Studying abroad in Argentina's public universities offer many advantages to students who are unable to afford tuition costs in the United States. As the economic crisis continues more students are looking for higher education opportunities that offer minimal tuition and boarding costs.
Argentina:
More than 90% of students attending college in Argentina attend public universities that are highly subsidized by the government. Tuition is free to all students regardless of their financial status and academic achievements. However, free- government subsidized higher education is targeted at meeting the needs of higher income groups rather than providing the needed educational access to the poor. The result is that universities are overpopulated and unable to meet the needs of the growing student population and in return, the quality of education has suffered.
There are approximately 39 Public (National) Universities that are tuition-free and are financed by the Ministry of Education. There are 46 universities that are private and/or parochial and require students to pay expensive tuition fees. These institutions of higher education enroll more than 1.5 million students each year. Universities in Argentina are founded on the Westernized educational model and offer degrees that are recognized both nationally and internationally for the quality and validity of degrees.
Public universities in Argentina are areas of highly charged political activities of the communist government. Communistic political beliefs are strongly favored as popular conversations in colleges and universities. Other political views such as capitalism are not easily accepted and are strongly discouraged in these venues.
When visiting Argentina or making the decision to study in Argentina, travelers must be aware of the strict communist government control, unplanned and eccentric government events and the political expressions of the population, including protests, strikes and demonstrations.
Like most countries, Argentina is suffering from severe political, economic and social crises which adversely affect the governments' ability to provide public funding for post-secondary education and makes living in Argentina, a communist country, more dangerous and requires greater measures for personal safety.
Tuition costs in public universities is free, however to attend a private university in Argentina it will cost students between $5,000 on the low end of the spectrum and can extend upward to $15,500 per year to earn an undergraduate degree. Undergraduate programs and some graduate programs are tuition free. More recently there are a few public universities that have implemented minimal tuition costs for graduate programs.
Living in Argentina, compared to the United States is very cheap. Housing costs are less than $350 per month and public transportation to commute back and forth to school are approximately $10 per week. On the average, a student can attend college in Argentina at a public university for less than $5,000 a year. Most recently some states in Argentina are charging minimal fees for foreign students to attend public universities.
Americans that have attended college in Argentina have had many positive experiences and say they would recommend the experience to anyone. However, these students have also offered caution about the increasing crime levels and the need to secure personal safety by knowing who, when and what events are potentially dangerous. A number of students have also reported instances of discrimination against Americans, most likely as a result of the communist political control that encourages adverse views of Americans and capitalism. Discrimination that these Americans have faced is not unlike foreigners in the United States would experience.
Before traveling to Argentina to attend college, students need to be aware of safety limitations as a result of criminal activity and governmental control. For example, Buenos Aries as recently experienced an increase in kidnapping and street robbing for money and personal belongings as well as corrupt banking practices in the local banking system. The crime rate, including an increase in street crimes and armed assaults has dramatically increased in Mendoza City. Other areas such as Cordoba and Bariloche have large populations of English speaking residents and offer safer living arrangements for students studying abroad.
Argentina has many specific travel and residency visa requirements that are easily navigated for well informed students. Argentina also has laws that restrict the rental of unfurnished apartments and in some instances require renters to have locals co-sign on lease agreements. This may be difficult for students traveling to the area for the first time; however there are real estate agencies that are designed to help foreign travelers with living accommodations.
FAQs
At public universities, there are no tuition fees. Once you have your Argentinian study permit in hand, you are exempt from any and all fees. Studying at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels is completely free. However, this is not true of private universities.
Is University of Buenos Aires free for international students? ›
Undergraduate programs at the University of Buenos Aires are free of charge for everyone, regardless of nationality. Tuition from postgraduate programs helps fund the UBA's social mission to provide free university education for all.
How much is the tuition fee in Argentina? ›
The courses at the Undergraduate level in public universities in Argentina are tuition-free for foreign students. However, Private universities charge around $3,000 to $20,000 annually for undergraduate courses. Masters or Postgraduate degrees can have a tuition fee approximately from $2,300 to $27,000 per annum.
