Universities in Andorra

Andorra, the small principality in the Pyrenees between Spain and France, has a young university system. Higher education in the country began in September 1988, when thirteen students started a nursing diploma and twelve began a computing course. The two schools were merged in 1997 to form the Universitat d'Andorra (UdA), the country's public university, which is the institution listed in our directory.

The university is small. According to its own figures for the 2025-26 academic year, it had 1,711 students, 685 of them in official degree programmes, and 15 degree programmes in total. Since the 2003-04 academic year its campus has been in Sant Julià de Lòria, and in 2010 it completed the adaptation of its degrees to the European Higher Education Area.

How it works

Andorran degrees follow the three European cycles and use ECTS credits:

• Bachelor's degree (bàtxelor): 180 ECTS credits, three years full time
• Master's degree: 120 ECTS credits, two years full time
• Doctorate: a doctoral programme created in 2009, now run by the International Doctoral School

On campus, the UdA teaches bachelor's degrees in Business Administration, Education Sciences, Nursing and Computer Science, and master's degrees such as Data Analytics. It also offers online bachelor's degrees in collaboration with the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC). The academic year has two semesters: autumn (September to January) and spring (February to June).

Quality is checked by the Agència de Qualitat de l'Ensenyament Superior d'Andorra (AQUA), a public body that evaluates, accredits and certifies higher education in the country. The bachelor's degree in Nursing, for example, is evaluated and accredited by AQUA and leads to a state qualification issued by the Government of Andorra. Private universities can also be set up, but they must first present a strategic plan that AQUA evaluates.

Language of instruction

Bachelor's degrees are taught mainly in Catalan, the official language of Andorra, and the online degrees with the UOC are taught only in Catalan. Doctoral studies can be done in Catalan or English. Each bachelor's degree includes some credits taught in English, and the Education Sciences degree combines Catalan, French and English. International students may speak and write in other languages during their first year.

Admission

Bachelor's degrees are open to holders of the Andorran baccalaureate (batxillerat), the Diploma Professional Avançat, the access exam for people over 25, or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Government of Andorra. Students from other education systems must obtain access to higher education from the Government of Andorra. For a master's degree, a foreign bachelor's degree needs the same recognition, which is handled by the ministry responsible for higher education.

Places can be limited. The bachelor's degree in Nursing offers 35 new places each year; for 2026-27 the selection combined the school-leaving exam grade with tests in anatomy and French held at the university.

Pre-registration is online and free. For a September start it runs from mid-March to the end of June or August, depending on the programme; for a February start, from November to the end of January. Students who want credit for earlier studies apply through the university's prior studies assessment (AEP).

Costs and funding

Tuition is charged per credit. The price is set every year by the Government of Andorra and published in the official gazette (BOPA), so check the current figure before enrolling. Students from large families receive a 50% discount, and the Government awards study grants based on financial need.

Visa and residence

Andorra does not require a visa itself, but it is not part of the Schengen Area and can only be reached through Spain or France. Non-EU students who need a visa for those countries apply for a multiple-entry Schengen visa at a Spanish or French consulate. Once in Andorra, students apply to the Immigration Service for a study authorisation, which allows work of up to 20 hours a week. Cross-border students who live outside Andorra do not need it.

How to choose

• Language: you will need Catalan for most courses; Spanish or French speakers usually find it quick to learn
• Mode: on campus in Sant Julià de Lòria, or online with the UOC
• Recognition: check that the degree you choose is an official state qualification
• Admission route: allow time for the Government's recognition of a foreign school-leaving certificate
• Residence: decide whether you will live in Andorra or commute from Spain or France

About 30% of the UdA's students are international, most of them from neighbouring regions. The university reports an employment rate of 94% for its graduates.

Frequently asked questions

How many universities are there in Andorra?

The public university is the Universitat d'Andorra, founded in 1997, which is the university in our directory. Private universities can be authorised after AQUA has evaluated their strategic plan.

In which language are degrees taught in Andorra?

Mainly in Catalan. Doctoral studies can be done in Catalan or English, and every bachelor's degree has some credits taught in English.

How long is a bachelor's degree in Andorra?

Three years full time, or 180 ECTS credits. A master's degree adds 120 ECTS credits, or two years.

Do I need a visa to study in Andorra?

Andorra has no visa of its own, but you enter through Spain or France, so you may need a Schengen visa. After arrival, students apply for a study authorisation from the Immigration Service.