Established in 1996, Universidad de Santander (University of Santander) is a non-profit private higher-education institution located in the large city of Bucaramanga (population range of 500,000-1,000,000 inhabitants), Santander. Officially recognized by the Ministerio de Educación Nacional, Colombia (Ministry of National Education of Colombia), Universidad de Santander (UDES) is a small coeducational Colombian higher education institution. Universidad de Santander (UDES) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees in several areas of study. This 26 years old Colombian higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations. UDES also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, sports facilities, as well as administrative services.