Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador
Quito, Ecuador • Founded 1946 • World Rank #3330
Overview
Founded in 1946, the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador) is a non-profit private higher education institution located in the urban setting of the metropolis of Quito (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), Pichincha.
Officially recognized by the Consejo de Aseguramiento de la Calidad de la Educación Superior del Ecuador (Council for Quality Assurance of Higher Education of Ecuador), Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (PUCE) is a large-sized coeducational Ecuadorian higher education institution formally affiliated with the Christian-Catholic religion. Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (PUCE) 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 77-year-old Ecuadorian higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic records and grades. International students are welcome to apply for enrollment.
PUCE 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
Address book entry for Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador: location, phone, email, web, and social channels. The press or media office handles institutional inquiries; admissions handles student-specific queries.
Academic Details
The numbers below cover the academic side of Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador. Academic calendar conventions vary — semester, trimester, or quarter systems each carry different teaching rhythms.
Academic Structures
The faculties, schools, and constituent units that make up Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador's academic architecture are listed below. Knowing which unit hosts your subject helps locate the relevant admissions team.
Unit 15 items
- Faculty of Administrative and Accounting Sciences
- Faculty of Architecture, Design and Arts
- Faculty of Communication, Linguistics and Literature
- Faculty of Economics
- Faculty of Education Sciences
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences
- Faculty of Human Sciences
- Faculty of Jurisprudence
- Faculty of Medicine
- Faculty of Nursing
- Faculty of Philosophical and Theological Sciences
- Faculty of Psychology
- School of Bioanalysis
- School of Social Work
Degrees
Whether you're considering bachelor's, master's, or doctoral study at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, qualifications are sorted by level. Stackable credentials (microcredentials adding up to full degrees) appear separately where available.
Other 46 programs
- Accountancy
- Applied Linguistics
- Architecture
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Biology
- Business Administration
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Clinical Psychology
- Communication Arts
- Design
- Economics
- Educational Sciences
- English
- Finance
- Foreign Languages Education
- Geography
- Graphic Design
- Histology
- History
- Hotel Management
- Information Technology
- International Business
- Law
- Literature
- Marketing
- Medical Technology
- Microbiology
- Music Education
- Nursing
- Nutrition
- Philosophy
- Physical Education
- Physical Therapy
- Public Health
- Public Law
- Science Education
- Social Psychology
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Sports
- Surgery
- Technology Education
- Theology
- Tourism
- Visual Arts
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Consejo de Aseguramiento de la Calidad de la Educación Superior del Ecuador.
Architecture, Design and Fine Arts (Faculty) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Architecture
- Design
- Fine Arts
Common Career Paths
- Architect
- Urban Planner
- Interior Designer
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Business Administration and Accountancy (Faculty) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Accountancy
- Business Administration
Common Career Paths
- Business Analyst
- Operations Manager
- Strategy Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Communication, Linguistics and Literature (Faculty) 5 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Communication Studies
- Journalism
- Linguistics
- Literature
- Modern Languages
Common Career Paths
- Journalist
- Public Relations Specialist
- Content Strategist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Economics (Faculty) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Economics
Common Career Paths
- Economist
- Policy Analyst
- Financial Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Education (Faculty) 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.
Engineering (Faculty) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Civil Engineering
- Engineering
- Systems Analysis
Common Career Paths
- Engineer
- Project Manager
- Technical Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Human Sciences (Faculty) 7 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Anthropology
- Ecology
- Geography
- History
- Political Sciences
- Sociology
- Tourism
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- 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.
Medicine (Faculty) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Medicine
Common Career Paths
- Physician
- Medical Researcher
- Clinical Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Natural and Exact Sciences (Faculty) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Natural Sciences
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Nursing (Faculty) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Nursing
- Nutrition
- Physical Therapy
Common Career Paths
- Registered Nurse
- Clinical Nurse
- Public Health Nurse
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Philosophy and Theology (Faculty) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Philosophy
- Theology
Common Career Paths
- Religious Educator
- Pastoral Counsellor
- Faith Community Leader
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Psychology (Faculty) 4 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Clinical Psychology
- Educational Psychology
- Industrial and Organizational Psychology
- Psychology
Common Career Paths
- Psychologist
- Counsellor
- Clinical Researcher
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Bioanalysis (School) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Histology
- Medical Technology
- Microbiology
Social Work (School) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Social Work
Programs Offered
Look through Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador's programmes by level or filter for keywords. Programme-level scholarships exist alongside institution-wide ones; the programme page typically lists them.
Bachelor's Degree
48 programmes
Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador lists 48 programmes that award a bachelor's degree — the foundational tier where students establish a discipline before narrowing their focus later.
