Yes, UCN is a fully recognised and autonomous university according to Nicaraguan law.

Universidad Central de Nicaragua UCN was founded in 1997 as a private, non-profit and authorized by the National University Council in session CNU No. 10-98 of 18. November 1998 and approved by the Assembly of the Republic Decree No. 2822 according to the Constitution of Nicaragua and the Law No. 89 on the Autonomy of Institutions of Higher Education.

The CNU can only authorise “carreras” which are one-tier level 2 professional programmes but there is no requirement for an autonomous university to obtain CNU authorisation and the Supreme Court has ruled that an autonomous university can even offer degree programmes with negative CNU evaluation. However, the CNU has no legal mandate to authorise any postgraduate programmes of Specialist, Master or Research Doctorate.

No, the Nicaraguan law prohibits interference into the university autonomy being protected by the Political Constitution of Nicaragua and by the Law 89 on the Autonomy of Institutions of Higher Education. UCN, like all autonomous Nicaraguan universities enjoys full programmatic autonomy and is a self-accrediting university.

No, CNEA has no mandate for programmatic accreditation either. CNEA requires the universities to participate in the national quality assurance programme and within a period of five years after establishment of CNEA the universities have to undergo a phased process of institutional accreditation by CNEA. UCN participates in the institutional accreditation process by CNEA.

Yes, UCN is both, listed in the IAU Handbook (WHED database online) and is also a full member of the International Association of Universities and listed by the IAU.

Yes, UCN is a member of the CHEA International Quality Group, the international division of CHEA, the Council on Higher Education Accreditation, USA.

Yes, all degrees awarded by UCN are fully valid, officially recognised and constitute authentic public documents.

Yes, UCN degrees are authentic public documents and will be immediately Apostilled by the Foreign Ministry without intermediate notarisation.

 It should be, however, recognition policies vary from country to country and you have to check with your relevant evaluation service in your country before enrolling, we advise.

Yes, and the programmes are provided in line with the legal requirements, registered by the Austrian Quality Assurance Agency AQ Austria acc. to §27 of the Act on Quality Assurance in Higher Education.

Yes, in line with the legal provisions of the Law 89 on the Autonomy of Institutions of Higher Education, UCN collaborates with foreign universities in research and joint programmes.

No, as international online or distance education student you don’t have to travel to Nicaragua. There are no residencies required in online programmes.

No, you must first complete the Master programme.

Yes, if it is in the same or related discipline.

No, this top-up Master´s degree is by thesis only.

No, this top-up PhD degree is by thesis only.

Yes, this is a taught doctorate and requires to pass the mandatory and elective modules, however, credits transfer to the period of coursework is possible.

No, you cannot submit a thesis that has already been used for the award of a doctor degree by a recognised institution of higher education.

Yes, if the awarding institution is recognised and the thesis submitted meets UCN standards, and the study area is offered by UCN, validation of the degree by awarding the respective UCN degree is possible.

No, you cannot earn a degree by UCN based on Assessment of Prior Learning only.

No, we offer the disciplines in the study areas we publish. We are not offering e.g. research degrees in disciplines other than the ones listed.

No, we don’t accept instalments from international students. Our affordable tuitions are always due in full with enrolment in international and online programmes.

No, it helps you and us to obtain a general picture of your academic and professional background and whether you would qualify for a given programme. The information provided with an official application will be checked in detail and the auto-evaluation report can be a helpful tool for the applicant and the admission department.

Please note that at Avrio Institute we don’t offer “Auto-evaluation”. If you believe that you meet the program requirements, you can submit your application and we will take care of the whole process.