Universidad de los Andes
Founded in 1948 as Colombia's first secular, party-independent private university; admits by Saber 11 in rolling rounds.
- Tuition
- COP 53.7M
- From · 2026
- Founded
- 1948
- QS World Ranking
- #233
- 2027 edition
- Campus
- Urban
About Uniandes
The Universidad de los Andes was founded on 16 November 1948 by a group of young people led by Mario Laserna Pinzón, as the first private higher-education institution in Colombia that was secular and independent of political parties. Modelled in part on American universities, it has always combined professional training with a broad liberal education, and students can take courses from any programme on campus.
Its campus sits in Bogotá's historic centre at the foot of the eastern hills, and teaching is organised into faculties of Administration, Architecture and Design, Arts and Humanities, Sciences, Social Sciences, Law, Economics, Education, Engineering and Medicine, plus the Alberto Lleras Camargo School of Government. Medical students train at the Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá hospital.
Admission is competitive and driven by academic results: most applicants are admitted on their Saber 11 (ICFES) score against published cut-offs, or through early admission based on class ranking in the last two school years. Tuition is high by Colombian standards, about 26.9 million pesos a semester in 2026 (38.2 million for Medicine), but the university runs large scholarship programmes such as Quiero Estudiar, covering up to 95% of tuition for talented students in financial need. It suits ambitious students who want a demanding, interdisciplinary university in the capital.
Why students choose Uniandes
Rolling admission for the first semester of 2027: five application cut-offs from 21 July to 7 December 2026, with results within about a week of each.
Early admission is possible on your class ranking in the last two completed school years, before your Saber 11 results.
Scholarships such as Quiero Estudiar (up to 95% of tuition) and Beca Preferente (5% to 50%) target academic excellence and financial need.
Students can take courses across all programmes and design interdisciplinary study plans with advisers.
Admissions
First semester 2027 (2027-10, classes from January 2027)
Selectivity
Uniandes does not publish an overall admission rate. Admission depends on an excellent academic result in the tests it accepts, with programme-specific Saber 11 cut-off scores; Medicine and Psychology have limited places and may close early, and Medicine and Music have additional tests.
Typical entry requirements
| Colombian bachillerato + Saber 11 | Saber 11 score above the programme's published cut-off |
|---|---|
| Early admission (Colombian final-year students) | Certified class ranking or cumulative average from the last two completed school years |
| Secondary diploma from abroad | An ICFES-recognised international exam or diploma at the required score, plus recognition (convalidación) of your diploma in Colombia |
Deadlines
- 1st cut-off (2027-10) Non-binding Passed18 August 2026
Applications from 21 July; results 22 August (Medicine and Music 29 August).
- 2nd cut-off (2027-10) Non-binding Passed21 September 2026
Results 26 September (Medicine and Music 3 October).
- 3rd cut-off (2027-10) Non-binding Next deadline · In 13 days19 October 2026
Results 24 October (Medicine and Music 31 October).
- 4th cut-off (2027-10) Non-binding In 48 days23 November 2026
Results 28 November (Medicine and Music 5 December).
- Final cut-off (2027-10) Non-binding In ~2 months7 December 2026
Results 12 December (Medicine and Music 16 December). Programmes may close earlier if places fill.
These dates are for the first semester of 2027 (starting January 2027). A separate process runs for the second semester (2027-20). Medicine and Psychology can close before the final cut-off when places are filled.
How to apply
Complete the free online application form (Banner) and upload supporting documents for your admission route (Saber 11 code, ranking certificates or international exam results). Medicine and Music have extra admission steps. Admission lists are published after each cut-off.
What admissions looks for
- An excellent result in Saber 11 or an accepted international exam, above the programme's cut-off.
- For early admission, a high class ranking or average in the last two completed school years.
- For Medicine and Music, success in the programme's additional tests.
Tips for applying to Uniandes
- 1 Apply in an early cut-off: Medicine and Psychology have limited places and can close before December.
- 2 If you are a strong student in your final school year, use the early-admission route with your class ranking.
- 3 Graduating abroad? Start the convalidación of your diploma early and check the table of accepted international exams and minimum scores.
