University of the Andes, Colombia

The University of the Andes, also known as Uniandes, is located in Bogotá, towards the west of Colombia. Founded in 1948 as an independent private higher education institution, it had just seven programmes, with a handful of students and teachers. It has since made its name in South America as one of the country’s leading universities.

Situated in the city centre of Bogotá – the largest city in Colombia – the university is well-connected to transport routes, the country’s financial hubbub and a vibrant local culture: classical landmarks, museums and galleries are dotted around the city and the El Dorado International Airport is a short drive away.

There are nine Schools: Medicine, Science, Engineering, Law, Economics, Social Science, Arts and Humanities, Business Administration, and Architecture and Design. This wide-ranging capacity attracts students from around the world.

It is an innovation- and research-led university with 163 laboratories, and admission is competitive. Its students tend to have a strong academic background before applying. The university aims to produce “highly skilled” and “well-rounded” graduates. Many stay on to pursue further studies. One of the most renowned alumni of the university is former president of Colombia, César Gaviria.

One of the university’s key goals is to become a “benchmark in education” and it says the curriculum flexibility offered allows students to shape their studies in line with what they are interested in. It also promotes diversity and encourages extracurricular participation in a wide range of fields, from sport clubs to societies.

The striking campus has wide green spaces and the university follows a sustainability plan to reduce its impact on the environment.