Universidad Externado de Colombia

Bogotá, 🇨🇴 Colombia Private Non-Profit

#8 National #951 QS World

#8 National #951 QS World #101 THE

Universidad Externado de Colombia campus

13,221 students 1% international Urban $6.5k - $13k/yr

About Universidad Externado de Colombia

Universidad Externado de Colombia, located in Bogotá, is a private university established in 1886. It is recognized for its commitment to free thought, pluralism, and an open approach to diverse beliefs and political ideologies. With approximately 13,000 students, the university is a prominent institution in Colombia.

Academics

The university offers a wide array of programs across its ten faculties, with a strong emphasis on Social Sciences and Economics. Key faculties include Law, Business Administration, Economics, Social Sciences and Human Sciences (Anthropology, Philosophy, Geography, History, Psychology, Sociology, and Social Work), and Finance, Government and International Relations. Externado's teaching approach fosters critical thinking and a humanistic vision, preparing graduates for complex global challenges. The university also boasts 42 research groups contributing to knowledge advancement.

International Students

Universidad Externado provides support services for international students, including an International and External Affairs Directorate. While instruction is primarily in Spanish, the university offers limited courses in English and a Summer University program with interdisciplinary courses taught in English. International exchange students are required to have comprehensive health insurance and can receive assistance with migratory procedures. The university does not offer on-campus accommodation but has agreements with student housing providers that offer discounts for international students.

Campus & Location

The university's campus is situated in the historic La Candelaria neighborhood of Bogotá, at the foot of Guadalupe Hill. The 65,000 square meter campus features eleven buildings with modern academic infrastructure, surrounded by gardens and forests. La Candelaria offers a vibrant city life with colonial architecture, cafes, bars, museums, and is close to the Plaza de Bolívar. The campus is accessible via public transportation, including the Transmilenio system.

Career Outcomes

Universidad Externado de Colombia has a strong reputation among employers, ranking 19th in Latin America for employer reputation according to the QS World University Rankings 2026. This reflects the solid academic preparation, soft skills, and critical thinking instilled in its graduates. The university's alumni have made significant impacts in Colombian politics, law, and public service, with many holding prominent governmental and judicial roles. Externado also emphasizes connecting knowledge with the needs of society and the productive sector.

Highlights

Pioneering free thought since 1886
Strong social sciences and economics
Vibrant campus in historic Bogotá
Supports international student integration
Emphasis on critical thinking

Subject Areas

LawFinanceBusiness AdministrationSocial SciencesTourism

Student Life & Support

Visa Support Campus Housing Work Placements Sports Facilities Scholarships Available

Photos

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Programs Offered at Universidad Externado de Colombia (76)

Offers programs in:

Business & Management Computer Science Education Humanities Law Social Sciences

Bachelor Programs (21)

Public Accounting

STEM

Contaduría Pública (Public Accounting)

Accounting

accounting careerstudy accounting in bogotábachelor in accountingspanish-taught bachelor accountingstudy accounting in colombia

60 months Spanish Full-time

Anthropology

Antropología

Anthropology

bachelor in anthropologystudy anthropology in colombiaanthropology bachelor programanthropology in bogotástudy anthropology abroad

96 months Spanish Full-time

Scholarships View details →

Administración de Empresas

Business Administration

Administración de Empresasbachelor's business administrationbachelor's in business administrationundergraduate business administrationundergraduate in business administration

96 months Spanish Full-time

Scholarships View details →

Administración de Empresas (Business Administration)

Business Administration

Business & Management

administraciónadministrationbachelorbusinesscolombia

60 months Spanish Full-time

Bachelor in Communication

Comunicación Social - Periodismo (Social Communication - Journalism)

Communication, Journalism

Journalism

babachelorbbabcombeng

60 months Spanish Full-time

Economics

STEM

Economía

Economics

bachelors in economicsstudy economicsstudy economics in colombiabachelors economics colombiaeconomics program bogotá

96 months Spanish Full-time

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Bachelor of Economics

STEM

Economía (Economics)

