Exchanges

University Life

Sports, workshops of different types, volunteer work and cultural agenda are just some of the activities that students can choose and participate in during their stay.

 

Semester Stays

At PUCV you can choose from a variety of study experiences, practical or research internships, as well as work with the Port community. Each experience is designed so that students who participate in them acquire and develop the knowledge and skills necessary to interact in a global context.

You can visit us as an exchange student (in case there is a bilateral agreement between PUCV and your home university) or as an independent student (free-mover).

Calls for applications:

First semester: October to December

Second semester: March to May

Information to apply:

  • Spanish Program
  • Exchange Semester in Academic Units
  • Semester of independent exchange (free-mover)

If you are interested in studying at PUCV for a shorter period of time, you can participate in our summer programs, where you will have the opportunity to learn Spanish or improve your language skills in stays of 3 to 5 weeks.

  • January and February
  • J-Term
  • Summer 1 & Summer 2

At PUCV you can choose from a variety of study experiences, practical or research internships, as well as work with the Port community. Each experience is designed so that students who participate in them acquire and develop the knowledge and skills necessary to interact in a global context.

You can visit us as an exchange student (in case there is a bilateral agreement between PUCV and your home university) or as an independent student (free-mover).

Five reasons to live with a PUCV Host Family

It is a personalized service
After you confirm your desire to live with a Host Family, we will ask you to fill out a form with questions about your main interests and restrictions in order to find the family that best suits your needs.
We are flexible
We have a variety of host families with different characteristics: family composition, location, pets, etc. In addition, you can always talk to us to request intermediation with your family and/or change of family. For this, we will organize visits to new families so that you can choose which family to stay with.
You will have a new family!
The experience of living with a family will mark you forever, either through the multiple experiences with your family or the friendships you will create during your stay. Most of our international students remain in contact with their Host Families, even 10 years later!
You will improve your level of Spanish
Once you surround yourself with a Chilean family, you will begin to strengthen your language skills. The cultural exchange will favor your fluency in the language and allow you to consolidate your Spanish in a short period of time.
You will experience Chilean culture first hand.
Living with a host family will allow you to get to know the many cultural facets of Chile and Latin America, especially from the relationships that are established in the daily coexistence with the family. Our system aims to provide the international student not only with a stay service, but also with an intercultural experience.

The Host Family Homestay service includes:

  • Private room
  • Bed linens
  • Basic furnishings
  • Access to kitchen
  • Shared bathroom
  • At least 3 meals per day (provided by the family)
  • Internet access
  • Laundry service

The tutorials (or personalized classes) are focused on the student's needs and requirements and can be organized based on these. The courses are mostly focused on Spanish (different levels), but as they are flexible in content, you can create your own program. In addition, you decide the schedule that best suits you.

Useful information:

 For more information about costs, application and others, please contact us by email at [email protected].

Call for Applications: First Semester 2027

The Office of International Exchange invites you to apply for the 2027-1 exchange program, with the application deadline set for July 12, 2026. Attached is the Application Guide with details on the process and frequently asked questions. You can also review the list of current bilateral agreements with information specific to each university. Finally, we are sharing the document you must complete to apply (Academic Workload Proposal).

Don't miss the opportunity to be part of this experience.

Application Documents

Proposed academic load
Partner Institutions
Application Guide

Exchange semester

The PUCV, through the International Exchange Office, offers you the opportunity to spend part of your studies abroad, in an institution of recognized academic quality.

You will be able to live an enriching experience that will provide you with indispensable tools and competencies for your professional performance from a global perspective and will contribute decisively to your personal growth.

 

Double title

  • University of Mons, Belgium
    1. Degrees: Chemical Civil Engineering, Biochemical Civil Engineering, Electrical Civil Engineering, Mechanical Civil Engineering, Mining Civil Engineering.
    2. Duration: 4 semesters
    3. Language: French, except for Civil Electrical Engineering, which is also taught in English.
    4. At the time of starting the DT program, the following requirements must be met:
      • To have passed all the compulsory subjects from the first to the tenth semester of the respective study plan.
      • To have obtained a Bachelor's degree.
      • Accredit language level equivalent to B2.

  • Universidad Católica Boliviana "San Pablo", Bolivia
    1. Career: Construction Engineering
    2. Duration: 4 semesters
    3. Language: Spanish
    4. At the time of starting the DT program, the following requirements must be met:
      • Have passed all subjects from the first to the ninth semester of the respective study plan.
      • Have passed two internships.
      • To have obtained a Bachelor's degree.

  • University of Cantabria, Spain
    1. Career: Construction Engineering
    2. Duration: 2 semesters
    3. Language: Spanish
    4. At the time of starting the DT program, the following requirements must be met:
      • Have passed all subjects from the first to the eighth semester of the respective study plan.
      • Proof of English level equivalent to B1.
      • To have obtained a Bachelor's degree.

  • University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain
    1. Career: Biochemical Civil Engineering
    2. Duration: 3 semesters
    3. Language: Spanish
    4. At the time of starting the DT program, you must meet the following requirements:
      • To have passed all the compulsory subjects from the first to the ninth semester of the respective study plan.
      • Have passed an internship.
      • To have passed 10 credits of Fundamental Formation.
      • To have obtained a Bachelor's degree in Engineering Sciences.

