Universidad Santander

What Universidad Santander does

Universidad Santander (operating as UNISANT) is a Mexican private online higher education institution founded in 2015 and operated by Grupo Educativo Santander S.C. (domiciled in Tampico, Tamaulipas). The university delivers undergraduate (Licenciatura), Master's (Maestría), and Doctorate (Doctorado) programs — plus Specialties (Especialidad) and shorter Diplomado certificates — through an asynchronous online platform (desk.unisant.edu.mx) supplemented by 13 physical offices across Mexico and 6 international representation offices in Ecuador, Peru, Chile, the United States, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, and Spain.

Its core technology is a proprietary virtual campus LMS with downloadable PDF study guides for offline use, alongside a standardized Problem-Based Learning (Aprendizaje Basado en Problemas / ABP) pedagogical methodology that replaces traditional exams with real-world problem-solving evaluations. Programs carry official RVOE (Reconocimiento de Validez Oficial de Estudios) recognition from Mexico's Secretaría de Educación Pública (SEP), with each degree holding an individual RVOE number.

The business model is direct-to-consumer and modular: students pay per subject/module rather than per semester, with prices ranging from $3,800 MXN per Diplomado course to $6,500 MXN per Doctorado module, enabling completion timelines of 10 months to 5+ years depending on pace. Specialized sub-brands (Escuela de Política y Gobierno, Escuela de Imagen Personal y Cosmiatría, CICIP research center) extend the portfolio into political consulting, cosmetology, and academic research. Enrollment runs through website inquiry forms, WhatsApp contact, and academic advisor consultations, with institutional partnerships providing funnel access via SEDENA, SNTE, SINADEP, and Spanish universities (Salamanca, Alcalá, Isabel I). The platform serves 5,000+ active students and has produced 19,000+ graduates over 11 years, operated by approximately 118 employees.

Name

Universidad Santander

Legal name

Grupo Educativo Santander S.C.

Website

https://unisant.edu.mx

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Universidad Santander (UNISANT) is a Mexican private online university offering SEP-recognized Licenciaturas, Maestrías, Doctorados, and Diplomados via a modular per-subject pricing model, serving working professionals across Mexico, Latin America, and Spain through an asynchronous virtual campus and 19 physical offices.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Online Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Educational Services (611), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Fully Online Universities (Online-First, Degree-Granting) (EDAHALAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Online/Hybrid Lifelong Learning Platforms & Open Enrollment Programs (EDAAAEAL), Operations, Supply Chain & Logistics Management Schools (EDAHAHAF)

Keywords

• Online higher education
• Distance learning programs
• Undergraduate online programs
• Graduate degree programs
• Professional diploma programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Mexico City

HQ country

Mexico

HQ region

Latin America

Offices19 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Enrollment Fees: Modular tuition model where students pay per course/module. Pricing varies by program level: diplomados at $3,800 MXN per course, especialidades at $2,500 MXN per subject plus $5,000 inscription and $10,000 titulation fees, doctorates at $6,500 MXN per module. Students control duration by selecting how many courses to take simultaneously.
2. Administrative Fees: Additional revenue from reinscription fees, late payment surcharges (10% increase after month 13 of each cycle), and processing fees for certificates, degrees, and professional credentials.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Universidad Santander (UNISANT) is a private Mexican university that delivers fully online higher education programs — Licenciaturas (Bachelor's), Maestrías (Master's), Doctorados (Doctorates), Especialidades (Specialties), and Diplomados (Diplomas) — across disciplines including Administration, Accounting, Law, Education, Computer Science, Marketing, Tourism, Environmental Projects, Cosmetology, and Political Consulting. All programs are RVOE-accredited by Mexico's SEP and offered through an asynchronous Learning Management System (desk.unisant.edu.mx) with the proprietary Problem-Based Learning (ABP) methodology, modular per-course pricing, and self-paced progression allowing completion in 10 months to 3+ years.

Product overview

Universidad Santander (UNISANT) is a Mexican private university offering online and hybrid education programs. The institution operates a platform-based model providing undergraduate degrees (Licenciaturas), Master's degrees (Maestrías), Doctorates (Doctorados), Specialties, and Diploma programs across disciplines including Administration, Education, Law, Computer Science, Marketing, Tourism, Environmental Studies, and Political Sciences. The academic portfolio includes 12 undergraduate programs, 6 Master's programs, 3 Doctorate programs, specialty programs like Ethics in Organizations, and specialized schools for Cosmetology and Political Governance. All programs hold official validity (RVOE) from Mexico's Ministry of Education (SEP). The institution also operates a virtual learning platform (desk.unisant.edu.mx) and an aula virtual for student coursework delivery.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Escuela de Imagen Personal y Cosmiatría: A specialized school offering cosmetology programs and personal image education under UNISANT's academic umbrella.
• Escuela de Política y Gobierno
• CICIP

