Study in Fiji

Higher education in Fiji operates under the Higher Education Act 2008. The Fiji Higher Education Commission, known as FHEC, registers and regulates higher-education institutions, maintains the institution register, sets national qualification standards and oversees programme quality assurance. The Fiji Qualifications Framework aligns qualifications with Australian and New Zealand frameworks. Recognised awards include Certificates, Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas, Associate Degrees, Bachelor's degrees, Postgraduate Certificates and Diplomas, Master's degrees and PhDs. The main providers include Fiji National University (FNU), The University of the South Pacific (USP) and the University of Fiji (UniFiji). FNU offers certificates, diplomas, bachelor's, postgraduate and research programmes. Its TVET certificates and trade diplomas primarily belong to vocational education rather than tertiary study. USP is a regional university with campuses and access points in Laucala, Lautoka and Labasa, as well as flexible and online study. UniFiji operates in Saweni and Suva and offers certificates, diplomas, bachelor's and postgraduate programmes. Other providers may also operate in Fiji, so the institution's FHEC status and the programme's recognition should be checked. A usual admission path requires Fiji Year 13 or Form 7, or an accepted equivalent. Requirements differ by programme. For example, USP's 2026 degree entry includes an aggregate of at least 200 out of 400, at least 50% in English and the required results in the best three subjects. USP also offers foundation, unclassified foundation and skills-based pathways. UniFiji may consider Year 13 or an equivalent qualification, a recognised diploma or degree, foundation study or a mature-admission option. Mature admission usually requires the applicant to be over 21 and to provide academic or work evidence. FNU uses online applications and certified documents, with separate forms for undergraduate, postgraduate and higher-degree research study. Medicine, nursing, health and engineering programmes may have quotas or additional selection requirements. A final offer letter is needed for a Tertiary Scholarships and Loans Service application. Students can study face-to-face, through blended or online delivery, or through print and other flexible modes. Enrolment and registration normally take place each academic term. At USP, one credit represents about 25 to 30 hours of learning, a typical undergraduate course runs for about 18 weeks and a full-time bachelor's load is usually 30 credits per semester or 60 credits per academic year. Award requirements vary: USP lists minimum structures of 45 credits for a Certificate, 60 for a Diploma, 180, 240 or 300 for three-, four- or five-year bachelor's pathways, 30 for a Postgraduate Certificate, 60 for a Postgraduate Diploma, 120 normally for a Master's degree and 180 for a PhD. Progression depends on completed credits, prerequisites and institutional pass rules. Diploma-to-degree credit transfer and UniFiji's Unclassified Studies bridging option depend on programme conditions. Costs vary by provider and programme. FNU's 2026 general registration charge, including enrolment, sports and student fees, is FJ$73 per semester, FJ$48.66 per trimester or FJ$36.50 per quarter, before tuition. USP examples for 100-level undergraduate courses range from FJ$500 to FJ$785 per course, while UniFiji examples for local and Pacific students range from FJ$462 to FJ$517 at 100 level and FJ$704 to FJ$792 for selected 200-level courses. Levies, materials, accommodation, transport, fieldwork, late fees and administrative charges can increase the total. Institution calendars differ; UniFiji normally starts Semester 1 in February and Semester 2 in July, while USP courses generally run for 18 weeks. Programme closing dates, late-registration charges and withdrawal or refund deadlines affect the actual cost. The Tertiary Scholarships and Loans Service, or TSLS, administers 2026 merit-based, minimum-cutoff, equity, special-needs, hardship, in-service, research-postgraduate and grant schemes. Eligibility commonly requires Fiji citizenship and ordinary residence, but each scheme also sets its own academic, income, discipline, institution and document conditions. Support may cover tuition and scheme-specific allowances. A scholarship or loan agreement can create bonding, reporting, progression, repayment or service duties. Unpaid fees can restrict registration or access to facilities, and academic integrity, accurate records, conduct and withdrawal deadlines remain the student's responsibility. After a recognised award, a graduate may enter employment, pursue further study or seek credit transfer. Regulated professions can require separate registration or licensing, and a qualification does not create a blanket entitlement to employment. The current FHEC register, institution handbook, offer letter, fee schedule and TSLS policy provide the controlling details because thresholds, calendars, fees, credit-transfer rules and funding entitlements are programme-specific and revised periodically.