Apply to a University in Mexico: 5 Quick Steps

Mexico is a modern and fast-developing Latin American country. It’s a popular destination not only for tourists but also for students. All because the quality of education is on par with the neighboring U.S. and European countries. Studying at one of the universities in Mexico is a great opportunity to learn Spanish, get a top degree and work in Latin America. Read the article to know more about getting enrolled at one of the Mexican institutions.

Stages of Higher Education

There are over 100 institutions in Mexico. Education is divided into 3 degrees:

• Bachelor. Studying usually lasts for 4-5 years, after which students work on a thesis, complete an internship and pass a final exam
• Master. +2 years and thesis defence
• PhD. It’s the highest academic degree which is earned after 3 extra years of scientific research and final thesis defense

Paid or Free Education?

Mexican citizens don’t have to pay for their education. Foreigners, on the other hand, have to pay about $1.000 per academic year to get the profession there.

However, there is still a chance to study for free. The government provides grants for people from other countries. Their number is limited, so only the most talented candidates will get the scholarship. Such programs are supervised by the Mexican Agency for International Cooperation.

5 Steps to Get Enrolled

1. Pass the foreign language proficiency exams:

• English: IELTS/TOEFL
• Spanish: DELE

2. Choose the university. Here are some of the most popular ones in 2021:

• The National Autonomous University of Mexico (Mexico City)
• Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (Monterrey)
• The National Polytechnic Institute of Mexico (Mexico City)

3. Study the admission requirements and prepare the documents. Each institution has its own list, but you’ll most likely need the following things:

• CV
• Copies of your passport and birth certificate
• Transcripts of records
• A health certificate
• A motivation letter

Important: pay attention to the deadlines. Applicants often fail to get enrolled because they ignore the deadlines and submit the documents when it’s too late.

4. Pass the entrance exams. Their format depends on the university and the specialty chosen.

5. Wait for the results. If you get the invitation letter, you can start the visa application process.

Getting a Student Visa

Apply for the visa through the Embassy. Here’s a checklist of documents to keep in mind:

• A filled-in form in Spanish or English
• Scans of your passport
• A colored 25×35 mm photo on the white background
• The letter of invitation from the university (the original and a copy)

Check here to find the extended list of the required documents. Book an appointment at the Embassy and submit your application in person. You’ll get a notification when it’s finalized to come pick it up.

Getting the Right Photo

There are 2 ways to get the image of the necessary format:

Photo Center

There are studios with professional photographers who can take your photo for various purposes, including for visas. However, the service is rather pricey. You’ll also have to spend time and money on the commute. But there’s a better option to skip the hustle.

Online Photo Tool

The software is available 24/7, so you can process your images when it’s most convenient. You can use it from home, work, or anywhere for that matter. You’ll just need a good Internet connection.

Upload your picture taken with a smartphone to the online visa photo tool and let the online algorithms process it. It will:

• Crop it
• Turn the background white
• Check the eye line position and the head size
• Etc.

These changes don’t compromise the quality of the image. In the end, you get a download link with a digital photo and a template. Take the latter to the post office to get it printed for a low price.

Is the Online Alternative Better?

Among the most obvious reasons:

• It’s fast. It takes a couple of minutes to process the file
• Convenient. You can have the image adjusted right from the comfort of your home
• Cheap. It costs $7USD to get a 100% compatible picture
• Reliable. 99.8% of the edited photos have been successfully admitted by the authorities 

Studying in Mexico can open up thousands of opportunities, like relocating there to start with. As long as you stick to your plan and apply accordingly, enrollment to your school of choice should be no problem. 

The Mazatlan Post