Products and services

• Licenciatura en Administración (Bachelor's in Administration) Online undergraduate degree (RVOE 20171303) that prepares professionals to manage financial, material, and human resources for business stability and growth. Target: working adults seeking a business administration credential.
• Licenciatura en Contaduría (Bachelor's in Accounting) Online undergraduate degree (RVOE 20171304) developing analytical, strategic, and creative skills for financial decision-making, auditing, and fiscal compliance. Target: working adults pursuing accounting credentials.
• Licenciatura en Derecho (Bachelor's in Law) Online undergraduate degree (RVOE 20171305) covering legal studies, law elaboration, interpretation, and application for conflict resolution. Target: working adults seeking a law degree.
• Licenciatura en Educación (Bachelor's in Education) Online undergraduate degree (RVOE 20171307) for evaluating, designing, managing, and intervening in educational projects in teaching or corporate settings. Target: teachers, trainers, and education administrators.
• Licenciatura en Informática (Bachelor's in Computer Science) Online undergraduate degree (RVOE 20171306) forming experts in information technology development, implementation strategies, and system administration. Target: working adults pursuing IT credentials.
• Licenciatura en Mercadotecnia (Bachelor's in Marketing) Online undergraduate degree (RVOE 20171480) preparing professionals to identify consumer needs and develop strategic marketing solutions for brand growth. Target: marketing professionals and working adults.
• Licenciatura en Turismo (Bachelor's in Tourism) Online undergraduate degree (RVOE 20171481) for developing and implementing tourism programs and activities within tourism organizations. Target: tourism-sector professionals.
• Licenciatura en Coaching y Liderazgo Transformacional (Bachelor's in Coaching and Transformational Leadership) Online undergraduate degree (RVOE 2023P021066) focused on coaching methodologies and transformational leadership skills. Target: coaches, leaders, and HR/OD professionals.
• Licenciatura en Neuroeducación (Bachelor's in Neuroeducation) Online undergraduate degree (RVOE 2023P021069) combining neuroscience and education principles for innovative teaching approaches. Target: educators and learning-design professionals.
• Licenciatura en Seguridad Pública y Derechos Humanos (Bachelor's in Public Security and Human Rights) Online undergraduate degree (RVOE 2023P021067) addressing public security issues and human rights protection. Target: public-security personnel and human-rights professionals.
• Licenciatura en Desarrollo de Proyectos Ambientales (Bachelor's in Environmental Project Development) Online undergraduate degree (RVOE 2022P021002) focused on developing and managing environmental sustainability projects. Target: environmental-sector professionals and sustainability practitioners.
• Licenciatura en Cosmiatría (Bachelor's in Cosmetology) Online undergraduate degree (RVOE 2022P021049) in cosmetic dermatology and aesthetic treatments with official validity, delivered via the Escuela de Imagen Personal y Cosmiatría. Target: cosmetologists, aestheticians, and image professionals.
• Maestría en Educación en área de Docencia e Investigación (Master's in Education in Teaching and Research) Online Master's degree (12-month completion) focusing on educational research and the development of innovative teaching proposals. Target: teachers, professors, and education researchers.
• Maestría en Educación, Estadística, Docencia e Investigación (Master's in Education Statistics, Teaching and Research)
• Maestría en Educación Infantil (Master's in Childhood Education)
• Maestría en Administración y Dirección de Empresas (Master's in Business Administration)
• Maestría en Ciencias de la Consultoría Política Estratégica (Master's in Strategic Political Consulting)
• Doctorado en Ciencias de la Educación (Doctorate in Education Sciences)
• Doctorado en Ciencias de la Educación y Estadística (Doctorate in Education Sciences and Statistics)
• Doctorado en Ciencias de la Administración y Negocios (Doctorate in Administration and Business Sciences)
• Maestría + Doctorado en Educación Combo (Combined Master's and Doctorate in Education)
• Especialidad en Ética en las Organizaciones (Specialty in Ethics in Organizations) 8-month online specialty program with 8 professional subjects covering ethical foundations for organizational codes and responsible management. Target: mid-career professionals and compliance/ethics officers.
• Diplomado en Dirección de Campañas Electorales (Diploma in Electoral Campaign Direction)
• Diplomados (Diploma Programs)
• Licenciatura en 10 Meses (10-Month Accelerated Bachelor's Degree) Accelerated online bachelor's degree program allowing students to select course load intensity (1-4 subjects simultaneously, each 28 days) and complete their Licenciatura in 10 months to 3 years 1 month. Target: working adults wanting the fastest path to an RVOE-accredited bachelor's degree.

