Catholic University of Santa María
Arequipa, Peru • Founded 1961 • World Rank #3897
Overview
Founded in 1961, the Universidad Católica de Santa María (Santa María Catholic University) is a private higher education institution located in the metropolis of Arequipa (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants).
Officially recognized by the Ministerio de Educación, Peru (Ministry of Education of Peru), Universidad Católica de Santa María (UCSM) is a coeducational Peruvian higher education institution formally affiliated with the Christian-Catholic religion. Universidad Católica de Santa María (UCSM) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees in several areas of study.
This 62-year-old Peruvian higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations. UCSM also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Catholic University of Santa María'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
Catholic University of Santa María'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.
Degrees
Also Professional Titles
Doctoral 7 programs
Doctoral programmes train independent researchers, leading to academic, scientific, and senior advisory careers.
- Communication Studies
- Dentistry
- Education
- Health Sciences
- Law
- Medicine
- Social Sciences
Other 55 programs
- Accountancy
- Advertising and Publicity
- Agricultural Engineering
- Agronomy
- Archaeology
- Architecture
- Biochemistry
- Bioengineering
- Biology
- Biotechnology
- Business Administration
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Communication Studies
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Constitutional Law
- Dentistry
- Economics
- Education
- Educational Psychology
- Electrical Engineering
- Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Finance
- Food Technology
- Health Administration
- Health Sciences
- Higher Education
- Hotel Management
- Human Resources
- Industrial Engineering
- Law
- Marketing
- Materials Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Medicine
- Midwifery
- Modern Languages
- Nursing
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Occupational Health
- Paediatrics
- Pharmacy
- Physics
- Political Sciences
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Public Health
- Social Sciences
- Social Work
- Theology
- Tourism
- Veterinary Science
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Ministerio de Educación, Peru.
Accountancy and Finance (Faculty) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Accountancy
- Business Administration
- Finance
Common Career Paths
- Financial Analyst
- Investment Banker
- Risk Manager
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (Faculty) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Architecture
- Civil Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
Common Career Paths
- Engineer
- Project Manager
- Technical Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Biological and Chemical Science and Engineering (Faculty) 8 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Agricultural Engineering
- Agronomy
- Bioengineering
- Biology
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Food Technology
- Veterinary Science
Common Career Paths
- Engineer
- Project Manager
- Technical Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Economics and Business Administration (Faculty) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Business Administration
- Economics
Common Career Paths
- Business Analyst
- Operations Manager
- Strategy Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Human 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.
Law and Political Sciences (Faculty) 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.
Nursing (Faculty) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Nursing
Common Career Paths
- Registered Nurse
- Clinical Nurse
- Public Health Nurse
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Obstetrics and Paediatrics (Faculty) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Midwifery
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Paediatrics
Odontology (Faculty) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Dentistry
Pharmacy, Biochemistry and Biotechnology (Faculty) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Biochemistry
- Biotechnology
- Pharmacy
Common Career Paths
- Pharmacist
- Clinical Pharmacist
- Pharmaceutical Researcher
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Physics and Materials Engineering (Faculty) 7 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Materials Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Physics
Common Career Paths
- Engineer
- Project Manager
- Technical Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Social Sciences and Humanities (Faculty) 10 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Advertising and Publicity
- Archaeology
- Communication Studies
- Education
- Hotel Management
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Social Work
- Theology
- Tourism
Common Career Paths
- Researcher
- Policy Analyst
- Social Worker
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Computer Science (Institute) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Computer Science
Common Career Paths
- Software Engineer
- Data Scientist
- Systems Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Languages (Institute) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Modern Languages
Common Career Paths
- Translator
- Interpreter
- Language Teacher
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Programs Offered
The programmes available at Catholic University of Santa María are organised by level. Most institutions cluster intake decisions by faculty, so application timelines often run in waves through the year.
Bachelor's Degree
37 programmes
Catholic University of Santa María lists 37 programmes that award a bachelor's degree — the foundational tier where students establish a discipline before narrowing their focus later.
