Market report Colombia

Market Report Colombia – The Colombian Study Abroad Market

This market report on Colombia examines key socio‑economic, educational, and student mobility trends shaping outbound recruitment as we approach 2026. Colombia is one of Latin America’s fastest‑growing outbound student markets, and it continues to attract attention from international recruiters due to expanding mobility across multiple segments, from tertiary degrees to English‑language study programs.

According to UNESCO mobility figures and more recent market estimates, Colombia has at least 75,000 students studying abroad in higher education and associated programs, with total outbound numbers approaching 90,000–100,000 when including English language, short‑term, and vocational pathways.

Colombia’s outbound mobility is supported by a large youth population (with roughly 37–40% under age 25), growing demand for international skills and English proficiency, and a strong cultural emphasis on the value of international education.

Current Patterns and Destinations

Colombian students pursue study abroad across a diverse set of destinations, reflecting both regional preferences and rapid growth in English‑speaking markets:

• Australia has seen dramatic increases in Colombian enrollments, with nearly 40,000 Colombians on study visas in 2023, most in English language programs (ELICOS).
• Canada hosted over 15,000 Colombian students in 2023, marking strong year‑on‑year growth.
• United States enrollments are also increasing, with more than 9,000 Colombians in U.S. colleges and universities.
• Argentina and Spain remain leading destinations in the region, with approximately 20,000 and 18,000 Colombians studying there, respectively.
• France and Germany host around 4,000 Colombian students each, indicating diverse mobility across Europe.

Key Trends Shaping Mobility

Strong Growth Across Segments
Colombian mobility spans academic degree programs, vocational training, short‑term exchanges, and English language study. English‑language destinations are especially dynamic, with demand for ELICOS and other preparatory programs fueling increases in Australia, Canada, and the U.S.

Diverse Field Preferences
Colombian students show strong interest in fields such as business administration, management, finance, marketing, and engineering — areas with high perceived employability and global opportunity.

Youth Demographics and Workforce Aspirations
A large, youthful population and rising aspirations for global careers underpin sustained growth in study abroad interest. The push toward bilingualism and international experience is also supported by government initiatives and employer preferences for globally experienced graduates.

Outlook for 2026 and Beyond

Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, Colombian student mobility is expected to remain resilient and expanding:

• Continued diversification of destinations, with English‑speaking countries gaining share alongside traditional preferences in Latin America and Europe.
• Ongoing demand for English‑language and pathway programs as key entry points into longer‑term study abroad.
• Employer and labor market factors that position international education as a valuable asset for career outcomes.
• Institutional partnerships and scholarship support, such as through ICETEX and COLFUTURO, which help finance advanced study abroad opportunities.

Overall, Colombia represents a strategic, high‑momentum marketplace for international education recruitment, offering growth across levels (undergraduate, postgraduate, language, and short‑term study) and a diverse set of emerging destination corridors.

Market Report Colombia – Colombian Education System

The Colombian education system is made up of: early childhood education, preschool education, basic education (five grades of primary and four grades of secondary), high school education (two grades and ends with the bachelor’s degree), and higher education. Education is compulsory for children aged between 6-14. The language of education is Spanish.
Secondary education

Educación básica (primary education) is compulsory for children aged 6-14, and is provided by both public and private schools. Programs has a nominal duration of 9 years, and are usually taken at a colegio or at a liceo or instituto.

Secondary education is divided in basic secondary (grades 6 to 9) and mid secondary (grades 10 and 11). The upper-secondary education (usually beginning at the age of 15 or 16) offers many different ‘tracks’, which all lead to their own ‘Bachiller’ after a curriculum of two years.

Admission to Higher Education

Admission to university higher education requires a Bachiller Académico/Comercial/Técnico certificate obtained by passing the state exam (Examen de Estado) administered by the Instituto Colombiano para la Evaluación de la Educación (ICFES).

Higher Education system

Higher education is being offered by private and public institutions. There are four different types: universidades (universities), instituciones universitarias or escuelas tecnológicas (university institutes or technological institutes), instituciones tecnológicas (technological institutions) and instituciones técnicas profesionales (technical training institutes).

Bachelor / Pregrado
The bachelor stage is called Pregrado. Pregrado programs take 4 to 7 years to complete. Upon completion the degree of Licenciado is usually awarded.

Master / Maestría
Admission to the Maestría requires an entrance examination and a Licenciado degree or professional qualification. Maestría programs have a nominal duration of 1 to 2 years and are concluded with a thesis. The degree of Magister is awarded upon completion, which offers direct access to PhD programs.

Doktor / Doctorado
Admission to Doctorado programs is only possible with a Maestría degree. PhD programs take an average of 4 years to complete.

Latest Colombian Higher Education study abroad stats

Currently, nearly 100,000 Colombian students are studying abroad, including 75,000 enrolled in higher education and related programs. When English language courses, short-term programs, and vocational pathways are included, the total number rises further. The most popular destinations for Colombian students pursuing study abroad are:

IB schools in Colombia

• Colegio Gran Bretana – Bogota – https://www.cgb.edu.co/
• The English School – Bogota – https://www.englishschool.edu.co/
• Colegio Anglo Americano – Bogota – https://www.angloamericanobogota.edu.co/
• Knightsbridge Schools International – Bogota – https://www.ksi-bogota.com/
• Colegio Bolivar – Cali – https://www.colegiobolivar.edu.co/website/index.php/en/

Scholarships for Colombian students