FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is UCN a recognised university?

Yes, UCN is a fully recognised and autonomous university according to Nicaraguan law.

Universidad Central de Nicaragua  UCN was founded in 1997 as a private, non-profit and authorized by the National University Council in session CNU No. 10-98 of 18. November 1998 and approved by the Assembly of the Republic Decree No. 2822 according to the Constitution of Nicaragua and the Law No. 89 on the Autonomy of Institutions of Higher Education.

Are the programmes of UCN accredited by CNU?

The CNU can only authorise “carreras” which are one-tier level 2 professional programmes but there is no requirement for an autonomous university to obtain CNU authorisation and the Supreme Court has ruled that an autonomous university can even offer degree programmes with negative CNU evaluation. However, the CNU has no legal mandate to authorise any postgraduate programmes of Specialist, Master or Research Doctorate.

Does UCN need a programme accreditation for its degree programmes?

No, the Nicaraguan law prohibits interference into the university autonomy being protected by the Political Constitution of Nicaragua and by the Law 89 on the Autonomy of Institutions of Higher Education. UCN, like all autonomous Nicaraguan universities enjoys full programmatic autonomy and is a self-accrediting university.

Are the programmes of UCN accredited by CNEA?

No, CNEA has no mandate for programmatic accreditation either. CNEA requires the universities to participate in the national quality assurance programme and within a period of five years after establishment of CNEA the universities have to undergo a phased process of institutional accreditation by CNEA. UCN participates in the institutional accreditation process by CNEA.

Is UCN ASIC accredited?

While national recognition is a mandatory requisite for a university, foreign accreditation is a voluntary exercise by UCN demonstrating its readiness to undergo external audit and peer evaluation in the process of institutional accreditation by ASIC, a UK government, ENQA and CHEA recognised accreditation body. ASIC accredited UCN for the period 2013-2017 in the best category as “Premier University”.

Is UCN listed in the IAU International Handbook of Universities (WHED database?)

Yes, UCN is both, listed in the IAU Handbook (WHED database online) and is also a full member of the International Association of Universities and listed by the IAU.

Is UCN a member of CHEA International Quality Group?

Yes, UCN is a member of the CHEA International Quality Group, the international division of CHEA, the Council on Higher Education Accreditation, USA.

Are UCN Master and Doctor degrees awarded internationally recognised in Nicaragua?

Yes, all degrees awarded by UCN are fully valid, officially recognised and constitute authentic public documents.

Are UCN degrees Apostilled by the Foreign Ministry of Nicaragua?

Yes, UCN degrees are authentic public documents and will be immediately Apostilled by the Foreign Ministry without intermediate notarisation.

Will my degree be recognised in my country of residence?

It should be, however, recognition policies vary from country to country and you have to check with your relevant evaluation service in your country before enrolling, we advise.

Does UCN operate a branch campus of European Programmes in Austria?

Yes, and the programmes are provided in line with the legal requirements, registered by the Austrian Quality Assurance Agency AQ Austria acc. to §27 of the Act on Quality Assurance in Higher Education.

Does UCN operate a branch campus in Berlin, Germany?

Yes, and the branch campus and the programme offers are legally provided as approved by the Scientific Senate of the Berlin State government acc. to §124a of the Berlin University-Law.

Does UCN collaborate with foreign universities and institutions of higher education?

Yes, in line with the legal provisions of the Law 89 on the Autonomy of Institutions of Higher Education, UCN collaborates with foreign universities in research and joint programmes.



Do I have to travel to Nicaragua as international student?

No, as international online or distance education student you don’t have to travel to Nicaragua. There are no residencies required in online programmes.

I have a Bachelor´s degree, can I enrol in the doctor programme?

No, you must first complete the Master programme.

I have a Master´s degree, can I enrol in the doctor programme?

Yes, if it is in the same or related discipline.

Must I pass courses in the Master by Research?

No, this top-up Master´s degree is by thesis only.

Must I pass courses in the PhD by Thesis?

No, this top-up PhD degree is by thesis only.

Must I pass courses in the DBA programme?

Yes, this is a taught doctorate and requires to pass the mandatory and elective modules, however, credits transfer to the period of coursework is possible.

Can I use my thesis for a doctorate twice in the PhD by Thesis programme?

No, you cannot submit a thesis that has already been used for the award of a doctor degree by a recognised institution of higher education.

Can I earn a UCN doctorate by validation of my doctor degree?

Yes, if the awarding institution is recognised and the thesis submitted meets UCN standards, and the study area is offered by UCN, validation of the degree by awarding the respective UCN degree is possible.

Can I earn a UCN degree for life experience and assessment of prior learning?

No, you cannot earn a degree by UCN based on Assessment of Prior Learning only.

I want to study a discipline not offered by UCN, can I apply to UCN?

No, we offer the disciplines in the study areas we publish. We are not offering e.g. research degrees in disciplines other than the ones listed.

I want to make scheduled payments or instalment payments for my tuitions as international student, is that possible?

No, we don’t accept instalments from international students. Our affordable tuitions are always due in full with enrolment in international and online programmes.

I have made an auto-evaluation on your website, is this already an admission statement?

No, it helps you and us to obtain a general picture of your academic and professional background and whether you would qualify for a given programme. The information provided with an official application will be checked in detail and the auto-evaluation report can be a helpful tool for the applicant and the admission department.

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