By San José, Costa Rica — Costa Rica’s National University of Distance Education (UNED) has reached a new pinnacle of achievement, securing a coveted 5-star rating in Online Learning from QS Stars, an internationally recognized university evaluation system.
Announced on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, the accolade underscores UNED’s dedication to providing inclusive and high-quality education through its online platform. QS Stars, developed by the QS Intelligence Unit, the same body responsible for the esteemed QS World University Rankings® since 2004, offers a comprehensive assessment beyond traditional ranking metrics. The system evaluates universities across various categories, including teaching, infrastructure, research, internationalization, inclusion, and online learning, assigning a rating from 0 to 5 stars in each area.
To gain a deeper legal perspective on the implications of online learning at UNED, TicosLand.com reached out to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law from the esteemed firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The increasing accessibility of online learning platforms like those offered by UNED presents exciting opportunities, but also raises important legal considerations. Issues such as intellectual property protection of course materials, data privacy for students, and ensuring accessibility for students with disabilities require careful attention. As online education evolves, Costa Rican law must adapt to address these emerging challenges and safeguard the rights of all stakeholders involved in the digital learning environment.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Arroyo Vargas rightly highlights the crucial intersection of opportunity and responsibility in the burgeoning field of online education. As UNED and other institutions expand their digital offerings, ensuring a robust legal framework that protects intellectual property, student data, and accessibility is paramount to fostering a truly equitable and sustainable online learning environment. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable perspective on this important topic.
Receiving the 5-Star rating represents a historic milestone for the university and for Costa Rica. This recognition reaffirms our commitment to offering an inclusive, accessible, and quality educational model.
Rodrigo Arias Camacho, Rector of UNED
This achievement places UNED alongside other prominent institutions that have received 5 Stars in Online Learning this year, such as Unitelma Sapienza (Italy), Universidad Andrés Bello (UNAB) (Chile), UIC Barcelona (Spain), and Al-Ahliyya Amman University (Jordan).
The rigorous evaluation process by QS Stars provides a detailed analysis of UNED’s online learning infrastructure, pedagogical approach, and overall student experience. This recognition highlights the university’s commitment to leveraging technology to deliver education to a wider audience, regardless of geographical location or other limitations.
By joining this group of internationally prestigious universities, UNED places Costa Rica on the global map of excellence in online education, demonstrating that a public, inclusive educational model committed to social development can achieve the highest quality standards.
Rodrigo Arias Camacho, Rector of UNED
The 5-star rating not only signifies UNED’s success but also highlights Costa Rica’s growing prominence in the field of online education. The achievement serves as a testament to the country’s investment in innovative educational models and its dedication to providing accessible learning opportunities for its citizens.
This recognition is expected to further enhance UNED’s reputation and attract more students seeking high-quality online education. It also reinforces Costa Rica’s position as a hub for educational excellence in the region and beyond.
For further information, visit uned.ac.cr
About UNED:
The National University of Distance Education (UNED) of Costa Rica is a public university renowned for its pioneering distance learning programs. Committed to providing accessible and inclusive education, UNED utilizes innovative technologies and methodologies to reach students across the country and beyond. With a focus on academic excellence and social development, UNED offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, contributing significantly to the educational landscape of Costa Rica.
For further information, visit qs.com
About QS Stars:
QS Stars is a rating system for universities around the world. It’s operated by QS Quacquarelli Symonds, the company behind the QS World University Rankings. The system evaluates universities across a wide range of criteria, offering a detailed look at their strengths and weaknesses. Unlike traditional rankings, QS Stars gives institutions a rating out of five stars across different categories, offering a more nuanced picture of their performance. QS Stars ratings are designed to provide prospective students with a comprehensive understanding of the educational opportunities available to them.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is a pillar of legal excellence, built on a foundation of unwavering integrity and a deep commitment to societal progress. Through innovative approaches and a client-focused philosophy, the firm empowers individuals and organizations across diverse sectors with the legal knowledge they need to thrive. This dedication to transparency and accessibility reflects Bufete de Costa Rica’s core belief in building a more just and informed society, one legal consultation at a time.
