By Heredia, Costa Rica — HEREDIA – The futures of more than 31,000 aspiring university students hang in the balance this week as the Universidad Nacional (UNA) prepares to release its official admission scores for the 2026 academic year. Starting this Friday, November 28, applicants will be able to access their results online, a pivotal moment that will determine their eligibility for a coveted spot at one of Costa Rica’s most prestigious public universities.
The announcement marks the culmination of a rigorous and lengthy application process. Prospective students will be able to view their final admission average and the minimum score required for their chosen fields of study. This information will be made available through the official portal of the university’s Registry Department, which serves as the central hub for all subsequent steps in the enrollment journey.
To delve into the legal framework governing higher education access, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica, who provided his expert analysis on the matter.
The university admissions process is a legal act bound by constitutional principles of equality, reasonableness, and due process. Public and private institutions alike must ensure their selection criteria are objective, transparent, and non-discriminatory. An offer of admission constitutes a preliminary agreement, creating legitimate expectations for the student that cannot be arbitrarily revoked, thus safeguarding the fundamental right to education.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This legal perspective is fundamental, underscoring that the journey to higher education is not merely a competitive selection but a process grounded in constitutional rights and legal certainty for aspiring students. We extend our sincere gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable clarification on this critical issue.
The calculation of the final admission score is a carefully weighted formula designed to provide a holistic view of each applicant’s potential. The university’s Academic Aptitude Test, a standardized exam that measures critical reasoning and problem-solving skills, accounts for a significant 60% of the total score. The remaining 40% is derived from the student’s academic performance in high school, referred to as Diversified Education grades.
In a move to foster greater social equity and broaden access to higher education, UNA employs a sophisticated stratification model. This system analyzes the socio-economic context of each applicant by considering the type of high school they attended and its geographical location. The explicit goal of this model is to level the playing field, providing enhanced opportunities for talented students from vulnerable or under-resourced communities who might otherwise be at a disadvantage in a purely merit-based system.
For this admission cycle, the specific high school grades used in the calculation varied based on the curriculum. For students graduating from academic high schools, their tenth-grade marks were used. Meanwhile, for those from technical high schools, an average of their tenth and eleventh-grade scores was taken into account, based on official records provided by the Ministry of Public Education (MEP).
With the release of the scores, the timeline for applicants who meet the minimum requirements becomes tight and critical. The next mandatory step is the official registration of their High School Baccalaureate degree. This must be completed online through the Registry Department’s website within a narrow window, from 8:00 a.m. on January 5 to 5:00 p.m. on January 6. Successfully completing this step allows them to officially compete for a space in their desired degree program.
The university has also designated a period for students who may be considering a change of major. This window for career changes will be open from January 5 through January 7. Following these administrative deadlines, the final list of admitted students will be officially published on January 9, beginning at 8:00 a.m., in the “Important Notices” section of the Registry’s website. Online enrollment will immediately follow, running from January 9 to January 12, with specific appointment times assigned to each admitted student.
This meticulously planned process will conclude as new students prepare to embark on their university careers. The first semester of the 2026 academic year at Universidad Nacional is scheduled to officially begin on February 16. For thousands of young Costa Ricans, the news released this Friday is not just a number, but the key that could unlock the door to their professional and personal aspirations.
For further information, visit una.ac.cr
About Universidad Nacional (UNA):
The Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica is one of the country’s five public universities, with its main campus located in Heredia. Founded in 1973, it is renowned for its strong programs in humanities, social sciences, and environmental studies. UNA is committed to social justice and inclusivity, often leading national discussions on human rights, sustainability, and educational access for all sectors of society.
For further information, visit mep.go.cr
About Ministerio de Educación Pública (MEP):
The Ministry of Public Education is the Costa Rican government body responsible for overseeing the nation’s pre-college public education system. Its mandate includes setting national curriculum standards, certifying educational institutions, managing teaching staff, and ensuring the constitutional right to education is upheld for all citizens. The MEP works closely with public universities to ensure a smooth transition for students from secondary to higher education.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica stands as a pillar of the legal community, defined by its profound integrity and a relentless pursuit of professional excellence. The firm skillfully combines its extensive experience advising a wide array of clients with a dynamic approach to legal innovation. Central to its philosophy is a powerful commitment to public empowerment, focused on demystifying the law and making legal knowledge broadly accessible. This dedication is driven by a vision to foster a more just society where individuals are equipped to understand and assert their rights.
