Unversidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas

What Unversidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas does

Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas (UPC) is a private Peruvian university founded in 1994 in Lima and incorporated into Laureate Education Inc. in 2004, operating under the legal entity Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas S.R.L. The institution delivers higher education across four physical campuses in Lima (Monterrico headquarters, San Isidro, San Miguel, and Villa) through 58 undergraduate programs, 18+ professional education programs for working adults (EPE), and 120+ graduate programs, offered in presencial, semipresencial, and a distancia modalities via the Blackboard-powered Aula Virtual platform. UPC targets three primary segments: recent Peruvian high-school graduates seeking career-ready degrees, working professionals pursuing professional development through EPE and Working Student night-schedule programs, and graduate students, with a secondary segment of Pronabec government-scholarship recipients.

The business model is tuition-driven and recurring, with revenue streams including multi-year undergraduate enrollment, continuing education, certification services, international double-degree pathways (notably the UPC-Arizona program yielding up to three degrees in five years), and supplementary revenue from athletic programs, cultural activities, and entrepreneurial support through the STARTUPC ecosystem. Technology infrastructure combines Mi UPC student portal, Blackboard LMS, Oracle PeopleSoft SIS, Microsoft PowerBI analytics, CRM Dynamics 365 for student lifecycle management, and proprietary tools including SUMADI for typing-pattern assessment integrity. Distinctive specialized facilities — Bloomberg Lab for financial-market simulation, FabLab and Innovation Lab for fabrication and R&D, and a Centro Universitario de Salud with simulated hospital — differentiate the offering beyond standard classroom delivery.

UPC's competitive position is anchored by an unusually dense accreditation stack for a Peruvian private university: it is the only Peruvian institution with WSCUC US regional accreditation (reaccredited for the maximum 10-year term in 2022), the only one with integral ISO 9001:2015, the only Peruvian 5-star QS Stars recipient, and #1 in Peru on the THE Impact Rankings 2025 (top 200 globally). Internationalization is a core strategic pillar, evidenced by 250+ university partnerships across 35+ countries, exclusive pathways via NCUK and University of Leeds, and 20,000+ students with international study experience. The university employs 1,001-5,000 staff and is led by Rector Milagros Morgan Rozas, the first woman to hold UPC's top academic position.

Name

Unversidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas

Legal name

Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas S.R.L.

Website

https://upc.edu.pe

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

UPC is a private Peruvian university founded in 1994 and owned by Laureate Education Inc., operating four Lima campuses and offering 196+ academic programs (undergraduate, professional, and graduate) with US-standard accreditations and 250+ international partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Transfer/University-Parallel Community Colleges (EDAHADAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Tribal Four-Year Colleges & Universities (Bachelor’s–Granting) (EDAHANAB)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• Undergraduate degree programs
• Graduate professional education
• University academic programs
• Continuing professional education

Headquarters

HQ city

Santiago De Surco

HQ country

Peru

HQ region

Latin America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Academic Programs: Tuition-based revenue model where students pay periodic fees for undergraduate, graduate, and professional education programs across 58+ undergraduate, 18+ professional education, and 120+ postgraduate programs.
2. Continuing Education: Revenue from professional development courses and continuing education offerings for working adults.
3. Certification Services: Fees for professional certifications and credentialing programs.
4. International Partnerships: Revenue through double degree programs and international pathway programs with partner universities.
5. Athletic Programs: Revenue from sports programs including professional sports staff and athletic facilities.
6. Cultural Activities: Revenue from cultural programs, events, and educational activities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

UPC is a private Peruvian university delivering higher education through 58+ undergraduate degree programs, 18+ professional education programs (EPE) for working adults, and 120+ graduate programs including MBAs, specializations, and master's degrees. It offers Presencial, Semipresencial, and A Distancia modalities across four Lima campuses, complemented by international double-degree and pathway partnerships (University of Arizona, NCUK, University of Leeds) serving recent high school graduates, working professionals, and graduate students.

