Frequently Asked Questions
The University
Does UCI have official recognition in Costa Rica of the undergraduate and graduate degrees offered?
Yes, the University for International Cooperation has been authorized to operate by the National Council of Private University Education (CONESUP) of Costa Rica since 1994. The curricula of the undergraduate and graduate degrees issued by UCI are also officially recognized by CONESUP, according to the scopes described in the Agreement of Nomenclature of Degrees and Titles in force.
What is the focus of UCI's educational model?
UCI's educational model is based on the pillars of humanism and the socio-reconstructionist, socio-formative and technological approaches:
- Through the socio-reconstructionist approach, the aim is for students to become agents of their own knowledge, in permanent interaction with their social, economic and political environment, with the help of their peers and teachers, generating the tools that allow them to become a permanent producer of knowledge, which they can share and make available to others.
- Through the socio-formative approach, students are encouraged to achieve the maximum harmonious development of their potential in a socially responsible and ethically committed manner.
- And, through a technological approach, we employ virtual educational platforms designed to develop strategies that enable students to address and solve, in a coherent and effective manner, specific problems related to their professional field.
Our constructivist pedagogical model strengthens the relationship of the virtual learning community that seeks cooperation and collaboration in the construction of new knowledge by sharing and interacting among peers. Thus achieving meaningful learning for learners.
How many hours of study should I dedicate per week to a Master's Degree?
The time invested in the program is relative to the particular conditions of each student. However, a good estimate is that, on average, the time invested will be around 15 - 20 hours per week.
If I need technical assistance or to file a complaint, is there an information system that allows me to do so?
Yes, the University provides a system for receiving requests for academic and technical support, as well as requests and complaints. Each request is automatically assigned a unique identifier, which we will use from the Academic Coordination, to identify and track the specific manager of its monitoring and resolution. You can access the system from the following link: https://soporte.uci.ac.cr/
Where can I access the internal regulations and general policies related to the students' academic regime?
The internal regulations of the University are available on our website, either directly from the link https://uci.ac.cr/marco-legal-y-reglamentacion/ or from the menu options at the bottom of the main page through the Legal Framework and Regulations option.
What are the prices approved by CONESUP?
The current fees approved by the National Council of Private University Higher Education for UCI's Master's degree programs are as follows:
Enrollment: ₡285 274.5 colones
Tuition by subject: ₡285 274.50 colones
Admissions
Do I have to take any admission exams at the ICU?
No. The UCI does not apply admission tests for its careers, in its attempt to provide interested persons who meet the requirements with equal and democratic access to its predilections. The suitability of a candidate may be assessed in particular under certain exceptional conditions.
Is there a general Admission Guide for students?
YES. You can download it from the address: https://api.uci.ac.cr/uploads/20230627_UCI_Manual_de_Admision_2_1_030e974406.pdf
Can foreigners be admitted to the ICU?
Yes, the virtual system ensures the necessary degrees of participation and synchronous and asynchronous presence for your courses, as long as you comply with the requirements and required documentation.
What documents should I attach to my application for admission?
You must attach an original and copy of your professional diploma, a digital photograph or two identical printed photographs, an original certification issued by the institution where you completed the program of studies, with a list of the subjects, the grades obtained, the credits per subject and the period in which it was taken, an original or authenticated copy of an official identity document in force, as well as an updated CV.
What is the minimum validity of the identity document to be presented?
The minimum validity of the identity document shall be 6 months at the time of presentation. The same condition applies for graduation purposes.
Can I enroll in a UCI Master's program without having a Bachelor's or Bachelor's degree?
NO. At least you must have completed the University Baccalaureate and possess the respective diploma. It must be equivalent to between 120 and 144 Costa Rican university credits.
Is my country adhered to the Hague Apostille Convention?
Consult here the list of countries adhered to the Hague Convention abolishing the requirement of Legalization of foreign public documents and enabling the issuance of Apostille certificates: https://www.hcch.net/es/instruments/conventions/status-table/?cid=41
How to validate the professional diploma (degree) of a foreign person as a requirement for admission to a graduate program at UCI?
The process of legalization in the country of issuance of a professional degree varies according to the country of origin. However, in general, interested persons have two options:
If the country of origin of the title is a signatory to the Hague Convention, only the Hague apostille is required, instead of consular legalization. The list of signatory countries to the Convention can be consulted at https://www.hcch.net/es/instruments/conventions/status-table/?cid=41
If the country of origin is not a party to the Hague Convention, the conventional legalization procedure applied by the country of issuance applies, as well as the procedure at the respective Costa Rican Consulate, when applicable.
