Welcome to Uniandes
Uniandes is a leading higher education institution in Colombia and Latin America. Despite its relatively short history, it has achieved outstanding results, earning a place among the top universities in the region. This progress has been driven by the quality of its education, strong partnerships with world-class institutions for research and academic mobility, and its role as a leader in public–private–academic collaboration, always striving for impact and meaningful results. It all began as an educational project aimed at building a new country and society.
Campus
Address: Carrera 1 N. 18A - 12. Postcode: 111711
▹ From El Dorado International Airport, the most convenient way to reach campus is by taxi or ride-hailing services such as Uber or DiDi. The trip typically takes between 20 and 40 minutes, depending on traffic. The most common route follows Calle 26 (Avenida El Dorado) toward the city center, connecting to Carrera 10 or Carrera 7, and continuing south to La Candelaria, where the university is located.
▹ From the main TransMilenio stations in the city center, such as Museo del Oro or Las Aguas, the university can be reached within a short walking distance. These stations serve as key access points for people traveling from different areas of Bogotá using the public transportation system.
▹ From the northern area of Bogotá, including zones such as Usaquén and Parque de la 93, you can take TransMilenio, a taxi, or a ride-hailing service toward the city center. The recommended route is along Carrera 7 or Autopista Norte, heading south until you reach La Candelaria, where the campus is located.
▹ From nearby landmarks such as Monserrate, one of Bogotá’s most iconic sites located just above the university, you can reach campus by heading down toward the city center and walking a few minutes to the main entrances. This area provides a clear reference point and easy access to the university surroundings.
Uniandes is located in the historic center of Bogotá, in the La Candelaria district. Since its early days, the constant flow of students in the Germania neighborhood fostered the growth of a community known for its kind and welcoming spirit. It also gathers a wide gastronomic choice, and the most important museums and cultural scenarios. There you find most of the offices, classes, and services you can discover in the Welcome Page.
In Cartagena, Uniandes’ Caribbean campus stands out for its elegant architecture and inspiring design. It serves as a venue for executive education programs, academic visits, and conferences.
In Cota, El Noviciado is a country house surrounded by crops, lush vegetation, and forested areas. It hosts Senek, a running competition that helps fund the education of Uniandes’ top student athletes.
In northern Bogotá, the Clinical Training Center provides hands-on learning opportunities for students in the School of Medicine. It is the result of the university’s strong partnership with Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá.
Uniandes has 11 Schools, each offering academic programs related to its core field of study. Below, you’ll find the main offices for each one:
Management (SD Building), Architecture and Design (C Building), Arts and Humanities (K Building), Sciences (I Building), Social Sciences (G Building), Law (RGC Building), Economics (W Building), Education (Ña Building – Casita Rosada), Engineering (ML Building), Medicine (Q Building / Clinical Training Center), Government (Au Building).
This is the university’s health department, where you, as a Uniandes community member, can receive prompt medical attention. Services include general medicine, dentistry, and sports medicine.
This is the department dedicated to student well-being. Here, you’ll find support for nearly every aspect of student life, from emotional guidance to financial advice. You can rely on a wide range of resources to help you navigate your journey at Uniandes.
Uniandes has 6 libraries across its campus.
General Library Ramón de Zubiría (Mario Laserna Building – ML), Management Library (Julio Mario Santo Domingo Building – SD), Economics Library (C Building), Architecture and Design Library (Architecture and Design Building), Law Library (RGC Building), Medical Library (Clinical Training Center).
For more details about entry requirements and access to campus facilities, you will be redirected to the Campus Access section.
Since Uniandes defines itself as a research-driven institution, it provides strong support for the creation and advancement of knowledge. According to the 2024 Statistical Bulletin, the university has 419 laboratories and research support spaces, covering a total area of 1,192,619.7 sq ft.
The distribution by School is as follows: Sciences (72), Engineering (55), Medicine (19), Social Sciences (13), Arts and Humanities (5), Architecture and Design (3), Vice-Rectory for Research and Creation (3), Management (1).
Uniandes offers a wide and diverse selection of dining options. For lunch, you can head to Block N, where you’ll find several restaurants with plenty of choices to suit any taste. The main dining hall, commonly known as “La Central,” is one of the most popular spots on campus. Across campus, there are also many places for a coffee break or merienda, such as Senecafé, as well as options for juices, ice cream, cookies, and even Japanese desserts.
Among the services available to you, the Sports Center offers a wide range of options for staying active, getting in shape, and enjoying recreational activities.
▹ Gym, Multipurpose court, Tennis court, Soccer field, Basketball court, Beach volleyball court, Running circuits, Squash courts, Swimming pool, Lockers and changing rooms, Multipurpose rooms, Indoor cycling, Calisthenics, Table tennis, Coffee shop, Pool, Video games, Medicine office, Terrace.
