Studying in Understand Why Students Choose Peru
Peru offers very low tuition and living costs, historic and respected universities (San Marcos, PUCP), a leading medical school (Cayetano Heredia), immersive Spanish, and extraordinary culture (Machu Picchu, the Inca heritage) — outstanding value.
Understand the System
The leaders are PUCP (top private — humanities, engineering, social sciences), UNMSM (San Marcos — public, medicine, law, research), and UPCH (Cayetano Heredia — health sciences), plus Universidad de Lima and Universidad del Pacífico (business), UTEC (engineering), and Universidad Andina del Cusco. 140+ institutions.
Get the Student Visa & Carné
You obtain a student visa (resident or temporary), via a Peruvian consulate or by processing with Migraciones after entering. A resident student visa is valid one year (renewable) and comes with a Carné de Extranjería (foreigner ID, valid four years); temporary students may get a CTM (Carné Temporal Migratorio) instead.
Apply to Universities
Apply directly to each university. Requirements typically include academic transcripts, Spanish proficiency (most programs are in Spanish), and standard documents; some graduate programs are in English. Foreign documents need translation and (often) apostille. PUCP and others welcome many exchange and degree students each semester.
Plan for Tuition & Scholarships
Tuition is very affordable: public universities average PEN 500–3,000/year (~$135–810); private universities (PUCP and others) charge more but remain low by global standards (PUCP’s minimum international fee is ~$1,078/year). Scholarships include PRONABEC (government) and university awards.
Meet the Financial Requirement
For the visa you show proof of funds covering tuition and living, plus health insurance and standard documents. Living costs are low (~$400–700/month). Note the 183-days-per-year residency rule for resident students. Confirm the exact requirements with Migraciones and your consulate.
Meet Language Requirements
Most programs are taught in Spanish, so proficiency is essential; some graduate programs are in English. Living and studying in Peru offers excellent Spanish immersion — a highly valued skill ’ so build Spanish before and during your studies.
Prepare for the Move
After arriving, obtain your Carné de Extranjería (or CTM), arrange housing, and set up banking and insurance. Many students live with host families or in shared housing. Living costs are low; most students are based in Lima (with Cusco a cultural draw). Peru is welcoming and culturally rich.
Understand Work Rules
Be clear on this: a resident student visa does not permit paid work or professional remuneration in Peru. Only strictly regulated part-time work (via a specific contract or academic internships) may be authorised — it’s not a standard work permit. Plan to fund your studies fully.
Thrive & After Study
Peru’s strengths in medicine/health sciences (Cayetano Heredia), engineering (UTEC), and business, plus your Spanish skills, open regional opportunities. Confirm the current post-study visa/residency pathway if you want to stay, and use your Peruvian and Latin American networks.
Studying in Peru: The Essentials
A snapshot — figures change, so confirm with Migraciones, your university, and the Peruvian consulate.
- The systemPUCP (top private), Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (UNMSM — founded 1551, the oldest in the Americas), and Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH — medicine/health), plus Universidad de Lima, Universidad del Pacífico, and UTEC; mostly in Lima.
- Visa & CarnéObtain a student visa (resident or temporary) via a consulate or Migraciones; a resident visa (1 year) comes with a Carné de Extranjería (valid 4 years), temporary students may get a CTM; resident students must be in Peru 183+ days/year.
- Tuition & scholarshipsVery affordable: public universities average PEN 500–3,000/year (~$135–810); private universities low by global standards (PUCP min ~$1,078/year); PRONABEC and university scholarships; living ~$400–700/month.
- Money & languageShow proof of funds plus insurance; most programs are in Spanish (proficiency required), with some graduate programs in English; excellent for Spanish immersion; documents apostilled/translated.
- Work & afterA resident student visa doesn’t permit paid work (only regulated internships/contracts; a CTM may include a work permit); strengths in medicine, engineering, and business — confirm the post-study pathway.