Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina


Image of Street in Argentina
Spend a semester or year in Buenos Aires.
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Language of Instruction: SpanishEnglish
Program Type: Semester or Academic Year
Open to non-KU Students: No
Fulfills KU Core 4.2: No
Fulfills KU Core 5: No

  • Open to juniors and seniors with at least 4 semesters of Spanish
  • Be matched to an Argentine student by participating in the PAL program
  • Take courses focusing on Argentina and Latin America

Students will directly enroll in courses at Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina (UCA). Before each semester UCA offers an optional Spanish language course before the orientation week. Students wanting to deepen their knowledge of Latin America can enroll in courses focused on the region. The majority of the course offerings are in Spanish and some in English.

Buenos Aires is the capital of Argentina and is located on the Río de la Plata. It is a 500-year old cosmopolitan city renowned for its cuisine, architecture, and rich cultural and historical heritage. Each neighborhood has its own characteristics and style; for example, San Telmo is famous for tango, La Boca for its colorful houses, and Recoleta for its ornate cemetery, museums, and parks. Buenos Aires has a temperate climate with mild winters and hot summers. It’s important to keep in mind that Argentina’s seasons are opposite of the U.S. because they are in the southern hemisphere. Read the Buenos Aires information that UCA provides to international students.

UCA is a private university located in the Puerto Madero neighborhood, on the banks of the river. The neighborhood is lively with an assortment of theaters, restaurants, and museums. The university is one of the most modern urban campus in Argentina and has several schools and faculties, among them Journalism and International Relations.

Before the beginning of each semester, UCA offers a four week Spanish language course for an additional fee. The course is usually offered at the beginning of July for the Fall semester and the beginning of February for the Spring semester. 

Students will take a Spanish placement test online which will determine if the student will be required to take a Spanish language course during the semester for a fee.

Students can either directly enroll at UCA or enroll in the Programa de Estudios Latinoamericanos (PEL). Students who directly enroll at UCA can take courses with Argentine students in business administration, economics, history, international relations, journalism, and political science taught in Spanish. Students who enroll in PEL can take courses with other international students focused on Latin America in subjects such as art, business, culture, history, and political science. PEL offers courses in both Spanish and English. All students will be enrolled in 12 to 15 credits. 

Students can view course lists and short descriptions in the Catálogo de Cursos​, which can be downloaded from a link on UCA's academic information page. The PEL courses are listed at the end of the catalog.

Please keep in mind that Argentina is on the Southern Hemisphere academic calendar which means that KU's Fall semester is their Spring semester and vice versa. The KU Fall semester is their Semester II and KU Spring semester is their Semester I. 

UCA does not have campus housing and students are responsible for finding their own housing. Most students choose to live in Recoleta or Palermo and take public transportation to the university. UCA recommends that students arrive early so they can finalize their housing.

The International Office plans activities for international students, including orientation and registration week where students learn about the university and life in Buenos Aires, and enroll in classes. They also have a buddy program to match Argentine and international students. The Argentine PALs help answer questions prior to and upon arrival in Argentina. Interested students can also participate in a variety of service learning projects through UCA.

SAGE is dedicated to creating international engagement opportunities that meet the needs of all our students and providing resources to support you through the process of studying abroad. Study abroad is achievable for students of all identities including our BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ students, students with disabilities, and students with religious/non-religious viewpoints. Before selecting a program, consider how your identities may impact your experience abroad in unique ways and talk with your Program Coordinator about any program-specific concerns. Students with documented disabilities should discuss any accommodation needs with their Program Coordinator early in the planning process.

Additional Resources

Check our Identity Abroad page and resources listed below for information specific to you and other students who may be on your program.

Students must be juniors (have completed at least four semesters of college) and have completed at least four semesters or the equivalent of Spanish prior to studying abroad (SPAN 216). Students will take a placement test upon application and will take a Spanish language course for a fee during the semester if they don't meet the minimum language requirement. Minimum GPA 2.75. Exceptions considered after submission of a petition.