If that’s not enough, the Sports Center also offers a full schedule of engaging classes, from energetic dance styles like Salsa to more challenging workouts such as Aqua-Fitness. You can explore the full range of activities and make reservations through the official Sports Center website.
This is the Uniandes Shop, where you can find a wide selection of books, including publications from Uniandes Publishing House, along with plenty of Uniandes-branded merchandise and sportswear. Located in the Centro Cívico, it’s also the perfect place to get your own Séneca stuffed animal.
Uniandes offers parking services for the community (students, professors, and administrative staff), mainly in the SD and ML buildings. Parking on campus is paid and availability may be limited. Only the SD building offers parking without assigned spaces, while other parking areas require a designated spot. Bicycle parking is also available on campus. Additional parking options are available in the surrounding area, although they are not operated by the university. Find more information:
For Students
Now comes the moment you’ve been waiting for, jumping into the Uniandes experience.
Bloque Neón the Uniandes' online learning platform. Each course will have a module where professors will upload the syllabus, bibliography and all the resources needed for your classes. Review it carefully to check for any required materials or readings and prepare them in advance.
Uniandes provides a variety of resources and support services to help you succeed academically. The university’s libraries are constantly evolving, giving you access to books, research papers, databases, films, academic journals, and learning tools.
Part of your academic experience will involve studying beyond the classroom. To stay focused and productive, it’s important to create a comfortable and distraction-free study environment. Choose a quiet space, keep water or snacks nearby, and use features like “Do Not Disturb” on your devices to maintain concentration during your study sessions.
A big part of the international experience is adapting to and embracing your new country, and language is the first step toward making that happen. At Uniandes, you can take Spanish courses tailored to your proficiency level, including intensive programs offered in July and semester-long courses throughout the academic year. Beyond the classroom, learning also happens through everyday interactions, as you explore the many Colombian accents and expressions you’ll encounter in daily life. Find more information here.
To organize your academic schedule, it is important to plan your courses and study time in advance. Uniandes provides a structured process for course registration, allowing you to build your semester or intersession schedule according to your academic goals. To register for courses and organize your timetable, please follow the instructions available on the Registrar’s Office website. You can also stay informed about academic and cultural events through the university’s official events platform.
All professors and Teaching Assistants (TAs) offer office or tutoring hours where you can ask questions and strengthen your understanding of course topics. Don’t hesitate to use them. It’s also common for students to organize study groups, which are a great way to collaborate and review together. You can find learning hubs in subjects ranging from mathematics to languages, so explore and make the most of them. Students can also work as private tutors if you ever need extra help.
At Uniandes, you can count on the support of academic offices and staff for guidance on procedures, questions, and requirements. There is an office for each academic level, from undergraduate and graduate certificate programs to master’s and doctoral programs. These offices should be your first point of contact for any academic concerns. (All links are in Spanish.)
Check all the academic support tools offered by Uniandes to students in the "No estás solx" website.
Find a space to continue exploring your self-awareness and personal growth. Check out the agenda.
For Faculty
Teaching in Colombia could require some procedures to follow, find more here.
Uniandes has established procedures for hiring new professors in different categories. It goes from the final approval, to the contract signing, medical tests, paperwork, and support in the Visa application.
In Colombia, there are different concepts that influence the compensation calculation. Some are cesantías, pensions, income taxes, among others.
Professors have access to several resources for teaching and research. From Microsoft Office Suite, to Zoom’s license, specialized software, laboratories and infrastructure, and the virtual platform for teaching named Bloque Neón. Please confirm the resources with the academic coordinator of the School you will be joining.
For any inquiry regarding international transfers and payments, please contact GHDO.
For Visitors
You are welcome to take a look into Uniandes. Count on the following information if you are a visitor.
Uniandes offers access to a public Wi-Fi network through the “UniandesPública” network or EduRoam for visitors associated to other institutions members of the EduRoam network.
If you need any assistance go to any of the entrances to the campus and ask to the guards about your concern. The main entrances are in the W, Franco, and ML buildings. In addition, the Office of International Affairs is located in the Aulas building.
If you have any problem or emergency related to your visit to Uniandes, please reach the person that confirmed your invitation to Uniandes.
To detail on the procedures and scope of your visit, check the procedure.
Experience Uniandes
Since not everything is about studying, researching, and hard work, here you’ll find several ways to enjoy your free time and explore new interests.
History
▹ Uniandes offers more than 110 academic programs, ranging from undergraduate to doctoral degrees, with over 16,900 students enrolled across all levels and more than 1,946 full-time professors.
▹ The COVID-19 pandemic represented a major challenge for the university. Uniandes had to rapidly develop the skills and infrastructure necessary to maintain the high educational standards that have always defined it. This required implementing a comprehensive strategy to ensure that laboratories and physical resources remained accessible while keeping researchers and the broader community safe from COVID-19.
