Higher Education in Panama

At first, it might seem like foreign schools aren’t for you. But once you consider the high tuition costs of US and Canadian universities, the many universities in Panama that are also bilingual, and the schools that offer an international college experience with low tuition – you might think again. I’ll tell you what skills and experience a certificate from a Panamanian school would give you, how much it costs to get in, what kind of university search services exist for foreigners, and other great options. Here you will also find some information about what can be expected from a higher education in Panama, requirements for getting into universities in Panama, and where to find the best universities in Panama.

Entrance Requirements

We are going to go over the different requirements for getting into universities in Panama. We will also look at some of the top schools and their locations. Requirements to get into universities in Panama are first having passed the previous grades and then passing certain exams required by Universities or technical schools. There are two types of higher education institutions in Panama: universities and polytechnic schools (Centro Tecnológico Superior de Panamá). In order to attend a university or a polytechnic school, students must pass an exam called La Prueba de Capacidades Académicas para ingresar a la Universidad de Panamá, or the academic capacity exam. Students that have completed high school can apply for a university directly after high school. Students who have not completed high school, but are 18 years old or older, can also apply directly after high school.

Different focuses of study

From engineering to business, and from language education to experiential learning*, you can find a wide range of opportunities in traditional academic disciplines as well as in areas where Panama has significant competitive advantages. Panama has a thriving higher education sector, and its public universities are tuition-free, even for foreign students.

Locations of Higher Education Schools

Here are the top 10 Universities and their locations*:
    1. Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá – UTP offers programs that lead to higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor degrees in many areas of study.
    2. Universidad de Panamá – Universidad de Panamá (UP) is a coeducational Panamanian higher education institution. It offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees, including bachelor’s degrees in several areas of study. Founded in 1935, the UP is the primary public university of the country. It has 19 schools and ten regional centers distributed nationwide.
    3. Florida State University Panama City – The University of Panama is a selective, 38-year-old higher education institution with a selective admission policy and an admission rate ranging from 10 to 20 percent. International students are welcome to apply. The university provides several facilities and services to students, including a library, sports facilities, exchange programs, online studies, and other learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.
    4. Universidad Interamericana de Panamá – Officially recognized by the Consejo Nacional de Evaluacion y Acreditacion Universitaria de Panama (National Council of University Assessment and Accreditation of Panama), UIP offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees in several areas of study. UIP also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students, including a library and administrative services.
    5. Universidad Católica Santa María La Antigua – The Catholic University of Santa Maria La Antigua is a small Panamanian higher education institution formally affiliated with the Christian-Catholic religion. The Catholic University of Santa Maria La Antigua offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor degrees and beyond.
    6. ISAE Universidad – ISAE Universidad is a higher-education institution located in Panama City (population range of 500,000-1,000,000 inhabitants), Panama. ISAE is recognized by the Consejo Nacional de Evaluacion y Acreditacion Universitaria de Panama (National Council of University Assessment and Accreditation of Panama) to award bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
    7. Universidad Latina de Panamá – In addition to its main campus, this institution has branch campuses in the following locations: Santiago, Azuero, David, and Penonomé.
    8. Universidad Metropolitana de Educacion, Ciencia y Tecnologia – The Universidad Metropolitana de Educacion, Ciencia y Tecnologia (UMECIT) awards bachelor’s degrees in a variety of subjects. With a sciences and technology focus, the school is known for its high academic standards.
    9. Universidad Autonoma de Chiriqui – The only of the top 10 universities in Panama that are not located in Panama City, but in David. It’s an institution of higher education dedicated to generating and disseminating knowledge, research, and comprehensive, scientific, technological, and humanistic training.
    10. Universidad Especializada de Las Americas – Known for its commitment to excellence in education and social responsibility, this institution follows global standards of excellence as it strives to improve the lives of Panamanian citizens. They aim to lead in scientific, technological, humanistic, economic, cultural, and environmental development for the country.

Takeaways

Private universities usually carry a very high price tag, which makes them inaccessible to most high school graduates. However, if they do meet all the requirements, they have access to the best institutions in the country and can get a degree from one of them. To go to university or college in Panama, students need to pass all the tests required by that institution and be admitted by their selection process. Each university has specific conditions for admission into each of its programs. In general terms, regardless of what type of college you want to enter in Panama, it is necessary that you have at least documentation of having completed high school with an average grade suggested by the institution. In conclusion, it is important to know that in Panama, there are many private universities and colleges, also established public universities, which together with some of the most recognized international university systems, offer a wide range of options for students who want to continue studying after getting their high school diploma. Resources: http://knowledgeinpanama.org/ https://www.4icu.org/pa/

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