Market report Peru

Market Report Peru – The Peruvian Study Abroad Market

Peru is an important and steadily expanding source market for international education, with growing outbound mobility across undergraduate, postgraduate, language, and short‑term study pathways. Increasing demand for global skills, English proficiency, and international credentials continues to drive Peruvian students toward study abroad opportunities in diverse destinations.

Key Market Characteristics

Strong interest in international qualifications: Peruvian students and families increasingly view overseas study as a pathway to enhanced career prospects, global experience, and specialized professional skills. Internationally recognized degrees and English proficiency are highly valued in Peru’s competitive labor market.

Rising outbound mobility: While smaller in scale compared with larger Latin American markets such as Brazil and Colombia, Peru’s outbound student mobility is growing. Recent estimates indicate tens of thousands of Peruvians enrolled abroad in higher education and related programs, with additional students participating in English‑language, vocational, and short‑term study abroad.

English‑language and pathway demand to make the switch to a service economy: English and preparatory study continue to be key drivers of outbound mobility. Many Peruvian students pursue English‑language programs and pathway options in English‑speaking countries such as Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, which often serve as stepping stones to longer‑term academic study. The Beca Peru ‘Pronabec’ scholarship program plays an important role.

Diversification of destinations: While regional and linguistic ties keep certain Latin American countries relevant, Peruvian students are increasingly looking toward Canada, the United States, Australia, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, alongside growing interest in European destinations such as Spain, Germany, and France. This reflects broader shifts in student preferences and recruitment strategies.

Youth demographics and financing: Peru’s youthful population and expanding higher education participation rates create a growing pipeline of prospective international students. Scholarships, government support programs, and private financing mechanisms are contributing to increased access to study abroad, particularly at the postgraduate level.

Outlook for 2026 and Beyond

Looking ahead, Peruvian outbound student mobility is expected to remain resilient and progressively expand, supported by:

• Continued demand for English‑medium education and internationally recognized degrees
• Ongoing diversification of destination preferences, with strong growth in English‑speaking and European markets
• Broader participation across undergraduate, postgraduate, language, and short‑term study
• Strengthening partnerships, exchange agreements, and scholarship programs that facilitate international mobility

Overall, Peru represents a strategic, growing study abroad market with increasing mobility across segments, strong English‑language demand, and a diversified destination portfolio.

Market Report Peru – The Peruvian Education System

Education in Peru is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education. It is responsible for the national educational policy. According to the Constitution, education is compulsory and free of charge at public schools for the initial, primary and secondary level schooling. It is also free in public universities for students who are unable to pay tuition and have an adequate academic performance.

Education is offered at four levels:

• Primary
• Secondary
• Vocational and Technical
• University

Secondary education

Primary and secondary education combined take 11 years, with 6 years of primary education and 5 years of secondary education. Secondary education follows a national curriculum, set by the Ministry of Education.

The secondary education curriculum teaches the following subjects: mathematics, communication, English, the Arts, History, Geography, Economics, Social Studies and Social Skills, Religious studies, PE, Sciences.

Admission to higher education

Admission to higher education requires a secondary school qualification Certificado Oficial de Estudios de Educación Secundaria. Most universities also require a separate set of entrance examinations. Only 50 percent of test takers typically pass the examination. Many Peruvian students spend one to two years at university entrance exam schools, or academia to prepare.

Higher Education system

Higher education in Peru is offered by the country’s 140 universities; 51 of which are public and 89 private. University-level institutions also include many specialized art, music and religious institutions that are called conservatorio, instituto, and escuela superior.

Peru follows the traditional Bachelor, Master, PHD system.

Public universities are free of charge. The best universities, however, charge hefty tuition fees. Language of instruction in Spanish. Some programs are taught in English.

Bachelor/Bachiller/Licenciado/Título Profesional/Ingeniero
Initial study programs leading to the Bachiller degree last at least 10 semesters (200 credits).
There are specialist advanced programs, with a minimum of 24 credits (half a year). These do not lead to an academic degree and/or professional qualification.

Master/Maestria
Admission to this stage requires a Bachiller degree. These programs take 1 or 2 years to complete, with a minimum of 48 credits. There is a distinction between a maestría de especialización (professional master’s program) and a maestría de investigación o académicas (research-oriented master’s program).

Doctorado
Admission to a doctorate program is thru a Maestria degree. A doctoral program takes at least 6 semesters to complete. Recipients of the Doctorado degree must be proficient in 2 foreign languages.
(Source: Nuffic)

Latest Higher Education study abroad stats for Peru

At this point a total number of 36,000 students from Peru are studying abroad for a degree in higher education. The most popular study abroad destinations among students from Peru are:

Market Report Peru – IB Schools in Peru

• Lord Byron School – Araquipa – https://www.lordbyron.edu.pe/
• Davy College – Cajamara Davy College – Cajamara
• Andino Cusco International School – Cusco – http://www.andinoschool.edu.pe/
• Cambridge College – Lima – https://cambridge.edu.pe/home
• Colegio Frankln Delano Roosevelt – Lima – https://www.amersol.edu.pe/
• EuroAmerican College – Lima – https://www.euroamericancollege.edu.pe/en/
• Colegio Peruan Britanico – Santiago de Surco – http://www.britishschool.edu.pe/
• Casuarinas International College – Santiago de Surco – https://www.casuarinas.edu.pe/es/inicio/
• San Silvestre School – Miraflores – https://www.sansilvestre.edu.pe/

Scholarships for Peruvian students