Science degrees in Chile
Geology, Biological Sciences, Mathematics, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Astronomy, Archaeology and several more: these are science degrees you can study in Chile.
If you enjoy your school experiments, if the night sky intrigues you, or if math problems feel like a fun challenge, there are degrees that start from that.
How sciences are studied in Chile
They are studied in public and private universities in Santiago and ValparaÃso, but also in the north, such as Antofagasta, Iquique or Copiapó, and in the south, such as Valdivia or Punta Arenas. To compare programs, the Ministry of Education has the Mi Futuro portal.
The first semesters bring together foundational subjects that later support the more specialized ones, so it helps to keep up regularly. Some degrees focus on the laboratory, others on models and data, and others on fieldwork, like Geology or Archaeology.
Science degrees in Chile
In addition to the basic sciences, in Chile you can study Astronomy, Archaeology and Chemical Engineering.
Biological Sciences, Biochemistry and Biotechnology study life; Physics, Chemistry and Astronomy, matter and the universe; Geology, Archaeology and Paleontology, the Earth and its past; Mathematics and Data Science, numbers. If you are interested in applying science to people, look at the health degrees in Chile; if you want to apply it to processes, the engineering ones.
Where to study sciences in Chile
Universidad de Chile (UChile)Santiago · PublicGeographyChemistryBiological SciencesBiotechnologyMathematicsPhysicsGeologyChemical EngineeringAstronomyBiochemistryArchaeologyData Science
Universidad Austral de Chile (UACh)Valdivia · PrivateBiological SciencesBiochemistryGeographyGeologyEnvironmental SciencesMathematicsPaleontologyFood Science and TechnologyArchaeology
Universidad de Antofagasta (UA)Antofagasta · PublicBiological SciencesChemistryBiochemistryChemical EngineeringAstronomy
Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez (UAI)Peñalolén · PrivateBiotechnologyGeologyComputer Science
Universidad Santo Tomás (UST)Santiago · PrivateBiochemistryBiotechnologyGeology
Universidad Metropolitana de Ciencias de la Educación (UMCE)Santiago · PublicMathematicsBiological Sciences
Universidad Arturo Prat (UNAP)Iquique · PublicGeology
Universidad Católica del Norte (UCN)Antofagasta · PrivateGeologyHow to choose between them
Think about what you do for fun: if you look at the night sky, if you like knowing what things are made of, if you keep your team's statistics, if you pick up stones on walks.
Then decide what attracts you most: living things, matter, the planet or numbers. If you are interested in the environment, compare Geology with Environmental Sciences; if you like data, look at Data Science.
If you are torn between Astronomy and Physics, read both profiles and notice which subjects change and in which cities each one is offered. With the career test you can check which one is closest to what you like.
To read before choosing
Frequently asked questions
How long do science degrees last in Chile?
Geology, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Archaeology and Astronomy are among the longest; Biological Sciences, Mathematics and Physics are somewhat shorter.
What PAES weightings do science degrees require?
Each university sets how much weight the mathematics and science tests carry for each degree. The DEMRE provides information on admission processes; the exact weightings are on each program's page.
How do I know if a science degree is accredited?
The Comisión Nacional de Acreditación publishes the official information on the accreditation of institutions and degrees.
Which science degrees involve the most fieldwork?
Geology, Archaeology and Paleontology usually include field trips; in Mathematics or Data Science the work is mostly calculation and programming. Check the curriculum to see what practical training each program includes.
What if I still don't know which science I like?
Read the profiles of the ones that catch your attention the most and compare what subjects they have in common and how they differ.