# 401+Latin America and the Caribbean Rankings
49Undergrad & Postgrad Programmes
About Universidad Regional Autónoma de Los Andes
The Universidad Regional Autónoma de los Andes (UNIANDES) is a private higher education institution in Ecuador, operating across 11 campuses nationwide and offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. UNIANDES is committed to educating excellent and ethically responsible professionals through a high-quality humanistic, cultural, technological, and scientific approach, supported by solid research training, preparing students to face today’s challenges and contribute positively to society.
About Universidad Regional Autónoma de Los Andes
The Universidad Regional Autónoma de los Andes (UNIANDES) is a private higher education institution in Ecuador, operating across 11 campuses nationwide and offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. UNIANDES is committed to educating excellent and ethically responsible professionals through a high-quality humanistic, cultural, technological, and scientific approach, supported by solid research training, preparing students to face today’s challenges and contribute positively to society.
Available programmes
University information
At UNIANDES, admission is geared toward providing each applicant with quality service and ongoing support. At each campus, the Admission Office has trained advisors who provide personalized guidance, identify academic interests, and guide applicants toward the degree program that best suits their profile. This support also extends to digital channels: the institutional website presents the academic offerings and has a user-friendly chatbot that, after consulting the user's geographic location, shows the options available at the corresponding campus and facilitates referral to personalized counseling.
The admission process is designed to ensure an informed decision. Before making a final choice, applicants take a vocational test that helps identify their affinities and interests. They then take a knowledge test as part of the evaluation. Finally, enrollment is completed through registration. Throughout all stages, the assigned advisor provides ongoing follow-up, resolves concerns, and provides guidance until the applicant is formally integrated as a UNIANDES student. In addition, the advisor remains available even after enrollment, communicating class start dates, confirming previous steps, and clarifying any questions until the start of the academic year.
UNIANDES provides academic infrastructure and student services aimed at strengthening the learning experience through facilities for teaching, practical training, research, and wellbeing, aligned with its current academic offer.
Academic and research centers: These include the Faculty of Medicine Research Center, the Democracy Observatory, the CTT de Los Andes Language Center, and CEISH-UNIANDES (Research Ethics Committee for Human Subjects), which support academic processes and institutional projects.
Simulation and professional practice: At the Totoras Campus, the Mock Courtroom (Hearing Simulation Room) strengthens practical training in oral advocacy through structured simulations. In Health Sciences, the Simulation Clinic for Medicine and Nursing enables students to apply knowledge in high-fidelity simulated clinical settings. In Clinical Psychology, the Gesell Chamber supports direct observation and real-time analysis of clinical cases for training purposes.
Applied training and laboratories: The Institute of Aesthetics (Ambato and Puyo) provides practical training spaces in areas such as massage, make-up, and facial care. For Veterinary Medicine, facilities include an Anatomy and Biological Samples Laboratory, a Multi-Purpose Laboratory, and specialized laboratories available in Microbiology, Histology and Pathology, and Molecular Biology, as well as simulation-oriented practice spaces.
Wellbeing and sports: UNIANDES promotes balance between academic life and wellbeing through recreational and sports areas, including pools and spa, multi-use courts (basketball, ecuavolley, indoor football, tennis), grass fields for futsal, a gym, and padel courts. Additional infrastructure is under development, such as an automotive track (under construction).
- Ambato (main campus)
- Babahoyo
- Ibarra
- Puyo
- Quevedo
- Riobamba
- Santo Domingo
- Tulcán
Each UNIANDES site has its own director, campus building and full learning facilities, as well as bars and cafeterias for student dining and socialising. Recreational areas on site vary by destination, and most are open until 5 pm every week day. Sports facilities include soccer fields, basketball courts, athletics tracks, and indoor and outdoor swimming pools.
Student life
UNIANDES promotes an active student experience within its academic community and institutional network. Operating across 11 campuses in Ecuador, students benefit from diverse learning environments and opportunities to engage in academic, cultural, and community outreach initiatives, depending on their programme and each campus context.
Student life is supported through institutional services and activities that foster integration, personal development, and well-being. Depending on the availability at each campus, students can participate in recreational and sports activities and access spaces that encourage a healthy balance between academic life and well-being.
UNIANDES also encourages participation in academic events, workshops, and student-led initiatives that strengthen transferable skills such as teamwork, communication, and leadership, contributing to a well-rounded university experience.
Cost of Living
Tuition fees
UNIANDES promotes institutional support to help applicants across Ecuador access undergraduate education. The University offers several scholarship categories, including: Academic Excellence, Disability, Socioeconomic Support, Indigenous Peoples and Nationalities, Research, Honorary Scholarships, Sports, Cultural Activities, Professional Development, and SNNA-related support.