Ingeniería Agronómica y Agrícola General Engineering
Ingeniería de Industria Alimentaria Performing Arts
Teología Islamic & Quranic Studies
Diseño Gráfico Publicitario Performing Arts
Comunicación Social Communication Studies
Economía y Finanzas Economics
Ciencia Política y Gobierno Politics & International Relations
Psicología Psychology
Ingeniería Ambiental General Engineering
Ingeniería Biotecnológica General Engineering
Ingeniería de Sistemas General Engineering
Ingeniería Industrial General Engineering
Ingeniería de Minas General Engineering
Arquitectura Architecture
Ingeniería Civil General Engineering
Ingeniería Mecánica Eléctrica General Engineering
Ingeniería Mecánica General Engineering
Ingeniería Mecatrónica General Engineering
Turismo y Hotelería Tourism & Leisure
Turismo y Gastronomía Physics & Astronomy
Trabajo Social Social Work
Derecho Law
Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia Veterinary Medicine
Educación Primaria Education & Teaching
Educación Secundaria Education & Teaching
Educación Inicial Education & Teaching
Contabilidad Accounting
Ingeniería Comercial General Engineering
Administración de Empresas Religious Studies
Publicidad y Multimedia Media Studies & Mass Media
Marketing y Gestión Comercial Marketing
Marketing Digital Marketing
Medicina Humana Medicine
Enfermería Nursing
Farmacia y Bioquímica Pharmacy
Obstetricia y Puericultura Medicine
Odontología Dentistry
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Master's Degree
44 programmes
Explore 44 programmes of postgraduate study at Catholic University of Santa María. A master's degree sharpens specialist knowledge and often carries a dissertation or major project.
Maestría en Estimulación Temprana Integral Development Studies
Maestría en Educación Superior Development Studies
Maestría en Producción y Salud Animal Animal Science
Maestría en Religiones y Culturas Andinas Religious Studies
Maestría en Doctrina Social de la Iglesia Development Studies
Maestría en Comunicación y Marketing Marketing
Maestría en Proyectos de Inversión Development Studies
Maestría en Gerencia Social y Recursos Humanos Human Resource Management
Maestría en Psicología Educativa Development Studies
Maestría en Química del Medio Ambiente Chemistry
Maestría en Planificación y Gestión Ambiental Development Studies
Maestría en Sustentabilidad y Medio Ambiente Environmental Sciences
Maestría en Proyectación, Construcción y Gestión de Vivienda Colectiva Development Studies
Maestría en Gerencia de la Construcción Development Studies
Maestría en Ingeniería de Mantenimiento General Engineering
Maestría en Salud Pública Public Health
Maestría en Salud Ocupacional y del Medio Ambiente Environmental Sciences
Maestría en Derecho Penal Criminal Law & Justice
Maestría en Derecho Procesal y Administración de Justicia Law
Maestría en Derechos Humanos Development Studies
Maestría en Derecho Medio Ambiental Development Studies
Maestría en Derecho del Trabajo y de la Seguridad Social Development Studies
Maestría en Derecho de Familia Development Studies
Maestría en Derecho Civil Civil & Private Law
Maestría en Derecho de la Empresa Development Studies
Maestría en Salud Mental del Niño, del Adolescente y de la Familia Development Studies
Maestría en Gestión y Dirección de las Instituciones de la Educación Development Studies
Maestría en Medicina Bioenergética Medicine
Maestría en Administración de Negocios Religious Studies
Maestría en Gestión de Innovación y Negocios Tecnológicos Development Studies
Maestría en Marketing Marketing
Maestría en Gestión del Desarrollo y Gerencia Social Development Studies
Maestría en Gestión Pública Development Studies
Maestría en Enfermería Development Studies
Maestría en Odontología con Mención en Patología Dentistry
Maestría en Bioquímica y Biología Molecular Biological Sciences
Maestría en Osteopatía Development Studies
Maestría en Ciencias Biomédicas Biomedical & Laboratory Sciences
Maestría en Odontoestomatología Dentistry
Maestría en Contabilidad y Finanzas Development Studies
Maestría en Gerencia en Salud Development Studies
Maestría en Derecho Constitucional Development Studies
Maestría en Tutoría y Consejería Educativa Development Studies
Maestría en Educación con Mención en Gestión de los Entornos Virtuales para el Aprendizaje Development Studies
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Doctorate
12 programmes
Browse 12 programmes of research-degree study at Catholic University of Santa María. Each culminates in a thesis defended before examiners as an original scholarly contribution.
