Universidad Externado de Colombia
Live and study in one of the most historical, political and cultural centers of Colombia on the foot of the hill of Guadalupe at Universidad Externado de Colombia!
Externado is recognized as a leader in the areas of government & international relations, economics, business administration and finance. Founded in 1886 as an answer to absolutism and suppression of freedom of education, this prestigious university (within the top 100 in Latin America, QS 2019) has a combination of modern infrastructure buildings and historical houses. You will have the privilege to study surrounded by spectacular gardens and forests on campus on a year round subtropical climate. Be ready to explore the ideal mix of urban sophistication, colonial charm and natural wonder while refining your Spanish language skills.
Key information
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Program details
The information below was last updated in May 2026
Externado offers a wide variety of programs: anthropology, archaeology, business, cultural heritage studies, data science, economics & finance, international relations, geography, history, hospitality & tourism, journalism, law, philosophy, psychology, social work, and sociology.
Exchange students are required to choose a host faculty for their exchange, and must take at least 60% of their courses from that faculty. To browse courses, start at Externado's homepage, click on "academic units" to select a faculty, then view undergraduate programs & departments. "Curriculum" or "plan de estudios" is where you can find specific courses.
Most courses are taught in Spanish. A limited number are taught in English - examples can be found on the English Course Spreadsheet online. As it's not possible to take a full semester of English courses, exchange students must have Spanish language proficiency (B1 for most faculties, and B2 for the faculties of Business, Finance, Government, and International Relations).
Exchange students are required to take 18 credits per semester at Externado. This is normally equivalent to 5 courses at UCalgary; please confirm with your academic advisor.
Unique at Externado: Professional Volunteering program. Led by Externado's School of Finance, Government and International Relations, this credit-bearing volunteer program has students work with recognized national & international NGOs. The program is open to exchange students as a way to increase sociocultural knowledge and complement other academic courses.
The academic year is divided into two semesters:
- First semester: late January to early June.
- Second semester: early/mid July to late November.
These dates include the final exam period, and a one week academic break (typically in late March/early April for first semester, and October for second semester).
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Costs
Exchange students pay their tuition and academic fees to the University of Calgary. Other expenses are paid directly to the service provider.
While costs in Latin America tend to be lower than Calgary, the city of Bogotá is considered expensive. Externado estimates the average living costs around $600-900 USD per month (including rent, food, transport, and other daily expenses).
Also, remember to include things like visas, insurance, vaccinations etc in your budget planning.
Note that all exchange students will be charged a mandatory fee upon arrival, typically less than $10 USD, which covers use of Externado's health facilities and other local services. In addition, exchange students are required to have their own comprehensive travel health insurance. Externado shares more info about this with accepted exchange students.
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Funding
Did you know that you can take your UCalgary funding with you on exchange? Since you remain a degree-seeking student at UCalgary while studying abroad, you remain eligible for any awards and scholarships you are otherwise eligible to receive from the university, as well as student loans.
Our office administers several awards, including the Global Access Fund and the Global Learning Award. Students may only receive these awards once. Please see the funding page, linked below, for more information.
Externado does not have any on-campus student accommodations. However, the university has agreements with four residential buildings in Bogotá: CentralX, CityU, Esstudia, and
Spotty Hotels. These buildings offer dorm-style accommodations suitable for students and provide a discount for Externado exchange students. Note, it is only possible to apply after being accepted for exchange, as you must show your acceptance letter from Externado in order to qualify for the housing offer.
This exchange is open to regular, full-time students in any faculty at the University of Calgary, who have completed at least one full year (10 courses) at the post-secondary level, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
Because English courses are limited, it is expected that exchange students will take at least some courses taught in Spanish. Therefore, students must meet B1 or B2 levels of Spanish, depending on the host faculty (most faculties accept B1, but students wishing to take classes in business, government, or international relations must have B2). This is roughly equivalent to completing a minimum of SPAN 303 or 4 semesters of Spanish classes at UCalgary. Proof of language proficiency is required; this can either be a formal Spanish language test, or a certificate/reference written by the UCalgary Spanish department/professor.
During the orientation week, the level of Spanish will be doubly assessed by Externado's Center of Spanish as a Foreign Language (CEPEX). Exchange students have the possibility to take Spanish language courses at CEPEX.
If you have questions about the academic or social life in Bogotá, you can post on their exchange students Facebook page to connect with other exchange students or with Colombian students.
South America Information Session
Partner Presentations by schools in Chile, Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador - November 2024
Have questions?
The advisor for the program is: Kathryn Bauer
How to Apply
Download the application guide
This PDF contains information on how to complete your application and what to do after you have applied.
Identify three programs of interest
We recommend applying for your top three programs for the priority application deadline, as placement may be competitive. We will assess your applications in ranked order.
Check requirements and deadlines
These may vary by program, so check the individual program pages and make sure that you are aware of any different application deadlines or eligibility requirements.
Start your application
Once you have gathered everything you need, you can begin your application!
Please note: Applications will not be considered complete until all required documents are submitted in full.
International travel presents challenges that may not be found when attending classes on campus. There may be a lack of resources, emergency services, hospitals, accessibility issues and/or demands on the physical and the mental self, all of which can challenge individuals when away from their usual support systems and structures. Adequate preparation is essential.
For this reason, it is imperative that you evaluate all aspects of your own physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual condition against the rigors of the particular global learning program you are selecting. If you are unsure of whether or not this program is a good fit for you and/or if you have any circumstances that could impede your enjoyment of the program, please contact us. Our Global Learning Advisors will be happy to assist in finding the best options for you and arrange any supports or accommodations necessary to ensure your success.
If you have or are seeking a certificate from Student Accessibility Services, you should provide this early to your Global Learning Advisor to ensure that the option that you are seeking can support your needs.
Please note: All participants must adhere to COVID-19 and other vaccination-related requirements for the destinations visited on this program. Failure to do so may have consequences such as being denied access to accommodation/housing, program activities, or to the host country itself.