Degree Programs in South America

When was the last time that you saw a tango performance in the middle of the street, traveled to the Amazonian rainforest, or had the chance to try cuy (guinea pig)? Pursuing a degree in South America will get you one step closer to these experiences and will help you improve your Spanish or Portuguese language skills at the same time! When seeking a degree abroad in South America, you’ll have more than one year to get to know a new city, country, and continent and make it your home away from home. Even better, South America is extremely affordable and easy to travel around meaningfully!

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Mente Argentina

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Latest Program Reviews

Great program

December 26, 2019by: Jason SteinmanProgram: Diverse Graduate and Undergraduate Degrees in Buenos Aires

My time with Mente was an all-around great experience. Not only did Mente help coordinate an amazing homestay and Spanish immersion program, but they also organized constant group activities so participants could get to know each other while exploring some of the best spots in Buenos Aires. They took care of all the little things like providing me with a local SIM and SUBTE card, and Mente even let me store some bags in their office while I went backpacking throughout other parts of South America. I learned a ton of Spanish, felt comfortable throughout my entire stay, and met interesting people from all around the world. Highly recommend to anyone considering an immersion program.

4-week intensive Spanish program

September 08, 2019by: Anthony ChenProgram: Diverse Graduate and Undergraduate Degrees in Buenos Aires

Mente did a great job coordinating and organizing my stay in Argentina. This was my first time in South America and Mente made sure that everything was right. The staff was always reachable and was very supportive to make it the best experience possible for all members to intern, attend school and/ or live in Buenos Aires. Events and activities were always available for everyone to attend, which was a great way to make new friends. Overall, I would recommend this program to anyone interested in traveling to Argentina!

Great program

December 26, 2019by: Jason SteinmanProgram: Diverse Graduate and Undergraduate Degrees in Buenos Aires

4-week intensive Spanish program

September 08, 2019by: Anthony ChenProgram: Diverse Graduate and Undergraduate Degrees in Buenos Aires

A Guide to Degrees Abroad in South America

Best Student Locations

Some of the most reputable universities in South America are unsurprisingly located in some of the continent’s largest cities. It is easy to get a quality education while living in any of the business or travel hubs located in each particular country, however, degree programs in South America are most widely available in Brazil, Peru, and Argentina.

Brazil. As the business center of the region, Sao Paulo offers plenty of out of classroom activities to supplement studies in fashion, transportation design, and promotional design. This city is a mammoth; with over 30 million people in its metropolitan area, it can be a bit overwhelming for international students at first.

Peru. Lima is a growing and increasingly modern city, but it has managed to maintain a beautifully preserved colonial city center. Universidad del Pacifico is located only minutes away from this historic neighborhood, so on your break between seminars you can make sure to spend some time on a bench in Plaza Mayor to people watch.

Argentina. Buenos Aires is perhaps the most “European” city in South America, especially in terms of architecture. This is a city that lends itself to plenty of people getting lost in it. In most neighborhoods, you’ll find street vendors selling artisan crafts or food, inspiring graffiti, and incredible architecture.

Popular Degree Focus

You’ll be at an advantage in the competitive job market with a master’s degree from an accredited South American university. Whether you are interested in earning a degree in fashion and interior design, business, journalism, or culinary arts, there are loads of degree programs in South America to choose from. In particular, political science is an especially interesting topic of study in South America, because of the current events and history of the region.

It is typical that full degree programs in South America will require students to take the majority of classes in their host country’s language. There are some exceptions to this, such as with some classes related to international business, but overall it is the norm.

Degrees in South America traditionally take 18 months to three years to complete, depending on how many credits you choose to take per term and, of course, what type of degree you pursue. The class structure in South America will be similar to that of the U.S., although some degree programs may have more options for experiential learning components within your host university city, which may come at an extra cost, so keep an eye out for upcharges!

Life on a Student Budget in South America

The cost of living varies from country to country in South America. Brazil and Chile tend to be the most expensive, Argentina is in the middle, and countries like Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia are the most affordable. Overall, prices of food and rent are much lower than in a large U.S. city, but the prices of technology (like a new computer) will be higher than in the U.S. The cost of degree programs in South America can be around $13,000 for 15 months in Buenos Aires with an apartment, tuition, and cultural activities included. While in Lima, you should expect to pay $5,000 to $7,000 per semester, including housing.

For an even better chance to make your degree abroad dreams come true, check out GoAbroad’s South America Scholarship Directory. Scholarships may also be available directly from the program provider or host university’s website too.

Accommodation & Visas

Some degree programs in South America include housing in program costs. Most universities, however, leave international students to find housing on their own. Accommodations available in South America can be much smaller and more basic than what you might be used to in your home country.

Shared apartments are very easy to find from newspaper ads, website listings, and flyers at your university, and are probably the most common choice for international students in South America. Although, homestays are also widely available. In general, website listings are the easiest way to start your research for housing. Once on the ground, you can visit, meet potential host families, and ultimately make your housing decision!

Visa requirements vary from country to country, but you’ll need a student visa to enroll in degree programs in South America. Make sure to start the process at least six months in advance to ensure that you receive the paperwork necessary in time for your appointment. Most degree programs in South America offer some type of assistance with visa preparations.

For the latest information on visas for specific South American countries, check out GoAbroad's Embassy Directory.

GoAbroad's Inside Scoop

Don’t forget that some South American countries lie in the Southern hemisphere, so the seasons are flipped. You may have a summer break at a time that you are used to having a winter break.

This flipped schedule makes it easy to take advantage and travel meaningfully through the rest of South America. The continent is is very affordable to travel through; in some countries a general rule is $1 per hour by bus!

Be aware that in many South American countries, stores and vendors may only take cash as a form of payment. Credit cards are not nearly as common as in the United States.

The concept of time and punctuality can also be a big change for newcomers to Latin America. Buses are late, meetings don’t start on time, and you’ll have to wait much longer to be served at a restaurant. Once you get used to these cultural norms, you may become a much more patient person and you may have some great conversations with locals while you wait!

Explore South America through a full degree program paired with experiential learning in the city of your choice. You’ll improve your communications skills, boost your resume with intercultural competencies, and get to know one of Latin America’s treasures!