MEXICO · MEXICO CITY
National Autonomous University of Mexico
public · Founded 1551 · Languages: es, en
In short
The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) is a historic and large public research university in Mexico City, offering excellent value with very low tuition fees and a vibrant campus life.
Key facts
- Type
- Public
- Founded
- 1551
- Students
- 360,883
- International students
- 9,000
- Acceptance rate
- 8%
- Tuition (intl)
- €1–3k/yr
- Languages
- ES, EN
- Location
- Mexico City, Mexico
The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) is one of Latin America's greatest research universities, founded in 1551 and home to over 360,000 students across a vast campus network in Mexico City and beyond. Its main campus Ciudad Universitaria is a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its iconic modernist architecture and murals. UNAM contributes roughly 30% of Mexico's entire scientific research output and hosts world-class museums, cultural centres, and institutes.
Why study here
- One of the world's oldest and largest universities, ranked among the top 120 globally (QS 2024).
- Virtually free tuition for all students due to federal government subsidisation — an exceptional value for international students.
- Incredible campus: Ciudad Universitaria is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with murals by Diego Rivera and other Mexican masters.
- Strong research output across sciences, engineering, medicine, law, social sciences, and humanities.
- Spanish-language immersion in a major global city, with CEPE offering dedicated courses for international students.
Student life
UNAM's Ciudad Universitaria campus is a city within a city, featuring the Aztec Stadium (home to Liga MX's Club Universidad), botanical gardens, outdoor sculptures, multiple museums, a concert hall, cinemas, and dozens of cafeterias. Student life is vibrant and politically engaged, reflecting Mexico's rich intellectual traditions. Hundreds of student organisations, cultural workshops, and sporting teams are active. Mexico City surrounds the campus with world-class dining, nightlife, museums, and archaeological sites.
Fees
InternationalApproximately EUR 1,000–3,000 per year — among the lowest for a globally ranked university.
HomeNominal registration fees; Mexican public university tuition is heavily subsidised and approaches zero.
LivingEstimated EUR 600–1,000 per month in Mexico City covering accommodation, food, transport, and personal expenses.
International postgraduate students pay slightly higher fees than domestic students; undergraduate fees are nominal. Living costs in Mexico City are moderate compared to European or North American cities.
Admissions
National entrance exam (UNAM)Required for domestic undergraduate applicants; competitive selection
International undergraduate applicantsMay apply through CEPE or bilateral exchange agreements
Graduate applicantsBachelor's degree, academic record, research proposal for PhD
Spanish proficiencyMost undergraduate programmes are taught in Spanish
TOEFL iBT80+ (for English-medium graduate programmes)
IELTS6.0+ (for English-medium graduate programmes)
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2024105
Times Higher Education Latin America 20233
National ranking (Mexico)1
University scholarships
UNAM DGEP Graduate ScholarshipMXN 8,000–14,000/month stipend for postgraduate students
CONAHCyT National ScholarshipMXN 14,000+/month for PhD students at UNAM
UNAM–CEPE Short Courses BursaryPartial fee waivers available for exchange students
Accreditation
UNAM is a fully autonomous public university recognised by the Mexican federal government (SEP) and holds the highest institutional recognition in Mexico. Many of its professional programmes are accredited by national bodies (e.g., COPAES-affiliated accreditors).
Programs
a selectionNational Autonomous University of Mexico · Mexico
La Carta Atenagórica de Sor Juana: Textos inéditos de una polémica
This program delves into the historical and literary context of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz's "Carta Atenagórica." Originally published in 1690, this work was Sor Juana's critique of a sermon by the Portuguese Jesuit Antonio de Vieira. The "Carta Atenagórica" sparked a significant intellectual controversy in Mexico City at the time, primarily because it challenged a renowned preacher. Until recently, understanding of this controversy was limited to Sor Juana's own "Respuesta a Sor Filotea de la Cruz" and scattered contemporary allusions. This program, however, sheds new light on the debate with the discovery and analysis of previously unknown documents. It focuses on the "Defensa del Sermón del Mandato" by Pedro Muñoz de Castro and the "Discurso apologético en respuesta a la Fe de erratas..." by an anonymous author, both found in a manuscript in the National Library of Peru. Through an introductory study, the program examines these newly discovered texts, discussing their authorship, their interpretation of the "Carta Atenagórica," and the broader implications for understanding Sor Juana's work and her intellectual relationships within the viceregal period. It also explores the potential reasons for the manuscript's presence in Lima, offering new critical and documentary foundations for studying this crucial period in Sor Juana's literary output.
PhD
Level
—
Tuition
—
Duration
National Autonomous University of Mexico · Mexico
National Autonomous University of Mexico Programs
The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) is a public research university founded on September 22, 1910. It is the largest university in Mexico and one of the largest in Latin America. UNAM is known for its academic excellence, research output, and cultural contributions. The university offers a wide range of programs across various disciplines, serving a diverse student body.
