Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

Requirements and application

Application process for UC Engineering undergraduate students

Engineering UC undergraduate students may apply to the graduate program immediately after obtaining their Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree. This advantage allows, in some cases, complete both the undergraduate and graduate required credits at the same time. It must be taken into account that students from the UC Engineering undergraduate program must submit different documentation for their application.

Application requirements

The regulations of the Master in Engineering Sciences Program states the following requirements in order to apply to the program:

    • Hold a Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree, or an academic degree or professional degree in Engineering or in a related field, at least at Bachelor´s level or equivalent.
    • Also, the research line proposed by the applicant should be compatible with those being developed at UC Engineering. This Program leans on the continuous work between the advisor and the student in a defined area of specialization, which necessarily requires a certain alignment of interests. The latter makes impossible to assure admission to all qualified applicants. Therefore, we highly recommend that interested applicants establish contact with a professor working in their research area prior to applying. In the following link, you may find a list of the professors at the UC School of Engineering grouped by academic areas – https://www.ing.uc.cl/academicos-e-investigacion/academicos-e-investigadores/
    • Be proficient enough in English to be able to read articles, books and work with documents and international databases.

Evaluation of applications

Submitted applications are reviewed by the Master in Engineering Sciences Committee based on:

  • Academic records and transcripts
  • Teaching and/or research work
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Study objectives proposed by the applicant
  • Letter of Intent
  • Contributions the applicant will offer to the country
  • Compatibility between the proposed research line and those existing at the School of Engineering.
Criterion Weight
I Academic records and transcripts 40%
II Academic and/or work history of the applicant 30%
III Study objectives that support the student´s application 30%

* These criteria may change for future application periods.

Afterwards, members of the Academic Committee for the respective program will score the academic review and distinct aspects of the received application, as per the established management procedures within each program, issuing a final recommendation for each received application to be accepted or rejected by the University Admissions Commission.

Application process

Graduate programs at the UC School of Engineering hold two yearly application periods, depending on when studies begin:

  • First semester – studies start in March of the current year: application process is held between August and October of the prior year
  • Second semester – studies start in August of the current year: application process is held between March and April of the prior year

The application period for admission for the first semester of 2025 will be from August 27th to Octuber 30th (until 4:00 p.m.).

For inquiries contact us by email at dip.ing@uc.cl 

Applications should be completed and submitted through the online application system. Before beginning the application process, we strongly recommend that applicants first carefully read and understand the documents/forms that will need to be completed or submitted to finalize the application

Required documents

  • Application form and summarized resume. This personal information is completed through the online application platform.
  • Two letters of recommendation. Each letter of recommendation should be provided by a professional who, through their personal capacity and knowledge of the applicant, is able to objectively complete the points requested in the letter. It is important that the emails of each reference are available to fulfill this requirement.
  • Economic Status Form, completed through the online application platform.
  • Academic diploma/degree or its equivalent – original or notarized copy. It is understood as “equivalent” those undergraduate studies carried out in a foreign country, such us Bachelor or Diploma. All documents granted by institutions outside of Chile should be legalized at the corresponding country of origin. Legalization procedures will depend on if the respective country adheres to the Hague Apostille Convention.
    • Documents issued by countries adhering to the Hague Apostille Convention. Document verification procedures are stipulated within the cited convention, and, as such, apostilled documents are accepted. More information available here. View members of the Apostille Convention here.
    • Documents issued by countries NOT adhering to the Hague Apostille Convention. Documents must be legalized per procedures established by the Chilean Consulate in the country of origin. After legalization and translation, if required, documents must be authorized by the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affaires (Agustinas N° 1320, Santiago.)
  • Academic transcript of all completed undergraduate courses. Academic transcript refers to the itemization of the grades – passed and failed – obtained throughout the academic plan, certified by the corresponding authority; and detailing the minimum passing requirements and the lowest/highest scores on the grading scale.
  • Student ranking certificate (placement) which explicitly ranks the student´s GRADUATION placement among the total students in her/his generation. This certificate is issued by the corresponding authority at the university of the country of origin and should rank the student’s placement among graduates at the time of graduation. Likewise, the applicant should submit a certificate issued by the institution at the country of origin indicating that they do not provide graduation rankings (Certificado de No Ranking.) The graduation ranking or No Ranking should match the professional degree or equivalent, attached to the application.
  • Curriculum Vitae, in any format.
  • Health certificate. The applicant should attach a certificate issued by a medical doctor after a health evaluation, attesting to the general good health of the student, compatible with the undertaking of graduate studies. This certificate may be provided in any format.
  • Payment receipt for application fee. The application fee for year 2024 for applicants in Chile is CLP $81.050. To access the payment platform, please first review the instructions here (English version) and then click the following link. The documents generated once registration and online payment are completed are as follows. Please note that these should be attached to your application.
    • University application form
    • Online payment receipt
    • Accumulated Academic Record (only UC graduates)
  • Photocopy of Chilean identification card (both sides). In the case of foreign students, we recommend to include a copy of the identification sheet on the Passport, since it is mandatory in Chile for applications to graduate studies scholarships funded by CONICYT (if this document is not available, you may send an image of your DNI, or identification document issued by your country of origin, on both sides.)
  • Certificate of health insurance with medical coverage in Chile. All foreign and Chilean students enrolled in the university, either must be affiliated to public health or a private health network, or have hired health insurance. Chilean and foreign residents must present an affiliation certificate to Chilean public health system (FONASA) or a private network (ISAPRE), or other, if applicable. In the case of foreigners that are nonresidents in Chile, a certificate stating medical coverage in Chile should be included.

Documents required for application – UC Engineering undergraduate students

  • Application form and summarized résumé. This is personal information to the student that she/he completes online.
  • Two letters of recommendation. Each letter of recommendation should be provided by a professional who, through their personal capacity and knowledge of the applicant, is able to objectively complete the points requested in the letter. It is important that the emails of each reference are available to fulfill this requirement.
  • Economic Status Form, completed through the online application platform.
  • Bachelor´s Degree Certificate. UC Engineering undergraduate students that meet the requirements to earn their Bachelor´s degree at the end of the first semester in the Master´s Program may apply and be conditionally accepted.
  • Payment receipt for application fee. The application fee for year 2024 for UC Engineering undergraduate students is CLP $46.200. To access the payment platform, please first review the instructions here (English version) and then click the following link.
  • Attach the generated documents when completing the registration and online payment according to the above instructions: Presentar los documentos obtenidos al completar el registro y pago en línea explicado en el punto anterior:
    • University application form
    • Online payment receipt
    • Accumulated Academic Record (obtained from Mi Portal UC).
  • Photocopy of Chilean identification card (both sides)
  • Certificate of health insurance with medical coverage in Chile you should attach your FONASA, ISAPRE or other health care insurance affiliation certificate.