Published on 1 February 2026

Chile: Education system

If you intend to emigrate to Chile, you can obtain information on schooling and education from the FDFA.

School system

Compulsory education in Chile comprises eight years at primary and four years at secondary level. Children start school by age 6. Young children attend playschool and kindergarten. The Chilean education system does not offer a dual vocational route, i.e. an apprenticeship in industry combined with classroom learning. The state vocational school system is underdeveloped. Private establishments offer courses for school leavers who do not go on to higher education.

Swiss schools

The Colegio Suizo (Swiss school) is located in Santiago de Chile. It accepts students from kindergarten age through to the Chilean secondary school qualification that gives access to higher education. In the first eight years of schooling, instruction is in German except for in individual subjects. At secondary level (grades nine to twelve), the language of instruction is Spanish, and German is taught as a foreign language. The Colegio Suizo qualifies students to take the ‘Prueba de Selección Universitaria (PSU)’ and the Swiss baccalaureate examination.

International schools

There are Italian and German schools in Santiago and in some of the provincial capitals. In Santiago, there is also a French lycée.

These schools usually require a contribution for each child in the form of a one-off enrolment fee, an annual re-enrolment fee and a monthly school fee. Current fees are published annually.

Universities

Santiago de Chile has two internationally renowned state universities ('Universidad de Chile' and 'Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile') and a large number of private universities recognised by the Ministry of Education. Classes are mainly taught in Spanish. Foreign students are required to take an entrance examination.

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