Foreigners can study at Colombian universities and SENA programs. The main language is Spanish; without it undergraduate study at public universities is nearly impossible. Some master’s and MBA programs are in English. Prices are often lower than Europe/US, but “free for foreigners” is a myth except scholarships and SENA.
Daycare and schools - separate guide: Daycare and schools. Language: Spanish. Documents and apostille: Before arrival, Translation.
Program levels
Pregrado (undergraduate)
Usually 8–10 semesters (4–5 years). Entry via university application; locals often take exams / ICFES Saber 11, foreigners follow a separate track (diploma + apostille + language).
Especialización
Short post-degree (often up to 1 year) - narrow specialization after pregrado.
Maestría
1–2 years. Main focus of ICETEX Beca Colombia scholarships.
Doctorado
From ~3 years; admission and funding depend heavily on the department.
Técnico / Tecnólogo (SENA and colleges)
Practical programs shorter than university; SENA is free for those legally eligible to enroll.
Universities foreigners often consider
Universidad de los Andes (Bogotá)
Top private university, strong brand, some programs in English. Campus near center: choose housing in calmer areas north/west, not “any price nearby” - see Bogotá.
Pontificia Universidad Javeriana
Bogotá and Cali; wide range of majors, strong reputation.
Universidad Nacional de Colombia
Largest public university (Bogotá, Medellín, etc.): cheaper than private, competitive admission, Spanish required.
Universidad de Antioquia (Medellín)
Strong regional public university; popular among those already living in the Aburrá Valley.
EAFIT (Medellín)
Business, engineering, languages; convenient infrastructure for expats.
Universidad del Rosario (Bogotá)
Law, economics, international programs; often on foreign student lists.
Before applying check program accreditation (Registro Calificado / alta calidad) on the university site and MinEducación catalogs.
Cost
Public
Ballpark for foreigners: roughly 1,000–4,000 USD/year depending on program and campus - at Nacional / UdeA often lower than private, but not zero.
Private (Andes, Javeriana, EAFIT…)
Often 5,000–15,000+ USD/year; top programs cost more. Check matrícula per semester on the site.
SENA
Training is free for those eligible to enroll (see below) - no intermediaries.
Plus housing, transport, insurance and deposits. City budget: Housing, Finance.
Admission: what to prepare in practice
Application
Online on the university site (admisiones / international). Semester starts: usually January–February and July–August - deadlines months before start.
Documents
High school diploma / degree + transcript with apostille (or legalization), official Spanish translation. Passport copies. Sometimes recommendation letters and motivation essay.
Language
Spanish programs: often DELE / SIELE or internal test. English programs: TOEFL / IELTS. On r/Colombia people say plainly: without Spanish undergraduate at UdeA / Nacional makes little sense - language first, then university.
Admission letter
Required for visa and ICETEX scholarships (carta de admisión definitiva with program dates).
Student visa: Visa V Estudiante
This is Visa tipo V - Estudiante (Visitante), not “tipo M.” Official: Cancillería - Visa V Estudiante. Apply online via SITAC Cancillería.
- Admission / matrícula certificate stating program and duration.
- Health insurance for the full stay in Colombia.
- Proof of means: for in-person application often ~10 SMLMV monthly income on statements (verify on Cancillería - SMLMV changes yearly).
- Visa term - up to 2 years (extendable per category rules). Some passport holders on visa-free entry may study up to 180 days without this visa - check the current list.
General visas section: Visa and documents. After a long-stay visa you usually get cédula de extranjería through Migración.
ICETEX - Beca Colombia for foreigners
Programa de reciprocidad / Beca Colombia - main government scholarship for foreigners on especialización and maestría (not “any bachelor’s”).
What it covers
Usually 100% matrícula at catalog universities + monthly stipend + health insurance; some cohorts include visa / cédula support. Exact package - in current call bases.
Who qualifies
Foreigner under 50; not a Colombian citizen; not residing in the country in the months before applying and not starting study in Colombia before the call; undergraduate GPA not below equivalent of 4.0 / 5.0; final admission letter for a program from the call’s Academic Offer Catalogue (often up to 3 programs).
Spanish track
For non-Spanish-speaking countries there may be an option: up to 6 months of Spanish, then posgrado from the catalog.
2026-2 call example
Sample timeline: opens in spring, deadline around early June 2026, up to ~70 places, stipend cap per country of origin. Always take PDF bases from ICETEX - dates change every semester.
Universities also offer own becas / discounts - ask the international office.
SENA - free practical training
SENA - government network of technical and technological education. Programs are free; enrollment via official platforms (Sofia Plus / Betowa), no “agents.”
Foreigners need legal status for in-person enrollment: usually cédula de extranjería or valid visa/stay permit with study rights. Without documents the system blocks enrollment. Virtual courses for Colombians abroad work differently - on the ground orient toward CE / visa.
Locals often choose SENA as entry to IT / logistics / manufacturing when they cannot afford private university. Not a “classic university degree,” but a strong practical track in the job market.
Diploma convalidación
If you need to recognize a foreign degree in Colombia (regulated profession, some public jobs, sometimes posgrado), go through Ministerio de Educación convalidación - platform convalida.mineducacion.gov.co. Intermediaries are not required.
Typical package: apostilled diploma and transcripts, study plan, ID, fee payment; for posgrado you often need recognized pregrado first. Timelines and outcome depend on field - medicine and engineering are stricter.
For simple admission to a new program apostille + translation often suffices without full convalidación - confirm with admissions.
First-month checklist
- Pick 2–3 universities/programs and note deadlines + language of instruction.
- Collect apostilles and official translations.
- Bring Spanish to working level (or take university prep) - Spanish.
- Get carta de admisión → apply for Visa V Estudiante.
- Parallel track: ICETEX if target is maestría / especialización.
- If you already have cédula and need practical skills - watch SENA enrollment window.