Universities in Trinidad and Tobago

Higher education in Trinidad and Tobago is called tertiary education. The Accreditation Council of Trinidad and Tobago (ACTT) defines it as teaching and learning after secondary education that leads to awards at sub-baccalaureate, baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate level. Universities, colleges and technical institutes all belong to this sector, and English is the language of instruction.

The government's ttconnect portal lists three tertiary institutions for students: The University of the West Indies (UWI) St. Augustine, the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) and the College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago (COSTAATT). For students from Latin America, Trinidad is an English-speaking university destination close to the South American mainland.

How universities are regulated

ACTT, established under Chapter 39:06 of the laws of Trinidad and Tobago, registers and accredits post-secondary and tertiary institutions and programmes, confers institutional titles and recognises qualifications awarded by local and foreign institutions operating in the country. Two levels matter for students:

• Registration: compulsory by law for every institution that awards post-secondary or tertiary qualifications in the country; it shows that an institution has the capacity to offer quality education
• Accreditation: voluntary; the status given to an institution or programme that has been evaluated and meets or exceeds stated quality criteria

ACTT publishes the lists of registered and accredited institutions on its website. Its list of accredited institutions includes UWI, UTT, COSTAATT and the University of the Southern Caribbean (USC), among others.

The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine

UWI is a regional university that serves 17 English-speaking Caribbean territories from five campuses. It was founded in 1948 in Mona, Jamaica, as an offshoot of the University of London; the St. Augustine campus in Trinidad began in 1960, growing out of the Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture. Today St. Augustine offers more than 200 programmes across 8 faculties, including the only Faculty of Food and Agriculture in the UWI network, while the Faculty of Medical Sciences is at the nearby Mount Hope campus. Programmes lead to certificates, diplomas, bachelor's degrees and postgraduate degrees.

Admission for international students

Applicants must meet UWI's general entrance (matriculation) requirements. The document checklist asks for academic certificates such as CAPE and CSEC (both CXC) or GCE, official transcripts and, if English is not the applicant's native language, a TOEFL score of 500 (paper) or 82 (internet-based) or IELTS 6.5. For the 2026-27 academic year, UWI St. Augustine accepted applications from 5 January to 17 July 2026. Students whose home university has an exchange agreement with UWI can study at St. Augustine for up to two semesters and normally pay tuition at their home institution.

Foreign nationals accepted into full-time programmes need a student permit, issued by the Immigration Division of the Ministry of National Security. Applications are made online and require a passport valid for at least 12 months and an acceptance letter from the institution. The fee is TTD 100 for CARICOM nationals and TTD 200 for other nationals. According to UWI's guide, nationals of Spain and several other EU countries, CARICOM members except Haiti and most Commonwealth countries do not need a visa to enter; nationals of all other countries do.

Costs and funding

UWI St. Augustine charges a non-refundable application processing fee of TT$204 for non-nationals (TT$90 for nationals) and publishes its tuition fees in a separate fee booklet; fees are subject to change during a programme. The government's Government Assistance for Tuition Expenses (GATE) programme, run by the Ministry of Education, funds tuition for some undergraduate programmes and is applied for with a means test. UWI also awards scholarships and bursaries, mainly on academic merit and in some cases on financial need. Exchange students pay local costs such as housing, books and meals themselves.

How to choose a university in Trinidad and Tobago

• Status: check that the institution is registered with ACTT, and whether the institution or programme is accredited
• Type of award: certificate, diploma, bachelor's or postgraduate degree, or a programme from a foreign awarding body
• Field: agriculture, engineering, medicine and other subjects are offered at different institutions and campuses
• Study mode: full degree, semester exchange or a short summer programme
• Practicalities: student permit, accommodation and funding before arrival

Frequently asked questions

What language are university courses taught in?

English. Applicants whose native language is not English usually need a test score; UWI St. Augustine asks for TOEFL (500 paper-based or 82 internet-based) or IELTS 6.5.

How can I check that a university in Trinidad and Tobago is recognised?

ACTT publishes the lists of registered and accredited institutions on its website. Registration is compulsory for every institution offering tertiary qualifications; accreditation is voluntary and confirms quality.

Do I need a student permit to study in Trinidad and Tobago?

Yes, foreign nationals accepted into full-time academic programmes apply online for a student permit. The fee is TTD 200 for non-CARICOM nationals and TTD 100 for CARICOM nationals.

Can I study at UWI St. Augustine for one semester?

Yes, if your university has an exchange agreement with UWI you can study there for up to two semesters, usually paying tuition at your home institution.