Quantifiable outcome

• Licensure completion in 10 months when taking 4 courses per cycle
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SEDENA (Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitutional partnership with Mexico's National Defense Secretariat for educational services and professional development programs for military personnel and their families.
• SNTE (Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Mexico's National Teachers' Union providing educational opportunities for union members and their families with potential preferential terms.
• SINADEP (Fundación)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational foundation partnership extending UNISANT programs to SINADEP members with institutional backing.
• COBAO (Colegio de Bachilleres del Estado de Oaxaca)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with Oaxaca High School system for student pathway programs and educational continuation.
• Universidad Politécnica de Tulancingo (UPT)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic collaboration with public polytechnic university for student transfers and program recognition.
• SNTREminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnion partnership for educational access to registered union members.
• Lamar UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational academic partnership with US university enabling potential cross-institutional recognition and international exposure for students.
• Universidad Isabel I (Spain)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partnership with Spanish university for potential academic collaboration and European recognition.
• Universidad Autónoma de ColombiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational academic partnership with Colombian public university for Latin American educational exchange.
• Universidad de SalamancacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrestigious partnership with one of Spain's oldest universities for academic prestige and potential international credentials.
• Universidad de AlcalácoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with historic Spanish university for academic collaboration and European educational standards.
• Universidad de Costa RicaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCentral American academic partnership with Costa Rica's premier public university.
• Universidad Nacional de Costa RicaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic exchange partnership with Costa Rica's national university.
• Universidad Particular de Loja (Ecuador)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEcuadorian private university partnership for regional Latin American student pathways.
• Universidad Continental (Peru)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeruvian university partnership for Andean region student access and academic recognition.
• British SchoolminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with British School system for educational pathway programs.
• Grupo Educativo Santander S.C.coreOthersCorporate parent entity (Grupo Educativo Santander S.C.) registered in Tampico, Tamaulipas, operating the university brand.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Universidad Azteca: Mexican private university system with online and hybrid programs targeting working adults, with similar RVOE-backed degree offerings. Directly competes with UNISANT in the Mexican private online higher education segment.
• UNIR (Universidad Internacional de La Rioja): Spanish online university offering degrees, master's, and doctorates with official recognition to Spanish-speaking working professionals globally. Closely comparable to UNISANT given shared online-first model, Spanish-language delivery, and similar working-professional target market.
• UTEL (Universidad Tecnológica Latinoamericana en Línea): Mexican private online university offering undergraduate and graduate programs to working professionals via a fully online model. Closest direct competitor to UNISANT in terms of target audience (working adults), delivery model (100% online), and pricing (modular per-subject).

Emerging players

• Coursera: Global MOOC platform increasingly partnering with universities to offer accredited online degrees, including Latin American institutions. Partially overlaps with UNISANT's online higher education market, particularly for master's-level continuing education.

Broad incumbents

• Aliat Universidades: Network of Mexican private universities with both on-campus and online programs targeting working professionals. Larger, more established player offering broader program portfolio and more physical campuses across Mexico.
• UVM (Universidad del Valle de México): Major Mexican private university with substantial online program offerings and working-professional focus. Comparable in target market but significantly larger and more established than UNISANT.
• UNADM (Universidad Abierta y a Distancia de México): Mexican public online university offering free or low-cost degree programs to working adults. Competes on price point in the same online degree market but as a government-backed institution with substantially different funding model.
• UNITEC (Universidad Tecnológica de México): Large Mexican private university with significant online and hybrid program offerings for working professionals. Much larger incumbent competing in the same online degree market but with broader brand recognition and more traditional campus footprint.

Regional players

• UTPL (Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja): Ecuadorian private university with strong online (modalidad a distancia) program offerings targeting working professionals across Latin America. Comparable in online-first model and Spanish-language delivery but operates primarily in Ecuador and Andean region.

Others

• Universidad Santander-UNAB (Colombia): Same-named but unrelated Colombian university (formally known as Universidad Autónoma de Bucaramanga). Mentioned because of brand-name similarity; not a real peer but useful disambiguation for any cross-border partnership analysis.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights8 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/unisant
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCsGeaU2JWnxsJ8geXxYnByw
• Facebookfacebook.com/unisant
• Instagraminstagram.com/unisant
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/universidad-santander

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries3 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 Universidad Santander