Requirements for foreign students to apply for a scholarship in Chile

Chile offers a range of scholarships for foreign students. Find out more about the options available below.

Chile is a country that is always open to receiving foreign students. Undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD programs are offered at 61 universities, both public and private, and there is also a wide variety of scholarship and student aid options for foreign students that will encourage you to apply and enable you to excel in your chosen field of study.

What scholarships can I apply for? What are the requirements to apply for a scholarship for foreign students in Chile? Don’t let fear and doubt fill your mind and hinder your study plans. Below we explain how to apply for the three most popular higher education scholarships in Chile.

CONICYT scholarships

These scholarships are offered as part of the Formation of Advanced Human Capital Program (PFCHA), which was created in 1998 with the goal of increasing the number of high-quality researchers and professionals in all fields of study related to development in Chile and globally.

Both Chileans and foreigners with permanent residency can apply for the master’s degree scholarship, while foreigners without permanent residency may also apply to the PhD scholarship.

Master’s degree scholarship

The master’s degree scholarship provides support to students for a period no greater than two years from the study program start date. You should keep in mind that master’s degrees related to business, finance and marketing are not eligible for funding through this scholarship. Students awarded the scholarship will receive an annual maintenance allowance of CLP 5,883,360, provided in monthly installments for the duration of the master’s degree program. A further CLP 1,000,000 per year is provided for tuition fees.

PhD scholarship

The PhD scholarship is aimed at those who wish to further advance their professional prospects by obtaining a doctorate. Students awarded the scholarship will receive financial support for a maximum period of four years, regardless of the area of study. If necessary, this aid may be extended for up to six months while students complete their doctoral thesis. Both Chilean and foreign students with or without permanent residency in Chile may apply. The scholarship provides an annual maintenance allowance of up to CLP 7,800,000, distributed in monthly installments. A further CLP 2,700,000 per year is provided for tuition fees.

AGCID scholarships

The Chilean International Cooperation Agency for Development (AGCID) also offers a range of university scholarship programs.

Republic of Chile master’s degree scholarship program

These scholarships enable Latin American or South African professionals to complete high-level postgraduate or training courses in Chile. Students are also received through the Pacific Alliance’s Student and Academic Mobility Platform.

More specifically, this program is aimed at professionals from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, and CARICOM member countries: Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago.

Chile-Mexico reciprocal scholarship program

This program is aimed at Mexican students and professionals who wish to continue their higher education in Chile.

Nelson Mandela master’s degree programs

Professionals from Angola, Mozambique and South Africa are eligible for funding through this scholarship.

Pacific Alliance scholarship

Pacific Alliance member countries—Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru—form part of the Pacific Alliance Student and Academic Mobility Platform. This scholarship provides funding for the full cost of higher education, including airfares, accommodation and health insurance.

Priority fields of study include public administration, political science, international trade, economics, finance, engineering, innovation, science and technology, the environment and climate change, business, international relations and tourism.

So what are you waiting for? Apply for one of these scholarships and improve your prospects by studying in Chile.

For more information, visit our Scholarships and Benefits section.