The Pontifical Catholic University of Peru (PUCP, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú) is a private university in San Miguel, Lima. It reports more than 30,000 students, 66 undergraduate programmes and 175 postgraduate programmes.[1] In the QS World University Rankings 2027 it is placed =357 and is the only Peruvian university in the top 400, according to the Peruvian press.[2]
For semester 2026-2, undergraduate tuition is charged per credit: from S/ 304.60 to S/ 1,164.10 depending on the payment scale (G1 to G9), plus an enrolment fee of S/ 125.10 to S/ 451.70.[3] Visiting students from universities without an exchange agreement pay about US$285 per credit.[4] The admission guide is published in Spanish.[5]
Key facts
| Official name | Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP) |
| Location | Lima, Peru (main campus Av. Universitaria 1801, San Miguel, 15088)[6] |
| Type | Private university; the first private institution of higher education in Peru, according to its international office[7] |
| Founded | 1 March 1917, by Jorge Dintilhac[8] |
| Students | More than 30,000[1] |
| Study programmes | 66 undergraduate and 175 postgraduate programmes[1] |
| Foreign students | More than 400 foreign students study at PUCP every year[1] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | =357 (best-placed Peruvian university)[2] |
| National licence | Listed by SUNEDU with a licensing resolution dated 6 July 2016[9] |
| Tuition 2026-2, undergraduate | S/ 304.60 to S/ 1,164.10 per credit, depending on scale G1 to G9[3] |
| Enrolment fee 2026-2 | S/ 125.10 to S/ 451.70, depending on scale[3] |
| Visiting students | About US$285 per semester credit plus a US$110 registration fee[4] |
| Language of the admission documents | Spanish (admission guide and fee brochure are in Spanish)[5] |
| Official website | pucp.edu.pe |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 8 November 2026.
About the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru
PUCP was founded on 1 March 1917 by Jorge Dintilhac.[8] Its international office describes it as the first private institution of higher education established in Peru.[7] The main campus is in the San Miguel district of Lima, at Av. Universitaria 1801.[6]
The university reports more than 30,000 students and more than 300 international partners in over 60 countries.[1] Its business school, CENTRUM Católica, and its Escuela de Gobierno (government school) offer postgraduate and executive programmes alongside the main Escuela de Posgrado.[6]
How is PUCP ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, PUCP is placed =357 (a tied position). Infobae calls it the only Peruvian university in the global top 400, and La República lists the same position.[2][10] San Marcos (951–1000) and Cayetano Heredia (1001–1200) follow among Peruvian universities in the same reports.[10]
Wikipedia lists position 345 for the 2026 edition, so PUCP appears to have moved down since the previous ranking; we could not read QS directly to confirm the earlier figure.[8] PUCP’s own pages still cite the 2026 edition (“#1 in Peru according to QS World Ranking 2026”).[1] Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at PUCP?
PUCP offers 66 undergraduate and 175 postgraduate programmes.[1] Postgraduate studies are run by the Escuela de Posgrado and CENTRUM Católica (business); the Escuela de Gobierno covers political science and government.[6]
The 2026-2 fee brochure shows how first-year study is organised: new students enter through General Studies Sciences (19.75 credits in the first semester), General Studies Letters (20 credits) or directly into a specialty. Direct-entry units listed are Chemistry and Architecture and Urbanism (22 credits), Education (22), Art and design (17.5) and Performing arts (22).[3] See the official list of undergraduate programmes for the full catalogue.
How much does PUCP cost in 2026-2?
Undergraduate tuition at PUCP is charged per credit, and the credit value depends on the payment scale assigned to the student (G1 to G9). Amounts are in Peruvian soles (PEN) for semester 2026-2.[3]
| Scale | Value per credit (S/) | Enrolment fee (S/) |
|---|---|---|
| G1 | 304.60 | 125.10 |
| G2 | 390.60 | 157.60 |
| G3 | 490.10 | 195.60 |
| G4 | 600.60 | 237.50 |
| G5 | 719.60 | 282.70 |
| G6 | 842.00 | 329.10 |
| G7 | 961.70 | 374.80 |
| G8 | 1,071.80 | 416.50 |
| G9 | 1,164.10 | 451.70 |
The total depends on how many credits you enrol in. By our calculation from the brochure’s figures, a student with 18 credits pays S/ 5,607.90 in the semester on scale G1 (18 × 304.60 + 125.10) and S/ 21,405.50 on scale G9 (18 × 1,164.10 + 451.70). The semester is billed in five instalments.[3] The pages we read do not explain how an individual scale is assigned, so ask the admissions office.
