The University of Concepción also known by its acronym UDEC, is a private-law Chilean traditional university in Concepción, Chile. It is the third oldest and one of the most prestigious universities in Chile.
It was the first university founded in the south of Chile, and the first to become a private-law corporation. In addition, it belongs to the Southern Cross University Network (in Spanish: Red Universitaria Cruz del Sur) and has additional campuses in the cities of Chillán and Los Ángeles.
The QS University Ranking 2012 ranks the University of Concepción as the ninth best in Latin America. The 2011 CSIC University Ranking named it as the second best in Chile and 19th best in Latin America, while business magazine America Economía's 2010 SIR Iberoamerican Ranking rates it as the nation’s number three university.