Saltar al contenido principal
Universidad Católica del Norte — 70 años
Logo Dirección de Relaciones Internacionales
UCN Academics
Faculty & Researchers

Internationalize your teaching,
connect with global knowledge networks

Strengthen your academic trajectory through opportunities facilitated by the DRI and live the international experience.

Definitions

Internationalization Methodologies

A comparison of COIL and EMI: what they are, duration, instructor profile and expected student interaction.

COIL - Collaborative Online International Learning
What is it?

COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) is a methodology of international collaborative online learning that connects subjects/modules from universities in different countries so that students and professors work jointly on interdisciplinary academic activities or equivalent topics that culminate in a product. This methodology integrates the international and intercultural dimension into the curriculum through digital technologies, allowing students to develop, over a period of 4 to 6 weeks, international experiences without the need for physical mobility.

Duration

4 to 6 weeks

Facilitator

Jointly with one or more national or international academic peers. Equivalent or interdisciplinary topics. Initiative supported by DRI and DIDDEC. Contact: io@ucn.cl / diddec@ucn.cl

Student interaction

Common project culminating in a product. Joint intercultural teams. Project- or problem-based learning.

Reference / Guide

COIL UCN Implementation Guide (2022)

EMI - English as a Medium of Instruction
What is it?

Authentic integration of English in academic learning through linguistic scaffolding, activation of prior knowledge, visual and technological resources, and periodic activities that foster interaction, comprehension of scientific texts, academic writing, and participation in academic or professional contexts in English.

Duration
  1. 4 to 6 weeks within a subject or module
  2. Design/adapt a new subject/module with the methodology
  3. Subject/Module in English and Spanish (parallel sections)
  4. Design/adapt a new subject/module with the methodology + English teachers
Facilitator

Specialist in a specific area with language proficiency at B2+ Upper Intermediate level. Initiative supported by DRI and DIDDEC. Contact: io@ucn.cl / diddec@ucn.cl

Student interaction

The development of professional or academic competencies is the main focus (content learning outcome), mediated through interaction in English.

Reference / Guide

EMI Implementation Guide

Definitions

Internationalization Initiatives

Complementary modalities to bring the international dimension into teaching, research and training, as defined in the UCN Curriculum Internationalization Guide (2026).

Mirror Class

What is it?

Academic resource using a shared digital platform between faculty and students from two or more universities, for synchronous and asynchronous activities coordinated between the partners (bibliography, syllabi, common points).

Duration

1 or more sessions agreed with the partner

Facilitator

Person with expertise on a specific topic.

Student interaction

Sharing academic experiences. Intercultural activities are optional.

Reference / Guide

COIL UCN Implementation Guide (2022)

Master Class / Working Group / Talk

Delivered by international faculty, in person or virtually.

What is it?

Academic activity featuring expert lectures to deepen knowledge on a specific topic. Usually a faculty member invites another to collaborate in the classroom, once.

Duration

1 or more sessions agreed with the partner

Facilitator

Person with expertise on a specific topic.

Student interaction

Participants ask questions; there is limited peer-to-peer interaction.

Reference / Guide

No associated regulation

Short internship

Not managed via the international student programme.

What is it?

Academic, research or training stays lasting less than 90 days, managed directly by the participating academic units or institutions, without administrative processing through the DRI.

Duration

Less than 90 days

Facilitator

Not applicable.

Student interaction

Academic or research stay managed directly by the unit.

Reference / Guide

UCN-PIE General Student Mobility Regulations (D.76-2024) · General Regulations for Double Degree Programmes in Undergraduate Careers (D.105-2023)

Thesis co-supervision with international faculty

Doctoral programmes.

What is it?

Joint supervision of a doctoral thesis by co-directors from different institutions, who collaborate in defining the topic, objectives, research plan and progress monitoring of the thesis, fostering collaborative learning and exposure to diverse academic perspectives.

Duration

According to the length of the doctoral programme and the work plan agreed between the co-directors and the doctoral candidate.

Facilitator

Thesis co-directors: academic researchers, one from each institution.

* An agreement is required for each cotutelle student.

Student interaction

Joint guidance and monitoring of the doctoral student by both institutions.

Reference / Guide

Doctoral Thesis Co-tutelle Regulations

Student mobility

What is it?

