The Catholic University of Uruguay (Universidad Católica del Uruguay, UCU) dates back to 1876 when the Lyceum of University Studies was founded. In 1985, the Catholic University of Uruguay was established to revive Catholic higher education in the country after nearly a century.
UCU’s main campus is located in Montevideo, the capital city of Uruguay and a vibrant cultural and economic centre on the Río de la Plata. The university also operates regional campuses in Punta del Este, a renowned coastal resort town, and Salto, an important commercial city in the northwest.
Originally founded as an institute for philosophy, science and letters, UCU has since grown into a leading university offering more than 40 undergraduate, postgraduate and master’s degree programmes, and three PhDs. Fields of study include business, engineering, law, health sciences, communications, education, and social sciences.
The university is home to a wide range of specialised centres that support innovation, research and professional development. These include IthaKa (entrepreneurship), Ludus (teacher training), Practicum (internships), Ignis (audiovisual production), Hodos (research support), ?gora (publishing), and Berit (social action and inclusion). Interdisciplinary research is a key focus, especially in neuroscience, psychology, social sciences, and education.
UCU’s International Cooperation Office maintains partnerships with over 300 universities across the globe, facilitating active student exchange and international academic collaboration.
