Address: Centro Universitario, M5502JMA Mendoza, Argentina
Agricultural Sciences, Engineering, Exact and Natural Sciences
Established in 1939, the National University of Cuyo is a public university located in Mendoza. It is one of the most important universities in the Cuyo region, with a strong reputation in engineering, agricultural sciences (especially viticulture), and basic sciences. It also oversees the prestigious Balseiro Institute.
The campus lies in Mendoza, at the foot of the Andes, and the university serves the whole Cuyo region, which also covers San Juan and San Luis. About 45,000 students and 6,000 staff give a ratio of roughly 7.5 students per employee. The Balseiro Institute, more than a thousand kilometres away in Bariloche, is part of the same institution and is its best-known research branch.
The profile follows the local economy. Mendoza produces most of Argentina’s wine, so oenology, viticulture and agricultural sciences are taught at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences in Chacras de Coria, in the middle of the wine country. Engineering, exact sciences and earth sciences are taught in the city. Julio Cobos, an engineer who served as vice president of Argentina from 2007 to 2011, is one of the best-known alumni.
Research focuses on agricultural science, water management in an arid region, earth sciences and engineering. Several institutes work with CONICET, among them groups studying glaciers and mountain climate that are based in Mendoza. The university reports more than 400 agreements with universities abroad, and wine science is a natural entry point for visiting students and researchers.
Undergraduate tuition is free and teaching is in Spanish. Entry requirements and introductory courses depend on the faculty. Mendoza is a city of wide, tree-lined streets and acequias, and Aconcagua and the ski areas are within a few hours’ drive, which makes the location unusual for a technical university.
Some figures give context. About 150,000 people have graduated since 1939, and the university is closely tied to the provincial economy. Students in agriculture and oenology often arrange fieldwork around the harvest season, from February to April, when the vineyards are busiest, and engineering students benefit from the energy and water-management projects that the dry climate of Mendoza makes necessary.
UNCUYO has a robust internationalization policy with over 400 agreements with universities worldwide, fostering student and faculty mobility and joint research, especially in fields like oenology and engineering.
Research:
A leading research institution in the region, with significant contributions in agricultural sciences, earth sciences, and engineering. It has several research institutes, many in partnership with CONICET.
Famous Alumnis:
Julio Cobos, Celso Jaque
International recognition**:
Number of staff***:
6000
Current students***:
45000
Foreign students***:
0%
Cumulative former students***:
150000
Pros
Strong programs in oenology and agriculture, beautiful campus at the foot of the Andes, high academic standards, includes the world-renowned Balseiro Institute under its umbrella.
Cons
Location may be a drawback for those preferring a major metropolis like Buenos Aires, bureaucracy can be a challenge.
Best For
Students interested in agricultural sciences, oenology, or engineering, who appreciate a scenic location and a high-quality public education.
Think of National University of Rosario when agriculture, chemistry and physics is the priority: it is also a public institution, and runs the same bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.
Think of National University of Córdoba when agriculture, chemistry and physics is the priority: it covers astroscience and mathematics as well, and is far larger, with about 136,000 students against roughly 45,000 here.
Both schools build their programmes around chemistry, physics and engineering, and National University of La Plata is the one to compare first within the country, since it covers astroscience and computer vision as well, and is larger, enrolling about 115,000 students against roughly 45,000 here.
For students who like the agriculture, chemistry and engineering focus of this university but want another option nearby, National University of the South fits well: it is also a public institution, and teaches at the same levels, namely bachelor's, master's and doctoral.
The comparison with National University of Buenos Aires is straightforward on subjects, since both focus on civil engineering, chemistry and physics, and it teaches at the same levels, namely bachelor's, master's and doctoral, and covers mathematics and electrical and electronics as well.
Most Similar Schools Abroad
The closest overseas parallel on agriculture, chemistry and physics is Aarhus University, located in Denmark; it runs the same bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes, and covers astroscience and nanotechnologies as well.
For a study option in Iran with a comparable spread of agriculture, civil engineering and chemistry, University of Tehran is the reference point: it covers mathematics and mechanical engineering as well, and has almost the same size, at about 41,000 students.
University of Adelaide in Australia is the nearest foreign match on agriculture, food science and chemistry; it is slightly smaller, at about 30,279 students against roughly 45,000 here, and is also a public institution.
Seen from abroad, University of Lisbon (Portugal) is a close relative on subject matter, since agriculture, civil engineering and chemistry are central to both, and it has almost the same size, at about 47,794 students, and is also a public institution.
In Saudi Arabia, King Saud University teaches much the same core subjects, agriculture, civil engineering and chemistry, and it is slightly larger, at about 61,412 students against roughly 45,000 here, and is also a public institution.
*our own picks (our criteria: a mix between domains, diploma delivered, reputation and size), but obviously too many criteria for an apple-to-apple ranking.
FAQ
Where is the National University of Cuyo?
The central campus is in Mendoza, Argentina, at the foot of the Andes. The university also has sites in San Rafael and other towns of the province.
What is the Balseiro Institute's link to UNCuyo?
The Balseiro Institute in Bariloche is co-managed by UNCuyo and the National Atomic Energy Commission, and its degrees are issued through UNCuyo.
What is UNCuyo best known for?
Oenology and agricultural sciences, engineering, exact and natural sciences, and the Balseiro Institute.
How large is the university?
About 45,000 students and 6,000 staff.
Is tuition free?
Undergraduate study at Argentine national universities is traditionally free of tuition. Foreign applicants should confirm the current rules.
Can you study wine science there?
Yes. Oenology and viticulture are taught within the agricultural sciences programmes, in a region that produces most of Argentina's wine.
In which language are courses taught?
Courses are taught in Spanish.
Does UNCuyo have international partners?
The university reports more than 400 agreements with universities worldwide, used for exchange and joint research, especially in wine science and engineering.
What are the main research areas?
Agricultural science, earth sciences, water resources, engineering and basic sciences, with several institutes shared with CONICET.
Who are some notable alumni?
Julio Cobos, former vice president of Argentina, and Celso Jaque, former governor of Mendoza, studied at UNCuyo.
Agriculture, Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Innovation, Research and Development, Sustainable Development
*: without any judgment of the quality, readers are strongly encouraged to check the official status of the exact diploma envisioned as many universities have a mix of recognized diplomas, not recognized, “co-delivered,” “equivalent to”, “some pathways” (…), can change over time, and can be named differently from one country to another.
**: international reputation: is based on some criteria that do not mean much in some domains or specialties (number of researchers, of scientific publications, on budget ….). Our approximate 1-4 scale:
known locally
known locally and internationally
is listed in some of the world university’s classifications
is listed among the 20 firsts in some of world university’s classifications
***: estimated numbers, based on online sources and/or feedbacks. The numbers can vary greatly depending on school organisation (ex.: school is part of a group, it employs internal staff or external consultants or has public staff without employing them …). Refer to all the links provided to have accurate and updated numbers.
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