Universidad de los Andes 
Bogotá,COLUMBIA

University Info   |   Faculty of Engineering Info   |   International Student Info & Handbook

Fast Facts

• Ranked first in Colombia and seventh best university in Latin America according to QS.
• Our campus is located in Bogotá, one of the largest cities in South America.
• National current accreditations of all the undergraduate programs and ABET accreditation.
• The School of Engineering has a total of 5,700 undergraduate students in 9 different programs (Civil, Environmental, Biomedical, Mechanical, Systems and Computing, Chemical, Industrial, Electrics, and Electronics).
• Our campus has up-to-date infrastructure, including a very modern sports facility and other infrastructure, as well and state-of-the art dorms at affordable prices.

Introduction

Universidad de los Andes is an autonomous, independent, and innovative institution that fosters pluralism, tolerance, and respect for ideas. It aims for academic excellence while providing rigorous critical and ethical character development, in order to enhance in all students an awareness of their social and citizenship responsibilities, as well as a firm commitment to the society. The university’s student body, in an environment of interdisciplinary and flexible integral character development, becomes the chief agent of the educational process. A highly skilled, knowledgeable, and prestigious faculty facilitates the development of an outstanding academic and professional life project that supports research, contributes to the development of the country, and transcends its geographical boundaries.

Terms of Exchange

Study Level

• Undergraduate students: Accepted
• Graduate students: NOT Accepted
• Computer Science majors: Accepted 

Eligibility Requirements

• Students should have the equivalent of a 3.0 on a 4.0 GPA grade scale. Borderline students may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Students must be in their third or fourth year of study during the exchange period.

Language of Instruction

Most courses are taught in Spanish, but readings can be in English.

Language Proficiency Requirements

A letter from a Spanish teacher confirming the B2 level, according to the CEFR is desirable. Because readings can be in English, students should also have good knowledge of English. 

Study Period

Fall or Spring with the possibility of extending for an academic year

Academic Calendar   |   Semester Dates (including exam period)

• Fall: early August to approximately first week of December
• Spring: mid-January to first week of June

Academic Information

Disciplines Available

• Biomedical Engineering
• Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Industrial Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Systems and Computing Engineering

Course Contents

Course Descriptions   |   Schedule of Classes

Course Registration Guide

Workload per Semester

The University recommends students to register in a minimum of 3 classes and a maximum of 4 classes if you are an undergraduate student (maximum 20.5 credits).

Additional Application Materials

Students nominated by IIE to Uniandes must also submit the following:

• Application form
• A copy of your passport
• Original transcripts
• A list of the courses you are taking at the moment and the ones you would like to take at Universidad de los Andes.
• An essay in Spanish explaining the reasons why you want to study at Universidad de los Andes
• Two pictures (3cmx4cm White background)

Recommendation letter from a professor or academic staff:

• NOT Required

Admission will be confirmed by November 15 and June 1 depending on the semester of studies. Students will receive the acceptance letter by email.

Housing

Housing is available to exchange students. Torre Seneca is a 26-story tower, located in front of the Universidad de Los Andes, which offers 628 rooms distributed in apartments of 1, 2 and 4 rooms.

Estimated Cost of Living

Living expenses

between 800 – 1300 dollars per month according to their living standards

(Colombian pesos: 1.500.000 – 2.500.000)

Housing

Apartment 20-70 sq m $700.000 -$1.500.000 Per month

Public bus ticket One way $2.200  

Local transportation 

Transmilenio ticket One way $2.400

Taxi One way $4.500 - $25.000

Food/meals

Within campus:

Coca cola $2.500, Sandwich $8.500, Lunch $13.000

Outside campus

Coca cola $1.500, Sandwich $6.500, Lunch $9.000

At a restaurant

Coca cola $3.000, Personal Pizza $12.000, Hamburger $15.000

Dinner 2 people $30.000 - $100.000

Personal expenses

Cinema ticket 1 person $6.000 - $18.000

Going out to party 2 people $30.000 - $150.000

Draft Beer Pitcher $15.000 - $30.000

Concert ticket 1 person $0 - $120.000

Academic expenses (e.g., books, stationery) – 400.000 per semester

Other administrative fees 

PID renewal: 95.000

Cedula de extranjeria: 160.000

Contact

Office Responsible for International Exchange Students

Office of International Affairs   |   oiamobility@uniandes.edu.co

City Info

Bogota-dc   |   Bogota.gov   |   Yo creo en Colombia   |   Colombia

Bogotá, the capital of the Republic of Colombia, was founded on August 6, 1538 by Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada. Today it has 6,865,997 inhabitants, urban sprawl approximately 35 square kilometers and is located to the east of the Sabana de Bogotá at a height of 2,630 meters above sea level. The geographical coordinates of the city are: North Latitude West Longitude 4th 35'56''57 Greenwich 74 ° 04'51''30.

The city is divided into four zones: Central, North, South and West. In the center, running from lane 5 to 34 races between 1 and 14, area is the University of the Andes in exactly the central-eastern part where Monserrate and Guadalupe hills are.

These two landforms besides limiting the campus, are a reference to settle in the city, characterized by having their streets perpendicular to the hills (east-west), while careers are parallel to these (south- north).

In the downtown area are also the major political and administrative offices in Bogota and Colombia, as well as sites of cultural and historical interest. The northern area combines residential and commercial buildings, which house banks and shopping centers. The southern area is industrial and residential. In the west there are state institutions, residential and industrial areas as well as the El Dorado International Airport and Terminal Transport (land).

Climate

The average temperature of the city is 14 ° C and ranges from 9 ° C and 22 ° C. This is reflected in the constant temperature changes in a day. The region has dry and rainy seasons. The driest months are January, February, March and December. The rainiest months are April, May, September, October and November.

What to wear?

Due to variations in climate, it is recommended to wear comfortable and warm clothing that in case of temperature rise can be stored easily. Umbrellas are advised during the rainy season, as rains can be heavy.