National Major San Marcos University

National University of San Marcos is a public research university located in Lima, the capital of Peru. It is considered the most important, recognized and representative educational institution at the national level.

The history of the National University of San Marcos can be traced back to 1548, when the Dominican Order founded the General Studies in the cloisters of the Convent of the Rosario in Lima, Peru. The main objective of the General Studies was to train and educate the clergy in the new territory conquered by the Spanish Empire.

In 1551, Emperor Charles V of Spain issued a royal decree officially creating the first university in America, the Royal University of Lima, which was later renamed the National University of San Marcos. The university was confirmed by a papal bull of 1571.

The National University of San Marcos has played a vital role in the history of Peru. It has been a center of learning and scholarship, and it has produced many of the country's most prominent leaders and intellectuals.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, the university underwent a number of reforms. In 1874, the university became an autonomous institution, free from government interference. In the 1920s, the university underwent a major reform under the leadership of Rector José de la Riva Agüero. The reform focused on modernizing the university's curriculum and research facilities.

Today, the National University of San Marcos is a leading university in Peru and Latin America. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in a variety of disciplines. The university is also home to a number of research institutes and centers, which conduct cutting-edge research in a variety of fields.

National Major San Marcos University is ranked as the #2 top university in Peru during 2025. The rank is improved by 1 point from last year.