Founded in 1961, Universidad Católica de Santa María (Santa María Catholic University) is a  private higher education institution located in the large city of Arequipa (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants).  Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Ministerio de Educación, Peru (Ministry of Education, Peru), Universidad Católica de Santa María (UCSM) is a coeducational higher education institution formally affiliated with the Christian-Catholic religion. Universidad Católica de Santa María (UCSM) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees in several areas of study. See the EduListing degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. This 58 years old higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations. 