Product overview

Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas (UPC) operates as a comprehensive private university offering a multi-modality educational platform. The core portfolio includes Pregrado (58 undergraduate programs in Presencial, Semipresencial, and A Distancia), EPE for working professionals (18+ programs), and Postgrado (120+ graduate programs including MBA). The institution differentiates through international programs: UPC-Arizona (double degree with University of Arizona), NCUK Programme (pathway to UK/Australia/Canada/NZ/US universities), and NCUK & University of Leeds (exclusive 1+2 year pathway to top 100 QS university). The ecosystem includes Working Student/night schedule programs, supported by a Blackboard-powered virtual learning environment, virtual and remote laboratories, specialized facilities (Bloomberg Lab, health simulation center, FabLabs), sports programs (22 selections), and innovation hubs (STARTUPC).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pregrado (Undergraduate Programs) 58 undergraduate degree programs oriented to future trends, offered in Presencial, Semipresencial, and A Distancia modalities for recent high school graduates and prospective undergraduate students in Peru.
• EPE - Carreras para Gente que Trabaja (Working Adult Programs) More than 18 career programs in Semipresencial and/or A Distancia modalities with schedules adapted to working professionals' rhythms, allowing validation of up to 60% of prior studies, designed for employed adult learners in Peru.
• Postgrado (Graduate Programs) More than 120 graduate programs including Master's degrees, MBAs, Specialized Programs, and Specialization Courses oriented to professional development, targeting working professionals and graduate students.
• Working Student / Horario Nocturno (Night Schedule Programs) Night schedule program allowing students to work during the day and study at night, with 10 career options offered in Semipresencial or A Distancia modalities for working adult learners.
• Programa UPC-Arizona (Double Degree) Double degree program in partnership with The University of Arizona allowing students to obtain up to three degrees in five years: UPC Bachelor's, UA Bachelor's degree, and UA Master's degree, studied primarily from Peru.
• UPC-NCUK Programme International program allowing students to study 1 or 2 years at UPC and gain access to top universities in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA and other destinations, including International Foundation Year and International Year One pathways.
• NCUK & University of Leeds Programme Exclusive pathway allowing students to study the first year of a UK business degree at UPC in Lima and then continue at the University of Leeds (top 100 world university per QS 2026) for two years.
• NCUK Master's Preparation Programme (MPS) 100% online program preparing students to study a master's degree abroad, with guaranteed access to 35+ international universities and 3,500+ degree options in the UK, Australia, or New Zealand.
• Virtual Learning Environment (Aula Virtual) Blackboard-powered online platform for accessing UPC courses and activities, supported by virtual and remote laboratories for distance and blended learning.
• Deportes UPC (Sports Program) Sports program with 22 university athletic selections, offering academic benefits such as preferential enrollment and exam rescheduling, economic benefits including up to 100% sports scholarships, and comprehensive support covering physiotherapy, nutrition, psychology, and physical preparation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90%+ graduate employment rate
• +4 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Minerva UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership for innovative educational methodology. Ben Nelson, founder of Minerva University, collaborated with UPC on educational innovation and teaching approaches.
• The University of ArizonacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDouble degree program partnership allowing students to earn credentials from both institutions.
• NCUKcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational pathway programs providing access to undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at partner universities worldwide.
• University of LeedscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive partnership for NCUK pathway programs and direct degree articulation agreements.
• Laureate Education Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the Laureate International Universities network, providing access to global best practices and international exchange opportunities.
• PronabeccoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGovernment scholarship program partnership enabling students to access higher education through national scholarship funding.
• Claro PerúminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRAEE recycling program partnership for electronic waste management and environmental sustainability initiatives.
• Hospital Rebagliati de EsSaludminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlood donation partnership for community health initiatives and social responsibility programs.
• Puericultorio Pérez AraníbarminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth campaigns partnership supporting early childhood development and community health programs.
• Fundación RomerominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustainability partner for social responsibility and community development initiatives.
• Es HoyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustainability partner for environmental awareness and social impact programs.
• Municipalities (San Miguel, San Isidro, Surco)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal government partnerships for community engagement, student activities, and regional collaboration.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Universidad de los Andes: Colombia's top private research university with strong graduate and international programs. Comparable as a premium Latin American private university competing in similar rankings and student segments.
• Tecnológico de Monterrey: Mexico's leading private university with strong international positioning, multiple campuses, and online programs. Comparable regional benchmark for premium private higher education and multi-modality delivery.

Direct peers

• Universidad del Pacífico: Elite private Peruvian university specialized in business, economics, and law. Competes with UPC's business school, MBA, and postgraduate offerings for the same premium student segment.
• Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (UNMSM): Peru's oldest and largest public university, with comprehensive undergraduate and graduate programs. Competes for top Peruvian students and serves as benchmark for academic prestige.
• Universidad de Lima: Major private Peruvian university with strong business, engineering, and law programs. Directly competes with UPC for undergraduate and graduate students in Lima.
• ESAN University: Private Peruvian graduate-focused business school offering MBAs, master's, and executive education. Directly competes with UPC's Postgrado business programs.
• Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola (USIL): Large private Peruvian university with extensive program portfolio including business, health, and education. Competes directly with UPC across undergraduate and professional segments.
• Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH): Top private Peruvian university known for medicine, health sciences, and research. Competes with UPC's health sciences programs and similar high-achieving student segment.
• Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP): Peru's leading private nonprofit university, offering undergraduate and graduate programs across Lima. Most direct comparable given overlapping program breadth, target student segments, and competition for top Peruvian talent.

Broad incumbents

• Universidad Andrés Bello (UNAB): Chilean private university and fellow Laureate Education network member. Operates as a sister institution within Laureate's portfolio, sharing corporate resources and international partnership infrastructure with UPC.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/upcedu
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/UPCedupe
• Facebookfacebook.com/upcedu
• Instagraminstagram.com/sostenibilidadyrsupc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/universidad-peruana-de-ciencias-aplicadas

Compliance11 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Unversidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas