Norte is ranked #2616 globally and #14 in Colombia.

What qualification levels does Universidad del Norte offer?

Universidad del Norte offers doctoral programmes.

Is Universidad del Norte officially recognised?

The institution holds recognition from Gobernación Departamento del Atlántico; Consejo Nacional de Acreditación; Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET) for Industrial and Mechanical undergraduate programmes; SACS; EQUIS.

What is Universidad del Norte's official website?

Universidad del Norte's official website is www.uninorte.edu.co.

Top-Ranked Universities in Colombia

A quick benchmark: here are the top-ranked universities in Colombia. Useful for understanding how Universidad del Norte compares against the national reference points in higher education, and what alternatives exist if reach institutions are part of your strategy.

Faculties at nearby universities

Regional admissions cycle quirks (early-deadline schemes, regional aid programmes) apply consistently across the universities near Universidad del Norte. Worth knowing during shortlisting.

Where Else to Study Law

Alumni outcomes data publication varies across Law programmes in Colombia. Where available, post-grad employment and salary data is the best signal of programme quality beyond marketing claims.

Universities Compared with Universidad del Norte

Joint research consortia among universities at Universidad del Norte's level — shared grants, co-supervision arrangements — make peer institutions natural collaborators rather than just competitors.

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