Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos is the most representative university institution of Peru, of multidisciplinary nature, based on humanistic, scientific, and technological research, with academic excellence. Committed to human and sustainable development, leader in the promotion of cultural and artistic creation. It generates and disseminates scientific, technological, and humanistic knowledge, committed to the sustainable development of the country and the protection of the environment. Throughout its history, UNMSM has been recognized as a formant of competent, responsible, courageous, and respectful professionals and researchers of cultural diversity, promoters of national identity, culture of quality, excellence, and social responsibility.


Founded on May 12, 1551 by Real Cedula signed by King Carlos V of Spain, in the city of Valladolid. Initially it was called University of Lima, but from 1574 denominates University of San Marcos. It is the Alma Mater of the Nobel Prize for Literature 2010, PhD Mario Vargas Llosa and the Humanistic Poet Cesar Vallejo. Since the creation of the Republic of Peru, 21 Presidents had graduated in San Marcos.


Constitutionally, the universities are under the supervision of National Superintendence of University Education, and Ministry of Education, it is ranked in the QS World Ranking-2021 we at the position 801. According to SCImago Ranking in 2020 we occupied the top 1 position in Peru. San Marcos is the leader of 12 most representatives’ public universities in the network call: Peruvian Network of National Universities for Internationalization (RUNAi) since 2018. And has an Asian Studies Center (CEAS) for its internationalization to Asia since 2018. One Satellite Office in Tsukuba University, Japan since 2020.


Located in the city of Lima, it is only 30 minutes from the Jorge Chávez International Airport and 30 minutes from the historical center of the capital city, where the Cultural Center of San Marcos is located, declared Historic Monument of Humanity.


The selection ratio is 10 postulants per vacancy. In 2019 Undergraduate students are 33,710 and Post Graduate are 10,523 students. The UNMSM has 20 Faculties, with 66 Professional Schools. At the postgraduate level, there are 148 Master's Programs, 32 Doctorate Programs, 81 mention of Second Specialization and 11 Diplomas. It has 3 Research Units, 4 Research Centers and 26 Research Institutes.