Bachelor's
Level
—
Tuition
—
Duration
National Autonomous University of Mexico · Mexico
Territorial Planning Policy in Mexico: From Theory to Practice
This collection of 28 works examines the advances, limitations, and future challenges of ecological and territorial planning legislation in Mexico. It draws on international experiences and their relation to risk management in vulnerable socio-economic areas. The book also introduces new theoretical and methodological contributions for the study of landscapes and community planning. It explores the experiences of social participation in the development of ecological plans and their impact on student education at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Innovative proposals are presented to revalue and integrate archaeological heritage into territorial planning programs. Case studies include ecological planning at various scales, focusing on coastal and marine zones, and the connection between territorial planning and sustainable economic development. Furthermore, the book addresses new methodological approaches for planning urban and rural-urban spaces, the conflicts between urban growth and environmental sustainability, and experiences of public and social participation in planning management. The key themes revolve around territorial planning, ecology, legislation, urban growth, urban planning, sustainability, and urbanization.
Diploma
Level
—
Tuition
—
Duration
Scholarships
for Mexicofull fundingMexican Agency for International Development Cooperation (AMEXCID), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE)
Mexico Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Nationals (AMEXCID)
For foreign nationals from eligible countries applying for specialisation, master's, doctoral, or research/mobility programmes at participating Mexican institutions. Applicants need admission or acceptance from a Mexican institution and apply through the annual AMEXCID call, often via the Mexican embassy in their country.
full
Funding
€12k
Max
Sep 30, 2026
Deadline
full funding
Wellcome Trust
Wellcome Trust Fellowships and Grants (for international researchers)
For researchers at different career stages working on health-related science. Wellcome funds a family of fellowships and grants — early-career, career-development, and discovery awards, plus team and translational funding — each with its own eligibility, value, and call deadline. There is no single scholarship application; you apply to the specific scheme that fits your stage and project.
full
Funding
€3000k
Max
Rolling
Deadline
full funding
Wellcome Trust
Wellcome International Training Fellowships
For early-career researchers based in low- and middle-income countries (outside the high-income world) who want protected time and support for research training in health, often including a PhD or postdoctoral research. Wellcome's scheme names and exact criteria change over time, so applicants should check the current relevant Wellcome funding scheme.
full
Funding
€150k
Max
Rolling
Deadline
full funding
European Commission - European Research Executive Agency (REA)
Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowships
Open to researchers of any nationality who hold a PhD (or will have defended their doctoral thesis by the call deadline) and have at most 8 years of full-time-equivalent research experience after the PhD. Applicants apply jointly with a host organisation - a university, research institution, business, SME, or other body based in an EU Member State or a country associated to Horizon Europe. European Postdoctoral Fellowships are open to all nationalities for a project inside the EU or an associated country; Global Postdoctoral Fellowships are reserved for EU nationals or long-term residents who carry out a phase in a third country before returning to Europe. Researchers who have been displaced by conflict and those restarting a research career after a break are explicitly encouraged to apply.
full
Funding
€100k
Max
Sep 10, 2026
Deadline
full funding
Rotary Foundation
Rotary Peace Fellowships
For professionals committed to peace and development, with relevant work experience and (for the master's) a strong academic background and proficiency in English. Applicants apply through their local Rotary district and are selected globally by The Rotary Foundation for study at a Rotary Peace Center.
full
Funding
€90k
Max
May 15, 2027
Deadline
full funding
Independent Social Research Foundation (ISRF)
ISRF Europe Early Career Fellowship
Open to early-career researchers in the social sciences and humanities who are within 10 years of their PhD award (career breaks considered) and hold a salaried position at a higher education or research institution, or are independent scholars with a host institution. Research must be hosted at a European institution and address innovative, interdisciplinary social research questions. Open to scholars of all nationalities.
full
Funding
€82k
Max
Feb 14, 2027
Deadline
Frequently asked questions
What are the tuition fees for international students at UNAM?
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International students can expect to pay approximately EUR 1,000–3,000 per year. UNAM is a heavily subsidized public university, making its tuition among the lowest for a globally ranked institution.
What are the estimated living costs in Mexico City?
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Estimated monthly living costs in Mexico City range from EUR 600–1,000, covering accommodation, food, transport, and personal expenses. These costs are considered moderate compared to major European or North American cities.
Does UNAM offer programs taught in English?
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While most undergraduate programs are taught in Spanish, UNAM offers English-medium graduate programs. International graduate students applying to these programs typically need a TOEFL iBT score of 80+ or an IELTS score of 6.0+.
What is the ranking of the National Autonomous University of Mexico?
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UNAM is ranked 105th globally by QS World University Rankings 2024 and 3rd in Latin America by Times Higher Education 2023. It also holds the 1st national ranking in Mexico.
What is Ciudad Universitaria?
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Ciudad Universitaria is UNAM's main campus and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is renowned for its modernist architecture, murals by Mexican masters, and extensive facilities including museums, stadiums, and botanical gardens.
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