Doctorado en Economía y Negocios Internacionales Economics
Doctorado en Ciencias Sociales Development Studies
Doctorado en Matemática Aplicada Mathematics
Doctorado en Ciencias Ambientales Development Studies
Doctorado en Ingeniería Industrial General Engineering
Doctorado en Ingeniería Mecánica General Engineering
Doctorado en Derecho Development Studies
Doctorado en Medicina Medicine
Doctorado en Administración Religious Studies
Doctorado en Ciencias de la Salud Development Studies
Doctorado en Odontología Dentistry
Doctorado en Educación Development Studies
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Associate, Certificate & Other Qualifications
76 programmes
Catholic University of Santa María offers 76 programmes as shorter-cycle and preparatory qualifications, a flexible tier for skills-focused learners or those bridging into undergraduate study.
Psicología Terapéutica Psychology
Gestión Integrada de los Recursos Hídricos Environmental Sciences
Auditoría de Sistemas y Seguridad de Información Accounting
Obstetricia Familiar y Comunitaria Medicine
Salud Ocupacional Public Health
Cuidado Enfermero en Emergencias y Desastres Public Health
Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria Performing Arts
Promoción de la Salud Public Health
Medicina de Emergencias y Desastres Medicine
Enfermería en Crecimiento y Desarrollo Humano Nursing
Derecho Procesal Penal Law
Enfermería en Pediatría Nursing
Salud Sexual y Reproductiva del Escolar y Adolescente Social Work
Enfermería en Neonatología Medicine
Enfermería en Geriatría Nursing
Estimulación Prenatal Psicoprofilaxis Obstétrica y del Climaterio Environmental Sciences
Derecho Procesal Constitucional y Administrativo Law
Derecho Laboral y Gestión Legal de Recursos Humanos Law
Clínica Quirúrgica de Pequeños Animales Animal Science
Nutrición Vegetal y Fertirriego Agriculture
Fruticultura de Exportación Agriculture
Gestión Tributaria Empresarial Performing Arts
Auditoría Financiera Finance, Banking & Insurance
Medicina Física y de Rehabilitación Physiotherapy
Enfermería en Cirugía Plástica Nursing
Otorrinolaringología Medicine & Health
Dermatología Medicine
Enfermería en Cirugía Nursing
Cuidado Enfermero Nefrológico Y/o Urológico Medicine & Health
Cuidado Enfermero en Paciente Quemado Medicine & Health
Anestesiología Medicine
Cuidado Enfermero en Paciente Crítico Medicine & Health
Hematología Medicine
Medicina Intensiva Medicine
Medicina Oncológica Medicine
Urología Medicine
Enfermería en Cardiología Medicine
Gastroenterología Medicine
Pediatría Medicine & Health
Ortodoncia y Ortopedia Maxilar Medicine
Rehabilitación Oral Physiotherapy
Cuidado Enfermero en Oncología Medicine
Oftalmología Medicine
Neurología Medicine
Enfermería en Medicina Interna Medicine
Cirugía de Cabeza y Cuello Medicine & Health
Medicina Interna Medicine
Radioterapia Medicine
Gestión Farmacéutica y Asuntos Regulatorios Medicine & Health
Atención Farmacéutica Medicine & Health
Farmacología Medicine & Health
Radiología Medicine
Tratamiento Bioenergético Medicine & Health
Carielogía y Endodoncia Medicine & Health
Prevención de Cáncer Cérvico Uterino y de Mamas Medicine & Health
Alto Riesgo Obstétrico Midwifery
Bienestar Fetal Medicine & Health
Cirugía General Medicine & Health
Cirugía Oncológica Medicine & Health
Anatomía Patológica Medicine & Health
Cardiología Medicine
Ortopedia y Traumatología Medicine
Psiquiatría Medicine & Health
Ginecología y Obstetricia Medicine
Neumología Medicine & Health
Neurocirugía Medicine & Health
Endocrinología Medicine
Medicina Intensiva Pediátrica Medicine
Medicina Nuclear Medicine
Neonatología Medicine
Cuidado Enfermero en Gastroenterología con Mención en Endoscopia y Procedimientos Especiales Medicine
Enfermería en la Salud de la Mujer Nursing
Centro Quirúrgico Medicine & Health
Enfermería en Neurología y Neurocirugía Medicine
Odontopediatría Medicine & Health
Periodoncia e Implantología Medicine & Health
No programmes match your filter in this level.
