If you want to study in Ecuador, then you need to know which of its universities is the best fit for you. One of the best features of Ecuador is that it is a friendly and affordable country with amazing natural resources.
This is why Universities in Ecuador always get applications from all over the world. However, we’ll focus on the Best Universities in Ecuador for International Students in 2024.
These universities have grown from academic centers to both research and innovation centers. However, in this article, we’ll largely focus on the Best Universities in Ecuador for International Students in 2024 and more.
About Ecuador
Did you know that Ecuador is the closest country to space? Amazing, right! This and many other amazing tourist attraction centers make this country the best place to visit and study in.
Ecuador is a tiny country located along South America’s Pacific coast. The country’s geography and location on the globe have made it a haven for all those who that the opportunity to visit and admire it. The rich culture of Ecuadorians, with its idiosyncrasies and traditions, has also been shaped by the country’s geography and history.
When you take a look at the Ecuador educational system, you’ll notice they have large class sizes. Furthermore, you’ll notice that test results are their greatest measure of academic ability.
Why Study in Ecuador?
Ecuador is a country straddling the equator on South America’s West Coast. Its diverse landscape encompasses the Amazon jungle, Andean highlands, and the wildlife-rich Galapagos Island.
Ecuador is in the midst of reforming its University system, with the aims of improving higher education standards and making admissions fairer.
Meanwhile, as part of the plan to raise teaching standards, all professors will be required to have at least a Master’s degree and ideally a doctorate degree. At present, graduate degrees are relatively rare in Ecuador. Only three universities grant PhDs currently and only about 20 per year are completed.
The Government’s idea to raise the standards also means a clampdown on many so-called ‘garage universities’- higher education institutions deemed as failing to meet required standards of teaching, facilities, and academic resources.
Ecuador universities are also available for Undergraduate, Masters, and Ph.D. for studies for international students to study in Ecuador.
How Many Universities are in Ecuador?
Ecuador has 33 universities and technical colleges with 202,683 students.
About two-thirds of those enrolled in higher education attended public institutions, especially the Central University in Quito.
Also Read: Singapore Student Visa
Are there English-speaking Universities in Ecuador?
If you are from an English-speaking country, it makes sense to try to find out if there are English-speaking universities in Ecuador.
Most times, finding a university in Ecuador that speaks English is difficult. These universities you’ll see teach their courses with good command of English.
Hence, the English-speaking universities in Ecuador are the International University of Ecuador and the University of San Francisco in Quito.
Ecuador is not a place where English is relatively common. So, if you are looking to study in Ecuador, you must learn how to speak and understand Spanish.
Is there Free Universities in Ecuador?
Yes, some levels of education are free in Ecuador.
For instance, from 2008 till now, most public universities in Ecuador are tuition-free. In fact, that is the reason most of the students (around 80%) are enrolled at public universities. Tuition fees for international students at private universities can go from 2,000 USD to 6,000 USD per year.
How is the admission process at Ecuador’s universities?
Admissions to state schools are rendered by a nationwide entrance exam that has no age limits. This test also extends to foreign students. Some private colleges were included in the national entrance exam, while most have their own admissions procedure.
Also Read: Angola Scholarship in Indonesia
Best Universities in Ecuador for International Students 2024
Universities in Ecuador show exceptional academic excellence. Hence, they continue to progressively move forward.
We have compiled our list of the best universities in Ecuador for International students by checking their quality of education and research. We have rated them below 50% according to the above factors.
1. Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja
Overall Rating: 49.7%
Founded in 1971, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (Technical University of Loja) is a private higher education institution in the urban setting of the large town of Loja.
The University provides on-campus and distance education through offering 23 bachelor’s degrees and 20 distance programs in four major areas; administrative, humanities and social sciences, technical and medicine, and biology. Currently, the university serves around 20,000 students.
The university has memorandums of understanding and cooperation agreements with several institutions in China, Spain, France, Austria, and several Latin American countries to name but a few. These policies encourage exchange programs and the in-flow of international students in Ecuador.
2. Universidad Politécnica Salesiana
Overall Rating: 49.2%
Founded in 1994, Universidad Politécnica Salesiana (Salesian Polytechnic University) is a private higher education institution located in the small city of Cuenca.
The university is also characterized by its opportunities for youth, especially from the poor sectors.
The Politecnica Salesiana University has four faculties and one postgraduate unit on campuses in Cuenca (C), Guayaquil (G), and Quito (Q).
The university is also officially accredited by the Consejo de Aseguramiento de la Calidad de la Educación Superior del Ecuador. Hence, it offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees in several areas of study.
Also Read: Ongoing Singapore Scholarships
3. Universidad San Francisco de Quito
Overall Rating: 48.7%
Established in 1988, Universidad San Francisco de Quito is a non-profit private higher education institution located in the urban setting of the large city of Quito, Pichincha. This institution has also branch campuses in Cumbaya.
Also, Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study.
Hence, it is accredited by the Consejo de Aseguramiento de la Calidad de la Educación Superior del Ecuador.
It is exciting to note that USFQ is the first Ecuadorian university to have actively participated in two discoveries of worldwide importance.
First was the top quark and then, the first evidence of the asymmetry between matter and antimatter in the universe.
4. Universidad Técnica de Ambato
Overall Rating: 47.9%
Founded in 1969, Universidad Técnica de Ambato (Technical University of Ambato) is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the large town of Ambato.
Universidad Técnica de Ambato (UTA) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees in several areas of study.