Economics

babachelorbengbsccolombia

60 months Spanish Full-time

Education Sciences

Ciencias de la Educación

Education Sciences

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96 months Spanish Full-time

Scholarships View details →

Finance and International Relations

Finanzas y Relaciones Internacionales

Finance and International Relations

msc financefinance degreefinanzas y relaciones internacionalesfinance and international relations bachelor'sstudy abroad finance and international relations

96 months Spanish Full-time

Scholarships View details →

Finance and International Relations

Finanzas y Relaciones Internacionales (Finance and International Relations)

Finance, International Relations

Finance

best bachelor finance programsundergraduate financestudy finance in bogotábachelor finance in colombiainternational finance degree

60 months Spanish Full-time

Gastronomy

Gastronomía

Gastronomy

study gastronomy in colombiabsc gastronomyundergraduate gastronomybachelor gastronomy in colombiagastronomy program in colombia

96 months Spanish Full-time

Scholarships View details →

Government and International Relations

Gobierno y Relaciones Internacionales

Government and International Relations

government and international relations degreestudy government and international relations in colombiabachelor in government and international relationsspanish-taught bachelor government and international relationsstudy government and international relations

96 months Spanish Full-time

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History

Historia

History

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96 months Spanish Full-time

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Derecho

Law

bachelorcolombiaderechoexternadolaw

120 months Spanish Full-time

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Derecho (Law)

Law

law degreeLLBJDlegal studiesinternational law

60 months Spanish Full-time

Literary Studies

Estudios Literarios

Literary Studies

bachelorcolombiaestudiosliterariosliterary

96 months Spanish Full-time

Scholarships View details →

Philosophy

Filosofía

Philosophy

bachelorcolombiaexternadofilosofíaphilosophy

96 months Spanish Full-time

Scholarships View details →

Psychology

Psicología

Psychology

Bachelor in Psychologystudy Psychologybachelor of Psychologyundergraduate in Psychologystudy Psychology in Colombia

96 months Spanish Full-time

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Bachelor in Public Accounting

Contaduría Pública

Public Accounting

cpa preparationaccounting degreecontaduría públicabs public accountingba public accounting

96 months Spanish Full-time

Scholarships View details →

Bachelor in Journalism

Comunicación Social - Periodismo

Social Communication - Journalism

Journalism

news reportingmedia studiesdigital journalisminvestigative reportingeditorial skills

96 months Spanish Full-time

Scholarships View details →

Sociology

Sociología

Sociology

sociology program in bogotásociology abroadbachelor in sociologysocial science careerbsc sociology in colombia

96 months Spanish Full-time

Scholarships View details →

Diploma Programs (10)

Specialization in Administrative Law

Especialización en Derecho Administrativo

Administrative Law

administrative law in bogotástudy administrative law in colombiadiploma program administrative lawstudy administrative law in bogotálegal career

12 months Spanish Part-time

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Specialization in Commercial Law

Especialización en Derecho Comercial

Commercial Law

Law

colombiacomercialcommercialderechodiploma

12 months Spanish Part-time

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Specialization in Digital Journalism

Especialización en Periodismo Digital

Digital Journalism

Journalism

colombiadigitaldiplomaexternadojournalism

12 months Spanish Part-time

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Specialization in Digital Marketing

Especialización en Marketing Digital

Digital Marketing

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12 months Spanish Part-time

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Specialization in Financial Management

STEM

Especialización en Gerencia Financiera

Financial Management

Finance

colombiadiplomaespecializaciónexternadofinancial

12 months Spanish Part-time

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Specialization in Hospitality and Tourism Management

Especialización en Gestión de la Hospitalidad y el Turismo

Hospitality and Tourism Management

andcertificatecolombiadiplomaespecialización

12 months Spanish Part-time

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Specialization in Labor Law and Social Security

Especialización en Derecho Laboral y Seguridad Social

Labor Law and Social Security

Law

colombiaderechodiplomaespecializaciónlabor

12 months Spanish Part-time

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Especialización en Psicología Organizacional

Organizational Psychology

diploma in Organizational Psychologyinternational student diploma Organizational Psychologystudy Organizational Psychology in Colombiastudy Organizational Psychology in BogotáOrganizational Psychology degree abroad

