The Peruvian Study Abroad Market
In this market report on Peru we will cover socio-economic, educational and mobility trends. According to the World Bank, Peru is an upper middle income country. It is the world’s 46th largest economy. In terms of GPD it is comparable to Portugal. Peru is heavily dependent on its mineral resources. After decades of underinvesting, the country’s government has set in place a large-scale reform aimed at improving the educational sector. This plan aims to: improving learning for all, reduce the infrastructure gap, strengthen the teaching profession and modernize governance practices (source: oxford business group).
In order to make the transition to a ‘service economy’, Peru has been promoting ELT education. It recognizes the need for English speaking professionals. Thru the Beca Peru ‘Pronabec’ scholarship program, it is stimulating overseas studies. At this point, more than 35,379 Peruvian students are studying abroad. Almost half of them go to neighboring Argentina. The popularity of English speaking countries has been increasing in recent years. The US has always been a popular study destination. Interest in Australia and the UK is building slowly. All this and more in the Market Report on Peru.
Quick facts
Population: 32,97 million (2020)
Education: 11 years compulsory
Academic year: February – December
Secondary education
Starting age: 12
Duration: 5 years (2 years general secondary, 3 years academic secondary education)
Enrollment numbers: 2.75 million (2019)
Enrollment rate: 105%
Higher education
Duration: 5 years (bachelor) – 1-2 years (Master) – 3-5 years (PhD)
Enrollment numbers: 1,9 million (2019)
Tertiary enrollment rate: 71%
Universities / Institutions: 140 (51 public, 89 private)
Peruvian Education System
Education in Peru is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education. It is responsible for the national educational policy. According to the Constitution, education is compulsory and free of charge at public schools for the initial, primary and secondary level schooling. It is also free in public universities for students who are unable to pay tuition and have an adequate academic performance.
Education is offered at four levels:
- Primary
- Secondary
- Vocational and Technical
- University
Secondary education
Primary and secondary education combined take 11 years, with 6 years of primary education and 5 years of secondary education. Secondary education follows a national curriculum, set by the Ministry of Education.
The secondary education curriculum teaches the following subjects: mathematics, communication, English, the Arts, History, Geography, Economics, Social Studies and Social Skills, Religious studies, PE, Sciences.
Admission to higher education
Admission to higher education requires a secondary school qualification Certificado Oficial de Estudios de Educación Secundaria. Most universities also require a separate set of entrance examinations. Only 50 percent of test takers typically pass the examination. Many Peruvian students spend one to two years at university entrance exam schools, or academia to prepare.
Higher Education system
Higher education in Peru is offered by the country’s 140 universities; 51 of which are public and 89 private. University-level institutions also include many specialized art, music and religious institutions that are called conservatorio, instituto, and escuela superior.
Peru follows the traditional Bachelor, Master, PHD system.
Public universities are free of charge. The best universities, however, charge hefty tuition fees. Language of instruction in Spanish. Some programs are taught in English.
Bachelor/Bachiller/Licenciado/Título Profesional/Ingeniero
Initial study programs leading to the Bachiller degree last at least 10 semesters (200 credits).
There are specialist advanced programs, with a minimum of 24 credits (half a year). These do not lead to an academic degree and/or professional qualification.
Master/Maestria
Admission to this stage requires a Bachiller degree. These programs take 1 or 2 years to complete, with a minimum of 48 credits. There is a distinction between a maestría de especialización (professional master’s program) and a maestría de investigación o académicas (research-oriented master’s program).
Doctorado
Admission to a doctorate program is thru a Maestria degree. A doctoral program takes at least 6 semesters to complete. Recipients of the Doctorado degree must be proficient in 2 foreign languages.
(Source: Nuffic)

Latest Peruvian Higher Education study abroad stats
At this point a total number of 35,379 students from Peru are studying abroad for a degree in higher education. The most popular study abroad destinations among students from Peru are:

IB schools in Peru
Lord Byron School – Araquipa – https://www.lordbyron.edu.pe/
Davy College – Cajamara Davy College – Cajamara
Andino Cusco International School – Cusco – http://www.andinoschool.edu.pe/
Cambridge College – Lima – http://cambridge.edu.pe/home
Colegio Frankln Delano Roosevelt – Lima – https://www.amersol.edu.pe/
EuroAmerican College – Lima – https://www.euroamericancollege.edu.pe/en/
Colegio Peruan Britanico – Santiago de Surco – http://www.britishschool.edu.pe/
Casuarinas International College – Santiago de Surco – https://www.casuarinas.edu.pe/es/inicio/
San Silvestre School – Miraflores – https://www.sansilvestre.edu.pe/
Best performing Peruvian Universities
Looking to partner with Universities from Peru? These are the best performing universities.
Universidad Peruana
Cayetano
THE Rank: 601 – 800
Pontifical Catholic University
of Peru
THE Rank: 1001 – 1200
Universidad Nacional Mayor
de San Marcos
THE Rank: 1200+
Upcoming Education Fairs in Peru
Scholarships for Peruvian students
Pronabec Chile – https://www.pronabec.gob.pe/
Erasmus Mundus (Medical Master Studies) – https://www.innovativemedicine.eu/application-and-admission/application-procedure
GoEuro European Study Abroad Scholarship – https://www.omio.com/travel/study-abroad
Trendhim Scholarship –https://www.trendhim.co.uk/csr/trendhim-scholarship
Japan WorldBank Graduate Scholarships – https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/scholarships