Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana
Medellín, Colombia • Founded 1936 • World Rank #2217
Overview
Established in 1937, the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana (Pontificia Bolivariana University) is a non-profit private higher education institution located in the urban setting of the metropolis of Medellín (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), Antioquia.
This institution also has branch campuses in Bogotá, Bucaramanga, Montería and Palmira. Officially recognized by the Ministerio de Educación Nacional, Colombia (Ministry of National Education of Colombia), Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana (UPB) is a large-sized coeducational Colombian higher education institution formally affiliated with the Christian-Catholic religion.
Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana (UPB) 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 87-year-old Colombian higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic records and grades.
International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.
UPB also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Location pin, postal address, phone, email, website, and social profiles for Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana. Always verify channels through the official domain to avoid third-party impersonators.
Academic Details
A snapshot of Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana's academic profile — enrolment, staffing, and the bodies recognising its work. Useful as a benchmark when comparing against peer institutions or national leaders.
Degrees
Also MBA; Especialización in Protective Services offered with Universidad Militar Nueva Granada
Doctoral 11 programs
Doctoral programmes train independent researchers, leading to academic, scientific, and senior advisory careers.
- Communication Studies
- Design
- Education
- Engineering
- Engineering Management
- Information Technology
- Law
- Medicine
- Philosophy
- Political Sciences
- Theology
Other 105 programs
- Administration
- Administrative Law
- Advertising and Publicity
- Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering
- Agricultural Business
- Agricultural Engineering
- Anaesthesiology
- Architecture
- Art Management
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Biomedical Engineering
- Business Administration
- Business Computing
- Business and Commerce
- Cardiology
- Chemical Engineering
- Cinema and Television
- Civil Law
- Clinical Psychology
- Commercial Law
- Communication Studies
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Graphics
- Computer Science
- Consumer Studies
- Criminal Law
- Data Processing
- Dermatology
- Design
- Development Studies
- Economics
- Education
- Educational Psychology
- Educational Sciences
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronic Engineering
- Electronics and Automation
- Endocrinology
- Energy Engineering
- Engineering
- Engineering Management
- Environmental Engineering
- Environmental Management
- Environmental Studies
- Ethics
- Family Studies
- Fashion Design
- Finance
- Fiscal Law
- Foreign Languages Education
- Graphic Design
- Health Administration
- Health Sciences
- Heritage Preservation
- History
- Human Resources
- Humanities and Social Science Education
- Industrial Design
- Industrial Engineering
- Industrial Management
- Information Technology
- Interior Design
- International Business
- Journalism
- Labour Law
- Landscape Architecture
- Law
- Literature
- Management
- Marketing
- Mass Communication
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Medicine
- Midwifery
- Nanotechnology
- Natural Resources
- Natural Sciences
- Nephrology
- Nursing
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Ophthalmology
- Orthopaedics
- Paediatrics
- Philosophy
- Political Sciences
- Private Law
- Psychiatry and Mental Health
- Psychology
- Psychotherapy
- Public Administration
- Radiology
- Rehabilitation and Therapy
- Rheumatology
- Robotics
- Social Psychology
- Social Sciences
- Social Work
- Surgery
- Telecommunications Engineering
- Textile Technology
- Theology
- Treatment Techniques
- Urban Studies
- Writing
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Ministerio de Educación Nacional, Colombia.
Architecture and Design (School) 4 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Architecture
- Fashion Design
- Graphic Design
- Industrial Design
Common Career Paths
- Architect
- Urban Planner
- Interior Designer
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Economics, Administration and Commerce (School) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Business Administration
- Economics
- International Business
Common Career Paths
- Economist
- Policy Analyst
- Financial Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Education and Pedagogy (School) 4 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Art Education
- Education
- Foreign Languages Education
- Native Language Education
Common Career Paths
- Teacher
- Educational Administrator
- Curriculum Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Engineering (School) 14 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Administration
- Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering
- Agricultural Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronic Engineering
- Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Safety Engineering
- Telecommunications Engineering
- Textile Technology
Common Career Paths
- Engineer
- Project Manager
- Technical Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Health Sciences (School) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Medicine
- Nursing
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Law and Political Science (School) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- 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.