▹ Today, Uniandes not only provides outstanding academic programs but also continues to expand its international collaborations and reinvent itself. Its most recent initiatives focus on leveraging artificial intelligence in education, especially as demand for traditional professional programs evolves.
▹ As a way of giving back to the community, Uniandes launched the Progresa Fenicia program, aimed at supporting the neighborhoods surrounding the campus, with a special focus on helping children develop skills and opportunities.
▹ In 2014, Uniandes was ranked as the fifth best university in Latin America according to the QS World University Rankings.
▹ At the beginning of this period, Uniandes already had three computer laboratories, each with more than 60 computers. This demonstrated the university’s commitment to innovation and the growing importance of technology in shaping the future.
▹ New undergraduate programs were launched, including Medicine, Chemistry, and Design. In addition, several doctoral programs were created in Engineering, Management, Mathematics, Economics, Law, Psychology, History, and Anthropology.
▹ Important student well-being initiatives were introduced, such as the Special Programs Fund, the Quiero Estudiar Scholarship, and the Student Financial Aid Fund.
▹ Campus expansion continued with the construction of the Mario Laserna (ML), Julio Mario Santo Domingo (SD), and Carlos Pacheco Devia (W) buildings, as well as the Sports Center, all of which remain key spaces for the Uniandes' community today.
▹ By 2009, the total student population reached 15,000.
▹ Uniandes joined BITNET, the first international academic network focused on cooperation among universities worldwide. Later on, Uniandes was entrusted with the administration of the .co domain, Colombia’s digital identifier, in recognition of its technological capacity and infrastructure.
▹ The Virtual Library was launched, expanding academic access and digital resources.
▹ A joint scholarship fund between Harvard University and Uniandes was created to strengthen academic exchange and collaboration.
▹ The campus continued to expand with the construction of the Lleras and Aulas buildings, along with the restoration of La Capilla (the chapel).
▹ By the end of the 1990s, Uniandes had a student population of around 6,500.
▹ This decade was characterized by internal adjustments through mergers and separations in departments like the transformation of the Arts and Science School, and the Philosophy and Humanities School into three: Humanities and Social Sciences, Arts and Fabrics, and Science.
▹ An important alliance started between Uniandes and Fundación Santa Fe, this is the most important health center in Colombia. It has been recognized internationally because of its excellence in attention, diagnosis, treatment, and even architecture. This alliance had the purpose of developing graduate programs and research in biomedical and health studies.
▹ Uniandes developed an innovative electronic connection project with the Luis Angel Arango Library for accessing the databases from this important knowledge center in Bogotá.
▹ By the end of the decade, the number of students enrolled was reaching 4000.
▹ In terms of infrastructure, the railway wagons were bought and served as classrooms and offices since 1981.
▹ During the 1970s, and in response to the growing demand, Uniandes continued to open new academic departments and programs. This was the case for the School of Management, as well as the creation of the Bachelor’s in Management, the Master’s in Business Administration (MBA), Applied Mathematics, Electrical Engineering, Physics, and others.
▹ International cooperation also expanded during this period, with strong partnerships established in 1976 with universities such as Harvard, Oxford, Yale, and Heidelberg, among others.
▹ Throughout the decade, the RGA (the first Uniandes building) and RGC buildings were acquired, and the chapel of Las Hermanas del Buen Pastor was converted into the Law Department’s library.
▹ During the 1960s, several new departments and programs were created, including Mathematics, Modern Languages, Microbiology, and Industrial Engineering, among others. At the same time, the Genetics Institute was established.
▹ Uniandes began to experience steady growth in student enrollment, which led to institutional reforms to adapt to emerging needs. The university also started acquiring buildings, beginning with the current Block J and the Franco Building, while setting plans for the purchase of additional properties.
▹ By the end of the decade, Uniandes had around 3,000 enrolled students.
▹ The Roberto Franco Building was constructed in 1964, and the Richard (R) Building was purchased four years later.
▹ Founded in 1948 by a group of young visionaries led by Mario Laserna, Uniandes began with a strong commitment to academic excellence and innovation.
▹ The university started operations with 79 students and 16 professors in a rented property. The first departments to open were Electrical Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Languages, and Mathematics. In 1949, the Architecture and Economics schools were established. From the very beginning, Uniandes offered high-level academic programs that included study-abroad components, which kept the student population relatively small.
▹ The Rockefeller Foundation played a crucial role by providing support and donations to strengthen the university’s early development.
▹ By the late 1950s, the student population had grown to around 650.
▹ The first rented building was Block RGA, followed by the purchase of El Campito de San José, which today houses the Department of Music.
Keep in Mind
The information provided in this section is for informational purposes only. It does not represent an official position of Universidad de los Andes, nor does it imply any institutional commitment. The content shared here does not seek to promote or endorse any public or private organization.
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