  • École Supérieure d'Ingénieurs en Électrotechnique et Electronique (ESIEE Paris), France
    1. Degrees: Civil Electrical Engineering, Civil Electronics Engineering
    2. Duration: 4 semesters
    3. Language: French
    4. Program start: second semester PUCV (September)
    5. At the time of starting the DT program, you must meet the following requirements:
      • Have passed at least 10 semesters of their study plan.
      • Have obtained a Bachelor's degree before starting the stay at ESIEE Amiens.
      • Proof of French B2 and English B1 level.

  • UniLaSalle Amiens (ESIEE Amiens), France
    1. Degrees: Civil Electrical Engineering, Civil Electronics Engineering
    2. Duration: 4 semesters
    3. Language: French
    4. At the time of starting the DT program, you must meet the following requirements:
      • To have passed all the compulsory subjects from the first to the eighth semester of the respective study plan.
      • Have obtained a Bachelor's degree before starting the stay at ESIEE Amiens.
      • Proof of French B2 and English B1 level.

  • Université Clermont Auvergne, France
    1. Career: Construction Engineering
    2. Duration: 4 semesters
    3. Language: French
    4. At the time of starting the DT program, you must meet the following requirements:
      • Have passed all subjects from the first to the ninth semester of the respective study plan.
      • Have passed two internships.
      • English level equivalent to B1 and French level equivalent to B2.
      • To have obtained a Bachelor's degree.

International Recognition 

Compulsory and/or elective subjects may be validated if there is a 75% affinity between the subject to be taken at the host university and the base subject at the PUCV. The Academic Unit (AU) that teaches the PUCV base course determines the existence of this 75% affinity.

 Students, during their application stage, will complete an Academic Load Proposal indicating the courses to be taken at the host university and those considered equivalent at the PUCV. This proposal must be submitted to the UA to check if it complies with the sufficiency requirements.

 In case the subjects are not in the Historical Record of International Recognition, the student must provide the transcripts and the UA must complete a recognition report, indicating whether it accepts or rejects the request.

 The courses that the student will validate upon his/her return will be included in the Mobility Agreement signed between the student and the PUCV.

 During his/her stay at the host university, the student must send the PUCV a form of registered subjects. In the same way, if in this form there are subjects that have not been included in the Mobility Agreement, the student may request their incorporation by sending the respective program for review. This process must be carried out within 10 days from the beginning of the mobility.

 Finally, once the international stay is over, the student may request the validation of the subjects passed by sending the official transcript of grades to the PUCV International Exchange Office.

Credit acknowledgments

Credit recognition may be requested in duly accredited cases of force majeure, and for elective and/or core subjects that have not been included in the Academic Load Proposal.

 The applicant student must complete a Credit Recognition Request Form and submit it to the International Exchange Office along with the official syllabus of the course and the official transcript of grades.

  •  Elective Subjects
    The background information will be sent to the respective Academic Unit for a review of the academic merits of the subject. If approved, the AU will issue a report indicating the number of credits to be validated.

    Credit Recognition may only be requested when the student has elective credits to be approved.

 

  • Fundamental Formation Subjects
    The background information will be sent to the Technical Council of the Fundamental Formation Program for a review of the academic merits of the subject.

    The maximum number of Fundamental Formation credits to be recognized will be six (6) and, under no circumstances, may the student request recognition of credits granted for the subjects of Christian Anthropology and Christian Ethics (which must always be taken at PUCV).

Pre-selection requirements :

  • Be a regular student of PUCV at the time of application.
  • Responsibility and commitment to the process
  • To have passed the first four semesters at the time of application. First and second year students are not eligible to apply.
  • To have the sponsorship of its Academic Unit through the submission of the Academic Load Proposal.
  • Language level according to the requirements of the foreign university of your interest, in case you are not a Spanish speaker.
  • It is suggested to review foreign academic offers and consult with the Student Advisors before discarding destinations, since there are several options in relation to languages (especially English offerings at most universities).
  • In the case of Dual Degree Programs, you can check this link with the specific requirements.

Calls:

First semester: the call opens in April and closes in June. Students who apply in this call for applications carry out their exchange during the first semester of the following year. The starting month depends on the country (in the northern hemisphere classes usually begin in January).

 Second semester: the call opens in September and closes in October. Students who apply in this call for applications carry out their exchange during the second semester of the following year. The starting month depends on the country (in the northern hemisphere classes usually begin in August).

 Important: in the northern hemisphere the academic year begins in August and usually ends in May of the following year. Therefore, the first semester in the northern hemisphere begins in August and ends in December. The second semester begins in January and ends in May.

Tuition and Fees

Students on an international stay are exempt from paying tuition and fees at the host university. However, during the period of their exchange, they must pay their tuition and fees at PUCV.

Students who participate in the International Exchange Program maintain, during their stay abroad, all the benefits and support plans that they have as a PUCV student. Thus, for example, a student who has Gratuidad, maintains the benefit during their exchange.

Scholarships:

The PUCV has a scholarship program for students who participate in the International Exchange Program. These scholarships are intended to partially cover the costs of an exchange stay and there are two calls per year, which coincide with the call to apply for semester exchange. In the case of internships, the process must be carried out on the same dates.

  • Santander Scholarship:
    This is an external scholarship, for academic excellence, given by Banco Santander to PUCV students. The application requirements, calls and dates vary depending on the bases established by the Bank each year. The opening of the call is informed by the Bank to the PUCV and disseminated through our communication channels.
  • ELAP Scholarship:
    This scholarship is awarded by the Government of Canada to young emerging leaders from Latin America who apply for an exchange stay at a Canadian university with which PUCV has a bilateral agreement.
Contact
Schedule
Scroll to top