Social Sciences (School) 5 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Advertising and Publicity
- Journalism
- Mass Communication
- Psychology
- Social Work
Common Career Paths
- Researcher
- Policy Analyst
- Social Worker
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Theology, Philosophy and Humanities (School) 6 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- History
- Humanities and Social Science Education
- Literature
- Philosophy
- Religious Education
- Theology
Common Career Paths
- Researcher
- Editor
- Cultural Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Programs Offered
Every programme Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana currently runs, grouped by degree level and searchable. Status and intake details vary by programme — verify with the institution before committing to applications.
Bachelor's Degree
62 programmes
Browse 62 programmes at Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana for undergraduate entry. Each combines core theory with the credits needed to progress toward honours or a master's.
Economia Business Administration
Administración de Negocios Internacionales Business Administration
Derecho Law
Trabajo Social Social Work
Licenciatura en Educacion Basica con Enfasis en el Area de Humanidades, Lengua Castellana e Idioma e Education & Teaching
Diseño Gráfico Applied Design
Arquitectura Architecture
Licenciatura en Educacion Basica con Enfasis en el Area de Educacion Artistica Education & Teaching
Historia Geography
Licenciatura en Inglés-Español Education & Teaching
Ingenieria Aeronautica Mechanical Engineering
Economia y Desarrollo Economics
Ciencias Políticas Politics & International Relations
Licenciatura en Inglés y Español Education & Teaching
Medicina Medicine
Ingeniería Administrativa Engineering Management
Ingeniería en Diseño de Entretenimiento Digital Software Engineering
Diseño de Vestuario Applied Design
Negocios Internacionales Business Administration
Ciencias Políticas y Gobierno Psychology
Administracion en Negocios Internacionales Business Administration
Filosofia Philosophy & Ethics
Estudios Literarios Linguistics & Language Studies
Ingeniería en Calidad Engineering Management
Licenciatura en Educacion Basica con Enfasis en el Area de Humanidadeslengua Castellana e Idioma Ex Education & Teaching
Ingenieria Textil Chemical Engineering
Licenciatura en Ingles - Espa¿Ol Education & Teaching
Ingeniería en Ciencia de Datos Software Engineering
Ingeniería en Nanotecnología General Engineering
Filosofia y Letras Philosophy & Ethics
Ingenieria de Telecomunicaciones Electrical Engineering
Ingenieria Civil Civil Engineering & Construction
Administracion de Empresas Business Administration
Ingenieria Mecanica Mechanical Engineering
Comunicacion Social - Periodismo Journalism
Dise¿O Grafico Applied Design
Comunicacion Social- Periodismo Journalism
Teología Philosophy & Ethics
Enfermeria Nursing
Gestión del Emprendimiento y la Innovación Economics
Psicologia Psychology
Ingenieria en Informatica Software Engineering
Ingenieria Sanitaria y Ambiental Environmental Engineering
Publicidad Advertising & Digital Marketing
Licenciatura en Español e Inglés Linguistics & Language Studies
Licenciatura en Etnoeducación con Enfasis en Ciencias Sociales Education & Teaching
Diseño Industrial Applied Design
Ingenieria Quimica Chemical Engineering
Licenciatura en Educación Artística Education & Teaching
Licenciatura en Etnoeducacion con ¿Nfasis en Ciencias Sociales Education & Teaching
Licenciatura en Educacion Religiosa Education & Teaching
Ingenieria Electronica Electrical Engineering
Licenciatura en Filosofia Education & Teaching
Ingenieria Informatica Software Engineering
Ingenieria Industrial Industrial & Systems Engineering
Comunicacion Social y Periodismo Journalism
Ingenieria Ambiental Environmental Engineering
Licenciatura en Filosofia y Letras Education & Teaching
Ingenieria de Sistemas e Informatica Software Engineering
Licenciatura en Etnoeducacion Education & Teaching
Ingenieria Eléctrica Electrical Engineering
Ingenieria Agroindustrial Agribusiness
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Master's Degree
46 programmes
Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana offers 46 programmes at master's level — postgraduate programmes that deepen a specialism, usually over one to two years after a bachelor's degree.
