YOU MUST SUBMIT THE COMPLETE APPLICATION PACKAGE containing all supporting documents. If you do not submit a completed application package, (on-line application form and supporting documents in hard copies) your file will not be reviewed.

Detailed instructions for compiling the documents in the application package are provided on the admissions page http://www.upeace.org/admissions/general.cfm and repeated below. Please read the guidelines carefully to determine which forms and documentation are needed.

The application form must be filled out on-line. A printed hard-copy of the on-line application form is not required.

Hard-copy documents (i.e. printed paper) include the following relevant materials:

1. Statement of Purpose
2. Letters of Recommendation
3. Official Undergraduate Transcripts and Certified True Copy of Diploma
4. Curriculum Vitae or Résumé
5. 6 Passport size photographs
6. Visa Form
7. Financial Form
8. English Proficiency Test Scores Report (TOEFL, IELTS)
9. Copy of relevant Passport pages

Yes, the UPEACE Department of Academic Administration (DAA) will send an e-mail acknowledging receipt of your application package. In this same message you will be informed if any documents are incorrectly filled out and/or incomplete and you will be given some time to complement your application file. If documents are complete, you will be informed that processing for admission has begun.

Your Statement of Purpose must answer the following questions:

1. Why has the applicant decided to apply to this programme?
2. What are the applicant's expectations from this programme?
3. What are the applicant's career prospects for this programme?
4. What type of multicultural exchanges has the student experienced?

A well written and thoughtful statement will improve the quality of your application and your evaluation by the UPEACE Admissions Committee.

Referees may:

• Post the recommendation letter in a sealed envelope to applicant
• Post the recommendation letter directly to UPEACE

No. Recommendation letters must be recent and written for the specific purpose of applying to a UPEACE graduate programme.

• Authenticated original transcripts of records of a four-year Bachelor's degree with the official grading system in the original language along with an official English translation bearing the original signature of the Registrar and the school seal (1 copy each).
• Details of all courses taken during the undergraduate degree.
• Number of credits per course and total number of credits.
• Period of time taken to complete the undergraduate degree (beginning and ending date).
• Authenticated certificate (certified true copy) of graduation or diploma in the original language and its official English translation.

If you find that some of this information is not stated on the transcript, please attach a certification letter form your University to complement the information on the transcript.

Transcripts of records of MA programmes are not relevant. You may send your MA transcript but as complementary information. They will not influence your application.

Yes you can, just make sure that they reach UPEACE before the application deadline.

UPEACE does not have a special format for CVs or Résumés. You can choose the format you prefer, as long as the following information is included:

1. Name of applicant
2. Applicant's birth date
3. e-mail address
4. Postal address
5. phone number
6. Academic background (including institution name, graduation year and degree obtained)
7. Working experience (including name of the institution, date of beginning, ending date and position
8. Multicultural exchanges
9. Any other relevant information

Five pictures are required for Costa Rican Immigration purposes, specifically for the Temporary Student Permit. The other one remains in your student record at UPEACE and is used for your student ID and the student and alumni website.

No. Scanned pictures sent by e-mail are not accepted.

No. Pictures must be printed on photographic paper; otherwise they will not be accepted by the Costa Rican Immigration authorities.

Yes, all applicants must fill out the Visa Form, regardless of their country of origin.

If this is the case in your country, please use her first name and her father's last name. This is strictly required by Immigration to approve entry visas.

Your application will not be processed for admission.

Depending on the country of citizenship, entry visas may be needed. The UPEACE Department of Academic Administration (DAA) will assist students from restricted nationalities or those that require Consular entry visas, to obtain proper documentation from the Directorate General of Immigration in Costa Rica.

To request the entry visas, the following documents must be sent to the DAA, as part of your application package:

• Photocopy of passport pages where name, photo, birth date, birth place, date of issuance and date of expiration appear
• Visa Form

Detailed information about country classification and the entry requirements of different nationalities is available on the website of the Directorate General of Immigration:
http://www.migracion.go.cr/visas/Directrices_ingreso/Directrices visas-Noviembre2009.pdf

To find out the location of your nearest Costa Rican Consulate, check the following website:
http://www.rree.go.cr/servicioexterior/index.php?stp=09&langtype=espanol&UserName=&Embajada=&consul=N&SID

• Tuition for a MA programme is US$23,370.
• Graduation and Transportation Fee (campus commute) is US$1,225
• A full time enrollment in one academic semester or term is US$11,685
• Cost per credit US$1,279

Tuition can be paid to UPEACE through the following options:

1. Wire Transfer

   Name of Bank:	BANCO NACIONAL DE COSTA RICA
   Address:	Avenida Central, calle 4 y 6 San José, Costa Rica
   Beneficiary:	Universidad para la Paz Account Number: 100-02-130-600013-0 Swift Code: BNCRCRSJ

   When paying the tuition amount via a wire transfer, students are responsible for all related bank fees, so please make sure that your payment includes all fees related to the transfer above the tuition amount.

