Universidad Nacional
Heredia, Costa Rica • Founded 1973
Overview
Founded in 1973, the Universidad Nacional (National University, Costa Rica) is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the small city of Heredia (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants).
Officially recognized by the Ministerio de Educación Pública, Costa Rica (Ministry of Public Education of Costa Rica), Universidad Nacional (UNA) is a large-sized coeducational Costa Rican higher education institution. Universidad Nacional (UNA) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees and master's degrees in several areas of study.
This 50-year-old Costa Rican higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations. The acceptance rate range is 70-79% making this Costa Rican higher education organization a moderately selective institution.
International students are welcome to apply for enrollment.
UNA also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, sports facilities, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Universidad Nacional's on-the-ground location and digital channels to engage with the institution. Library access for prospective students is often arranged separately through the main library team.
Academic Details
The basic academic profile of Universidad Nacional, including enrolment and faculty composition. Total student count fluctuates intake-to-intake; treat the figure as approximate rather than precise.
Academic Structures
Universidad Nacional delivers teaching through the academic units below — useful for orienting yourself before reading individual programmes. Each unit operates with a degree of academic autonomy.
Unit 4 items
- Department of Earth and Sea and Natural Sciences
- Department of Health Sciences
- Department of Philosophy and Letters
- Department of Social Sciences
Degrees
Degrees offered at Universidad Nacional, organised by academic level for easy browsing. Levels generally follow international qualification frameworks and inform how credits transfer to other systems.
Doctoral 6 programs
Doctoral programmes train independent researchers, leading to academic, scientific, and senior advisory careers.
- Economics
- Latin American Studies
- Natural Sciences
- Social Sciences
- Sociology
- Sports
Other 78 programs
- Acting
- Administration
- Agricultural Engineering
- Agriculture
- Animal Husbandry
- Apiculture
- Applied Linguistics
- Art Education
- Bioengineering
- Biology
- Biotechnology
- Business Education
- Communication Arts
- Dance
- Economics
- Educational Administration
- Educational Technology
- Educational and Student Counselling
- English
- Entomology
- Environmental Engineering
- Environmental Management
- Environmental Studies
- Epidemiology
- Finance
- Foreign Languages Education
- Forest Management
- Forestry
- French
- Geography
- History
- Human Resources
- Human Rights
- Humanities and Social Science Education
- Hydraulic Engineering
- Industrial Chemistry
- Information Management
- Information Technology
- International Business
- International Relations and Diplomacy
- Justice Administration
- Latin American Studies
- Library Science
- Linguistics
- Literature
- Management
- Marine Biology
- Marine Science and Oceanography
- Marketing
- Mathematics Education
- Music
- Music Education
- Native Language Education
- Natural Resources
- Occupational Health
- Pedagogy
- Philosophy
- Physical Education
- Physics
- Preschool Education
- Primary Education
- Psychology
- Religious Education
- Religious Studies
- Science Education
- Secretarial Studies
- Singing
- Sociology
- Special Education
- Sports
- Surveying and Mapping
- Theology
- Tourism
- Toxicology
- Translation and Interpretation
- Transport Management
- Tropical Medicine
- Veterinary Science
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Ministerio de Educación Pública, Costa Rica.
Exact and Natural Sciences (Faculty) 9 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Biology
- Computer Science
- Earth Sciences
- Industrial Chemistry
- Information Technology
- Mathematics
- Natural Sciences
- Science Education
- Surveying and Mapping
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Health Sciences (Faculty) 8 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Epidemiology
- Health Sciences
- Parks and Recreation
- Physical Education
- Sports
- Sports Medicine
- Toxicology
- Veterinary Science
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Land and Sea Sciences (Faculty) 9 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Agricultural Engineering
- Earth Sciences
- Environmental Management
- Forestry
- Geography
- Marine Science and Oceanography
- Surveying and Mapping
- Tropical Agriculture
- Tropical Medicine
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Philosophy and Letters (Faculty) 15 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Applied Linguistics
- English
- French
- Gender Studies
- Human Rights
- Information Sciences
- Justice Administration
- Latin American Studies
- Library Science
- Literature
- Philosophy
- Publishing and Book Trade
- Spanish
- Theology
- Translation and Interpretation
Social Sciences (Faculty) 12 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Business Education
- Economics
- History
- International Business
- International Relations and Diplomacy
- Leadership
- Management
- Psychology
- Social Policy
- Social Sciences
- Social Studies
- Sociology
Common Career Paths
- Researcher
- Policy Analyst
- Social Worker
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
How to apply to Universidad Nacional
Step-by-step guidance for applying to Universidad Nacional, covering the typical sequence from programme selection to admissions follow-up.
- 1 Browse the programme catalogue
Look through the programmes section to see what Universidad Nacional offers. Identify your target qualification level and subject area before continuing with the application process.
- 2 Check eligibility for your chosen programme
Entry requirements vary by programme and degree level. Verify academic minimums, language tests (if international), and any additional documents required for Universidad Nacional's admissions process.
- 3 Get your documents ready
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 Apply through the official channel
Submit your completed application through Universidad Nacional's official website at www.una.ac.cr. 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 Reach out and track your application
Follow up to confirm your application was received and is being processed. Reach the institution by phone at +506 2261 0101. Admissions teams may request interviews or additional documents — respond promptly to keep your application active.
Frequently Asked Questions about Universidad Nacional
The questions below summarise Universidad Nacional's vital institutional details — useful as a quick reference before drilling into specific sections.
How old is Universidad Nacional?
The institution opened in 1973 (approximately 53 years ago).
Where is Universidad Nacional located?
Universidad Nacional is located in Heredia, Costa Rica.
Is Universidad Nacional a public or private institution?
Universidad Nacional operates as a public institution.
What is the student enrolment at Universidad Nacional?
Student enrolment at Universidad Nacional is around 15,000-19,999.
What qualification levels does Universidad Nacional offer?
Universidad Nacional delivers doctoral programmes across its academic units.
How many faculties does Universidad Nacional have?
The institution comprises 4 academic units.
Who recognises Universidad Nacional?
Yes, Universidad Nacional is recognised by Consejo Nacional de Rectores (CONARE); Sistema Nacional de Acreditación de la Educación Superior (SINAES).
What is Universidad Nacional's official website?
You can find Universidad Nacional online at www.una.ac.cr.
Top-Ranked Universities in Costa Rica
Looking for the strongest names in Costa Rica? These are the highest-ranked institutions nationally — useful context for benchmarking Universidad Nacional against the country's most established universities. National benchmarks also signal the upper bound of academic prestige in Costa Rica.
Universities Often Compared with Universidad Nacional
Beyond Universidad Nacional, several other universities operate at a comparable level — by ranking, heritage, or scale. They are worth knowing as you build your shortlist, particularly if you want options at the same competitive tier.