Who pays for college in Argentina? ›
Higher education institutions in Argentina
In Argentina, universities are located throughout the country, however most of them can be found in main urban areas. Universities are divided into private and public institutions. Public universities are financed by the central government and they are tuition-free.
How many public universities are there in Argentina? ›
There are 40 national universities in Argentina which receive funding from the government and cater to the majority of undergraduate students in the country. There are also around 45 private universities in Argentina, which are often smaller and charge higher fees.
Are public universities free in Argentina? ›
At public universities, there are no tuition fees. Once you have your Argentinian study permit in hand, you are exempt from any and all fees. Studying at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels is completely free. However, this is not true of private universities.
Does Argentina have free school? ›
OVERVIEW. Argentina has a long history of providing tuition-free access to local schools and universities, which in turn helps to generate a qualified workforce. The education system is composed of primary school, secondary school - level one, secondary school - level two, and university.
Is it cheaper to live in Argentina than the US? ›
Cost of Living and Housing
According to numbeo.com, the cost of living in Argentina is approximately 85% less than in the U.S. All told, a couple can expect to live comfortably on $1,500 to $1,800 per month.
Is Argentina cheap for US citizens? ›
The answer is, it depends. The economy here is notoriously volatile and depending on what currency measures are in place, it can be a great budget destination or an expensive splurge. Through 2023 it was very, very affordable here for those coming with dollars in their pocket.
Can I study in Argentina in English? ›
Argentina is also a great place to build your language skills, thanks to Spanish being its national language. However, even though Spanish is one of the most widely-spoken languages in the world, plenty of Argentinian schools do offer programs taught in English.
Public Healthcare in Argentina
The Argentinian public healthcare system is free for everyone. And by everyone, we don't just mean the locals. Expats and tourists can also make use of the government-funded programs. Inpatient and outpatient care is completely free.
Is Argentina a good country for education? ›
As Argentina was a Spanish colony until it gained independence in 1853, it still maintains a higher educational system that is broadly similar to that of many European countries. Argentina has state universities, like the prestigious University of Buenos Aires, and private institutions, like Austral University.
How is school in Argentina different from the United States? ›
Argentina's school year runs about 200 days. Students are in school from March to December with a two-week break during July and breaks on national holidays such as Easter. In contrast, American school years tend to run only 180 days a year.
Is Argentina cheap to study? ›
Argentina hosts more international students than anywhere else in Latin America, and it's easy to see why. With free undergraduate tuition at the country's public universities and lower living costs than much of Europe and North America, it is one of the most affordable study destinations in the world.
What is the school dropout rate in Argentina? ›
According to data from the Permanent Household Survey in Argentina, there is a 30 per cent drop-out rate in secondary education. Three out of ten students do not complete their schooling.
How much does it cost to go to the University of Buenos Aires? ›
The average University of Buenos Aires tuition fees for bachelor students may cost you around 5,000 USD (391,150 INR). Whereas for a master's program, the tuition fees vary steeply depending on your program.
Can you study in English in Buenos Aires? ›
Studying in Buenos Aires
Lessons in Buenos Aires are taught in Spanish, which is the national language in Argentina. However, there are courses taught in English but knowledge of Spanish is highly recommended for foreign students.
What GPA do you need for University of Buenos Aires? ›
University of Buenos Aires in Argentina requires students to maintain a minimum GPA of 2 in order to stand a good chance to get admission into University of Buenos Aires. Students must also participate in other activities like sports, lead some projects, community services to improve chances of admission.
Is university of the People free for international students? ›
It is the first non-profit, American-accredited, tuition-free online university dedicated to opening access to higher education globally.
Which country has no fees for international students? ›
Germany, Norway, Czech Republic, Austria, Finland, Sweden, France, Denmark, Iceland and Poland are the countries that provide free tuition fees, which vary according to course and student nationality.