- 4 Apply for financial support at the same time as admission if you need it; scholarships have their own processes.
Costs & financial aid
2026 · figures in COP
Uniandes offers Beca Preferente (5% to 50% of tuition for selected programmes, by merit and need), Quiero Estudiar (up to 95% for talented Colombian students with financial need), Pa'lante Pacífico (up to 98% for students from the Pacific coast) and Decidí Enseñar (66% for teaching degrees).
- Up to 95% of tuition
- Quiero Estudiar scholarship
- 5% to 50% of tuition for 8 semesters
- Beca Preferente
- Free online application form
- Application fee
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters (plus an inter-semester period)
Economics
Taught in a dedicated Faculty of Economics; Uniandes alumni include former finance minister Mauricio Cárdenas.
Medicine
Limited places, extra admission tests and clinical training at the Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá; 38.2 million COP per semester in 2026.
Engineering
Electronic, environmental, civil and chemical engineering are among the programmes eligible for the Beca Preferente.
Architecture and Design
Alumni include Simón Vélez, known for building with bamboo.
Political Science and Global Studies
Both are among the programmes eligible for the Beca Preferente (5% to 50% of tuition).
Research
- The university's schools include the Alberto Lleras Camargo School of Government alongside ten faculties.
- The Faculty of Medicine trains students at the Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá.
- Uniandes runs exchange agreements with more than 119 universities in 34 countries.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Administration
- Faculty of Architecture and Design
- Faculty of Arts and Humanities
- Faculty of Sciences
- Faculty of Social Sciences
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Economics
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Medicine
- Alberto Lleras Camargo School of Government
Student life
The campus is compact and hilly, in Bogotá's historic centre among museums, theatres and government buildings, with the eastern hills rising behind it. La Caneca, a cylindrical structure from 1956, houses the sports centre with a gym, pool and courts. The university's mascot is Séneca the goat, remembered each year during student celebrations. Many students come from outside Bogotá, and the university offers guidance on housing and life in the city.
- La Caneca sports centre with gym, pool and courts.
- Séneca the goat, the university's unofficial mascot.
- Courses open across all programmes for interdisciplinary study.
- Exchange agreements with more than 119 universities in 34 countries.
Housing. The university does not guarantee housing; its admissions site offers information on university housing options and life in Bogotá for students from outside the city.
Location
Bogotá is Colombia's capital, a large high-altitude city with a cool climate year-round. The campus is in the historic centre, an area with many of the city's museums, libraries, theatres and government institutions, with the eastern hills rising behind it. El Dorado International Airport connects Bogotá with the rest of Colombia and the Americas.
Nearest airport: El Dorado International Airport, Bogotá (BOG)
Notable alumni
- CG César GaviriaPresident of Colombia 1990 to 1994
- AG Alejandro GaviriaEconomist, former Uniandes rector and Minister of National Education
- MÁ María Ángela HolguínFormer Colombian Minister of Foreign Affairs
- MC Mauricio Cárdenas SantamaríaFormer Minister of Finance and Public Credit
- AM Ana Maria ReyTheoretical physicist
- SV Simón VélezArchitect known for building with bamboo
Frequently asked questions
How much does Universidad de los Andes cost?
In 2026 full tuition was 26,860,000 COP per semester for most programmes and 38,220,000 COP for Medicine. 2027 values are updated from 14 October 2026 with projected inflation.
What Saber 11 score do you need for Los Andes?
Each programme has its own Saber 11 cut-off score, published for each admission period. Saber 11 results from 2022-1 to 2026-2 are accepted.
When is the Los Andes application deadline for 2027?
For the first semester of 2027 there are five cut-offs between 21 July and 7 December 2026; the final one closes on 7 December, with results on 12 December.
Can international students apply to Los Andes?
Yes. Applicants graduating abroad apply with an accepted international exam or diploma (for example ENEM with 600 or more) and must have their diploma recognised (convalidated) in Colombia.
Does Los Andes offer scholarships?
Yes. Quiero Estudiar covers up to 95% of tuition for talented Colombian students with financial need, and Beca Preferente covers 5% to 50% for selected programmes.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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