History
Since its creation in 1940, the University of Costa Rica has channeled its efforts into a steady, untiring and unrestrained search for truth, efficacy and beauty, as established by its organic statute.
Education
Teaching in the University of Costa Rica, as in any other public higher education institution is the main engine of university life, which forms students in the different majors offered by the Institution. Teaching in the UCR is done through 13 colleges, 47 schools, 6 campuses and 11 sites that host over 38 thousand students all over the country.
Research
In Costa Rica, the academic sector, and especially public universities, is the one that invests the most in scientific research. The UCR is the largest and oldest of the state universities in the country; it stands out as the institution that makes the most research at the national level in all the areas of knowledge: Engineering, Sciences, Letters, Arts, Social Sciences, Health, and Agro-food Sciences.
University of Costa Rica Scholarships
Below you will find scholarships related to University of Costa Rica. Distinction can be made between scholarships provided by the University and those provided by independent providers.
Independent provider
Grant
1000000 INR
Deadline
Anytime
Education Future International Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
24 May 2025
Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
01 Jun 2025
1040 Abroad International Studies Scholarship Initiative
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
7000 USD
Deadline
24 Apr 2025
Go Global MBA Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
02 Jul 2025
Jewish Heritage Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
26 Feb 2025
Dream Chaser Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
90000 AUD
Deadline
Not specified
World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
31 Dec 2025
Scholarship for students with disabilities
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
2000 USD
Deadline
01 Sep 2025
The Rick Blight Leadership in Action Scholarship for Athletes
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
8000 EUR
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters scholarships
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
AAPG Foundation Grants-in-Aid
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
01 Mar 2025
Voice Talent Online Scholarship
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
965 USD
Deadline
Anytime
Dr. Martin Blank – SYB Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
10000 USD
Deadline
05 Feb 2025
Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship Program
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
10000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
The Education for Sustainable Energy Development (ESED) scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
International Conference Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1500 USD
Deadline
09 Jun 2025
Hutchison & Foreman Committing to Justice Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
11 Jun 2025
Lawyers of Tomorrow Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
10000 USD
Deadline
05 Feb 2025
Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship Program
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
University Ranking
QS World University Rankings by TopUniversities
2025
497 47
2024
544 -33
2023
511
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
World University Rankings by Times Higher Education
2025
-
2024
1201 -600
2023
601
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report
2025
-
2024
1005 -241
2023
764
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
Student services
Since its founding, and especially during the first few of its more than seven decades, the University of Costa Rica has benefitted from international cooperation through agreements with prestigious universities around the world. Today its Office of International Affairs and External Cooperation is dedicated to establishing ties with foreign academic institutions, seeking greater student and teacher mobility in order to improve its faculty staff, who can obtain their master's, doctorate and post-doctorate degrees.
Housing services
The University of Costa Rica houses a permanent average population of 40,000 students, distributed between its main campus and its regional campuses.
The main campus of the University of Costa Rica is the Ciudad Universitaria Rodrigo Facio, named after Rodrigo Facio Brenes, former President of the University who in the 50s and 60s led the reform that had made of the Institution one of the best known in the hemisphere .Library services
The University of Costa Rica offers the students a wide variety of services and resources. Through these services, the University seeks to complement the student's formation process, development and college experience.
ICT services
The students also have access to wireless internet, a library system with access for disabled people, heath services, student insurance, vocational guidance, academic support and a student defense office which ease their journey through the Alma Mater.
Campus life
The university campus has different green areas where students can spend some idle time, or even, during the dry season, get their lessons outdoors is the course allows for it. An internal bus system facilitates the transportation to the different properties of the Rodrigo Facio Campus, and the external transportation service provides the means to go to different areas of the Great Metropolitan Area.
Sports facilities
University life, in addition to the academic spaces, is surrounded by multiple options for recreation, the practice of sports, entertainment, exhibits, art performances that students can attend without spending too much.
The University also has sports, recreational and artistic programs, representation groups and programs like volunteerism and leadership that encourage the student to get involved both inside and outside of the university community, thus strengthening their human development.