Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (UNMSM)

Established in 1551 as the first official university on the American continent, the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (UNMSM) is not only the oldest and the longest continuously operating university in the Americas, but also the most respected higher-education institution in Peru.

Also known as the "Dean university of the Americas", it is widely regarded as an influential institution of higher-education in the country. San Marcos is also recognized for the quality of its curricular contents, a competitive admissions process, as well as for being a center of scientific research.

Academic ranking

Academically the UNMSM consistently ranks among the top 3 universities in the country. According to the QS Latin America University Rankings 2019, the National University of San Marcos is placed on position 74 in the region making it the third-best university in Peru.

Next to the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH) the Faculty of Medicine "San Fernando" of National University of San Marcos is considered the most important and prestigious medical university in the country.

Several Peruvian and Latin America influential thinkers, researchers, scientists, politicians and writers have studied there, which underscores San Marcos' leading role as an educational institution in the history of Peru and the world.

Study Areas & Degrees

Officially accredited and recognized by the Peruvian Ministry of Education, the UNMSM offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized undergraduate and postgraduate degrees such as bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.

San Marcos has 60 academic-professional schools, organized into 6 academic areas and 21 faculties. All the faculties offer undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Health sciences

• Faculty of Human Medicine
• Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry
• Faculty of Dentistry
• Faculty of Veterinarian Medicine
• Faculty of Psychology

Humanities

• Faculty of Letters and Human sciences
• Faculty of Education

Social sciences

• Faculty of Law and Political science
• Faculty of Social sciences

Basic sciences

• Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical engineering
• Faculty of Biological sciences
• Faculty of Physical sciences
• Faculty of Mathematical sciences

Engineering

• Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical engineering
• Faculty of Physical Sciences
• Faculty of Geology, Mining, Metallurgy and Geography engineering
• Faculty of Industrial engineering
• Faculty of Electronics and Electrical engineering

Business sciences

• Faculty of Administrative sciences
• Faculty of Accountancy Sciences
• Faculty of Economic sciences

Additionally, the university has a number of public institutions under its government such as the San Marcos Cultural Center and the Museum of Natural History of Lima.

Language of conversation and instruction is Spanish.

Find more detailed information on areas of study and degree levels currently offered on the official website of the UNMSM.

Admission

The university has an extremely selective admission policy based on entrance examinations.

International students

International students are welcome to apply for enrollment. Please contact the university for detailed information on requirements.

Be aware that the language of instruction is Spanish.

Tuition

The National University of San Marcos is a public institution that in general offers free education. Nevertheless, costs for admission exams, registration, materials, books and photocopies, etc. have to be covered by the student.

International students may be charged tuition.

Campus

The campus of the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos is located on Av. Venezuela cdra. 34 - Av. Universitaria – Av. Oscar Benavides in the University City in Lima.

Today about 40,000 students are enrolled at the National University of San Marcos from which more or less 300 are international students. Total faculty staff is about 2,000.

Motto: Universidad del Perú, Decana de América (University of Peru, Dean of America)
Colors: Gold, red, white, blue
Mascot: Lion

Please contact the university or visit the official website for more detailed information on admission policies, areas of study and degree levels.