SVGCC is the main local provider and has been a statutory autonomous college since 2005. Its four divisions cover Arts, Sciences and General Studies; Technical and Vocational Education; Teacher Education; and Nursing Education. Programmes include associate degrees in business, information technology, psychology, fine arts, sports science and general studies; technical programmes in areas such as construction, automotive repair, accounting, culinary arts, hospitality, ICT, tourism and welding; teacher education degrees; and nursing programmes. SVGCC associate and technical programmes typically last two years, while full-time teacher education usually lasts two years. Registered Nursing lasts three years, midwifery takes 12 months after nursing training, and nursing assistant training takes 18 months. The UWI Global Campus has a local site in Kingstown and offers regional associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, education degrees, diplomas and certificates through online or blended study; its programme range can change. SVGCC hosts a UWI Mona franchise BSc Nursing programme lasting four years. The UWI Cave Hill and SVGCC partnership offers an MSc Nursing programme lasting two years and comprising 17 courses. In 2023/24, SVGCC reported 2,040 students, the local UWI Global Campus site reported 1,086, and 304 Vincentian students attended UWI St. Augustine or Mona. Entry requirements depend on the institution and programme. SVGCC associate and technical programmes generally require at least five CSEC General Proficiency passes at Grades I to III, including English A. Certificate programmes generally require at least four CSEC passes, including English A. Teacher education adds subject-specific requirements, while nursing programmes use health- and programme-specific selection. UWI generally requires at least five CSEC or GCE passes, including English, and some programmes also require Mathematics. Applicants over 21 may qualify through mature entry. Applications are submitted online; the SVGCC application fee is EC$20 and the UWI application fee is US$15. BSc Nursing applicants through UWI Mona apply online, attend an interview and pay an EC$25 document fee. The CAPPS access programme at SVGCC lasts one academic year over two semesters. It accepts applicants with at least three CSEC passes or two CSEC passes plus two CCSLC passes, and normally requires a GPA of at least 2.65 for placement into Arts, Sciences and General Studies or Technical and Vocational Education. CAPPS prepares students for entry but does not award its own higher-education degree. Published 2025 SVGCC tuition for the first year of many Arts, Sciences and General Studies or technical programmes ranges from about EC$630 to EC$1,010. The second year commonly costs about EC$400 to EC$480, with published approximate totals of EC$1,030 to EC$1,490 for associate applied science programmes and EC$890 to EC$1,010 for certificates. Books, other charges and possible laboratory or CAPE fees are additional. UWI regional fees for 2026/27 are charged in US dollars by semester; they can include tuition and examinations and sometimes learning materials, while books, identification, Guild, technology, Pelican Perk and administrative charges may remain separate. UWI fees can change and payment plans may be available. Funding may include the Ministry of Higher Education Economically Disadvantaged Student Loan Programme for 2026/27. In 2023/24, the reported awards included 32 National Scholarships covering five years of UWI study, 21 Exhibition Scholarships covering three years of UWI study and 49 bursaries of EC$25,000 per year for up to three years. A 2026 Registered Nursing stipend provides EC$1,000 per month for approximately three years and three months, subject to the applicable agreement. The Further and Higher Education (Accreditation) Act 2006, Act 35, provides the legal framework for accreditation. NAB registers and accredits tertiary institutions and programmes and can deregister them. Its Accreditation Unit provides status and authenticity information. The Ministry of Education and the Department of Post-secondary and Higher Education, together with the Ministry of Higher Education, guide and finance parts of the system, while the SVGCC Board regulates institutional admission. Check the current NAB status and the institution's current admission, fee and funding information before applying. SVGCC awards associate degrees, associate degrees in applied science, associate degrees in education and certificates. A UWI associate degree with at least a 2.5 GPA may allow entry to Level 2 of a relevant bachelor's degree, subject to programme rules. Nursing graduates may need a recommendation for the General Nursing Council examination or regional registration. Bachelor's and master's degrees can support further academic or professional study. Primary and secondary schooling, standalone short courses and initial vocational training outside a recognized tertiary programme are separate areas; CAPE and CAPPS belong here only as access or transition pathways.
Study in St Vincent and Grenadines
Tertiary education in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines means recognized post-secondary study at institutions such as St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College (SVGCC) and University of the West Indies (UWI) providers. Available pathways include certificates, associate degrees, teacher and nursing education, bachelor's degrees and master's degrees. The National Accreditation Board (NAB) provides the main check for institutional and programme status.
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