Financing for equity in higher education
1. Education resources to subnational governments
2. Education resources to institutions
3. Education resources to students
4. Support for students' living costs
Introduction
Key financing indicators (UIS Data)
According to UIS data, the gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education for both sexes was 67.68% in 2024. The initial government funding for tertiary education as a percentage of GDP per capita was 3.58% in 2023.
Tuition-free status
Law 15/2018 states that public tertiary education is not free of tuition fees.
Governance
Law 14/2018 assigns responsibility for financing, allocating, and overseeing higher education budgets to the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, supported by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (AQUA).
1. Education resources to subnational governments
There are no funding mechanisms for transferring resources from the central government to local governments for public higher education, as the education system is highly centralised.
2. Education resources to institutions
Funding for private universities in the absence of public institutions
Article 13 of Law 14/2018 establishes that private universities and other higher education institutions operate independently and without public subsidies. Public funding is reserved for the University of Andorra, as defined in Article 22 of Law 15/2018.
Allocation and equity
Government subsidies for higher education are allocated by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education through a programme contract with the University of Andorra, as defined in Article 22 of Law 15/2018 and Article 15 of Law 14/2018. The Ministry of Health provides additional funding for university health studies through programmes contracts. These laws do not establish equity-targeted subsidies for institutions, although the government provides student-level aid such as need-based grants and tuition discounts.
3. Education resources to students
Admission for vulnerable groups
There are no specific admission criteria for vulnerable groups, nor financial support for their admission.
Scholarships, grants and loans for vulnerable groups
The Ministry of Education and Higher Education provides a comprehensive scholarship system to promote equitable access to higher education, as established under Law 10/2021. The programme offers different types of non-repayable grants covering tuition, maintenance, and salary to students enrolled in higher education institutions in Andorra or abroad (Articles 13–14). Eligibility is based on academic performance, family income, disability, and personal circumstances, with priority given to students from low-income, large, or single-parent families, or those with disabilities (Articles 15–18). Administered by the Minister of Education and Higher Education, these aids aim to compensate economic and social inequalities and ensure that financial constraints do not prevent access to higher education (Article 1).
4. Support for students’ living costs
Transportation
Support is available through the travel grant (beca de desplaçament) established under Law 10/2021, Article 8.3, for students who must commute long distances between their residence and the educational institution. It is provided by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.
Accommodation
Support is available through the residence grant (beca de residència) established under Law 10/2021, Article 8.8, for students who need to live outside Andorra to pursue their studies. It is provided by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.
Textbooks
Support is available through the materials grant (beca de material) established under Law 10/2021, Article 8.1, to assist with the purchase of textbooks and study supplies. It is provided by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.
This profile was reviewed by Alexandra Monné Bellmunt, Professor at the University of Andorra.