Full immersion in the academic, social and cultural life of an international institution (shared classes, group projects, tutoring, extracurricular activities and daily life). Includes, among others: in-person or virtual semester or annual mobility to take courses from the study plan; research internships; thesis co-supervision; double degree programmes; double graduation programmes; Service-Learning; volunteering; internships in companies, institutions or organisations (undergraduate); and short programmes.

Duration

One semester or two consecutive semesters (mobility or exchange).

Facilitator

Coordinated according to the Student Mobility Procedures.

Student interaction

Academic, social and cultural immersion at the host institution.

Reference / Guide

UCN-PIE General Student Mobility Regulations (D.76-2024) · General Regulations for Double Degree Programmes in Undergraduate Careers (D.105-2023)

Language courses

What is it?

English, German, Korean, French, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish, geared towards the practical application of the learning outcomes of the course declared at UCN.

Duration

50 contact hours

Facilitator

Native-speaking teacher or instructor with formal teaching training and experience (minimum 4 years), preferably in higher education and with international experience. Language proficiency B2+ or Spanish (native) written and spoken at intermediate level (B1).

Student interaction

Practical application of the learning outcomes of the course declared at UCN.

Reference / Guide

postgrado.ucn.cl/cursos · idiomaspie.ucn.cl

Academic Programme

Double Degree

UCN Double Degree for graduate programs, national and international: you follow a curriculum jointly designed by two higher education institutions and, upon completion, obtain two official university degrees, one granted by each participating institution.

In these programs:

  • 1
    The student meets the academic requirements established by both universities.
  • 2
    Part of the training takes place at the home institution and another part at the host institution.
  • 3
    Upon completing the program, they receive two independently recognized diplomas, but based on an articulated curriculum between both institutions.

General Regulations for Double Degree Programmes in Undergraduate Careers (D.105-2023)

PDF · UCN official document

Download regulations

There is no general double degree regulation for postgraduate studies: each programme is governed by the specific inter-institutional agreement signed with the partner university, which defines the joint curriculum, the degrees awarded and the enrolment conditions. Co-tutelle theses are additionally governed by the Doctoral Co-tutelle Regulations (2021). Enquiries: io@ucn.cl · Doctoral Co-tutelle Regulations (2021)

Global Opportunities

Double Degree Programmes

A double degree is an academic programme jointly designed by two higher-education institutions, allowing the student to obtain two official degrees upon completion.

UCN Double Degree

Key Benefits

  • Fulfilment of academic requirements from both universities
  • Mixed training: Home institution + Host institution
  • Two independently recognised diplomas

European Union – Joint Master's Degrees

Integrated programmes of 60, 90 or 120 ECTS delivered by university consortia. Includes scholarships of ~€1,400/month and compulsory mobility.

Opens: December / Closes: FebruaryLearn more

Erasmus Mundus Design Measures

Support for designing new joint Master's programmes. Funding of €60,000 for set-up.

Opens: December / Closes: FebruaryLearn more

Germany – Study & Training Partnerships

Development of joint curricula and double degree programmes through credit transfer.

Deadline: October

Germany – Integrated Degree Programmes

Integrated double degree programmes with German universities.

Deadline: October
2 convocatorias abiertas

Open Calls

Apply to current opportunities.

Rolling call

EMBO Scientific Exchange

Cierre: Rolling call · apply 3 months before travel

Scientific exchange with a permanently open call: there is no closing date, applications must be submitted at least 3 months before travel.

Europe

EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowships

Cierre: 22 January 2027

Postdoctoral fellowship of up to 2 years for research abroad.

EE.UU.

Luksic Visiting Scholars @ Stanford

Cerrada el 03 de Febrero 2026

Estancia de 4 meses en el Centro de Estudios Latinoamericanos (CLAS) de Stanford.

Bolivia

Winter Lecture in Bolivia 2026 UCB

Cerrada el 16 de Febrero 2026

Estancia 'All-Inclusive' en la Universidad Católica Boliviana 'San Pablo' (La Paz).

Regular Programs

Permanent Opportunities

Regular mobility programmes managed or promoted by the DRI.

Luksic Scholars (Babson/Harvard/Stanford)

Mobility and professional development programmes at world-renowned institutions, funded by the Luksic Foundation.

LEARN MORE

ODUCAL

Network of Catholic universities in Latin America and the Caribbean promoting academic cooperation, mobility, and institutional collaboration.

LEARN MORE

CLACSO

Latin American academic network focused on social sciences, collaborative research, and regional training.

LEARN MORE

Erasmus Mundus (Scholarships)

European Union scholarships for Master's, doctoral, and postdoctoral programmes within European consortia of excellence.

