The second largest country in South America and eight largest in the world, Argentina, has something to offer for everyone – whether you enjoy art scenes, nightlife, nature, or culture, Argentina has it all. Beyond its lively and vibrant urban hubs and amazing natural beauty, Argentina has also emerged as a fascinating study destination for international pupils. A multicultural country with several cities and places to study and visit, the country has seen a rapid influx of international pupils in recent years into its higher education institutions.
With one of the world’s highest literacy rates, Argentina is home to many well-known writers, artists, scientists and scholars. Every year around 90,000 international students come to study in Argentina, with over a third of these students coming from Europe, the US, and Asia.
WHY CHOOSE ARGENTINA?
For pupils choosing to study abroad, there couldn’t be a more attractive and welcoming country than Argentina. Following are a few reasons you should choose to study abroad in Argentina:
- Learn a New Language – Although many residents speak English fluently, Spanish is the official language in Argentina and the medium of instruction in all universities. Argentina is famous for its very unique dialect of Spanish – Castellano. Once you learn this challenging dialect, all other forms of Spanish will seem very easy!
- Quality Education – The standard of education in Argentina is outstanding, with a wide range of subjects and courses offered at the higher education institutions in the country. All higher education institutions in Argentina are subject to evaluation at regular intervals by the National Commission for University Evaluation and Accreditation (CONEAU) and administered and supervised by the Ministry of Education.
- Low Living Costs and Tuition Fee – National public universities in Argentina do not charge a tuition fee for undergraduate studies, and while private universities do charge tuition, these fees are significantly lower than in other countries. Compared to most North American and European countries, the cost of living, too, is comparatively much cheaper in Argentina.
- Culture and Tourism – Argentina has a wide diversity of climates and landscapes. From the urbanity and vibrant life of its cities to the peaceful tranquillity of its countryside, there’s a lot to explore and enjoy for an international student in Argentina.
TOP UNIVERSITIES IN ARGENTINA
With 39 institutions featuring in this year’s QS Latin America University Rankings, Argentina is one of the fastest-growing centres of university education. Below are some of the top universities in Argentina:
- Universidad de Buenos Aires – The largest university in Argentina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, is also the nation’s highest-ranked university. The university stood at 75th in the QS World University Rankings and 9th in the QS Latin America University Rankings for this year.
- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba – Universidad Nacional de Córdoba is the oldest university in Argentina, dating back to 1613, and also the second largest university in the country. It is situated in the student-friendly city of Córdoba, the second largest city in the country, and home to six different universities and several postsecondary colleges.
- Universidad Austral – Established in 1979, Universidad Austral is a private, Catholic university currently ranked joint 331st in the world and 24th in Latin America.
- Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires (ITBA) – Located in Buenos Aires, the Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires is a private university, ranked 551-600 in the world and 60th in Latin America.
HOW TO APPLY
Since there is no central admission body for admission to Argentine universities, intending candidates would have to apply directly to their University of choice. Applicants must submit their school certificates, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and any other documents the University may require.
STUDENT VISA
To gain a student visa, Indian students will need to enter Argentina on a tourist visa and upgrade to a student visa once inside the country. Students will need a passport valid for at least six months beyond the end of their course, a letter showing proof of enrolment, their birth certificate, and a visa processing fee of up to US$100. Additionally, students will also need to gain two police certificates stating they have no criminal record – one from their home country, and another from Argentina.
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE
Universidad de Buenos Aires provides scholarships based on financial need to foreign students. In addition, there are many program-specific scholarships that students can avail to study Spanish or Latin American studies.
Indian students can also take benefit of many international scholarships on offer for studying abroad in any country.
For more information on such scholarships, register yourself at www.buddy4study.com.