Study in Vanuatu

Vanuatu has a fragmented post-school education and training system, often called PSET. Its higher education options include the National University of Vanuatu (NUV), the University of the South Pacific (USP) Emalus Campus, Vanuatu Bilingual Higher Studies (VBHS) and programmes delivered with overseas university partners. NUV is based in Port Vila and operates under the National University of Vanuatu Act 34/2019. It teaches in English and French through areas including humanities, science and technology, education and partner university programmes. Its offerings include Certificate 4 in Education, a Diploma in Training and Assessment, a Graduate Diploma in Education, bachelor's programmes in primary, secondary and inclusive teaching, information technology, tourism and hospitality, economic and social administration, and environmental sciences. It also offers diplomas and an Advanced Diploma in Climate Resilience and Humanitarian Action and professional micro-credentials. The Economic and Social Administration programme includes online study. Many NUV bachelor's programmes run for three years and six semesters. The Economic and Social Administration programme includes an eight-week internship, while tourism includes placements of one month, two months and twenty weeks. The Environmental Sciences programme contains 24 subjects worth 13 VQA credits each, or 312 credits over three years; in 2026, only its third year is available, and a new Bachelor of Tropical Islands Environment has been announced for 2027. USP Emalus Campus in Port Vila belongs to the regional University of the South Pacific and has four provincial subcentres. It offers face-to-face, blended and flexible or distance study. Its options range from foundation and preliminary study to certificates, diplomas, bachelor's degrees, the Bachelor of Laws, postgraduate diplomas, master's degrees and PhDs. Programme areas include law, commerce, arts, science, education, economics, computing, climate change and engineering. Emalus has a particular law focus and also supports science, commerce, linguistics and arts study. VBHS operates near the Ministry of Education and Training campus and provides bilingual English- and French-language study. Its programmes include bachelor's degrees in administration and economic sciences and tourism and hospitality, as well as master's degrees in economics and social sciences, management and town planning. Degree partners include the University of New Caledonia, University of Toulouse 1 Capitole, University Toulouse 2 Jean-Jaurès, Victoria University of Wellington and Taylor's University. Admission normally depends on the programme. NUV bachelor's programmes generally require the Baccalaureate or an equivalent qualification. NUV applications can be submitted through online pre-enrolment. Typical documents include proof of identity, a birth certificate, a Baccalaureate, South Pacific Form Seven Certificate, Vanuatu University Entrance Certificate or DAEU result, the result slip, transcripts, a photograph and a curriculum vitae. NUV information technology applicants generally need secondary education or Certificate 4, at least 60% in mathematics and information technology, an entry information-technology or language test, and Language, Literacy and Numeracy Band 5. The Inclusive In-Service programme normally requires a relevant teaching diploma worth at least 240 credits or a special or inclusive education diploma; it also uses English or French and three additional subjects at 50%, with possible recognition of prior learning or credit transfer. Relevant experience can require Registrar approval. USP undergraduate admission generally uses Year 13 or Form 7, an equivalent qualification, USP Foundation or mature admission. For 2026, an applicant using a recognised Fiji Year 13 or Form 7 qualification generally needs at least 200 out of 400 total points and at least 50% in four subjects, including English. Programme-specific subjects and English requirements can add conditions. Typical USP application deadlines are 31 December of the preceding year for Semester 1 and 31 May for Semester 2; later applications incur a late fee. Study costs vary by programme, level, study mode and student status. NUV publicly lists 30,000 Vatu per course for the Climate Resilience and Humanitarian Action programme, while its other fees are not presented in one uniform public schedule. For 2026, USP undergraduate face-to-face or blended courses in Vanuatu cost approximately 19,680 to 47,495 Vatu per course, depending on level and subject. A USP undergraduate course normally lasts 18 weeks, carries 7.5 credits and requires about 25 to 30 hours of study per credit. Postgraduate courses generally carry 15 credits or multiples of 15. At Emalus, the 2026 regional postgraduate fee is 84,820 Vatu per course, the MBA fee is 103,225 Vatu per course, and a face-to-face thesis costs 296,405 Vatu per year full-time or 148,200 Vatu part-time. Additional Emalus charges include 6,000 Vatu per year for general services and 17,305 Vatu per year for health. Listed 2026 accommodation costs include 358,095 Vatu per year for a single small room and 610,823 Vatu for married accommodation. The Vanuatu Government Scholarship is handled online through the Scholarship Management Information System (SMIS). Applicants need to meet the scholarship eligibility and priority framework and also obtain admission from the institution. The Ministry of Education and Training Scholarship Office administers the process. NUV has limited institutional scholarships, and donor-funded regional or international awards include New Zealand Aid scholarships. A scholarship application does not automatically provide admission or a study place. The Vanuatu Qualifications Authority registers post-school providers, accredits courses and maintains the Vanuatu Qualifications Framework. A VQA-endorsed certificate depends on completion of an accredited course. NUV diplomas may have international recognition through partners, USP uses a regional and international degree system, and VBHS degrees are awarded through partner institutions. Recognition should therefore be checked for the specific institution, programme and award rather than assumed from the provider's name. Students coming from overseas generally need a student visa through the Department of Immigration and Passport Services. The application uses proof of admission or enrolment. The listed fee is 15,450 Vatu for applicants aged 18 or over and 5,150 Vatu for applicants under 18. Employment is limited to work connected with the study. A South Pacific Form Seven Certificate, Baccalaureate, DAEU or Vanuatu University Entrance Certificate can lead to foundation or bachelor's study; a NUV diploma can lead to an Advanced Diploma, and a bachelor's degree or Licence can lead to master's study. Doctoral study after a master's degree is mainly pursued through regional or international institutions. Bachelor programmes with internships can also lead directly towards employment.