LEARN MORE

Pacific Alliance

Scholarships for stays at institutions in Mexico, Colombia, and Peru in strategic areas.

LEARN MORE

Santander Scholarships

Mobility and research opportunities funded by Santander Open Academy.

LEARN MORE

PILA Network

Latin American academic exchange programmes and virtual and in-person mobility networks.

LEARN MORE

Research/Study Visits (DAAD Germany)

Funding for research stays and study visits at German universities.

LEARN MORE

Fulbright Specialist Program

Mobility for Chilean academics to the US and attraction of American specialists to UCN.

LEARN MORE

Contact

V

Valentina Ubilla Correa

Global Education and Territorial Impact Projects Coordinator

DRI

valentina.ubilla@ce.ucn.cl
C

Carolina Astudillo G.

Academic Mobility Coordinator

Academic Vice-Rectorate

movilidad.academica@ucn.cl

Outgoing mobility

Outbound Mobility

Temporary displacement of UCN faculty to another institution.

Internships

Activities outside UCN for a determined period.

Congress Attendance

Meetings to share knowledge advancements.

Process flow — click to enlarge

Visiting faculty arriving at UCN? See the dedicated profile: Visiting academics.

Global Connections

Boost your research with strategic partners

Review UCN's global connections. We are part of international academic networks and maintain agreements with institutions of excellence across multiple continents to amplify your academic trajectory.

Research Internships

Texas Tech University

United States

Active agreement for research stays at an R1 university focused on engineering, water resources, and energy.

Research Internships

Mitacs Globalink

Canada

Canadian national programme for funded research internships, open to researchers and postgraduate students.

Dual Degree

Universidad de Medellín

Colombia

Active Dual Degree agreement in Industrial Engineering — UCN's first active dual degree with a Colombian HEI.

Active Memberships

International Academic Networks

Ibero-America · Global

CINDA, ODUCAL, CLACSO and other networks that open joint calls for researchers and postgraduate projects.

International Funding

Project your research with global partners and funds

Grants, networks and partnerships to boost your research and collaboration on a global scale. Management and tracking are centralized in the institutional platform.

Institutional platform
SIVRIDT+In implementation

UCN's new official research management system. It brings together current calls, internationally funded projects and consortium applications in a single place, as the single source of information. It adds tracking, reporting and verified data from VRIDT.

Some calls require applying as a consortium (e.g. minimum 6 institutions) with specific annual deadlines.

Centralized current callsInternational consortium applicationsSingle source of verified data

European FundsNEW

European Union calls for research and mobility: Horizon Europe, ERC and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions.

ANID International Grants

ANID calls with foreign partners and bilateral funding. Direct access to current guidelines.

Consortium projects

Applications that require a minimum number of partner institutions (e.g. 6) with specific annual deadlines.

ODUCAL Network

Academic cooperation and mobility with Catholic universities across Latin America and the Caribbean.

CLACSO Network

Research, training and regional collaboration in the social sciences.

Guide & contact

Official UCN document detailing opportunities, plus the academic cooperation team's contact.

Scientific Impact

Research with International Reach

UCN in Web of Science — 2021 to 2025

Preliminary data — subject to validation by VRIDT

2,908

WoS Publications

2021–2025

≈74%

International Collaboration

annual average

30,608

Accumulated WoS Citations

in international publications

International collaboration network

North AmericaEuropeAsiaAfricaOceaniaLatin AmericaUCN · Chile

Publications per year

641

2021

589

2022

527

2023

560

2024

591*

2025

Total
With international collaboration
* 2025: partial data as of 04/2026

Top research areas

Astronomy & Astrophysics376
Environmental Sciences & Ecology479
Physics315
Marine & Freshwater Biology~210
Engineering~180
Public layer
Open · shareable

Aggregate indicators: volume, international collaboration, citations and research areas.

Institutional detail
On request

Per-publication detail (authors, DOI, journal) is not published openly. Available on request from DRI.

Contact DRI

Academic calendar & calls

Plan your year with key mobility dates and international activities.

March 2026

Orientation Week

Start of the First Academic Semester and welcome for international students.

April - May 2026

Apply for Mobility

Opening of Student Mobility Calls (Second Semester). Santander Scholarship and DRI Scholarships.

July 2026

End of First Semester and "Atacama Immersion" program.

Final Exams
International Farewell
Start of Atacama Immersion

August 2026

Start of the Second Academic Semester.