Application Instructions

The Admission period at UPEACE opens on April 1. Applicants must send the on-line application as the first step of the process, followed by the application package that must contain all the supporting documentation described on this page. This package must arrive at UPEACE on the established deadline.

Applicants must make sure to include all documents in the package. Incomplete application packages will not be processed.

The application deadline is 28 February. Documents that arrive after the deadline will be reviewed for the following academic year. Notifications of admission will be sent by e-mail on 31 March.

Application packages must be sent to the following addresses:

By regular mail:

University for Peace
Department of Academic Administration
Application Package
University for Peace
P.O. Box 138-6100
San José, Costa Rica

By courier:

University for Peace
Department of Academic Administration
Application package
De la Iglesia de Ciudad Colón 450 metros al sur hasta llegar a la Pulpería Estrella del Sur, de ahí, 7 Km. al Sureste. Rodeo de Mora, San José, Costa Rica
Tel: (506) 2205-9000
Fax: (506) 2249-1324

Application materials

1. On-line application form
   
   
2. Official Undergraduate Transcript/Course of Studies

   One official transcript of academic work from the undergraduate degree is required. Transcripts should be requested from the corresponding Registrar in a sealed envelope and should be sent unopened in your application package.

   Transcripts should show, as a minimum, the granting of the Bachelors degree or equivalent and an explanation of the grading system applied. Only original transcripts or certified copies will be accepted.

3. Three Letters of Recommendation

   Two recommendations should preferably be from professors or academic advisors; one may be from an employer or other person in a position to evaluate your potential for graduate studies. Applicants who graduated three or more years ago may submit letters of recommendation from other scholarly sources.

   Please forward the form to each one of your references, have them return the letter to you so you may add them to your application package.
   Valid sources for letters of recommendation are:
   
   

   • Academic: Professors, Directors, Deans or Rectors
   • Professional: Direct Supervisors, Heads of Department, Executive Directors or equivalent positions

4. Curriculum Vitae (CV)

   A current CV or resume detailing information regarding current and past employment, internships, study abroad opportunities, and academic honours or awards, is required

5. Statement of Purpose

   The statement of purpose should be between 500 and 1000 words and should address the following questions:
   

   1. Why has the applicant decided to apply for this programme?
   2. What are the applicant's expectations for this programme?
   3. What are the applicant's career prospects in relation to this programme?

6. English Proficiency
   
   All students whose native language is not English are required to demonstrate their English proficiency. Students who submit a score of 600 or higher in the paper version of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (PBT); 250 in the computer version (CBT) or 100 in the Internet based version (IBT) will be considered to have the necessary English level to participate in Master's courses. (UPEACE TOEFL Code 7180).
   
   IELTS scores from the British Council and other recognized English language proficiency tests are also accepted. The minimum score for IELTS test is a band score of 8; Very Good User.
   
   Students who graduated from an English language-speaking high school shall submit their high school diploma as proof.
   
   Students who graduated from an English language speaking higher education institution with a Bachelor's, Master's or Doctoral degree, are eligible for a waiver from the TOEFL.
   
   
7. Graduate Financial Worksheet

   Applicants should complete the Graduate Financial Worksheet to show their financial means of support while studying at UPEACE (Instructions here: Instructions for Graduate Financial Worksheet). UPEACE does not require documentation to support the information provided in this form. It rather relies on the applicant's probity and sense of honour. Leave no blanks in your Graduate Financial Worksheet.

   This form is not required for the MAIPS Dual Campus Programme.

   Click here for information about Financial Assistance.

8. Six Recent Passport-Size Photographs

   One picture is needed for the student's file and the other five are required by the Costa Rican authorities for the student visa.
   Pictures should have the following characteristics:

   1. The six pictures should be in color and identical
   2. Pictures should be 35 by 45 mm (1.37” by 1.77”)
   3. Frontal view from head to shoulders
   4. Single colour background
   5. Pictures should be printed in photographic paper, not scanned

9. Copy of main pages of the passport

   Costa Rican Immigration Law demands that the passport expires six months after the end of the MA programme that the applicant will be pursuing at UPEACE.

10. Costa Rican Entry Visa

    The Costa Rican Immigration authorities have a classification list of nationalities according to the type of visa they require to enter Costa Rica.
    All nationalities must submit the visa application form as part of the application package (visa application form).
    
    

    1. Category I: no visa is required and people under this category have a maximum permanence of 90 days in Costa Rica.
    2. Category II: no visa is required and people under this category have a maximum permanence of 30 days in Costa Rica.
    3. Category III: nationals from countries under this category must obtain a 30-day Consular Visa for Costa Rica. Some of these countries do not have a Costa Rican Consulate, in these cases, the same procedures described for category IV must be followed. But once the visa is approved, the nearest Costa Rican Consulate must be approach to obtain the visa stamp in the passport.
       
    4. Category IV: Nationals from countries listed under category IV, must apply for a restricted entry visa for Costa Rica. In these cases, UPEACE will request the visas directly to the Costa Rican Immigration athorities. The applicant must specify on the Visa Application Form, which Costa Rican Consulate is closest. UPEACE will request Immigration to send the visa approval to the indicated Consulate. The applicant will then be able to approach the Consulate to get the visa stamp on the passport.

    Applicants under categories III and IV must make sure to complete the Visa Application Form and send a clear copy of the passport main pages. Any incomplete information or documents will cause delays in the processing of the entry visas.

    Although the site is available only in Spanish, information about Costa Rican Consulates can be obtained from: http://www.rree.go.cr/servicio-exterior/index.php?stp=09&langtype=espanol&SID=&Embajada=&UserName=&consul=S

    For questions regarding visa processes, please contact: visas@upeace.org.

    UPEACE will request the visa to the Costa Rican Immigration authorities, indicating the nearest Costa Rican Consulate that the student is able to approach. Once the visa is approved, Immigration will send an official notification to the indicated Consulate and to UPEACE. The student will then approach the Consulate to get the visa stamp on the passport.

Incomplete application packages will not be processed

APPLICATION FORM