Andorran Agency Rejects Spanish Business School's Bid to Open Campus
Andorra's higher education quality agency denied Spanish Business School's application to operate, citing failure to meet legal and European standards after expert review highlighted major deficiencies.
Key Points
- AQUA cites shortcomings in staff planning, research specificity, resources, and quality assurance.
- Project downgraded from full university to non-university institution mid-process.
- Fourth rejection of private higher ed initiatives since regulatory updates.
- SBS has one month to appeal the 24 July 2026 decision.
The Andorran Agency for the Quality of Higher Education (AQUA) has rejected the Spanish Business School's (SBS) strategic plan to establish a campus in the Principat, confirming the institution cannot proceed.
AQUA's final evaluation report, published on its website and dated 24 July 2026, identified critical shortcomings that prevent SBS from meeting Andorran legal requirements or standards of the European Higher Education Area. The assessment noted a substantial mid-process change, with promoters shifting from a full university proposal to a non-university higher education institution.
Experts highlighted uneven project development, including inadequate planning for teaching and research staff, lack of specificity in research activities, insufficient material resources and support services, and inconsistencies in the internal quality assurance system. Several areas—such as governance, human resources, quality controls, programmes, teaching staff, and admissions—earned "poorly suited" ratings, while research and infrastructure details fell short.
The application process started with SBS's submission on 29 January 2026, formally accepted on 20 February. A preliminary review on 21 May led to the downgrade, followed by a revised plan on 19 June. AQUA maintained the original university benchmarks for evaluation consistency, resulting in the denial.
This marks the fourth public rejection of private higher education initiatives since regulatory updates, after Universitat Cum Laude, Universitat Autònoma d’Andorra, and Universidad Innovatio. UDDI Universidad Digital received initial refusal in 2024 but secured approval following revisions.
SBS has one month to appeal to AQUA's Appeals Commission.
Related Articles
Other articles from Catalan-language sources about the same story:
- Diari d'Andorra•
El projecte de l’Spanish Business School no podrà implantar-se al Principat
- Bon Dia•
L’AQUA tomba el projecte d’SBS, una universitat vinguda a menys
- Altaveu•
L'Aqua emet un informe desfavorable a la instal·lació de la Spanish Business School
- Diari d'Andorra•
L'AQUA rebutja la instal·lació a Andorra de la Spanish Business School