Higher Education System of Peru

The Ministry of Education is responsible for higher education in Peru. Higher education in Peru is provided by universities, technological institutions and schools of higher education. Higher education in Peru is divided into two levels:

Non-university level studies in Peru comprises of higher vocational and technical education. These are offered by the higher technological institutes, the higher pedagogical institutes, academies of music and fine arts, national schools for public administration and public health, and diplomatic academy. Higher technical education institutes (IETS) also offer post-secondary education in Peru.

• Duration: 3 to 5 years
• Qualification awarded: Expert (Experto), Professional (Profesional) and Technical (Tecnico) in their respective disciplines.

University level studies have two stages: undergraduate and graduate. Undergraduate studies leads to bachiller, and graduate leads to specialist, masters and doctorate degree. 

Higher education institutions in Peru are: universities, technological institutes and schools of higher education. 

Universities in Peru provide academic as well as technological research programmes at the undergraduate and graduate level.  Universities also offer higher professional education programmes.

These institutions offer following programmes:  

Technical training (Formacion Tecnica)

Vocational and Technical Training (Formacion Profesional Tecnica)

Vocational Training (Formacion Profesional )

• Certificate awarded: Profesional a Nombre de la Nacion and Professional artist (Artista Profesional)

Teacher Training

The first 2 years of the university level studies are general studies (estudios generales). After completed of general studies, specialisation starts of 3 to 5 years. Students are required to finish a final project (trabajo de investigacion) and proficiency in a second foreign language is needed.

• Duration: 4 to 6 years
• Qualification awarded: Bachiller
• Credits: At least 200 (for general studies- minimum 35 credits) 

To get a professional qualification, students are required to defend a final paper and submit a project or assignment.

Qualification: Professional degree (Titulo Profesional) / Engineering degree (Titulo de Ingeniero)

In order to qualify for the Professional degree in law (Titulo Profesional de Abogado) a 1-year work placement must also be finished.

These programmes offer in specific subject areas that lead to professional development and also benefit the society. 

• Credits: 24
• Duration: 1-2 years

Students must hold a bachiller degree or an equivalent qualification for admission into the master’s programme. Masters programmes in Peru are offered only by universities. 

• Duration: 1-2 years

Master’s degree programmes are of two types:

• Professional master’s programme (maestria de especializacion)
• Research-oriented master’s programme (maestria de investigacion o academicas)

Students are required to complete the coursework and publicly defend a final thesis/project. It also includes proficiency in a foreign language.

Qualification awarded: Grado de Maestro/Magister

Students who hold a master’s degree are eligible for doctoral studies. This qualification is the highest possible qualification to be obtained in Peru. Doctorate degree programme in Peru is offered by universities only. 

• Duration: At least 3 years (6 semesters)

Students are required to research and prepare a doctoral thesis. The doctorate studies ends with a public defence of the thesis. It also required proficiency in two foreign languages.

Qualification awarded: Grado de Doctor 

Students must have completed secondary education and hold the Official certificate of completion of secondary education in order to gain admittance into the university-level studies in Peru.  Admission requirements vary by programme and level of study. Each higher education institution has its own entry requirements. Click here to know in detail about the admission requirements and procedure for higher education in Peru.