Universitas Andalas has managed entry admission through three channels: SNMPTN (National State for State Universities), SBMPTN (Joint Entrance Test for State Universities) and SMMPTN (Independent Entrance Test for State Universities). The prospective students can be from both science majors or social majors. There is no discrimination based on gender, religion or race.

Students who are accepted at UMSP-Unand are selected through a number of policies namely central policy and Unand policy. some of these policies include:

• The Government Policy No. 17, the Year 2010, No. 66, the Year 2010, about Education Managerial and Implementation;
• The Ministry of Education Policy No.34, The year 2010 about The Admission of New Bachelor Students, held by the Government;
• The 2013 Unand Statute concerning the Implementation of Education at various levels;
• The Unand Principal Policy No.7, the Year 2011, concerning Academic Policy in Universitas Andalas in 2011.

Academic policy Unand regulates the methods and criteria for selecting new students. New students are recruited through 3 selection paths, namely SNMPTN (30% acceptance), SBMPTN (40% acceptance), and SMMPTN (30% acceptance). High school students who consistently show high achievement have the opportunity to become prospective management students through the SNMPTN selection pathway. SBMPTN is a selection of new admissions through a national written examination. The SMMPTN is the selection of new students through independent and regional channels, including regional-based entry tests, talent-based entries, recipients of regional government scholarships, and entries for overseas students.

The Requirements in the official information of SBMPTN website states that there are eight conditions that must be met by participants:

1. Participants are high school / MA / SMK students or equivalent graduates in 2017 and 2018 must have a diploma. 
2. For high school / MA / SMK students or equivalent graduates in recent years, should have a Certificate of Graduation from Secondary Education, at least containing information of identity and the latest colour photograph, signed by the school principal and given a valid stamp
3. Participants have UTBK scores
4. Participants have adequate health so that it does not interfere with the smooth study process
5. Participants have a National Student Identification Number (NISN)
6. Participants who choose courses in arts and sports must upload their portfolios. The intended portfolio can be viewed on the official SBMPTN website. 
7. UTBK costs borne by participants and government subsidies.
8. Participants were declared not passed the SNMPTN (National Higher Education Entrance State Selection) path.