Study and find schools in Andorra

Studying in Andorra

Andorra is a small principality in the Pyrenees, between Spain and France. Catalan is the official language, and Spanish and French are widely used in schools and daily life. For a student, Andorra means one public university, the Universitat d'Andorra (University of Andorra, UdA), on a single campus, in a country where three school systems exist side by side.

Higher education in Andorra is young. It began in 1988, when a school of nursing and a school of computer science opened; the university was formally created in 1997 by merging the two schools. According to the university, it had 1,909 students in the 2024-25 academic year and offers 16 official programmes.

The education system

Andorra has three education systems side by side: the Andorran system, the Spanish system and the French system. According to the Spanish Ministry of Education, the schools that follow the Spanish system, including the state-owned Colegio Español María Moliner, educate almost a third of the country's pupils. In the Andorran system Catalan is the language of instruction, and Spanish and French are also taught as working languages.

At university level, the UdA follows the European structure of three cycles. Its adaptation to the European Higher Education Area was completed in 2010, and since 2018 its teaching model has been organised around competencies rather than traditional subjects. Its official programmes include:

• An Advanced Professional Diploma (DPA) in Accounting and Management, a higher vocational qualification
• On-campus bachelor's degrees in Business Administration, Computer Science, Teaching and Learning, and Nursing, plus a specialised degree in obstetric and gynaecological nursing (midwifery)
• Online bachelor's degrees, including Communication, Law, Humanities and Catalan Language, some taught with the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)
• Master's degrees in Data Analytics, Education and Law
• A doctoral programme

The university also runs continuing education: postgraduate courses, short professional courses and language courses, among them Portuguese and Chinese language and culture.

Admission and recognition

To start a bachelor's degree you need the Andorran upper-secondary diploma (batxillerat), the Andorran DPA, the university entrance exam for people over 25, or an equivalent qualification. Holders of qualifications from other education systems must be granted access to higher education by the Andorran Government; the Ministry of Higher Education is responsible for recognising qualifications. For master's and doctoral studies you need an Andorran degree of the previous cycle or a recognised equivalent.

Pre-registration is online and free. For programmes that start in September, it runs from mid-March to the end of June or August, depending on the programme; for a February start, it runs from November to the end of January. The university then contacts the applicant to collect the documents needed for enrolment.

Residence for students

Students from abroad who will live in Andorra need an Andorran residence authorisation. The Spanish Ministry of Labour's office for Andorra lists a specific temporary residence authorisation for studies or research (procedure F), which is processed by the Andorran Government's immigration service. Check the current requirements with the immigration service and with the university's international office before you travel.

Costs and funding

Tuition at the UdA is charged per credit. The prices are set each year by the Andorran Government and published in the BOPA, the official gazette. Online programmes taught with the UOC also include the cost of teaching materials. Payment can be split if you enrol for at least 15 credits.

The university lists several discounts: 50% for students from large families or single-parent families, and a 100% discount on first-year credits (up to 60 credits) for students who finished the baccalaureate with honours in any of the three school systems in Andorra. The Andorran Government also awards means-tested study grants under the Law on study grants (9/2014).

Where to study

The UdA campus is in the centre of Sant Julià de Lòria, in the south of the country, where it has been since the 2003-04 academic year. It is the only university in our directory in Andorra. The Spanish Consejería de Educación in Andorra is also an examination centre for the Instituto Cervantes DELE diplomas, which can be useful for students who want certified Spanish.

Practical life

Daily life is multilingual: Catalan is the official language, and Spanish and French are part of schooling in the Andorran system. Many official procedures, from residence to grants, are handled by the Andorran Government, so keep copies of your admission letter and recognised qualifications. Students can also take part in international mobility: the university has grants for exchange stays and for compulsory internships abroad.

Frequently asked questions

How many universities does Andorra have?

Andorra has one public university, the Universitat d'Andorra, created in 1997. Its campus is in Sant Julià de Lòria.

Can international students study in Andorra?

Yes. Students with qualifications from other countries need their access to higher education approved by the Andorran Government and, if they will live in the country, a residence authorisation for studies.

In which language are courses taught?

Catalan is the official language of education in Andorra. Check the language of each programme with the university before you apply.

When can I apply?

For a September start, pre-registration runs from mid-March to the end of June or August; for a February start, from November to the end of January. Pre-registration is free.

Are there grants?

Yes. The Andorran Government awards means-tested study grants, and the university offers discounts for large and single-parent families and for students with honours.