Once an applicant has been admitted, they may apply for a scholarship through the University’s Student Welfare Department (Bienestar Universitario). After the eligibility review, students may be granted a tuition discount of 15%, 25%, 50% or up to 75%, depending on the institutional assessment and applicable criteria. A 25% scholarship already covers the enrolment (matriculation) fee. Scholarships are reviewed and renewed semester by semester, subject to continued eligibility and the University’s requirements.
Scholarships
Selecting the right scholarship can be a daunting process. With countless options available, students often find themselves overwhelmed and confused. The decision can be especially stressful for those facing financial constraints or pursuing specific academic or career goals.
To help students navigate this challenging process, we recommend the following articles:
How to get a full scholarship
Looking for a fully-funded scholarship to see you into university? Find out how to boost your chances of getting one.
Scholarships to study abroad
Find scholarships to study abroad with our lists of international scholarships – categorized by country, by subject, and by type of student.
Scholarship Applications: Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to all your questions about scholarship applications, including tips on how to find scholarships and chances of success.
Employability
UNIANDES supports students’ employability and professional development through guidance, complementary training, and engagement with the professional environment, in coordination with academic units and institutional services.
As evidence of graduate outcomes, UNIANDES reports a total of 20,892 graduates. Regarding occupational status, 69.5% are employed and 17.3% are entrepreneurs, based on institutional data.
UNIANDES integrates pre-professional internships/placements as part of students’ comprehensive education, promoting learning opportunities beyond the classroom and strengthening students’ connection with the professional environment in which they will develop as graduates.
As part of the placement experience, students begin with the observation of the host institution’s context, enabling them to analyse real situations and contrast observed practice with the theoretical foundations addressed in their courses. This approach supports in-situ learning and encourages reflective development of professional competencies.
In parallel, UNIANDES’ academic programmes carry out community engagement projects individually and/or through interdisciplinary collaboration often supported by inter-institutional cooperation agreements, fostering applied learning and social impact in diverse community and productive sectors.
Rankings & Ratings
Universidad Regional Autónoma de Los Andes is one of the top Private for Profit universities in Ambato, Ecuador. It is ranked #401+ in Latin America and the Caribbean Rankings 2026.
Latin America and the Caribbean Rankings
- 2024#401+
- 2025#401+
- 2026#401+
Latin America and the Caribbean Rankings
- 2024#401+
- 2025#401+
- 2026#401+
Campus locations
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Frequently Asked Questions
UNIANDES welcomes strategic academic partnerships with institutions worldwide. We are open to cooperation in student and faculty mobility , joint academic activities (e.g., master classes, guest lectures), collaborative projects , and other initiatives aligned with shared academic priorities. To begin, please contact our International Relations Office to coordinate an initial meeting and define a roadmap.
Yes. UNIANDES promotes academic mobility and international experiences, which may include short-term stays , rotations (where applicable) , and virtual or blended academic activities , depending on programme requirements and institutional agreements. Mobility pathways are coordinated with the corresponding academic units to ensure academic alignment and institutional support.
UNIANDES offers scholarship categories such as Academic Excellence, Disability, Socioeconomic Support, Indigenous Peoples and Nationalities, Research, Honorary Scholarships, Sports, Cultural Activities, Professional Development, and SNNA-related support . After admission, applicants may apply through Student Welfare (Bienestar Universitario) for discounts of 15%, 25%, 50% or up to 75% . A 25% scholarship covers the enrolment (matriculation) fee . Scholarships are reviewed and renewed semester by semester , subject to continued eligibility.
UNIANDES integrates pre-professional internships/placements as a core applied-learning pathway, connecting academic preparation with professional practice. Students begin with context observation in the host organisation, then move into structured analysis to link real-world practice with academic theory , strengthening professional competencies through in-situ learning .
In parallel, UNIANDES carries out community engagement projects , individually and/or through interdisciplinary collaboration, often supported through inter-institutional cooperation agreements , promoting social impact and professional readiness in diverse community and productive sectors.
For international cooperation, mobility initiatives, and partnership proposals, please contact UNIANDES’ International Relations Office (URI) at [email protected] . You may also consult the official website for institutional information and updates: https://www.uniandes.edu.ec/ .
To accelerate coordination, we recommend including your institution’s profile, the academic areas of interest, and a brief proposal of activities (e.g., mobility, COIL/virtual exchange, master classes, joint projects).
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