The university seeks to promote a combination of academic excellence, ideological pluralism, ecumenism, and inter-religious dialogue.

Built in 1920 to the design of architect Elzeario Boix, it is neoclassical in style and housed the Sacré Cœur Jesuit School for girls until the early 1980s.

As a fundamental objective of the University, it seeks that its students live beyond the classroom, incorporating extracurricular activities such as sports, with the Universidad Católica Club; artistic experiences such as the UCU Choir and the Espacio Crear; in addition to its traditional Pastoral.

[5] Also, in conjunction with a professor at Pennsylvania State University, researchers at UCU study the effects of iron deficiency and lead toxicity on behavioral and cognitive development in children.

Sponsored sports activities include futsal (male and female), volleyball, basketball, women's handball, swimming, football, and hockey.

[9] A major vacation-time project is building homes for the poor,[10] There are student-organized events and tournaments throughout the year,[11] and a series of workshops voted for by the students to foster their special interests.