History
On August 4th 1994, Ecuadorian president, Sixto Durán Ballen, signed the Presidential decree that created Universidad Politécnica Salesiana (UPS) in Ecuador. UPS was established during a critical social and economic period. Once the project to start the University was approved, the Salesian Society in Ecuador started to set up the new center of Higher Education in October 1994.
Education
The Universidad Politécnica Salesiana offers 27 undergraduate courses and 8 masters.
Research
Research is what differentiates university education from any other since it develops intelligence and logical thinking. In this regard, both teachers and students have a role of researchers who question paradigms and recreate investigation conditions to start from questions and not answers.With research, teaching is not limited to transmitting knowledge. It develops people’s ability to understand, learn to learn and find out the logics that produce knowledge.In order to strengthen research, the university has several research groups in its three branch campuses (Quito, Cuenca and Guayaquil) that produce knowledge from scientific production and technological development.
Universidad Politécnica Salesiana Key Statistics & Highlights
- #1501 Ranking
- 45 Scholarships
- 26,433 Students
Universidad Politécnica Salesiana Overview
Universidad Politécnica Salesiana Scholarships
Universidad Politécnica Salesiana Scholarships
Below you will find scholarships related to Universidad Politécnica Salesiana. Distinction can be made between scholarships provided by the University and those provided by independent providers.
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
07 Oct 2026
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
33600 EUR
Deadline
01 Jul 2026
Mundus MAPP EMJM Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Nov 2026
ServiceScape Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3500 USD
Deadline
15 Nov 2026
ACES Scholarships
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
2000 USD
Deadline
01 Sep 2026
The Rick Blight Leadership in Action Scholarship for Athletes
Merit-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
1500 USD
Deadline
15 Sep 2026
Headway’s Book Lovers Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
30 Jun 2026
Moving Mates Scholarship
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
06 Jul 2026
Jewish Heritage Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 USD
Deadline
28 Aug 2026
Women Scholarship for International Students
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 SEK
Deadline
30 Apr 2026
Kreditkortlistan Financial Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
31 Oct 2026
$1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
500 USD
Deadline
31 Oct 2026
CryptoRunner Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
7000 USD
Deadline
24 Apr 2026
Go Global MBA Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3500 USD
Deadline
15 Nov 2026
The Bill Walsh Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
25000 USD
Deadline
30 Apr 2026
Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 CAD
Deadline
31 Dec 2026
Pinsky Law New Venture Development Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
13 Jul 2026
Dream Chaser Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
31 Dec 2026
Scholarship for students with disabilities
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Universidad Politécnica Salesiana Student Reviews & Awards
2.7
Based on 3 reviews
- 5 Star 1 Review
- 4 Star 0 Reviews
- 3 Star 0 Reviews
- 2 Star 1 Review
- 1 Star 1 Review
My University Journey
I’d summarize my university experience in biotechnology engineering as an exciting and transformative journey. My university experience in biotechnology engineering has been an amazing mix of intellectual growth, personal development, and practical learning, preparing me well for the future ahead!
2/5
Think it was diferent
Im a current student at the Universidad del Azuay, i thought my carrer would be more into data analytics in base of make desicions. I love what marketing Can do in the bussines world but I dont think my University get that, I feel really desapoint hope doing a maester would help me improve into world of work.
1/5
**An Unforgettable Experience:**
My time at **Universidad Politécnica Salesiana** in Cuenca was truly **transformative**. It was here that I had the best experience of my life, both personally and academically. The supportive environment allowed me to thrive, and I formed connections that I will cherish forever. **From Hesitation to Involvement:** In high school, I was the **typical student** who didn’t get involved in many activities. I graduated feeling that I was not fully utilizing my potential. However, once I stepped into university, I made a conscious decision to change that. I embraced opportunities and got involved in various extracurricular activities, which turned out to be incredibly rewarding. **Extracurricular Involvement:** Engaging in these activities enriched my university life immensely. I participated in: - **Protocol and University Promotion:** This experience honed my communication and organizational skills, enabling me to connect with different people and understand the importance of representation. - **IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers):** Being part of IEEE allowed me to collaborate with like-minded individuals, enhancing my technical knowledge and networking opportunities. - **FEUPS (Federation of University Students):** My involvement in FEUPS was pivotal. It taught me the value of teamwork and leadership, fostering a sense of community among students. **Building Connections:** Even after graduating, I found that my involvement did not go unnoticed. I have been sought after to assist in both the **ASUS** and my field of study. Through these connections, I solidified my understanding of what I truly wanted for my future. I built relationships across various areas, not just within my major, which has opened countless doors for me. **Academic Journey:** In my academic pursuit, I specialized in **mechatronics**, focusing on **biomechatronics**. This program not only provided me with theoretical knowledge but also practical experience through hands-on projects. The quality of education and mentorship from professors was outstanding, which inspired me to aim higher. **A New Chapter Ahead:** My journey at Universidad Politécnica Salesiana opened doors I never thought possible. I am thrilled to share that I have secured a place for a Master's in **Bioengineering** in Portugal. This achievement is a testament to the solid foundation I built during my studies. **Current Challenge:** As I embark on this exciting new chapter, I am now seeking ways to **finance my studies**. It's a challenging journey, and I am exploring scholarships, grants, and other funding options to make this dream a reality. #### Conclusion I highly recommend **Universidad Politécnica Salesiana** in Cuenca to anyone looking for a comprehensive educational experience. It has shaped my path in ways I could never have imagined, and I am forever grateful for the memories and lessons learned.
Studied here? Share your experience
Universidad Politécnica Salesiana Rankings
Study Portals Meta Ranking
Top 25.7% Ecuador
Top 80% Worldwide
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
World University Rankings
1501
By Times Higher Education
The university hasn’t moved up or down in the rankings over the past year.
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.
3 year trend World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 1501 | - | 1501 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
QS World University Rankings
No 2026 Ranking
By TopUniversities
This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2026 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.
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.
3 year trend QS World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 1401 | 1401 | - |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Library services
Our three branch campuses have very well-structured libraries; their infrastructure and technology provide quality service to all users by facilitating access and information needs. UPS has invested in virtual libraries and databases that include thousands of academic and scientific documents with multi-user access to valuable books, journals, lecture notes and many others.
Campus life
Salesians arrived in Ecuador in 1888 as a result of the agreement signed by Don Bosco and the representative of the Ecuadorian government in Turin, Italy.Universidad Politécnica Salesiana was created to respond to the needs of additional education beyond adolescence; it was officially created on August 5th, 1994 and today it has three branch campuses in Cuenca (headquarters), Quito and Guayaquil.
Universidad Politécnica Salesiana Campus Locations
#1 Main Campus
Ecuador Country
Cuenca City