Tourism Turismo Tourism & Leisure
Theology Teología Islamic & Quranic Studies
Sociology Sociología Social & Cultural Studies
International Relations Relaciones Internacionales Politics & International Relations
Chemistry Química Chemistry
Dentistry Odontología Dentistry
Organizational Psychology Psicología Organizacional Psychology
Educational Psychology Psicología Educativa Educational Psychology
Clinical Psychology Psicología Clínica Clinical Psychology
Political Science Ciencias Políticas Politics & International Relations
Philosophy Filosofía Philosophy & Ethics
Nursing Enfermería Nursing
Early Childhood Education Educación Inicial Early Childhood Education
Economics Economía Economics
Graphic Design Diseño Gráfico Applied Design
Product Design Diseño de Productos Applied Design
Law Derecho Law
Accounting and Auditing Contabilidad y Auditoría Accounting
Communication Comunicación Communication Studies
Philosophy, Politics and Economics Filosofía, Política y Economía Economics
Biomedical Sciences Ciencias Biomédicas Biomedical & Laboratory Sciences
Data Science Ciencia de Datos Data Science & Analytics
Biology Biología Biological Sciences
Bioengineering Bioingeniería General Engineering
Visual Arts Artes Visuales Visual Arts
Architecture Arquitectura Architecture
Archaeology Arqueología Archaeology
Anthropology Antropología Social & Cultural Studies
Administration in Tourism and Hospitality Administración en Turismo y Hospitalidad Tourism & Leisure
Clinical Laboratory Laboratorio Clínico Medicine
Nutrition and Dietetics Nutrición y Dietética Nutrition & Dietetics
International Business Negocios Internacionales International Business
Microbiology Microbiología Microbiology
Veterinary Medicine Medicina Veterinaria Veterinary Medicine
Medicine Medicina Medicine
Marketing Marketing
Literature Literatura Literature
Linguistics Lingüística Linguistics & Language Studies
Applied Languages and Global Studies Lenguas Aplicadas a los Estudios Globales Politics & International Relations
Business Administration Administración de Empresas Business Administration
Integral Engineering Ingeniería Integral General Engineering
Information Systems Engineering Ingeniería en Sistemas de Información General Engineering
Civil Engineering Ingeniería Civil General Engineering
Hospitality and Hotel Management Hospitalidad y Hotelería Tourism & Leisure
History Historia History
Social Management and Development Gestión Social y Desarrollo Business & Management
Physiotherapy Fisioterapia Physiotherapy
Finance Finanzas Finance, Banking & Insurance
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Master's Degree
29 programmes
Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador provides 29 programmes at master's level for graduates who want to specialise further or strengthen their standing for doctoral applications.
Master's in Economics Maestría en Economía Economics
Master's in Innovation in Education Maestría en Innovación en Educación Education & Teaching
Master's in Civil Engineering - Seismic-Resistant Structures Maestría en Ingeniería Civil - Estructuras Sismorresistentes General Engineering
Master's in Care Management - Emergency Units and Intensive Care Maestría en Gestión del Cuidado - Unidades de Emergencias y Cuidados Intensivos Business & Management
Master's in Applied Geotechnics Maestría en Geotecnia Aplicada
Master's in Gender and Development Maestría en Género y Desarrollo Gender & Sexuality Studies
Master's in Philosophy Maestría en Filosofía Philosophy & Ethics
Master's in Epidemiology for Public Health Maestría en Epidemiología para la Salud Pública Epidemiology
Master's in Education - Physical Education and Sports Maestría en Educación - Educación Física y Deporte Physics & Astronomy
Master's in Diabetes and Obesity Maestría en Diabetes y Obesidad
Master's in Criminal Law Maestría en Derecho Penal Criminal Law & Justice
Master's in Constitutional Law Maestría en Derecho Constitucional Law
Master's in Pedagogy of Experimental Sciences - Mathematics and Physics Maestría en Pedagogía de las Ciencias Experimentales - Matemática y Física Physics & Astronomy
Master's in Big Data and Data Science Maestría en Big Data y Ciencia de Datos Data Science & Analytics 1 year
Master's in Quality Management in Health and Patient Safety Maestría en Gestión de Calidad en Salud y Seguridad del Paciente Business & Management 1 year
Master's in Psychology - Forensic Psychology and Psychological Expertise Maestría en Psicología - Psicología Forense y Peritaje Psicológico Psychology 1 year
Master's in Digital Strategies in Marketing and Communication Maestría en Estrategias Digitales en Marketing y Comunicación Marketing 1 year
Master's in Education - Neurosciences Applied to Education Maestría en Educación - Neurociencias aplicadas a la Educación Neuroscience 1 year
Master's in Human Talent Management Maestría en Gestión del Talento Humano Business & Management 1 year
Master's in Finance - Financial Management Maestría en Finanzas - Dirección Financiera Finance, Banking & Insurance 1 year
Master's in Education - Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Environments Maestría en Educación - Inteligencia Artificial y Entornos Virtuales AI & Machine Learning 1 year
Master's in Business Administration Maestría en Administración de Empresas Business Administration 1 year
Master's in Quality Assurance in Laboratories Maestría en Aseguramiento de la Calidad de Laboratorios Finance, Banking & Insurance
Master's in Sports and Exercise Therapy Maestría en Terapia del Deporte y Ejercicio Health Sciences
Master's in Sustainability and Conservation Planning Maestría en Sostenibilidad y Planificación de la Conservación
Master's in Clinical Psychology - Psychopathology and Psychoanalysis Maestría en Psicología Clínica - Psicopatología y Psicoanálisis Clinical Psychology
Master's in Prevention of Sexual Abuse Maestría en Prevención del Abuso Sexual
Master's in Pedagogy of Experimental Sciences - Chemistry and Biology Maestría en Pedagogía de las Ciencias Experimentales - Química y Biología Chemistry
