Study and find schools in Papua New Guinea

Studying in Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea occupies the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and many smaller islands in the south-west Pacific. English is the language of its universities. For international students it is an unusual destination: a small higher-education sector, mostly serving Papua New Guinean and Pacific Island students, with a few institutions that also accept students from further afield.

Higher and technical education is coordinated by the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST). Its partner universities are the University of Papua New Guinea, the University of Technology, Pacific Adventist University, Divine Word University, Western Pacific University, the University of Natural Resources and the Environment and IBS University.

The education system

Universities in Papua New Guinea award diplomas and bachelor's degrees at undergraduate level, then honours years, postgraduate diplomas, master's degrees and doctorates. At the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG), for example, applicants with a good bachelor's degree can apply for a bachelor (honours), a postgraduate diploma or a master's, and a good master's degree opens the way to a PhD or a DBA. New postgraduate students usually register in February.

UPNG was established by an ordinance of the House of Assembly in 1965. Some universities are run by churches. Divine Word University (DWU), the university in our directory, was founded in 1968 as Divine Word High School in Madang by the Society of the Divine Word and the Holy Spirit Sisters, became the Divine Word Institute in 1972 and received full university status in 1996. It describes itself as organised and managed as a public university but privately administered. Pacific Adventist University is on a rural campus about 14 miles outside Port Moresby.

Admission and recognition

Papua New Guinean school leavers apply through DHERST's national online system after Grade 12. International applicants usually apply directly to the university. At UPNG, non-nationals, including South Pacific Islanders, may apply for undergraduate programmes, but admission depends on the places available within a quota reserved for overseas students, competition is high and priority goes to applicants with higher grades. At DWU, admission requirements vary by programme and are published on each programme page, and they can change between admission cycles.

Student visa and residence

Apart from nationals of a short list of Pacific countries and territories who can get a visa on arrival, visitors need a visa before travelling. According to the Papua New Guinea Embassy in Washington, all visa applications are made online through the Immigration and Citizenship Service Authority (ICA) at ica.gov.pg, and long-term visas, such as those for study, are processed by the embassy after approval. Check the student visa requirements on the ICA site and with the embassy or high commission responsible for your country before you apply (checked October 2026).

Costs

Fees in Papua New Guinea are quoted in kina (K). At UPNG, compulsory undergraduate fees for most Papua New Guinean students rise from K3,585 in 2026 to K4,500 in 2027, and corporate-sponsored students pay K9,000. UPNG states that tuition fees at other universities in the country are substantially higher. Fees for international students are set separately by each university, so ask the admissions office for the current rate. Government support such as the HELP loan scheme run by DHERST is aimed at Papua New Guinean students.

Where to study

• Madang: a coastal town on the north coast and the main campus of Divine Word University, with faculties of medicine and health sciences, business and informatics, arts and social sciences, and education
• Port Moresby: the capital, with UPNG's Waigani campus, a DWU campus and Pacific Adventist University nearby
• Wewak, Rabaul and Mount Hagen: regional towns where DWU has further campuses

DWU's programmes cover subjects such as nursing and health sciences, teacher education for primary schools, business, information technology, tourism and management, and it offers research degrees including the PhD and the MPhil.

Practical life

Papua New Guinea has a tropical climate, and distances between towns are large. Students should plan housing, travel and security with their university before arrival; universities such as DWU and UPNG run student services and accommodation on campus. Health insurance and any permission to work depend on your visa, so check them with the ICA.

Frequently asked questions

In which language are university courses taught in Papua New Guinea?

University courses are taught in English, so international students do not need to learn a local language to study.

Can international students study at the University of Papua New Guinea?

Yes. Non-nationals may apply for undergraduate programmes, but places are limited to a quota reserved for overseas students and competition is high.

How much does a university degree cost in Papua New Guinea?

At UPNG, compulsory undergraduate fees for most local students are K4,500 in 2027. International students should ask each university for its own fee.

How do I apply for a visa to study in Papua New Guinea?

Visa applications are made online through the Immigration and Citizenship Service Authority (ICA), and long-term visas are then processed by the Papua New Guinea embassy or high commission.