Andalas University, the oldest university outside of Java and the fourth oldest in Indonesia, was established by the Decree of the Minister of Education and Culture, no. 80016/Kab; December 23, 1955.

The University was officially opened by the four founders, along with Drs. Mohammad Hatta, and the Minister of Education and Culture, Sarino Mangoenpranoto on September 13, 1956.

In its early years, the university has 5 faculties: Faculty of Agriculture in Payakumbuh, Faculty of Medicine and Science in Bukittinggi, Faculty of Law at the Padang, and the Faculty of Teacher Education in Batusangkar.

Faculty of Economics and Faculty of Animal Husbandry was established in Padang in 1961 and 1963, respectively, following the five other faculty. In 1965, the Faculty of Education Master's separated and became IKIP Padang.

Until now, Andalas University have programs below:

Diploma (Non Degree)
Consists of 3 courses namely:

* Economy
* Technique
* Agriculture

Undergraduate Program (S1)
Consisting of nine faculties, namely:

* Faculty of Agriculture
* Faculty of Medicine
* Faculty of Science
* Faculty of Law
* Faculty of Economics
* Faculty of Animal Husbandry
* Faculty of Letters
* Faculty of Engineering
* Faculty Isipol

Graduate Program
It offers 12 programs of study are:

* Agronomy
* Regional and Rural Area Development
* Soil Science
* Animal Science
* Entomology and Phytophatology
* Planning and Development
* Biology
* Chemistry
* Environmental Science
* Technology of Agricultural Industry
* Legal
* Management

And doctoral programs in:

* Agricultural Technology.