It is one of the best universities in Ecuador. The admission rate range is 50-60% making this Ecuadorian higher education organization an averagely selective institution. It is also accredited by the Consejo de Aseguramiento de la Calidad de la Educación Superior del Ecuador.
5. Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador
Overall Rating: 47.5%
Founded in 1946, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador) is a non-profit private higher education institution in the urban setting of the large city of Quito.
Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (PUCE) offers courses and programs leading to bachelor degrees, master degrees in several areas of study for international students.
They are one of the best universities in Ecuador and also are accredited by the Consejo de Aseguramiento de la Calidad de la Educación Superior del Ecuador.
6. Universidad de Cuenca
Overall Rating: 46.8%
Founded in 1867, Universidad de Cuenca (University of Cuenca) is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the small city of Cuenca.
Universidad de Cuenca (UCUENCA) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees, master degrees in several areas of study for international students.
And, they are fully accredited by the Consejo de Aseguramiento de la Calidad de la Educación Superior del Ecuador.
7. Universidad del Azuay
Overall Rating: 42.4%
Established in 1968, Universidad del Azuay (University of Azuay) is a non-profit private higher education institution in the city of Cuenca.
It is officially accredited by the Consejo de AseguramienSto de la Calidad de la Educación Superior del Ecuador.
Basically, the university offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study.
It has about 5,000-5,999 students.
8. Universidad de Las Américas
Overall Rating: 40.9%
Universidad de Las Américas is a non-profit private higher education institution in the urban setting of the large city of Quito founded in 1995.
It has over 3000-3999 students and was accredited by the Consejo de Aseguramiento de la Calidad de la Educación Superior del Ecuador.
However, the university offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees, master degrees in several areas of study.
9. Escuela Politécnica Nacional
Overall Rating: 39.6%
Escuela Politécnica Nacional), also known as EPN, is a public university in Quito known as one of the top universities in Ecuador.
The campus is located at the sector center-oriental of Quito. And the university has a student enrollment of approximately 10,000 of which thirty percent are women.
However, the main campus encompasses ten teaching and research faculties and specialized institutes.
Escuela Politécnica Nacional (EPN) offers courses and programs accredited by the Consejo de Aseguramiento de la Calidad de la Educación Superior del Ecuador. This made it maintain the lead in officially recognized higher education degrees in several areas of study, even for international students.
10. Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral
Overall Rating: 34.5%
Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL) is a public university situated in the Guayas Province city of Guayaquil in Ecuador.
It was founded in 1958 when Camilo Ponce Enriquez, then president of the Republic of Ecuador, issued an executive decree to provide the city with a higher education institution specializing in technical education.
Currently, the university has three campuses, with the main one being Campus Gustavo Galindo. Most of the facilities, administration and research centers are found here and it is easily accessible due to its proximity to the Via Perimetral.
ESPOL operates eight main faculties: natural sciences and mathematics; social and humanistic sciences; geosciences engineering; maritime engineering, biological science, oceanographic sciences, and natural resources; electrical engineering and computing sciences; mechanical engineering and production sciences; the life of sciences; and visual design and communication.
11. Universidad Central del Ecuador
Overall Rating: 32.6%
The enrollment at this top university is over 10,000 students per year. Note, one of the cornerstones of the Central University of Ecuador is the medical school, which is one of the best in Equador.
12. Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar, Ecuador
Overall Rating: 31.5%
Simón Bolívar Andean University (UASB) is an international university that is part of the Andean Integration System of the Andean Community, specializing in national and international postgraduate programs and courses; based in Sucre, Bolivia (since 1985). It was founded in 1985.
The UASB offers some open courses in postgraduate courses such as specializations, Diplomas, Masters, and doctorates, in particular in economic, social and jurisprudential disciplines.
13. Universidad de Guayaquil
Overall Rating: 30.9%
Universidad de Guayaquil is a public university in Guayaquil, Guayas Province, Ecuador. It was founded in 1883.
This university was founded in 1883. It is the oldest university in the city of Guayaquil and has the largest student body (over 80,000 students). It also operates six extension universities throughout the country
14. Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil
Overall Rating: 30.5%
Founded in 1962, Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil (Catholic University of Santiago de Guayaquil) is a non-profit private higher education institution located in the urban setting of the large city of Guayaquil.
Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil (UCSG) offers courses and programs leading to bachelor degrees, master degrees in several areas of study.
It is accredited by the Consejo de Aseguramiento de la Calidad de la Educación Superior del Ecuador.
15. Universidad Tecnológica Equinoccial
Overall Rating: 29.6%
Universidad Tecnológica Equinoccial (UTE) is a coeducational higher education institution.
UTE offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees in several areas of study.
It was founded in 1971. It is also accredited by the Consejo de Aseguramiento de la Calidad de la Educación Superior del Ecuador.
Conclusion
Ecuador keeps rising in the charts when it comes to tertiary education amidst what happens at the lower levels.
Indeed, their continuous promotion of research has immediately pushed them up among countries with amazing universities.
Why not check out these universities and make a great decision towards your study abroad plans.
Universities in Ecuador FAQs
International students in Ecuador are permitted to work part-time for about 16 hours.
For stays longer than 90 days, students studying in Ecuador will need a Study Visa
Ecuador has 33 universities and technical colleges with 202,683 students.
The elimination of student fees at public universities in Ecuador expresses the ideals enshrined in the 2008 Constitution.
Formal education is categorized into 4 levels: a preprimary, primary, secondary school and higher education.
References
Does this article meet your immediate needs? If yes, leave us with a 5-star rating in the Review Box below. If no, leave us an opinion in the comment box to express your concern or ask a question and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
