Revenue - Schedule of Revenue by Segment (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	$ (3,350,224)
Concentration risk, Percent of net revenues	100.00%
Tuition and educational services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	$ (3,895,773)
Concentration risk, Percent of net revenues	116.00%
Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	$ (253,331)
Concentration risk, Percent of net revenues	8.00%
Gross revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	$ (4,149,104)
Concentration risk, Percent of net revenues	124.00%
Less: Discounts / waivers / scholarships
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	$ (798,880)
Concentration risk, Percent of net revenues	(24.00%)
Operating Segments | Brazil
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	$ (654,300)
Operating Segments | Brazil | Tuition and educational services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	(1,024,019)
Operating Segments | Brazil | Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	(11,585)
Operating Segments | Brazil | Gross revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	(1,035,604)
Operating Segments | Brazil | Less: Discounts / waivers / scholarships
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	(381,304)
Operating Segments | Mexico
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	(646,134)
Operating Segments | Mexico | Tuition and educational services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	(701,223)
Operating Segments | Mexico | Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	(99,015)
Operating Segments | Mexico | Gross revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	(800,238)
Operating Segments | Mexico | Less: Discounts / waivers / scholarships
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	(154,104)
Operating Segments | Andean
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	(1,155,691)
Operating Segments | Andean | Tuition and educational services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	(1,202,944)
Operating Segments | Andean | Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	(85,519)
Operating Segments | Andean | Gross revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	(1,288,463)
Operating Segments | Andean | Less: Discounts / waivers / scholarships
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	(132,772)
Operating Segments | Rest of World
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	(238,006)
Operating Segments | Rest of World | Tuition and educational services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	(243,939)
Operating Segments | Rest of World | Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	(10,846)
Operating Segments | Rest of World | Gross revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	(254,785)
Operating Segments | Rest of World | Less: Discounts / waivers / scholarships
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	(16,779)
Operating Segments | Online & Partnerships
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	(664,226)
Operating Segments | Online & Partnerships | Tuition and educational services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	(723,648)
Operating Segments | Online & Partnerships | Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	(54,499)
Operating Segments | Online & Partnerships | Gross revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	(778,147)
Operating Segments | Online & Partnerships | Less: Discounts / waivers / scholarships
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	(113,921)
Corporate
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	8,133
Corporate | Tuition and educational services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	0
Corporate | Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	8,133
Corporate | Gross revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	8,133
Corporate | Less: Discounts / waivers / scholarships
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 0