How to apply to Catholic University of Santa María
How to apply to Catholic University of Santa María — a five-step structure with notes on documents, channels, and timing for each phase.
- 1 Browse the programme catalogue
Start by exploring the programmes section on this page. Catholic University of Santa María runs 169 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 Catholic University of Santa María, confirm you meet the academic, language, and document requirements for your chosen programme. International applicants should also check visa eligibility for Peru.
- 3 Get your documents ready
Standard documents: official transcripts, identity proof, language test results, personal statement, and references. Confirm exact requirements with Catholic University of Santa María's admissions office before assembling, as expectations vary by programme.
- 4 Apply through the official channel
Lodge your application through the official website (www.ucsm.edu.pe). 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 +51 (54) 251 210. Monitor the portal for status updates, interview invitations, or document requests, and respond within the stated deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions about Catholic University of Santa María
Quick reference for Catholic University of Santa María: founding, control type, student body, rankings, and recognition status in one place.
In what year was Catholic University of Santa María established?
Catholic University of Santa María was founded in 1961 (approximately 65 years ago).
Where is Catholic University of Santa María located?
Catholic University of Santa María is located in Arequipa, Peru.
Is Catholic University of Santa María public or private?
Catholic University of Santa María is a private institution.
Where does Catholic University of Santa María stand in university rankings?
Catholic University of Santa María holds rank #3897 globally and #28 in Peru.
What degrees does Catholic University of Santa María offer?
Catholic University of Santa María offers doctoral programmes.
What is Catholic University of Santa María's religious tradition?
Yes, Catholic University of Santa María is affiliated with Christian-Catholic.
Is Catholic University of Santa María accredited?
Catholic University of Santa María is accredited by Superintendencia Nacional de Educación Superior Universitaria (SUNEDU).
How do I find Catholic University of Santa María online?
The institution's website is www.ucsm.edu.pe.
Top-Ranked Universities in Peru
Some Peru systems publish government rating frameworks (NIRF, QS Stars, regulatory grading) alongside rankings. These add independent signals beyond commercial ranking tables.
Other Peruvian Universities Affiliated with Christian-Catholic
Chaplaincy provision and pastoral care at Christian-Catholic institutions varies in depth — some maintain full-time chaplains; others bring in visiting clergy. Worth comparing across the peers listed below.
Faculties at Nearby Universities
Cost of living varies meaningfully across cities and towns hosting the universities below. Even within a single region, accommodation and transit costs can differ by 30–50%.
Where Else to Study Medicine
Practicum and placement requirements vary widely across Medicine programmes in Peru. Compulsory placements affect total time commitment but typically improve post-graduation employment outcomes.
Universities Often Compared with Catholic University of Santa María
Beyond Catholic University of Santa María, 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.
