Study In Argentina: Cost of Living, Visa, Tuition & List Of Top Universities

Argentina is a very huge country in South America. For study abroad students intending to come to this continent, the country is not hard to miss as it extends over a large area from North to South of the continent.

This Spanish-speaking country of about 44 million has diverse terrain which is going to be a delight for students who love exploring nature.

There is the famous Andes mountains, the glacial lakes and of course, the Pampas grasslands used for grazing cattle. The cattle from which the world famous Argentine beef is sourced.

Apart from these, other reasons Argentina is an ideal study abroad location include:

• High standards of the universities
• World class tourism infrastructure
• Low tuition education
• Low cost of living
• Excellent climatic conditions
• Breathe taking cultural heritage and vibrant social life

Cost of living in Argentina

Since Argentina has such a huge landmass, the disparity between the cost of living varies greatly between locations.

Living close to a city (or even in the city) would cost more. This is even more glaring if you live close to or in the big cities like Buenos Aires, the capital of the country.

Compared to most North American and European countries, the cost of living though is comparatively cheaper.

Here of some prices for items that would be of interest to study abroad students coming to Argentina:

Food

• Meal in decent restaurant                          9.29 $
• Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)                    1.47 $
• Water (0.33 liter bottle)                             1.18 $
• Milk                                                                1.24 $/liter
• Bread (500g)                                                1.79 $
• Rice (white)                                                   1.38 $/kg
• Eggs                                                                1.89 $/dozen
• Tomato                                                           1.84 $/kg
• Beef                                                                 7.96 $/kg
• Onion                                                               1.14 $/kg

Transportation

• Local Transport (one way ticket)                 0.43 $
• Monthly Pass                                                   18.59 $
• Taxi                                                                   0.89 $/km
• Gasoline                                                            1.21 $/liter

Rent and Utilities (monthly)

• Electricity, Heating, Water, Garbage             87.67 $
• Local Prepaid Mobile Tariff                             0.25 $/minute
• Internet                                                              39.21 $
• 1 bedroom apartment in City Centre             401.54 $
• 1 bedroom apartment outside city center     304.32 $

(source)

The currency of Argentina is the Peso. About 16.14 Argentine Peso is equivalent to 1USD

Students cost of living

This too depends on location, lifestyle, and location of the university. On the average though, the sum of $2,500 to $4,500 should be enough the cover the cost of living for a year.

Study Abroad student are allowed to study and work in Argentina as long as they have all the required documentation.

Applying to study in Argentina and Academic Calendar

In Argentina, there are over 100 tertiary institutions. About half of them are government-funded, while the rest are privately-owned

There is no central admission body for admission to Argentine universities. Intending candidates would have to apply directly to their University of choice.

All the reputable universities have a comprehensive website where all the necessary information, including the necessary documents to be submitted, can be obtained

The academic calendar in Argentina runs from March to November. So bear that in mind as you process your admission to a university in Argentina.

Student visa

Study Abroad students wishing to stay for more than 3 months in Argentina must obtain a student Visa. Students visas can only be obtained inside Argentina.

To gain entry into Argentina, you must have a tourist’s visa. This can be obtained from your country through the Argentine embassy there. The guidelines for obtaining a tourist visa and fees depends on your country

So it is best you go to the Argentine Embassy in your country to get full details of how to get a tourist visa.

Once in the country on your tourist visa, you can proceed to apply for a student visa. The following documents must accompany your application:

• Passport that is valid for at least six months beyond your studies
• Admission letter from the University
• Visa processing fee of about $100
• Police report showing you are not a criminal. You would need to obtain two Police report. One from your country of origin and one from the Argentine police
• Passport photographs
• Evidence of enough funds for you education
• Birth certificate

Note that students who are citizens of MERCOSUR States do not need a Police report.

Also, if your study is going to be longer than a year, then you have to re-apply for another student visa because the average student visa is valid for about six months.

To reapply for a student visa you have to

1. Leave the country before the current visa expires and re-enter the country with your tourist visa. Then you can reapply for a new student visa.

2. If for some reason you can’t leave Argentina, you can contact the your school’s student affairs division to discuss other options available to you.

Spanish Language Requirement

Though many citizens speak English, Spanish is the official language and all programs are taught in Spanish.

That said, study abroad students who can’t speak Spanish can easily enroll in Spanish lesson to get a CELU certificate. This internationally recognized certificate is a proof of proficiency in the language.

It can’t be used to gain admission into any University around the world where Spanish is the language.

Many universities have study centers and conduct the exams two times in a year. The exams are accredited by the Education Ministry and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

List of top universities in Argentina:

1. Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
2. Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata
3. Universidad Tecnológica Nacional, Buenos Aires 
4. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba
5. Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario 
6. Universidad de Palermo, Buenos Aires
7. Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe 
8. Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina, Buenos Aires
9. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza
10. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, Corrientes .