Universities
More than ten universities, almost all private, are located in or near Bogotá’s La Candelaria neighborhood. The thousands of university students create a young, vibrant and political community, as well as supporting the numerous local bars, nightclubs and amateur theatre groups.
The municipality’s long-term plan is to turn La Candelaria and neighboring blocks area of the city into a university/tourism area.
Entrance to Andes University. The monument is to La Pola, a revolutionary hero executed here by the Spanish.
University of the Andes/Universidad de los Andes – Colombia’s most elite private university. Located along Jimenez Ave. You’ll know you’re nearby when you notice all security guards, soldiers and police protecting the students.
Universidad Autonoma/Autonomous University – Located between 12th and 13th Sts and 4th and 5th Avenues. Tel: 334-36 96 Ext. 214 or 341-4628
The entrance to La Externado University
Universidad Externado – This private university gets its name from the fact that its students never lodged on campus (which would have made it an ‘internado’). If you don’t mind walking uphill, the campus is worth a visit for its gardens and the view of Bogotá. Also, there’s an ATM on campus. Located on both sides of 12th St., above 2nd Ave.
Universidad de La Salle / La Salle University – This Catholic University has two sites, one in La Candelaria and a second, larger one to the north in the Chapinero neighborhood. It has a museum on campus focusing on ecology and the environment. It also has a Spanish as a second language program.
Universidad La Gran Colombia – 13-40 6th Ave. Tel: 286-8200
Universidad Libre de Colombia – 5-80 8th St. Tel: 382-1000
Rosario University's historic main building on Rosario Plaza. The men in the foreground are likely trading emeralds.
Universidad del Rosario - Located on the plaza of the same name, by 7th Ave. and La Jimenez, El Rosario also has programs for international students.
Universidad Distrital - The regional public university is also Bogotá’s second-largest public university. Its emphasis is addressing the city and region’s problems. The district university’s main site is a ways to the north, across the avenue from La Javeriana. However, it has several buildings in La Candelaria, including its environmental studies school.
The city’s (and country’s) largest university is the National University/La Universidad Nacional de Colombia, known as ‘La Nacho,’ located northeast of La Candelaria. We often visit it on our bike tours. It’s interesting in part for its leftist politics and colorful, political graffiti.
The Centro Colombo-Americano and the Alianza Colombo Francesa, which teach English and French respectively and hold cultural events, are located on either side of the Las Aguas Transmilenio station, on the Plaza del Periodista.
Universities just outside of La Candelaria:
University Jorge Tadeo Lozano – We often bike past this private university’s beeautiful campus on our bike tours.
Universidad Javeriana – A Jesuit Catholic university located on the north side of the National Park, along 7th Ave, near 45th St. It’s about the only non-public university with political activism.
Universidad de America – 20-53 Circunvular Ave. Tel: 337-6680 Fax: 336-2941
A pretty complete list of Colombian universities is available at: http://ocean.st.usm.edu/~w302144/univer.html
