Nauru has no separately documented national university in the available research. Its higher education provision is integrated into USP, which has one university, 14 campuses and 12 member countries, including Nauru. The USP Nauru Campus is a regional campus in Yaren with local administration under a Campus Director, while USP Council and Senate govern the university. Course codes ending in NA identify courses offered at the Nauru Campus. Study pathways include Foundation and Preliminary preparation, academic certificates and diplomas, bachelor's degrees, postgraduate certificates and diplomas, master's degrees and PhDs. Foundation Arts can prepare students for later study. Programs documented at the Nauru Campus in 2025 included the Bachelor of Agriculture, Bachelor of Law, Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws, Postgraduate Diploma in Education and Master of Laws by coursework. Pacific TAFE or TVET certificates are separate from this higher education pathway unless they form part of a recognized tertiary qualification. USP lists the Nauru QSCE as an entry qualification for Preliminary and Foundation-level study. Bachelor admission can require Year 13, Form 7 or an equivalent qualification, USP Foundation study or mature-student criteria, together with program-specific requirements. Applicants normally submit an online application or form and certified identity, qualification and transcript documents. USP's published general deadlines are 31 December for Semester 1 and 31 May for Semester 2 unless USP announces a different deadline. English and subject prerequisites may apply. Students can study face-to-face, in blended formats or through flexible print and online delivery. The 2025 Nauru Campus profile recorded 29 EFTS, meaning equivalent full-time student load, with 88% in distance study and 12% in face-to-face study; 90% of the recorded load was part-time and 10% full-time. Progression follows USP regulations. A diploma may provide a pathway into a bachelor's degree through credit transfer, and a postgraduate diploma can lead into a master's degree through the regular progression process. Coursework and examinations depend on the program. For 2026, Nauru regional fees are charged per course. Illustrative fees include AUD 430 for a general face-to-face or blended course and AUD 675 for engineering, while flexible delivery is listed at AUD 350 for general courses and AUD 580 for engineering. Foundation or Preliminary courses are listed at AUD 295 for non-science and AUD 315 for science per course. Ancillary fees, field trips, materials, travel and internet access can add to the cost. USP funding options include the Pacific Academic Excellence Award, Regional Disability Scholarship, Westpac Scholarship, postgraduate, master's and PhD scholarships and the Student Bursary. A NORI science scholarship partnership was documented for 2022/2023, but its current availability is unconfirmed. No general national tuition-free scheme has been verified. After graduation, students may seek employment, continue at USP, transfer to the Laucala or another USP campus, or apply to an external institution under that institution's admission rules. Nauru's education strategy also provides for specialized training outside Nauru. Current program availability, campus delivery, fees, intake dates and funding status should be confirmed with USP and the relevant Nauru education authority.
Study in Nauru
Higher education study in Nauru is provided mainly through the University of the South Pacific (USP), a regional university with a campus in Yaren. The USP Nauru Campus offers local, blended and distance study leading to recognized certificates, diplomas, bachelor's degrees and postgraduate qualifications. Available programs, fees, admission options and campus teaching change by intake and must be checked with USP.
Tip
Choose a program and delivery mode only after USP confirms that the course is offered at the Nauru Campus for your intake and states the current fee and admission conditions. Flexible study can reduce travel but requires reliable access to internet, materials and self-managed study time, while face-to-face or blended study may suit you when local teaching is available and regular campus contact helps. Budget the full per-course cost and do not rely on a scholarship or general fee-free study until current eligibility and award status are confirmed.

