The yearning to learn a foreign language and embrace a distinct culture has made Latin America a much sought after study abroad destination. With a growing number of internationally ranked universities in the region and relatively low cost of higher education, studying in Latin America is a highly attractive option for international students.
For Indian students, too, Latin America provides a suitable alternative for those looking for a quality higher education abroad at an affordable price, especially if they are willing to learn a new language.
We have earlier covered in detail some of the top countries and universities for foreign students seeking to study in Latin America. Today, we will look at the best courses according to chosen discipline to study in Latin America. The list below is entirely dominated by Mexico, Chile, Brazil and Argentina – undoubtedly the top countries in the region for international students. Mexico, in fact, has three entries in the list, while Chile has two.
1. Business & Finance – EGADE Business School, Mexico
If you’re looking to get an MBA from Latin America, your school of choice has to be the EGADE Business School in Mexico. A part of Tecnologico de Monterrey (ITESM), it is the most prestigious business school in Latin America, ranked 1st in Latin America and 85th globally in the QS MBA rankings. The school has campuses in Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara, as well as executive MBA programs in Querétaro and Panama City. Programs offered include executive, full-time, part-time and in-company master’s degrees in Business Administration and Finance, doctorate degrees, and more than a dozen double degrees with overseas business schools. To be eligible for admission, prospective students must score at least 500 points in Test of Admission for Graduate Studies (PAEP), have a minimum grade average of 80/100 points, and have at least 3 years of professional experience. In absence of PAEP score, GMAT scores may also be valid.
2. Medicine – University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
Aspiring doctors and medical professionals shouldn’t look past University of Sao Paulo’s School of Medicine.
USP operates 4 hospitals, among them University of São Paulo Medical School Public Hospital, the largest hospital complex in Latin America and the major teaching and training site for the university’s School of Medicine – it is considered one of the best healthcare institutions in Latin America
Academically, the course follows the 6-year traditional curriculum of medical teaching in Brazil. The first two years teach students basic sciences such as anatomy, physiology and pathology. The next two are marked by the clinical rotations and the last two are known as internato, when students actively participate in medical activities as part of the clinical body.
3. Engineering and Technology – UNAM, Mexico
Mexico’s second entry in the list is in the field of engineering and technology. The most prestigious engineering school in Latin America and one of the top engineering schools worldwide, School of Engineering (Facultad de Ingeniería) at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), should be an automatic choice in this category. Located in Mexico City on a large, artistically detailed campus, the school offers programs at all levels – undergraduate, masters, and doctoral – in multiple streams of engineering. The oldest engineering school in the continent, the school can boast of state-of-the-art facilities and a faculty of recognized prestige. In the QS World University Rankings by subject, it ranks in the 51-100 range for Chemical Engineering and 101-150 range for Civil and Electrical engineering.
4. Computer Science and Information Technology – University of Chile, Chile
Founded in 1842, the University of Chile is a public university and the oldest higher education institution in Chile. With a subject ranking in the 51-100 range for Computer Science, it takes the top spot in the region. The Department of Computer Sciences at the University of Chile was founded in 1975 and is headed by a team of acclaimed academics carrying out advanced research in the field of Computer Science with a high level of productivity. Apart from a 4-year Bachelors in Science with computer science as a specialization, the department also offers Masters and Doctorates in Computer Science and Information Technology. One of the unique courses offered by the department is geared towards Civil Engineers in Computer Science and is highly sought after for the employment opportunities it generates for the students.
5. Law – UNAM, Mexico
The third Mexican entry in the list and the second for UNAM is in the field of law. The Faculty of Law (Facultad de Derecho) at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) has historically trained the best jurists in Mexico. Legal publications by its academics and scholars traditionally distinguish themselves by their high academic value. Law students at UNAM have made their presence felt in national and international academic forums, particularly in sectors such as academia, research, judiciary, legislature and public administration. Spanish poet and Nobel laureate, Octavio Paz, is a notable alumnus of the institution.
6. Art & Design – University of Buenos Aires, Argentina
What better city to choose for learning Art and Design than Buenos Aires, the first city chosen as UNESCO’s City of Design. A global city and one of the largest metropolises in the world, Buenos Aires is one of the main gateways to Latin America. Spanning the fields of fashion, architecture, industrial, interior, graphic and urban design, Buenos Aires is a city that inspires art. The largest university in Argentina, the University of Buenos Aires, was founded in 1821 in the capital. It is a public university and access is free of charge for everyone, including foreigners. The postgraduate programs charge tuition fees that can be covered by research scholarships for students with outstanding academic performance. The Faculty of Architecture, Design and Urbanism is located in the university’s main campus and offers a much-coveted 3-year bachelor’s degree in Graphic Designing.
7. Communication and Media Studies – Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Chile
The Faculty of Communications (Faculdad de Comunicaciones) at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile (Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile) is the only Latin American university to rank within the Top 50 in the QS World University Rankings by subject for Communication and Media Studies, coming in at Rank 46. Regarded as one of the best universities in South America, the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile is one of six private Catholic institutions in the country. The Faculty of Communications offers bachelor, master and diploma level programs in Journalism, Audio-visual media, and Advertising & PR. Inserted in a multidisciplinary and flexible curriculum, the students learn through practice and have an opportunity to explore, investigate and experiment. In addition, the General Training Plan allows students to expand their learning and take advantage of the knowledge of disciplines other than their own.
