The University of Santiago de Chile (Usach) is preparing to welcome a new generation of students during the 2026 admissions process. With more than 176 years of history, the institution reaffirms its public character and its commitment to training of excellence, projecting its work towards research, innovation and links with the environment.
Founded as a School of Arts and Crafts, the university retains its global educational vocation. In this context, it promotes cultural and artistic initiatives complementary to the academic experience. An example of this is the international recognition received, during which the university received the Innovation Award at the Classical Music Fair. Classic: Then, carried out in Berlin, for the work of its five artistic groups, the creation of the Aula Records label and the free awareness activities carried out in the municipality of Estación Central, La Granja, La Pintana, La Florida and Independencia.
The university has a direct arts and cultural pathway that recognizes exceptional careers and values creative expression as part of student development. This artistic tradition continues through initiatives that promote overall well-being and the development of diverse talents. To achieve this, the University has the Artistic-Cultural direct access route, which recognizes exceptional careers and reaffirms that Usach values not only academic excellence, but also creative expression, engagement and cultural development.
Likewise, the university house also promotes sports as a key part of university life. Thanks to the quota Exceptional athlete It allows students with a high performance track record to access training compatible with their sporting requirements. In 2025, Usach teams obtained 120 medals in national competitions and seven in international competitions.
Academic excellence, global vocation and research
The university also stands out for its international projection. In 2025, it participates in higher education conferences in the United States, Europe and Central America, and promotes academic mobility: 105 students carry out exchanges abroad, while more than 200 young people from other countries choose Usach to continue their studies.
In the scientific field, the university has consolidated its position as a relevant research center in Chile. It lists 323 active researchers, 1,174 listed publications, 527 ongoing projects and 66 incubated companies. Its recent milestones include 112 R&D projects won in 2025, including the Technology Centers for Innovation competition, the renewal of the InES Open Science project and the implementation of a Smart Public Care pilot in collaboration with the Social Security Institute.
These advances create a favorable environment for those who will begin their higher education in 2026, either through special places or through the regular admissions process after the Higher Education Access Test (PAES). “It is an act of confidence in their abilities and the conviction that knowledge can transform realities,” said Macarena Cárcamo, head of Usach’s admissions department.
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