Andorra Private University Enrolment Plunges 34% to 1,490 Amid Expansion

The Andorra Higher Education Quality Agency (AQUA) has recorded a sharp decline in student numbers at private universities, dropping from 2,273 in the 2023-2024 academic year to 1,490 the following year. AQUA director Isaac Galobardes highlighted the trend during a presentation of the agency's 2025 activity report to the legislative commission on Education, Research, Culture, Youth and Sports. While the University of Andorra has held steady at around 741 students, the private sector's fall raises questions, especially given the growth in online higher education worldwide, including among working adults seeking career changes. Galobardes noted that the agency lacks a clear explanation and plans to monitor upcoming data to determine if it is a one-off or a lasting shift.

Andorra's university landscape has expanded from three institutions in 2019 to eight by late 2025, yet overall enrolment fell. Of the seven authorised private universities, only two—Endor Universitat Digital d’Andorra and UDDI Universidad Digital—received favourable AQUA assessments during authorisation. Past approvals proceeded despite negative reports because regulations at the time did not make them binding; new authorisations now require positive evaluations.

In 2025, AQUA processed 26 new programme evaluations and five modifications, with 30% receiving unfavourable outcomes—well above the historical 10% rate. The agency also reviewed four strategic plans from aspiring institutions. Activity is surging, with over 70% of 2026's projected volume already underway by mid-year, prompting calls for more staff and funding to handle external visits and periodic checks. Galobardes anticipates up to 75-80 annual evaluations once new tracking rules take effect.

Law 3/2025 strengthens AQUA's independence, mandates publication of all evaluation reports and introduces ex-post monitoring: initial reviews after three years, then every six, replacing the prior 10-year cycle. This shift aims to verify real-world delivery against initial plans.

Separately, the government has approved amendments to the Higher Education Law, now entering parliamentary process, to align with European standards. Key changes enable the University of Andorra to offer dual degrees via credit transfers with foreign partners, clarify roles between the ministry and AQUA, and create non-official higher education centres for specialised training like business schools without state titles. A moratorium on new universities remains in place indefinitely until a national higher education strategy is finalised, with stakeholder dialogue starting in September.

AQUA also gained international standing in 2025, joining the European Quality Assurance Register (EQAR) and the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA) for five years, alongside high completion of its 2023-2025 strategic plan.