Master's in Clinical Nutrition for Children and Adolescents Maestría en Nutrición Clínica del Niño y del Adolescente Nutrition & Dietetics
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Associate, Certificate & Other Qualifications
1 programme
Beyond the main degree tiers, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador runs 1 programme as certificates, diplomas, and associate or foundation programmes — useful for upskilling or as a pathway to bachelor's entry.
Specialization in Family and Community Medicine Especialización en Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria Medicine
No programmes match your filter in this level.
How to apply to Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador
Practical steps to apply to Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, suitable as a starting checklist before contacting the admissions team directly.
- 1 Browse the programme catalogue
Start by exploring the programmes section on this page. Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador runs 78 active programmes across multiple degree levels. Narrow by qualification tier and read each programme description before shortlisting.
- 2 Check eligibility for your chosen programme
Before applying to Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, confirm you meet the academic, language, and document requirements for your chosen programme. International applicants should also check visa eligibility for Ecuador.
- 3 Get your documents ready
Standard documents: official transcripts, identity proof, language test results, personal statement, and references. Confirm exact requirements with Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador's admissions office before assembling, as expectations vary by programme.
- 4 Apply through the official channel
Lodge your application through the official website (www.puce.edu.ec). Online forms are the standard route. Save your draft frequently and submit before the programme deadline.
- 5 Reach out and track your application
Verify your application has been received by the admissions team. Reach the institution by phone at +593 (3) 241 6722. Monitor the portal for status updates, interview invitations, or document requests, and respond within the stated deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions about Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador
Quick reference for Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador: founding, control type, student body, rankings, and recognition status in one place.
When did Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador open?
Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador traces its founding to 1946 (approximately 80 years ago).
What city is Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador in?
Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador operates from Quito, Ecuador.
What is Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador's control type?
Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador operates as a private institution.
How big is Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador's student body?
Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador serves approximately 20,000-24,999 students.
How is Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador ranked?
Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador is ranked #3330 globally and #7 in Ecuador.
What is Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador's religious tradition?
Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador is associated with Christian-Catholic.
How many faculties does Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador have?
Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador is organised into 15 academic units across its disciplines.
Is Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador accredited?
Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador is accredited by The Higher Education Quality Assurance Council (CACES).
Where can I learn more about Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador?
You can find Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador online at www.puce.edu.ec.
Top-Ranked Universities in Ecuador
Faculty awards and national-leader status concentrate at the top Ecuador universities. Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador's faculty distinctions compared to leaders signal where the institution sits in academic networks.
Members of International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU)
Network-level rankings exist for some International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU) groupings (e.g., U21, Universitas 21). These differ from country rankings and reflect coordinated members' shared performance.
Other Ecuadorian Universities Affiliated with Christian-Catholic
Universities affiliated with Christian-Catholic often align on chaplaincy provision, campus culture, and community values. These peers of Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador carry the same tradition, useful for students prioritising spiritual continuity alongside academic fit.
Faculties at Nearby Universities
Healthcare and student insurance rules often apply at the regional level around Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador. Nearby universities typically follow the same health-coverage requirements for enrolled students.
Where Else to Study General Engineering
Industry partnership exclusives on General Engineering programmes vary — some Ecuador institutions hold sponsored chairs, others run rotating industry guest-teaching arrangements.
Universities Often Compared with Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador
Looking at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador through a comparison lens? These universities share similar academic positioning and are commonly considered against Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador during the application process. Cross-comparison helps clarify the institutional fit beyond ranking signals.