Visiting students
PUCP’s international office quotes about US$285 per semester credit and a registration fee of US$110 for visiting students, meaning students from universities without an exchange agreement who pay for their own courses. One credit equals one hour of theory class per week, or at least two hours of practical class, and a semester lasts 17 weeks.[4] PUCP states that it does not offer financial aid to international students.[4] Its approximate monthly budget is US$250–450 for housing, US$150 for food, US$50 for study materials, US$100 for personal spending and US$150 for transport.[4]
New scales from 2027-1
Infobae reports, citing university data relayed by a podcast, that new entrants from 2027-1 will move to four scales (E1 to E4) with credit values from S/ 673 to S/ 1,097; current students keep their present scale. Check the university’s own announcement before planning.[11]
We found no published postgraduate tuition on the pages we read. Living costs in Lima are covered in our Peru guide.
How do you apply to PUCP?
The route depends on level and background.
- Undergraduate, degree-seeking: the admission guide for 2027-1 lists several routes, among them admission by superior performance for pupils from selected schools, “La Primera Opción” for pupils in their last school year, a Baccalaureate Diploma route, special routes for architecture and artistic specialties, external transfer, children and spouses of international officials, and an adult-entry route for people aged 30 or over.[5] Pick your route in the applicant guide.
- Studies completed abroad: degrees, titles and certificates obtained abroad must be legalised with the Hague Apostille or through Peru’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which requires the signature of the Peruvian consul in the country of study.[5]
- One or two exchange semesters: undergraduate students from universities abroad can take courses in any specialty for one or two semesters. Students from universities without an agreement apply as visiting students; PUCP gives exchange@pucp.edu.pe for questions about their admission.[7]
- Master’s and doctorate: foreign applicants send a copy of their passport or carné de extranjería (foreigner’s card) instead of the Peruvian DNI.[12] Programme pages and calls are on the Graduate School site.
We give no deadlines here because they change every cycle. Foreign students who stay for study also need to change their migratory status in Peru; the international office has a section on this procedure.[4] The admission pages we read do not describe visa steps for degree-seeking students.
Which language do you need?
The admission guide, the fee brochure and the graduate FAQ are all published in Spanish, so plan to study and apply in Spanish.[5][3][12] The pages we read do not state a required Spanish level or a list of accepted language certificates. PUCP’s continuing-education unit runs language courses that include Spanish for foreigners, alongside English, Portuguese, Quechua and Chinese.[6]
Because no level is published, ask the admissions office or your programme before you book a language test.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PUCP a private university?
How much does one credit cost at PUCP in 2026-2?
How is PUCP ranked in the QS World University Rankings 2027?
Can foreign students study at PUCP for one semester?
Yes. Undergraduate students from universities abroad can take courses for one or two semesters, and students from universities without an agreement apply as visiting students.[7]
Do I need to speak Spanish to study at PUCP?
The official admission documents are in Spanish, but the pages we read do not publish a required level or accepted certificates.[5] Ask the admissions office.
Does PUCP offer financial aid to international students?
PUCP’s international office states that it does not offer financial aid to international students.[4]
More about studying in Peru
- Peru: best universities
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in Peru
Sources
[1] PUCP International Office: About PUCP (page without a date; figures as published)
[2] Infobae Perú: Six Peruvian universities in the QS World University Rankings 2027 (QS publishes at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access) (article of 18 Jun 2026)
[3] PUCP Student Portal: Academic fees brochure, semester 2026-2 (undergraduate) (PDF for semester 2026-2, uploaded July 2026)
[4] PUCP International Office: Financial information and budget (visiting students) (page without a date)
[5] PUCP Admission: Guía del postulante (page shows admission 2027-1; read on 8 Nov 2026)
[6] PUCP: La Universidad (page without a date; address and schools)
[7] PUCP International Office: Study at PUCP (page without a date)
[8] Wikipedia: Pontifical Catholic University of Peru (founding date and founder; earlier QS position)
[9] SUNEDU: List of licensed universities (official list, read on 8 Nov 2026; shows the date of the licensing resolution)
[10] La República: QS 2027, only two Peruvian universities in the top 1,000 (article dated 24 Jun 2026 on the page)
[11] Infobae Perú: PUCP announces new fee and scholarship system from 2027 (article of 8 May 2026; secondary source)
[12] PUCP Graduate School: Frequently asked questions 2026-2 (PDF for 2026-2, uploaded May 2026)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.