Peru can be an appealing study destination for international students interested in Latin American culture, biodiversity, tourism, business, engineering, and health sciences. However, applicants should distinguish between a complete degree taught in English and a university that offers only selected courses or international activities in English.
At the universities below, English-language availability ranges from selected undergraduate courses and exchange options to bilingual curriculum components and international graduate modules. Offerings may change by semester, so students should obtain written confirmation of the language of instruction for their chosen courses before applying. Read on to learn about universities in Peru with documented English-language study options for international students.
Top Universities for English-taught Programs in Peru
1. Pontifical Catholic University of Peru
Established in 1917, the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru (PUCP) describes itself as Peru’s first private institution of higher education. It offers undergraduate and graduate education in a broad range of academic fields.
PUCP’s international office states that students may take courses from their academic curriculum in English. Its English-course initiative covers regular courses offered through undergraduate faculties, the Graduate School, and Centrum. Because the available subjects change by academic term, international applicants should review the current course list rather than assume that an entire bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree is delivered in English.
2. University of Lima
The University of Lima is a private university founded in 1962. It currently lists 14 undergraduate programs distributed across six schools.
The university’s current information for international students identifies Spanish as the principal language of instruction while listing selected courses taught in English in business and engineering. This supports course-level study in English, particularly through the exchange program, but does not establish that complete bachelor’s or master’s degrees are taught in English. Undergraduate tuition is based on the number of enrolled credits, and the cost per credit depends on the student’s assigned payment category.
3. ESAN University
ESAN was founded in 1963 through an agreement between the governments of Peru and the United States, with its establishment and implementation entrusted to the Stanford Graduate School of Business. ESAN describes itself as the first graduate business school in the Spanish-speaking world in South America. It became a university in 2003 and now offers both undergraduate and graduate education.
ESAN’s graduate portfolio includes MBA programs, specialized master’s degrees, and a doctoral program in business administration. English is used in specific international components rather than necessarily throughout an entire degree. For example, MBA participants attending International Week must enroll in at least two English-only courses, while the EMBA Consortium’s international intensive weeks are conducted in English. Applicants should verify the principal teaching language of the exact program and cohort they plan to join.
Studying in Peru can provide a valuable academic and cultural experience. However, English-language availability is generally more limited than the original descriptions of these universities suggested. At most of the institutions above, the documented options consist of selected courses, exchange offerings, bilingual curriculum components, or international modules rather than complete degrees taught entirely in English. Applicants should confirm the current curriculum, tuition, admission requirements, and language of instruction directly with the university before applying.
We hope that this article on the best English-taught universities in Peru for international students was helpful! If you’re interested in studying abroad, make sure to check out the Available Programs for International Students!
