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Playa Ancha University is a state university located in central Chile.

Two campuses serve the university, the main one situated in the city of Valparaiso. San Felipe is home to the university's second campus, opening its doors in 1991.

Playa Ancha University is a member of the Chilean Traditional Universities organisation and was established in 1948, then known as Instituto Pedagogico de la Universidad de Chile, with languages being its main area of study. In 1981, the university assumed the title of Higher Academy of Pedagogical Sciences, and new programmes and areas of study were added to its education offering.

The eight main faculties of the university are: art; education sciences; physical activity and sports science; humanities; health sciences; social sciences; natural and exact sciences; and engineering. The Technological Institute of the University of Playa Ancha manages technical career studies.

Playa Ancha University aspires to being recognised for its contribution towards developing the Valparaiso region through its teaching, innovation, research and deep involvement with the environment. It aims to achieve this within a framework of inclusion, equality and social commitment.

As a state institution, it says it is commited to its work developing technical level careers and providing professional learning and teaching programmes to adapt students to a humanistic, ethical, critical, analytical and creative frame of mind.

Playa Ancha University's modernisation process aims to improve the university's infrastructure, while a new library is being built on the main campus.

Notable alumni at Playa Ancha University include Chilean poet Sergio Badilla Castillo and Chilean Christian Democrat politician and teacher Yasna Provoste Campillay.