   If you send your tuition by wire transfer, you must provide the following details:

   • Name of the student
   • Date of the transaction
   • Name of the bank the transfer was sent from
   • Sender
   • Bank number of reference number for this transaction
   • The name of the intermediary bank

   There may be additional charges applied by Banco Nacional and/or other intermediary banks related to wire transfers. UPEACE needs to receive the total amount due. Any other charges must be covered by the student.

2. Credit card

   You are able to access the online payment system for credit cards through the following link: https://student.upeace.org/financial/tuitions. Any fees related to credit card payments will be reflected in the payment receipt as a balance to be paid by the student.

   Please note that UPEACE does not receive credit card payments from corporate credit cards, in which the cardholder's name is anonymous.

3. Certified Check or Money Order in US dollars:

   Please note that personal checks are not accepted.

4. Cash is accepted in dollars or colones, paid in person to the Finance Department.

If you are not able to make the payment on the established date, you must talk to the Head of Academic Administration. An administrative fee of US$50 will be charged each month until payment is made. Registration will not be allowed unless payment is received.

In cases where:

1. The applicant will receive financial assistance from an institution; a written request for a deadline extension must be sent the Head of Academic Administration.
   
   In addition, an official letter from the institution stating that the scholarship has been approved, and the disbursement dates must be provided. This also applies for loans.
2. The applicant has applied to a financial assistance institution; an approval will be notified after the payment deadline, an extension of the payment deadline may be authorized.
   
   A US$50 monthly administrative fee will be charged until payment is received.

UPEACE is not a title IV institution and does not have an OPEID number.

Yes, the Department of Academic Administration (DAA) assists students in finding suitable housing before their arrival to Ciudad Colón.

Ciudad Colón is the nearest town to UPEACE campus, 7 ½ kilometers south east of El Rodeo de Mora, where UPEACE campus is located.

The following options may be available:

• Home stays
• Apartments
• Own accommodation

UPEACE provides transportation from Ciudad Colón to UPEACE and back at different times during the day, free of charge for students.

UPEACE estimates that the cost of living expenses in Costa Rica for a single student, living relatively close to UPEACE campus (Ciudad Colón 4 – 6 miles away), is US$500 monthly. This cost may vary depending on the living standards of each student and the type of housing they choose.

The academic quality of the UPEACE programmes is ensured by an International Academic Council (IAC). The IAC is composed of eminent scholars appointed by the Rector, and was established in 2002 to certify the quality and relevance of UPEACE's academic programmes.

Yes, UPEACE has a Student Lounge.

No, but you can find the following services in Ciudad Colón:

• Public Gym
• Swimming Lessons
• Karate classes
• Yoga classes
• Soccer field

Currently there is no student union, although the 2009 cohort is actively attempting to consolidate one.

Students initiate and carry out several activities, among them

• African Cultural Festival
• Asia Fest
• Thanksgiving and Halloween Parties
• Vagina Monologues
• Movie night
• Open Mic Nights
• Soccer games
• Action Days
• Several Language classes
• Yoga and Meditation Sessions
• UPMUNC

• UPEACE Rainbows Club
• UPEACE Environmental Club

• 24 are allocated at the Computer Lab
• 10 are allocated at the Library

No, however there are two state bank branches available in Ciudad Colón, which operate at regular office hours on weekdays.

• Banco Nacional de Costa Rica: Located in Ciudad Colón downtown across from the Catholic Church. Open from 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., Monday through Friday.
• Banco de Costa Rica: Located in Ciudad Colón downtown 50 meters south of the Catholic Church. Open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday though Friday.

Students will be able to withdraw money from international bank accounts through the ATMS available at both banks in dollars and colones. Credit cards and bank cards with Cirrus and Plus international systems are the only ones accepted. You will also have the opportunity to open a Costa Rica bank account.

No, but interested students organize their own classes with Spanish teachers in Ciudad Colón. The town cultural centre, Casa de la Cultura periodically gives lessons for all levels.

For dealing with any concern related to their student affairs, whether academic or administrative, students have several options to make the consultations or complaints.

UPEACE has a counseling team available to students for purposes of counseling. Since the University is an open higher education institution students may present their concerns to any other staff member or senior manager at UPEACE.

If the concern is related to a current class the student is attending, the matter should first be addressed with the course professor. If not satisfied, the student could address the matter with the Head of the Department, the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, the Executive Vice Rector and then, finally, the Rector.

For other academic issues students should contact the Head of the Department for their programme.

Matters involving student life issues may be addressed initially with the Head of Academic Administration and subsequently with the Executive Vice Rector, if necessary.

Yes, it is possible for non-nationals to obtain mobile phones. DAA can facilitate this acquisition.

Yes, UPEACE has a clinic on campus with a resident General Practitioner. Where need be, students can be referred to hospitals in Cuidad Colon or Clinica Biblica, situated in San Jose.

Yes. Upeace has an independent cafeteria on campus which serves regular breakfast and lunch at different rates.