Maestria en Innovación en Agronegocios Agribusiness
Maestria en Psicología y Salud Mental Psychology
Maestria en Comportamiento del Consumidor Psychology
Maestría en Procesos de Aprendizaje y Enseñanza de Segundas Lenguas Education & Teaching
Maestria en Comunicación Organizacional Journalism
Maestría en Sostenibilidad Agribusiness
Maestria en Diseño del Paisaje Applied Design
Maestría en Gestión Humana para Organizaciones Saludables Psychology
Maestria en Comunicacion Digital Journalism
Maestria en Gestión de la Educación Education & Teaching
Maestria en Biotecnologia Biological Sciences
Maestría en Arquitectura. Crítica y Proyecto Architecture
Maestría en Ciencias Médicas Medicine
Maestría en Industrias Creativas y Culturales Visual Arts
Maestria en Gestion Estratégica de la Información y el Conocimiento Business Administration
Maestría en Psicología Psychology
Maestria en Cine Documental Journalism
Maestría en Psicología Social Psychology
Maestria en Urbanismo Architecture
Maestria en Gestion Tecnologica Business Administration
Maestria en Filosofia Philosophy & Ethics
Maestría en Gestión Integral y Calidad en Salud Business Administration
Maestria en Estudios Politicos Politics & International Relations
Maestría en Economía de la Innovación y el Cambio Técnico Business Administration
Maestria en Diseño de Producto con Textiles Tecnologicos Applied Design
Maestria en Derecho Privado Law
Maestria en Diseño y Gestión de Procesos Industriales Industrial & Systems Engineering
Maestría en Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación Software Engineering
Maestria en Desarrollo Social Work
Maestria en Ingenieria Electronica Electrical Engineering
Maestria en Administracion Business Administration
Maestría en Psicoterapia Psychology
Maestria en Terapia Familiar Social Work
Maestría en Educación Education & Teaching
Maestría en Derecho Law
Maestria en Psicopedagogia Education & Teaching
Maestría en Ingeniería Civil Civil Engineering & Construction
Maestria en Dirección de Marketing Business Administration
Maestría en Enfermería Oncológica Nursing
Maestria en Ingenieria General Engineering
Maestria en Bioetica y Bioderecho
Maestria en Teologia Philosophy & Ethics
Maestria en Gerencia de Proyectos Business Administration
Maestria en Televisión Digital Journalism
Maestría en Literatura Education & Teaching
Maestria en Ciencias Naturales y Matemática
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Doctorate
10 programmes
Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana delivers 10 programmes at doctoral level for graduates committed to advancing the frontier of their discipline through original inquiry.
Doctorado en Educacion Education & Teaching
Doctorado en Ciencias Medicas Medicine
Doctorado en Ciencias Sociales Social Work
Doctorado en Gestión de la Tecnología y la Innovación General Engineering
Doctorado en Estudios de Diseño Applied Design
Doctorado en Ingeniería con Enfasis en Energia y Telecomunicaciones General Engineering
Doctorado en Estudios Políticos y Jurídicos Politics & International Relations
Doctorado en Ingeniería General Engineering
Doctorado en Teologia Philosophy & Ethics
Doctorado en Filosofía Philosophy & Ethics
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Associate, Certificate & Other Qualifications
109 programmes
Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana offers 109 programmes as shorter-cycle and preparatory qualifications, a flexible tier for skills-focused learners or those bridging into undergraduate study.