12 months Spanish Part-time

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Specialization in Public Management

Especialización en Gestión Pública

Public Management

Public Policy & Administration

administrationcolombiadiplomamanagementpolicy

12 months Spanish Part-time

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Specialization in University Pedagogy

Especialización en Pedagogía Universitaria

University Pedagogy

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12 months Spanish Part-time

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Master Programs (38)

Master in Applied Economics

STEM

Maestría en Economía Aplicada

Applied Economics

master in applied economicsstudy applied economics in colombiaapplied economics program in bogotámsc applied economicsapplied economics at universidad externado de colombia

24 months Spanish Full-time

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Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Maestría en Administración de Empresas (MBA)

Business Administration

MBA Colombiamaestria administracion empresasBogotaUniversidad Externadobusiness strategy

24 months Spanish Full-time

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Master in Clinical Psychology

Maestría en Psicología Clínica

Clinical Psychology

clinical psychologyclínicacolombiaexternadomaestría

24 months Spanish Full-time

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Master's in Commercial Law

Maestría en Derecho Comercial

Commercial Law

legal career degreecommercial law colombiagraduate program commercial lawmaster's degree programcommercial law master's bogotá

24 months Spanish Full-time

Master in Strategic Communication

Maestría en Comunicación Estratégica (Master in Strategic Communication)

Communication

spanish master in colombiamaestría en comunicación estratégica (master in strategic communication)master in communicationmaster communication in colombiams communication

24 months Spanish Full-time

Master's in Constitutional Law

Maestría en Derecho Constitucional

Constitutional Law

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24 months Spanish Full-time

Master in Corporate Finance

STEM

Maestría en Finanzas Corporativas

Corporate Finance

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24 months Spanish Full-time

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Master in Criminal Law

Maestría en Derecho Penal

Criminal Law

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24 months Spanish Full-time

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Maestría en Gestión Cultural

Cultural Management

businesscolombiacommerceculturalcultural management

24 months Spanish Full-time

Master in Cultural Management

Maestría en Gestión Cultural (Master in Cultural Management)

Cultural Management

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24 months Spanish Full-time

Master of Cultural Studies

Maestría en Estudios Culturales

Cultural Studies

colombiacultural studiesgraduatemamaster

24 months Spanish Full-time

Scholarships View details →

Master of Economics

STEM

Maestría en Economía

Economics

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24 months Spanish Full-time

Master in Economics

STEM

Maestría en Economía (Master in Economics)

Economics

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24 months Spanish Full-time

Master's in Education

Maestría en Educación

Education

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24 months Spanish Full-time

Scholarships View details →

Master in Environmental Law

Maestría en Derecho Ambiental

Environmental Law

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24 months Spanish Full-time

Scholarships View details →

Maestría en Derecho Ambiental (Master in Environmental Law)

Environmental Law

Law

ambientalcolombiaderechoenvironmentalgraduate

24 months Spanish Full-time

Master's in Family Law

Maestría en Derecho de Familia

Family Law

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24 months Spanish Full-time

Maestría en Gobierno y Políticas Públicas

Government and Public Policy

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24 months Spanish Full-time

Scholarships View details →

Maestría en Historia (Master in History)

History

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24 months Spanish Full-time

Master's Degree in History

Maestría en Historia

History

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24 months Spanish Full-time

Scholarships View details →

Master in Innovation Management

STEM

Maestría en Gestión de la Innovación

Innovation Management

colombiainnovationinnovation managementmanagementmaster

24 months Spanish Full-time

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Master in Insurance Law

Maestría en Derecho de Seguros

Insurance Law

Master in Insurance Law

maestría derecho segurosinsurance law master ColombiaExternado insurance lawderecho seguros masterseguros jurídico posgrado

24 months Spanish Full-time

Master's in Intellectual Property Law

Maestría en Derecho de la Propiedad Intelectual

Intellectual Property Law

masters intellectual property lawstudy abroad intellectual property law colombiamaster intellectual property lawstudy intellectual property law in colombialaw degree

