Catalan, English and French at the University of Andorra

Fee figures: catalogue of 6 October 2026.

The catalogue lists Catalan and English as languages for the on-campus bachelor's programmes at the Universitat d'Andorra (UdA), and French as well for the education degree. That can mislead. The university itself says its studies are taught in Catalan, with some programmes offered in English and, in the case of the education degree, French. This guide sets out what the UdA actually states about each language.

Catalan: required for a regulated degree

The UdA says students who want to take a regulated degree there must know Catalan, the official language of Andorra. Most bachelor's degrees are taught mainly in Catalan. The university adds that speakers of Romance languages such as Spanish, French, Italian or Portuguese will find Catalan easier to learn.

The pages we read do not set an entry certificate or a CEFR level for Catalan. What they do say:

International students get language support, learning resources and information about the free Catalan courses offered in Andorra through the International Programmes Service.
During the first year the university does what it can to help students who do not speak Catalan, and allows international students to speak and write in other languages in that year.
The only teaching language of the virtual degrees run with the Open University of Catalonia (UOC) is Catalan.

The UdA runs official Catalan language tests at level B2 and level C1, listed under its continuing education. The pages we read do not say they are an admission requirement, so treat them as optional unless the university tells you otherwise. If you have no Catalan, ask the International Programmes Service what level it advises before you commit.

English

The UdA recommends a B1 level of English on entry, according to the Common European Framework of Reference. The reason it gives is that English subjects in the degrees start at B2.1. It recommends the level because some subjects are taught in English. If you do not have B1, the university offers complementary English courses to reach it.

The amount of English varies by degree. In nursing, the programme page states five ECTS credits taught in English. For semester-mobility students, the UdA lists English-taught courses in nursing, business, computing and education. Do not assume you can complete the degree in English. For a general explanation of the levels, see CEFR levels for university.

French

The UdA recommends B1 French on entry for two degrees: the education degree and nursing. If you do not have the level, it offers complementary French courses. The education degree also uses French for some courses, alongside Catalan and English.

Nursing goes further. When applications exceed the 35 places, 25% of the ranking comes from a UdA French test, so French is part of the selection there. See studying nursing in Andorra.

Preparatory and support courses

The UdA offers optional preparatory courses for new students, aimed at those from fields less related to their degree and at students who need extra help to reach the recommended English or French level. The courses currently listed are:

computational mathematics support
mathematical foundations for business support
introduction to human anatomy and physiology
introduction to biostatistics
introduction to biochemistry
introduction to Python programming for data analytics
effective study techniques for university students

The page gives no dates or fees, and says the offer will be updated over time.

What to do before you apply

Decide how much Catalan you can learn before classes start, and ask the International Programmes Service about free courses.
Check your English and French against the B1 recommendations.
For nursing, prepare for the French test and the anatomy and physiology test.
Remember that classes for the bachelor's degrees are held between 8:30 and 17:00 on weekdays, mostly in the mornings, according to the UdA's FAQ. Language courses have to fit around that.

Where to look next

Official sources

Always check current information on the official website of the university before you apply.