Especializacion en Enfermeria Cardiovascular Nursing
Especializacion en Ginecologia y Obstetricia Medicine
Especialización en la Enseñanza del Inglés Education & Teaching
Especializacion en Familia Social Work
Especializacion en Derecho de Familia, Infancia y Adolescencia Law
Especialización en Gestión de Proyectos Business Administration
Especializacion en Automatica Electrical Engineering
Especialización en Ergonomía Industrial & Systems Engineering
Especialización en Radiología e Imágenes Diagnósticas
Especialización en Gestión y Desarrollo Agroindustrial Agribusiness
Especialización en Automatización y Control Industrial Electrical Engineering
Especializacion en Medicina de la Actividad Fisica y el Deporte Medicine
Especializacion en Psicologia Clinica Psychology
Especializacion en Dolor y Cuidado Paliativo Medicine
Especialización en Diseño de Mobiliario Industrial & Systems Engineering
Especialización en Cuidados Paliativos Nursing
Especializacion en Legislación Tributaria Law
Especializacion en Gerencia en Economia y Finanzas de la Salud Business Administration
Especializacion en Gerencia de Mercadeo Business Administration
Especialización en Finanzas
Especialización en Mercadeo Internacional Industrial & Systems Engineering
Especializacion en Educacion Ambiental Education & Teaching
Especializacion en Gerencia de Sistemas y Tecnologia Business Administration
Especialización en Responsabilidad Civil y Seguros Law
Especializacion en Gestion de la Innovacion Tecnologica Business Administration
Especializacion en Cirugia General Medicine
Especialización en Interventoría de Obras Civiles Civil Engineering & Construction
Especialización en Ortopedia y Traumatología Pediátrica Medicine
Especializacion en Gestion Ambiental Business Administration
Especialización en Enfermedades Infecciosas Medicine
Especialización en Endocrinología, Diabetes y Metabolismo del Adulto
Especializacion en Medicina Interna Medicine
Especialización en Derecho Penal y Procesal Penal Law
Especializacion en Oftalmologia Medicine
Especializacion en Agronegocios Agriculture
Especialización en Inteligencia de Negocios Software Engineering
Especializacion en Gerencia de la Comunicacion Organizacional Journalism
Especialización en Derecho Urbanístico e Inmobiliario Law
Especializacion en Cirugia Cardiovascular Medicine
Especialización en Gerencia e Interventoria de Obras Civiles Civil Engineering & Construction
Especializacion en Derecho Medico Law
Especializacion en Derecho Privado Law
Especialización en Derecho Procesal Civil Law
Especializacion en Gestion Empresarial para la Arquitectura Business Administration
Especializacion en Derecho Financiero y del Mercado de Valores Law
Especializacion en Medicina Deportiva Medicine
Especializacion en Proyectos de Arquitectura Interior Architecture
Especializacion en Didactica de las Ciencias: Fisica y Matematicas Education & Teaching
Especializacion en Anestesiologia Medicine
Especialización en Neonatologia Medicine
Especializacion en Medicina Critica y Cuidados Intensivos Medicine
Especializacion en Cardiologia Medicine
Especializacion en Gestion Estrategica de la Comunicacion
Tecnología en Gestion Aeronáutica Industrial & Systems Engineering
Especializacion en Enfermeria Pediatrica Nursing
Especializacion en Diseño Estrategico e Innovacion Applied Design
Especializacion en Ingenieria Biomedica Bio & Biomedical Engineering
Especializacion en Cardiologia Intervencionista y Hemodinámica Medicine
Especialización en Gerencia de Mantenimiento y Confiabilidad Mechanical Engineering
Especialización en Gestión para la Intervención del Patrimonio Cultural Civil Engineering & Construction
Especializacion Gerencia de la Comunicacion Organizacional Journalism
Especializacion en Dermatologia Medicine
Especialización en Economía de la Innovación y el Cambio Técnico Business Administration
Especializacion en Medicina Materno Fetal
Especialización en Endocrinología Medicine
Especializacion en Literatura: Produccion de Textos e Hipertextos Education & Teaching
Especialización en Enseñanza del Inglés Education & Teaching
Especialización en Reumatologia Medicine
Especializacion en Gerencia Business Administration
Especializacion en Derecho Administrativo Law
Especialización en Gerencia de Proyectos Business Administration
Especializacion en Gerencia del Talento Humano Business Administration
Especializacion en Nefrologia Medicine
Especializacion en Derecho Procesal Law
Especialización en Gerencia de Tecnologías de Información Software Engineering
Especializacion en Anestesia Cardiovascular Medicine
Especializacion en Estrategia Gerencial y Prospectiva Business Administration
Especializacion en Derecho del Trabajo y de la Seguridad Social Law
Especialización en Sistemas Integrados de Gestión Industrial & Systems Engineering
Especializacion en Cardiologia Pediatrica Medicine
Especializacion en Gerencia para Ingenieros Business Administration
Especializacion en Ortopedia y Traumatologia Medicine
Especializacion en Pediatria Medicine
Especialización en Preservación y Conservación de los Recursos Naturales Environmental Engineering
Especialización en Seguridad Informática Software Engineering
Especializacion en Ingenieria Ambiental Environmental Engineering
Especializacion en Derecho Comercial Law
Especializacion en Gerencia Publica Business Administration
Especializacion en Sistemas de Transmision y Distribucion de Energia Electrica Electrical Engineering
Especializacion en Ecocardiografia Medicine
Especialización en Control e Instrumentación Industrial Electrical Engineering
Especializacion en Derecho Penal Law
Especialización en Derecho Público Law
Especialización en Psiquiatría de Enlace Medicine
Especializacion en Gerencia Financiera Business Administration
Especialización en Derecho Contractual y Teoría de la Responsabilidad Law
Especializacion en Gestion Humana Business Administration
Especialización en Vías Terrestres Civil Engineering & Construction
Especializacion en Comunicación y Periodismo Digital Journalism
Especializacion en Psicologia Clinica y Salud Mental Psychology
Especializacion en Psiquiatria Medicine
Especialización en Ingeniería Ambiental para el Control y Preservación del Medio Ambiente Environmental Engineering
Especializacion en Telecomunicaciones Electrical Engineering
Especializacion en Gerencia de Marketing Business Administration
Especialización en Cognición y Neuroaprendizaje en Ambiente Escolar Psychology
Especialización en Legislación Financiera y del Mercado de Valores Law
Especializacion en Diseño Integral de Envases, Empaques y Embalajes Industrial & Systems Engineering
Especializacion en Gerencia del Ambiente Environmental Engineering
Especialización en Psicología Social Aplicada Psychology
No programmes match your filter in this level.
