Universities in Belize

Belize is a small country on the Caribbean coast of Central America and, as the University of Belize School of Medicine points out, the only country in Central America where English is the official language. For international students this means a university education taught in English in a Central American and Caribbean setting.

The university sector is small. The University of Belize (UB) is the national university, and a few other institutions, such as the independent Galen University, also award degrees. SpainExchange currently lists one university in Belize: the University of Belize, based in Belmopan.

The University of Belize

UB's central campus is on Hummingbird Avenue in Belmopan, the capital, and the university also has campuses in Belize City, Central Farm and Punta Gorda. Teaching is organised in four faculties: Education and Arts, Health Sciences, Management and Social Sciences, and Science and Technology. Departments range from agriculture, nursing and allied health to business, criminology, engineering, social work and tourism. At graduate level UB offers master's programmes in business administration, educational leadership and philosophy.

The University of Belize School of Medicine (UBSoM) describes itself as the first medical school of its kind in Belize. Its Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) covers the pre-clinical sciences in years 1 to 2.5 and clinical rotations from year 2.5 to year 5, and clinical training takes place in Belize.

Other universities

Galen University, founded in 2003, presents itself as Belize's first independent university. It offers bachelor's degrees in fields such as anthropology, computer science, business administration and education, master's programmes including an MBA, and online study through Galen Online.

Degrees and qualifications

Belizean universities award associate degrees, bachelor's degrees and master's degrees. Associate degrees are short undergraduate qualifications that can lead on to a bachelor's degree: at UB, for example, the Associate Degree in Pre-Medical Sciences is one of the routes into medicine.

Admission for international students

Each university sets its own entry requirements, and Caribbean qualifications such as GCE A Levels and CAPE are common reference points. Medicine shows what a selective programme asks for. UBSoM requires either a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 in an associate degree in pre-medical sciences or a bachelor's degree in biology or chemistry, or passes in GCE A Level or CAPE in the sciences, or international equivalents. Applicants also submit QESE or MCAT scores (a QESE score of at least 320; an MCAT score of 500 is recommended), transcripts, letters of recommendation, a personal statement and, if necessary, an English language test score.

Student permit

According to the Belize immigration department, anyone who wants to study in Belize must obtain a valid student permit before the school year or semester begins. For tertiary students the permit is issued for one semester. The fees, in effect since 1 May 2020, are:

• BZ$200 per semester for most nationalities
• BZ$750 for nationals of India, Nepal, Thailand, Burma, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka
• BZ$3,000 for nationals of the People's Republic of China

Applications are made in person at an immigration office. The file includes a letter from the institution stating the programme and the duration of study, a letter of financial support, a valid passport, photographs and a birth certificate. Tertiary students from outside the Caribbean region must also show a one-year return ticket, and every document not in English must be translated.

Costs and funding

Fees vary by institution and programme, so check the current fee table before applying. As an example, the fee table published by UBSoM gives a total cost of attendance of US$38,700 per academic year for international students, of which US$29,600 is tuition; the rest covers administrative, laboratory and technology fees, health insurance and books. UBSoM awards academic scholarships on the result of its entrance and scholarship exam (QESE), from a 25% to a 100% tuition waiver. UB also lists sports scholarships, an ESL scholarship programme, loans and payment plans.

How to choose

• Level of study: check whether the programme you want exists at associate, bachelor's or master's level
• Campus: Belmopan, Belize City, Central Farm and Punta Gorda offer very different settings
• Mode of study: on campus or online
• Recognition: ask how your home country recognises the degree, especially for regulated professions such as medicine and nursing
• Total cost: tuition, fees, insurance, the student permit and travel

Frequently asked questions

Are university courses in Belize taught in English?

Yes. English is the official language of Belize, and the University of Belize teaches in English.

Do I need a permit to study at a university in Belize?

Yes. Foreign students need a student permit before the semester starts. For university students it is issued per semester and costs BZ$200 for most nationalities (fees in effect since 1 May 2020).

How much does it cost to study medicine at the University of Belize?

The UBSoM fee table gives a total of US$38,700 per academic year for international students, including US$29,600 tuition. Scholarships of 25% to 100% of tuition are awarded on the QESE exam.

Where is the University of Belize?

Its central campus is in Belmopan, and it has further campuses in Belize City, Central Farm and Punta Gorda.