NOTE: This procedure does not imply recognition or official equivalency of degrees and titles, nor does it imply authorization to practice in the country. For this, the interested person must apply the current legalization procedure, described in the Office of Recognition and Equalization of the National Council of Rectors of Public Universities of Costa Rica (CONARE) at https://ore.conare.ac.cr/xhtml/paginas/info/instrucciones.xhtml
Why do I have to demonstrate instrumental proficiency in a foreign language, in addition to my native language, in order to enroll in a master's program?
The Agreement for the creation of the nomenclature for degrees and titles of public higher education (CONARE, 2004) and adopted by the regulatory authority of private universities (CONESUP), establishes that in order to obtain a Master's degree, it is required to have instrumental proficiency in a second language. At UCI we have adopted the definition of instrumental proficiency of the European Framework of Reference for Languages (Council of Europe, 2004), equivalent to independent proficiency “B1”.”
What language skills do I need to demonstrate at MCRL B1 level to enroll in a Master's program?
The person “is able to understand the main points of clear texts in standard language if they deal with familiar matters, whether in work, study or leisure situations. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is used. Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences, events, wishes and aspirations and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans”. (Council of Europe. (2004). European Framework of Reference for Languages).
What kind of instruments or attestations do I need to submit to prove proficiency in an additional foreign language?
Instrumental proficiency is proven by presenting verifiable evidence of possessing at least the level of proficiency described, either through:
1. Generally accepted proficiency tests such as Duolingo (at least 54/100 points), TOEFL (at least +70 points).
2. Professional diplomas of studies in countries with languages other than their native language, bilingual high school diplomas of secondary studies or certificates of intermediate technician in any language.
3. Professional qualifications in second language teaching . learning.
4. Diplomas of approval of training programs of recognized language teaching centers, whose equivalence is equal or higher than level B1.
Scholarships
Does UCI have a scholarship system?
Yes. Through an internal scholarship system, the University subsidizes all or part of the tuition or other items of a career, as established in the Student Scholarship Regulations, according to the realities of their financial capacity at the time the application is submitted, without prejudice, that in parallel are offered extraordinary grants from philanthropy or cooperation systems. (https://uci.ac.cr/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/20220420-Reglamento-becas_aprobCONESUP.pdf)
Graduation
Are UCI's formal education diplomas recognized in other countries?
Yes, UCI degrees can be recognized through the recognition or validation processes defined in the specific regulations in force in each country. The requirements and procedures may change from one country to another.
If this process is desired, it is the responsibility of the graduates to carry out these procedures personally with the competent institution in their country of origin or residence. To facilitate the procedures, UCI provides foreign students with apostilled or legalized degrees and certifications, as required.
In addition, Costa Rica is one of the 23 signatory states of the Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Degrees and Diplomas in Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean, which entered into force in October 2022. Thanks to this agreement, the signatory States Parties undertake to adopt all necessary measures to recognize the studies, degrees and diplomas of the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.
If I live abroad, how can I claim my diploma?
Overseas students who have fulfilled the graduation requirements established in the curriculum and authorized to graduate by CONESUP have two options to withdraw their diploma:
1. Attend a semester graduation ceremony scheduled in Costa Rica. Travel and living expenses are the responsibility of the interested parties.
2. Coordinate with the Admissions and Registration department the shipment through a courier company (DHL, UPS or similar depending on the country). Shipping costs are not included
Virtual Education
What are the minimum technical requirements to participate in a virtual program?
- Recently manufactured fixed or portable computers with sufficient disk space and RAM memory and peripheral connection possibilities capable of enabling connections to the INTERNET, play multimedia resources such as sound files or videos, participate in videoconferences Intel processors: Core i3 series or higher.
- If not integrated into the computer used, have connection capabilities and availability of peripherals such as microphones, webcams and headphones.
- Software to be installed: Internet browser, Acrobat Reader 6 or higher, MS Office 365 and ZOOM 5.16 or higher.
- Recommended browsers: Mozilla Firefox 119 or higher, Google Chrome 119 or higher.
How does the interaction between people participating in virtual programs take place?
Learners have several tools available to interact with each other within the university's virtual campus. Each learner will be able to see the other people enrolled in the course in the “Participants” section and communicate directly through the platform's messaging system.
In addition, communication between students and teachers takes place in thematic and general discussion forums, for example:
- Consultation forum: In this forum, you may express your doubts about the development of the course. You may ask the facilitator, in the case of academic issues, or the academic assistant, in the case of administrative or configuration issues, to clarify your questions.
- Social forum: The objective of this forum is that the entire course community has a space to share ideas, news, articles or different elements of interest.
Other communication tools used include emails, social networks, whatsapp, videoconferencing platforms such as Zoom, among others.