In the second half of the year, many young Chileans are considering their future in higher education. According to the Ministry of Education (Mineduc), the number of students The number of students enrolled in higher education institutions has increased significantly, reaching a total of 1,385,828 students, representing an increase of 3.3% compared to 2023. This growth covers undergraduate and graduate programs at universities, technical training centers and professional institutes.
The Undersecretary of Higher Education, Víctor Orellana, has highlighted a “post-pandemic reactivation” in the education sector. In addition, he underlined the increase in enrollment in non-face-to-face programs, pointing out that this phenomenon presents a great challenge for the future of education and its adaptation to new trends. This trend reflects how the pandemic has driven significant changes in the way in which students access higher education.
Between the careers In Chile, universities have seen a notable increase in enrollment in certain areas of study. Psychology tops the list, with 11,568 first-year students in 2024, followed by Law, Business Administration, Nursing and Kinesiology. These degrees are not only in high demand, but also show significant variations in enrollment numbers compared to previous years, indicating emerging trends and preferences among students.
In professional institutes, the career The Computer and Information Technology Engineering program has seen impressive growth, with 7,094 first-year students in 2024, representing a 124% increase from 2020. Other popular majors include Nursing Technician, Business Administration, Automotive Mechanics Engineering, and Business Administration Technician. These areas of study reflect the growing demand for technical and specialized professionals in the Chilean labor market.
Technical training centres have also seen an increase in enrolment in certain areas. careers. Nursing Technician is the most in-demand, with 9,017 first-year students in 2024. Other notable careers include Business Administration Technician, Gastronomy and Cooking Technician, Early Childhood Education Assistant Technician, and Automotive Mechanics Technician. These programs are essential for training professionals who can meet the needs of the labor market in various sectors.