24 months Spanish Full-time

Scholarships View details →

Master in International Relations

Maestría en Relaciones Internacionales

International Relations

colombiagraduateinternacionalesinternationalinternational relations

24 months Spanish Full-time

Scholarships View details →

Master in Labor Law and Social Security

Maestría en Derecho Laboral y Seguridad Social

Labor Law and Social Security

spanish master in colombiaspanish-taught master labor law and social securitymaster labor law and social security in colombialabor law and social security program in bogotámaestría en derecho laboral y seguridad social

24 months Spanish Full-time

Master's in Marketing

Maestría en Marketing

Marketing

colombiamaestríamarketingmaster

24 months Spanish Full-time

Scholarships View details →

Maestría en Filosofía

Philosophy

msc philosophyphilosophy degreemasters philosophyphilosophy programmasters in philosophy

24 months Spanish Full-time

Scholarships View details →

Master in Philosophy

Maestría en Filosofía (Master in Philosophy)

Philosophy

maestría en filosofía (master in philosophy)philosophy degreephilosophy program in spanishmaster philosophy colombiamasters in philosophy

24 months Spanish Full-time

Master in Political Studies

Maestría en Estudios Políticos

Political Studies

MA political studiesstudy political studies in bogotápolitical studies program bogotáMSc political studiesmaster of political studies

24 months Spanish Full-time

Scholarships View details →

Master's in Private Law

Maestría en Derecho Privado

Private Law

Law

BogotáMaestría en Derecho PrivadopostgraduateUniversidad Externado de Colombiamaster

24 months Spanish Full-time

Scholarships View details →

Master's in Procedural Law

Maestría en Derecho Procesal

Procedural Law

MSc in procedural lawprocedural law program in Englishmaestría en derecho procesalinternational students procedural law colombiastudy procedural law in Colombia

24 months Spanish Full-time

Master's in Project Management

STEM

Maestría en Gerencia de Proyectos

Project Management

english-taught masters project management in colombiabusiness manager careerma project managementmasters project management in colombiamasters in project management

24 months Spanish Full-time

Scholarships View details →

Master in Public Law

Maestría en Derecho Público (Master in Public Law)

Public Law

english masters public law colombiamaster public lawpublic law master programmasters in public law in colombiabest masters programs public law

24 months Spanish Full-time

Master's in Public Law

Maestría en Derecho Público

Public Law

master in public law in colombiamaster in public lawmaster programs in colombia for international studentsstudy public lawenglish-taught master public law

24 months Spanish Full-time

Scholarships View details →

Master in Government and Public Policy

Maestría en Gobierno y Políticas Públicas (Master in Government and Public Policy)

Public Policy, Government

study public policy, government in colombiaenglish master public policy, government colombiastudy public policy, government in bogotámaster public policy, government in colombiamaster public policy, government in bogotá

24 months Spanish Full-time

Master's in Strategic Communication

Maestría en Comunicación Estratégica

Strategic Communication

study strategic communication in colombiamasters strategic communicationmaster's strategic communication in colombiamaster in strategic communication in colombiastrategic communication program in bogotá

24 months Spanish Full-time

Scholarships View details →

Master's in Sustainability

Maestría en Responsabilidad Social y Sostenibilidad (Master in Social Responsibility and Sustainability)

Sustainability, Social Responsibility

Sustainability

andcolombiagraduatemamaestría

24 months Spanish Full-time

Master in Tax Law

Maestría en Derecho Tributario

Tax Law

colombiaderecholawmaestríamaestría en derecho tributario

24 months Spanish Full-time

Scholarships View details →

PhD Programs (7)

PhD in Economic Sciences

STEM

Doctorado en Ciencias Económicas (PhD in Economic Sciences)

Economics

doctoral economicsphd in economicsdoctorate economicsdoctorate economics in colombiaspanish-taught phd economics

48 months Spanish Full-time

PhD in History

Doctorado en Historia (PhD in History)

History

phd in historydoctorate historystudy history in colombiaphd history colombiahistory program in bogotá

48 months Spanish Full-time

Doctorado en Derecho

Law

phds in lawphd in lawdoctorate lawstudy law abroadstudy law in colombia

48 months Spanish Full-time

Scholarships View details →

PhD in Law

Doctorado en Derecho (PhD in Law)

