The origins of the University of Costa Rica are located in the House of Teaching of St. Thomas, founded in 1814, converted-from 1843 - at the University of Santo Tomas.
After 45 years of operation, reasons of political, economic and academic caused its closure.

The origins of the University of Costa Rica are located in the House of Teaching of St. Thomas, founded in 1814, converted-from 1843 - at the University of Santo Tomas.
After 45 years of operation, reasons of political, economic and academic caused its closure. However, his work was perpetuated through the faculties of Law, Agriculture, Fine Arts and Pharmacy, which continued to operate independently.
About this legacy, in 1940 establishing the University of Costa Rica, through Republic Act No. 0362.
Since opening its doors in March 1941, this organization has channeled his work in accordance with a constant search, inexhaustible and free, truth, effectiveness and beauty, as established by the Organic Statute: The University of Costa Rica is an autonomous institution of higher learning, consisting of a community of teachers, students and administrative staff dedicated to teaching, research, social action, study, meditation, artistic creation and dissemination of knowledge.
Enjoys independence in the performance of its functions and has full legal capacity to acquire rights and obligations as well as to determine its own organization and government. His regime is democratic decision-making and therefore it personal and collective decisions are made with absolute freedom.
Its purpose is to promote the changes that society needs to achieve the common good, through a policy aimed at achieving true social justice, integral development, in full freedom and full independence of our people.
It stimulates the formation of a creative conscience, critical and objective in the Costa Rican community members, allowing the popular sectors to effectively participate in the various processes of national activity.
The principles established in the Organic Statute, states as a function essential to ensure the university community dialogue and free expression of ideas and opinions, the coexistence of different ideologies and schools of thought, without limitation mutual respect.
From the same design, establishing the principle of academic freedom of university education.
The University of Costa Rica is a guarantee of high academic quality. To achieve their purposes, has a teaching community, students and administrative staff dedicated to meet the primary activity of the institution, promote the advancement of knowledge in its fullest expression, and respond effectively to the needs generated by integral development of society. Its core funding comes from state contribution mandated by the Constitution of Costa Rica and other special laws.