How to apply to Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana
A practical five-step guide to applying to Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, from programme research through submission and follow-up.
- 1 Browse the programme catalogue
Begin by reviewing the programmes section above. Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana offers 227 programmes grouped by qualification level. Decide on a target tier (bachelor's, master's, or doctoral) before narrowing by subject.
- 2 Check eligibility for your chosen programme
Each programme at Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana has its own entry requirements — academic minimums, language proficiency, supporting documents, and sometimes interviews or portfolios. Check the programme-specific page or contact admissions to confirm eligibility.
- 3 Get your documents ready
Most applications require certified academic records, identification documents, language test certificates (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent for English-medium programmes), CV/résumé, and a statement of purpose. Allow extra time for document authentication.
- 4 Apply through the official channel
Apply directly via Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana's online portal at www.upb.edu.co. Complete the application form, upload supporting documents, and pay any application fee. Confirmation emails typically arrive within a few business days.
- 5 Reach out and track your application
After submitting, confirm receipt with the admissions office and track your application status through the portal. You can reach the institution by email at [email protected] or by phone at +57 (4) 354 4546. Set reminders for any interview requests, additional document submissions, or admission decision deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions about Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana
A short Q&A covering Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana's essentials — founding, location, scale, ranking, and academic structure.
When was Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana founded?
Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana was established in 1936 (approximately 90 years ago).
Where is Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana located?
Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana is located in Medellín, Colombia.
What is Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana's control type?
It is a private higher-education institution.
What is the student enrolment at Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana?
Student enrolment at Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana is around 10,000-14,999.
How is Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana ranked?
Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana is ranked #2217 globally and #9 in Colombia.
What programmes are available at Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana?
Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana offers doctoral programmes.
What is Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana's religious tradition?
Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana operates within the Christian-Catholic tradition.
Is Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana accredited?
Yes, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana is recognised by Ministerio de Educación Nacional; Ministerio de Gobierno.
What is Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana's official website?
You can find Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana online at www.upb.edu.co.
Top-Ranked Universities in Colombia
International student mix at Colombia's top universities tends to be higher than at lower-ranked institutions. This affects campus culture and the value of student networks for international students.
Members of International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU)
Coordination on academic calendars among International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU) members eases exchange programme logistics. Aligned terms reduce timing friction when moving between Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana and other members.
Other Colombian Universities Affiliated with Christian-Catholic
Faith-based scholarships exist at most Christian-Catholic institutions, sometimes restricted to coreligionists, sometimes open to all. The peers below often run parallel funding programmes.
Faculties at Nearby Universities
Regional language considerations matter when comparing universities near Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana. Bilingual or minority-language regions may shape teaching, signage, and daily life consistently across the cluster.
Where Else to Study Business Administration
If Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana is on your shortlist for studying Business Administration, these peer institutions in Colombia offer comparable academic depth, industry links, and graduate outcomes. Cross-applying to multiple is common practice in this discipline.
Universities Often Compared with Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana
Peer universities to Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana by academic scale and prestige are listed below. These often share comparable faculty depth, research output, and graduate outcomes, making the comparison more meaningful than ranking alone.