Law

colombiaderechodoctoradolawphd

48 months Spanish Full-time

PhD in Management Sciences

Doctorado en Ciencias de la Administración

Management Sciences

study abroad colombiaphd management sciences programphd in management sciencesstudy management sciences in bogotástudy management sciences

48 months Spanish Full-time

Scholarships View details →

Doctorado en Filosofía

Doctorado en Filosofía (PhD in Philosophy)

Philosophy

colombiadoctoradofilosofíaphdphilosophy

48 months Spanish Full-time

PhD in Social Sciences and Humanities

Doctorado en Ciencias Sociales y Humanas

Social Sciences and Humanities

phd social sciences and humanitiesphd in social sciences and humanitiesstudy social sciences and humanities in bogotádoctorado en ciencias sociales y humanasstudy abroad social sciences and humanities colombia

48 months Spanish Full-time

Scholarships View details →

Universidad Externado de Colombia Admissions Requirements & Acceptance Rate

6+ IELTS

78+ TOEFL

2.7+ GPA

Acceptance Rate Selective (20-40%)

Intakes Fall, Spring

Tuition (per year) $6.5k - $13k/yr

Housing (monthly) ~$400

Application Fee $147200

Teaching Language Spanish

Accreditation

Ministerio de Educación NacionalConsejo Nacional de Acreditación (CNA)

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Frequently Asked Questions About Universidad Externado de Colombia

Common questions from international students considering Universidad Externado de Colombia.

What is the acceptance rate at Universidad Externado de Colombia?

Universidad Externado de Colombia is classified as "Selective (20-40%)" by admissions selectivity. Acceptance rates vary by program — competitive programs and graduate degrees typically have lower acceptance rates than undergraduate programs.

How much does Universidad Externado de Colombia cost for international students?

Tuition at Universidad Externado de Colombia ranges from $6.5k - $13k/yr per year. Costs vary by degree level and program. International students may also need to budget for housing (approximately $400/month), books, and living expenses.

What is Universidad Externado de Colombia ranked globally?

Universidad Externado de Colombia holds the following rankings: QS World #951, Times Higher Education #101, #8 in Colombia. Rankings vary by methodology and subject area — for the most accurate picture, check the specific subject rankings for your intended field of study.

What English language requirements does Universidad Externado de Colombia have?

Universidad Externado de Colombia typically requires IELTS 6+ or TOEFL 78+ for international students. Specific programs may set higher minimums — verify requirements for your target program directly. Some applicants may qualify for an English requirement waiver if their previous education was English-medium.

Are scholarships available at Universidad Externado de Colombia?

Yes, Universidad Externado de Colombia offers scholarships and financial aid opportunities for international students. Available aid varies by program, nationality, and academic merit. We recommend checking each program's funding page and applying early — many scholarships have separate deadlines from the main admission application.

When does Universidad Externado de Colombia start its semesters?

Universidad Externado de Colombia has intakes starting in Fall, Spring. Application deadlines typically fall 3-6 months before the semester start date. International students should apply earlier due to visa processing times — we recommend submitting applications 6-9 months ahead of the intended start date.

What programs does Universidad Externado de Colombia offer?

Universidad Externado de Colombia offers 76+ academic programs across multiple disciplines including Business & Management, Computer Science, Education, Humanities. Programs are available at Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral levels.

Where is Universidad Externado de Colombia located?

Universidad Externado de Colombia is located in Bogotá, Colombia 🇨🇴. The city offers an international student-friendly environment with access to academic facilities, accommodation, and cultural amenities.

What are the admission requirements for Universidad Externado de Colombia?

For specific details about Universidad Externado de Colombia, we recommend reviewing the program-specific information and contacting the admissions office. Each program may have unique requirements and considerations.

How does Universidad Externado de Colombia compare to other universities?

Universidad Externado de Colombia is a strong choice that compares favorably to peer institutions (QS World #951). Each university has different strengths — we recommend comparing specific programs, location, cost, and graduate outcomes for your field rather than overall rankings alone.

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