University of Havana

Overview

The University of Havana (Universidad de La Habana) is Cuba’s oldest and most prestigious higher education institution, founded in 1728. Located in the Vedado district of Havana, this public university is widely regarded as a national hub for teaching, research, and public intellectual life. If you’re exploring higher education in Cuba, the University of Havana is often the benchmark for academic programs and campus culture, alongside other well-known institutions such as Universidad Central “Marta Abreu” de Las Villas (UCLV).

The university offers a broad academic environment across multiple disciplines. It is especially known for medicine, law, economics, and the social sciences, and it has educated many of Cuba’s prominent professionals and researchers. Today, it continues to maintain academic collaborations while preserving its distinctive Cuban academic traditions and program structures.

2. General Information

Name	University of Havana (Universidad de La Habana)
Established	January 5, 1728
Type	Public University
Location	Havana, Cuba
Website	www.uh.cu
Rector	Dr. Miriam Nicado García
Students	Approx. 60,000
Academic Staff	Over 2,000

3. Fee Structure

Tuition and administrative fees can vary by program, residency status, and academic year. Below is a commonly cited estimate; always confirm current rates through the university or your admissions advisor before submitting an application.

Program	Tuition Information
Cuban Nationals	Free tuition (government-funded)
International Students (Undergraduate)	$3,000 – $5,000 annually
International Students (Graduate)	$4,000 – $7,000 annually
Spanish Language Courses	$1,500 – $3,000 per semester
Medical Programs	$5,000 – $8,000 annually

4. Academic Programs

Students typically choose between faculties that cover both traditional academic fields and practical professional training. If your interests align with computing or information technologies, you may also want to compare options with University of Information Sciences (UCI), which is especially focused on IT and computer science.

Faculty of Medicine
Faculty of Law
Faculty of Economics
Faculty of Arts and Letters
Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science
Faculty of Psychology
Faculty of Communication
Faculty of Chemistry
Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences
Faculty of Foreign Languages

5. Facilities

The University of Havana blends historic spaces with modern academic infrastructure. Beyond lecture halls, the campus is supported by libraries, specialized museums, and science facilities that support coursework and independent research.

Historic Aula Magna auditorium
Central Library “Rubén Martínez Villena”
Biological Museum “Felipe Poey”
Anthropology Museum “Montané”
University Botanical Garden
Modern science laboratories
Sports facilities including baseball stadium
Student cultural center

6. Accommodation

The University of Havana provides limited on-campus housing primarily for international students and for students arriving from outside Havana. Many Cuban students commute or secure private housing in Havana. For international students, the university may assist with guidance and referrals, but options can change by semester and capacity.

Student residence halls ($50-$150/month)
Shared apartments in Vedado district ($200-$400/month)
Homestay programs with local families
Dining facilities available on campus

If you are comparing cities and accommodation expectations, you can also review university options outside Havana, such as University of Cienfuegos or Universidad de Matanzas, to better plan your budget and living arrangements.

7. Contact Information

Email: rector@uh.cu (Rector’s Office)
Phone: +53 7 878 3153
Address: Calle San Lázaro y L, Vedado, Plaza de la Revolución, Havana, Cuba
Admissions Office: registro@uh.cu

More Universities in Cuba

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