Departament d'Ensenyament Superior i Recerca

Overview

Departament d’Ensenyament Superior i Recerca (Department of Higher Education and Research, Andorra) is the government agency established in 1988, responsible for the development, regulation and support of Andorra’s higher education and research systems. According to uniRank, based on uniRank research, it plays a central role in quality assurance, academic accreditation, financial aid and promotion of innovation and internationalization.

History and Legal Framework

The department was founded in 1988 under the Ministry of Education and Higher Education of the Government of Andorra. Its legal foundation is embedded within national education statutes governing higher education and research oversight. It originally included scholarships (“Ajuts a l’Estudi”) and evolved to cover both higher education and research policy. Its regulatory mandate derives from national laws organizing ministerial structure and responsibilities.

Mission, Vision and Objectives

Mission: To oversee, regulate and support the quality, accessibility and relevance of higher education and research in Andorra.

Vision: A national higher education and research system aligned with European standards, fostering academic excellence, innovation and social and economic development.

• Ensure academic quality and accreditation of institutions and study programmes.
• Support student access through scholarships and financial aid.
• Promote research and innovation capacity and infrastructure.
• Encourage international cooperation and mobility.

Governance, Structure and Independence

The department is formally part of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, structured into areas including:

1. Higher Education
2. Research
3. Titulation recognition and validation
4. Technological educational development
5. Life‑long learning and scholarship administration

It holds administrative autonomy in managing programme accreditation and research funding, though ultimately under ministerial oversight. The accreditation and recognition functions are delegated to a formally independent agency, AQUA, as detailed below.

Accreditation and Quality Evaluation

Quality assurance in higher education in Andorra is performed through cooperation with AQU Catalunya and the Agència de Qualitat de l’Ensenyament Superior d’Andorra (AQUA), established by Andorran law in 2016. A 2014 cooperation agreement—updated in 2018—transferred quality evaluation responsibilities from the department to AQUA, using methodologies aligned with European Higher Education standards and those of AQU Catalunya. This includes programme verification, accreditation, follow‑up and modification processes. AQUA operates as a public administrative agency with legal personality. According to uniRank analysis, the department’s oversight and its partnership with AQUA help ensure education and research quality in line with the European Higher Education Area.

International Cooperation and Network Memberships

The department actively promotes international links and participation in European frameworks, such as Horizon Europe, Erasmus+ and cross-border research initiatives. It supports researcher mobility and the attraction of international talent. Research programmes such as the Joan Oró scholarships, co‑financed by EU structural funds, include international mobility components. Collaborative agreements with AQU Catalunya and other European quality agencies further integrate Andorra into regional networks.

Current and Future Impact on Higher Education

The department continues to shape Andorra’s academic landscape through programmes like the Joan Oró pre‑doctoral scholarships—308 new contracts awarded in 2025 with €21 million funding—to reinforce research capacity in universities and research centres. These support talent development in areas such as biomedicine, engineering, social sciences and humanities. According to uniRank, these initiatives position the department as a driver of innovation and knowledge-based economic development in Andorra.

Ongoing priorities include expanding accreditation coverage, enhancing research infrastructure, further alignment with European research and education standards and strengthening international collaboration.

Summary

The Departament d’Ensenyament Superior i Recerca is Andorra’s central public authority for higher education and research. Founded in 1988, it oversees regulation, quality assurance and strategic support for academic and research institutions. Working closely with AQUA and international partners, it ensures compliance with European standards. Its current focus includes promoting research talent, fostering innovation and enhancing international engagement, contributing to the country’s socio‑economic development.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What does the Departament d’Ensenyament Superior i Recerca do? It regulates higher education and research, accredits institutions and programmes via AQUA, oversees scholarship and recognition policies and promotes innovation.
• When was it established? It was founded in 1988 as part of Andorra’s Ministry of Education and Higher Education.
• How does accreditation work? Accreditation and quality evaluation are done by AQUA under a formal cooperation agreement with AQU Catalunya following European standards.
• What scholarship programmes are managed? Major programmes include the Joan Oró pre‑doctoral scholarships, Beatriu de Pinós and others supporting early-career researchers.
• How does the department support research? Through funding schemes, strategic plans and policies encouraging excellence, international mobility and innovation culture.
• Is the department independent? It operates under ministerial oversight but delegates accreditation and evaluation to the independent AQUA agency.

Organization Name

Departament d'Ensenyament Superior i Recerca
Departament of Higher Education and Research

Acronym

Year of Establishment

1/01/1988

Control Type

Public

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

National

Recognized by

n.a.

Affiliations or Memberships

n.a.

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

n.a.

Address

Carrer Prat de la Creu, 62-64
Andorra la Vella
500 Andorra

Phone

+376 875 700

Fax

+376 875 636

n.a.

Official Social Media Channels

Facebook

Not available

X (Twitter)

Not available

LinkedIn

Not available

YouTube

Not available

Instagram

Not available

Wikipedia Article

Not available

Unlock your University's potential: spotlight your Institution on UniRank for leads, local recognition and branding. Enquiry now to feature your University here.

Explore other Andorran higher education-related organizations and authorities.

Find top-ranked Universities in Andorra.

Search for courses and scholarships with the uniRank World Universities Search Engine.