TrimesterSummer school

ULACIT Costa Rica

  • San José
  • Costa Rica
English
More photos

At a glance

1987

Est.

6k

Students

90%

Acceptance rate

4.3k$

Semester tuition

This is what the university will ask you for in tuition. We don't add any markup or agency fees

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Academic calendar

ULACIT Costa Rica

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Next deadline 31 October
for Spring semester
20 days left
Program
Starts
Ends
Apply by
Fall semester
2027
Trimester
4,380 USD
Early
September
->
Late
December
Apply by:
30 June 2027
Apply
Spring semester
2027
Trimester
3,000 USD
Early
January
->
Late
April
Apply by:
CLOSES NEXT
31 October 2026
Apply
Summer Academic Period
2027
Summer school
Mid-Late
May
->
Early
July
Apply by:
30 April 2027
Apply

Prerequisites

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English

CEFR level
B2
Accepted certificates
TOEFL iBT, IELTS, Currently enrolled in an English taught program, Other certificates
Additional notes

Other certificates are also accepted.
Spanish
CEFR level
B2
Accepted certificates
DELE, DALE
Additional notes

We also accept an online language test or autocertifications.

About

Join the Latin American University of Science and Technology (ULACIT) in Costa Rica for a life changing study abroad semester. ULACIT combines quality academics for credit transfer from the only undergraduate programs in the region taught 100% in English with the opportunity to experience the amazing natural sanctuaries, beautiful beaches and amazing rain forests and volcanoes of Costa Rica.

Contact us at [email protected] to learn about our study abroad programs as well as our undergraduate course offering and begin planning your study abroad experience at the best ranked private university in Central America. Enquire on our Spanish Immersion Program and our Host Family Program for a world class intercultural experience.

ULACIT is an innovative, entrepreneurial and bilingual university, leading higher education in the Central American region since 1987.

Reasons to study abroad at ULACIT:

  • The best ranked private university in Costa Rica for 13 consecutive years according to QS International University Rankings.
  • The only bilingual university in Costa Rica. Over 65 courses taught 100% in the English language to choose from, regularly offered & subject to credit transfer.
  • Accredited undergraduate academic programs that comply with international academic standards.
  • International student community, join local Costa Rican students along students from over fifteen nationalities from around the world.
  • Competency based curriculums applying Teaching For Comprehension methodology (0% exams and 100% projects) and LinkedIn Learning Certifications incorporated in courses.
  • Student centered campus life; internationalized, fun, vibrant and dynamic; sports, arts and civic student clubs, you will be greeted by our ULACIT Ambassadors students group.
  • Unique study abroad experience that combines quality academics, with experiential learning and unforgettable tour and leisure trips to beaches, rain forests, volcanoes and more.
  • Experience beautiful Costa Rica, the most biodiverse country in the planet, a country of peace with friendly people and friendly climate, no army since 1948, a leading educational system, multilingual and multicultural and powered by Green Energy.
  • ULACIT integrates an international dimension into its learning and teaching experience. We promote the formation of global citizens with the ability to cooperate to understand and address international problems and perform successfully in intercultural and globalized contexts.

Rankings and accreditations

1st

Private university in Central America

8%

In the top 8% of the universities worldwide by QS Rankings

18th

Globally for employability in QS “Employment Outcomes” award

Expense breakdown

Housing

1,085 USD/mo

Food

400 USD/mo

Transport

90 USD/mo

Leisure

200 USD/mo

Semester tuition

This is what the university will ask you for in tuition. We don't add any markup or agency fees

4,380 USD

Living expenses (5 months)

An estimation of what your living expenses could be. You can go cheaper or more expensive, depending on your lifestyle

8,875 USD

Travel & trips

The cost of reaching the destination, having a little bit of fun travels while you're there, and coming back. Again, this varies on your adventurous spirit and spending capabilities

2,200 USD

Estimated semester cost

15,455 USD

wearefreemovers discount

up to 150 EUR

wearefreemovers discount

up to 150 €

wearefreemovers partners directly with universities to make studying abroad more affordable. By applying through us, you keep the official university tuition and get exclusive cashback and referral bonuses.

