University of Costa Rica

The University of Costa Rica, first established in 1940, is the oldest institution of higher education in the country. The public university, which was founded with the intention of making a university education accessible to as large a number as possible, has its main campus in a suburb of San Jose, the Costa Rican capital. The campus takes its name from a former university rector Rodrigo Facio Brenes, who in the 1950s and 1960s was responsible for university reform. It also operates a number of smaller, satellite campuses in more rural areas of the country and around 40,000 students are enrolled at the institution’s headquarters or one of its regional hubs. It offers a wide range of undergraduate programmes across six faculties, as well as numerous postgraduate courses and international opportunities. Alumni of the university include two Costa Rican presidents Luis Guillermo Solís and Oscar Arias. Facilities on campus include a 25 hectare dedicated sports area featuring multiple gyms and swimming pools, as well as competition arenas for various team and individual sports, including  tennis, beach volleyball, football, basketball and athletics. Other campus features include student residences, a nursery for children of students and a planetarium donated by the Government of Japan. The university’s main campus is also in abundant in natural beauty. Home to two biological reserves and a botanical garden, the campus is a tourist destination in its own right. Away from campus, students are within easy reach of the centre of San Jose, a major economic and cultural centre with a vibrant night life.