The Universidad Francisco Marroquin (UFM) was founded in Guatemala City, Guatemala, in 1971as a private, secular, non-residential and not-for-profit university. Its mission is to teach and disseminate the ethical, legal and economic principles of a society of free and responsible individuals.

UFM offers a full range of undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses – BAs, BScs, MAs, MScs, Ph.Ds and MDs. It also offers teacher training for both primary and secondary school levels. Academic disciplines taught at UFM include architecture, business administration, clinical nutrition, dentistry, economics, education, international relations, law, medicine, political studies, public accounting, psychology and social sciences.

The academic year in Guatemala begins in January and runs through November. UFM operates on an American-style semester system. Selection of students is based exclusively on academic criteria: No information on ability to pay, ethnic, religious, or other affiliations is requested at any point in the admissions process. Students of all religions are represented, as are members of Guatemala’s Maya ethnic community. Women generally comprise between 47% and 50% of the student body.

While the language of instruction is Spanish, students are required to speak sufficiently strong English to enable them to read assignments and follow lectures. Many key texts used at the University are available only in English and this is often the language of instruction in seminars, courses and lectures presented by visiting professors.

Country fact file
Guatemala has a population of 14.3m and an estimated per capita income of $4,100. The literacy rate is 71%, with an estimated 75% living below the poverty line.