Cashback

100€

Referral

50€
per person

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Lifestyle

Life in

San José

Accommodation

Make Costa Rica more than a destination. Make it home.

One of the most meaningful ways to experience a new country is to live with the people who call it home.

Through ULACIT’s Home Stay Program, international students can live with carefully selected Costa Rican host families in San José. The program is designed to give students a comfortable home environment while allowing them to experience Costa Rican culture and practice Spanish in their everyday lives.

You’re not simply renting a room.

You’re getting a chance to experience everyday Costa Rican life from the inside.

Your homestay includes:

  •  Private room
  •  Breakfast & dinner
  •  Wi-Fi
  •  Your own keys and independence
  •  Access to the kitchen and common areas
  •  Weekly laundry service
  •  Weekly linen service

Host families are located within approximately 20 minutes of the ULACIT campus and downtown San José, depending on location and traffic.

Housing: $35 per day

31 days: $1,085
4 months: approximately $3,920

Housing is charged at $35 per day; the total depends on the exact length of stay.

Social and extracurricular activities

One semester. An entire country to discover.

Costa Rica is famous for exactly the kind of experiences that make a semester abroad memorable: beaches, rainforests, volcanoes, wildlife, outdoor adventures, and vibrant local culture.

From San José, your weekends can become opportunities to see a completely different side of the country.

Surf on the Pacific.
Explore a rainforest.
Visit a volcano.
Hike through a national park.
Discover the Caribbean coast.
Explore Costa Rica’s coffee culture.
Spend a weekend somewhere you’ve never been before.

You don’t have to choose between a city experience and an outdoor adventure.

In Costa Rica, you can have both.

Visa and immigration

Plan your stay with confidence

International students should make sure they meet Costa Rica’s entry and immigration requirements before traveling. Requirements may vary depending on your nationality, the length of your stay, and the migratory status available to you at the time of entry.

Before you travel to Costa Rica

International visitors should have:

  • A valid passport.
  • Proof of their intention to leave Costa Rica before their authorized stay expires, such as a return or onward ticket.
  • A digital or physical copy of their ULACIT admission letter, in case it is requested by a Migration officer upon arrival.

Your immigration options

Students coming to Costa Rica for a short-term Study Abroad program may have different legally available options to maintain their migratory status during their stay.

Depending on your nationality and authorized period of stay, you may be able to enter Costa Rica as a tourist and later take the appropriate steps to extend or change your migratory status.

Once you arrive in Costa Rica, ULACIT will provide guidance on the available options and the documentation required according to the immigration regulations in effect at that time.

Planning a longer stay?

Students planning to remain in Costa Rica for an extended period may need additional documentation, which can include:

  • Birth certificate, duly legalized or apostilled, when applicable.
  • Criminal record certificate, duly legalized or apostilled, when applicable.
  • Official Spanish translations for documents issued in another language.
  • Proof of financial solvency, when required.
  • ULACIT admission or acceptance documentation.
  • Passport and passport-size photographs.

Important

Immigration requirements and procedures are determined by Costa Rican authorities and may change. Students should not rely on previous visa information or assume that the requirements for another nationality apply to them.

ULACIT’s Study Abroad team will provide incoming students with guidance regarding the applicable process and available options for their individual situation.

Your next step: Make sure your passport is valid, prepare your entry/exit documentation, and keep your ULACIT admission letter accessible when traveling.

Climate

Fall Academic Period

Early September

–

Late December
🌡️ 15°C to 27°C

Rainy season continues: lush landscapes, humid air, frequent afternoon showers, and cooler nights.

Spring Academic Period

Early January

–

Late April
🌡️ 15°C to 29°C

Dry season begins: sunny, warm, and comfortable. Ideal for exploring mountains and rainforests without too much mud.

Summer Academic Period

Mid May

–

Late August
🌡️ 16°C to 27°C

Warm days with predictable rain events, especially in the afternoon. Green scenery at its best.

Campus location

Video

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