If you go to study in Chile, you will find a wide range of market-oriented courses there at many universities . Since a new education law ( Ley General de Educación ) was passed in 2009, Chilean universities have undergone extensive reforms.
For this reason, the structure of the Chilean study system and the degrees awarded is not yet uniform across the country. However, this process is expected to be completed in the coming years.
German students already have the opportunity to study abroad at many universities in Chile. Short-term study visits, such as attending a language course or completing a semester abroad, are particularly popular .
Quality assurance in Chile
With sufficient demand and obvious trends, new courses are introduced quickly. The universities are largely free to design their courses and examination regulations within the legal framework.
In order to ensure nationwide quality assurance , all newly designed courses are approved by the National Accreditation Commission ( Comisión Nacional de Accreditación, CNAP ).
Structure of the study system in Chile
The academic year in Chile is divided into two semesters. It starts in March and ends in December.
In contrast to Germany, the study in Chile consists of two consecutive sections that are similar to the structure of the Anglo-Saxon study system:
- Pregrado: undergraduate studies
- Posgrado: postgraduate studies
Especially in the Pregrado section , the study system in Chile is comparatively schooled . It not infrequently includes homework and the students have to pass many small examinations over the course of a semester. At the Posgrado, students often do their own research on projects.
The classic and country-specific degrees
The majority of Chilean students are enrolled in undergraduate studies. In contrast, only about a tenth of all students acquire a degree in Posgrado . The structure of the country-specific study programs differs greatly from the degree programs in Germany.
Pregrado: Bachiller (ato) and Licenciatura
The most common academic degree in Chile is the Licenciatura , which is mostly four-year courses . The Licenciatura entitles the holder to take up further studies in the Posgrado section .
Completion of a Licenciatura degree is also a prerequisite for access to some state-protected professions in subjects such as medicine , architecture or psychology . The courses in these subjects often include practical training phases.
Therefore, the total duration of the course can be between three and seven years. In addition to the Licenciatura courses, there are also courses that lead to the academic degree of Bachiller or Bachillerato within two years .
Despite the similar name, these courses cannot be compared with the German Bachelor course. Rather, it is about general education courses . They impart basic knowledge in areas such as natural sciences , social sciences or linguistics and cultural studies and prepare for a subsequent Licenciatura degree. They are particularly suitable for applicants who are denied direct access to Licenciatura courses.
Posgrado: Maestría and Doctorado
After completing the undergraduate Licenciatura degree, graduates in the Posgrado section can complete a Maestría or Magíster degree. These one- or two-year courses serve to specialize and, as a rule, deepen the knowledge acquired in the Licenciatura course .
The Postítulos y Maestrías Profesionales are a specialty, including the MBA. These courses are often not consecutive, but are also open to graduates from other fields.
The highest academic degree awarded in Chile is the Doctorado. The doctoral programs at Chilean universities are designed for a period of two to seven years. They include lectures as well as the preparation and defense of a comprehensive doctoral thesis. After completing your doctorate, you have the opportunity to continue doing research as part of so-called post- doctorates and pursue an academic career.
The above-mentioned academic degrees are only allowed to be awarded by universities in Chile. The Institutos Profesionales and the Centros de Formación Técnica de Nivel Superior, on the other hand, award job-related training titles such as the Técnico de Nivel Superior .
Shorter study stays in Chile
Due to the still changing study system in Chile, many German students are primarily interested in shorter study stays. In particular, a semester abroad in Chile is ideal. Participation in the Study Abroad program enables you to gain international study experience and expand your language skills in one of the most modern countries in Latin America in a short space of time.
In order to gain access to the study system in Chile, the (technical) Abitur and sufficient language skills in Spanish or English are usually required. The admission requirements can differ more widely at private universities.
There is also the option of taking an Academic Gap Year in Chile before studying . Students can expand their language skills there and gain initial study experience in their desired subjects. Under certain circumstances, the courses attended can be credited towards later studies.
The study system in Chile compared to Germany
Due to the ongoing university reforms for the study system in Chile, the structures of the study programs are currently still changing. In many cases, however, it is possible to have the examinations acquired in Chile recognized, especially for a short stay abroad.
In contrast to Germany, the Chilean grading system is more complex and the study system is much more familiar. The technical training center ( Centros de Formación Tecnica ) , for example, offers practical courses of study . The professional qualifications in Chile are generally not recognized in Germany.
