Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica

About

Located in Cartago, Costa Rica, the Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica (TEC) is widely recognized as the country’s premier institution for engineering, technology, and applied sciences. Its strongest faculties include Computer Science, Electronic Engineering, and Industrial Design, all known for rigorous, hands-on curricula that emphasize practical laboratory work and research. For international students, TEC offers a welcoming environment supported by the International Cooperation Office, which facilitates exchange programs, assists with housing, and organizes cultural orientation events. While most undergraduate degree programs are taught in Spanish, the university increasingly offers English-taught courses, particularly within select engineering modules and specialized graduate tracks. A distinctive characteristic that sets TEC apart is its green, eco-friendly campus nestled in the foothills of the Irazú Volcano, providing students with a living laboratory for sustainability and renewable energy research.

Background

The Costa Rica Institute of Technology (TEC) (Spanish: Tecnológico de Costa Rica) is a university in Costa Rica specializing in engineering and advanced science and research, modeled as an institute of technology. Its main campus is located in the Dulce Nombre district of Cartago canton in the Cartago Province of Costa Rica, 24 km (15 mi) east of the capital San José. The TEC is a national autonomous institution of higher education, dedicated to teaching, research and extension in technology and associated sciences. It was created by Law No. 4777 on 10 June 1971. The TEC offers undergraduate and graduate studies in fields including engineering (construction, industrial production, electronics, industrial maintenance, biotechnology, mechatronics, computers), computer science and business management.

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