Study and find schools in Fiji

Studying in Fiji

Fiji is an island nation in the South Pacific and a former British colony, where English is an official language and is widely used in education, business, government and daily life. For international students it has two main attractions: affordable English courses in a country where English is spoken every day, and regional universities that serve students from across the Pacific islands.

Our directory lists three schools in Fiji: two universities in the capital, Suva, and an English language school in Nadi, where the country's international airport is.

The education system

Higher education in Fiji is small and has a strong regional role. The University of the South Pacific (USP), with its main campus in Suva, is a regional university shared by several Pacific island countries. Fiji National University (FNU) is the national university; its medicine and health sciences programmes train doctors, nurses and other health professionals for Fiji and the wider region. According to the Fijian Ministry of Immigration, institutions in Fiji offer a wide range of programmes, from marine biology to tourism management, which makes the country of particular interest for environmental sciences, sustainability and tourism.

Alongside the universities, private English language schools teach international students, many of them from Asia. Free Bird Institute, which has operated since 2004, states that it opened Fiji's first English language school and that more than 36,000 students have studied there, from over 34 countries and regions, including students from Europe and South America. It uses a Cambridge-developed curriculum with seven proficiency levels, from starter to business English.

Admission and recognition

Each university sets its own admission requirements. Contact the admissions office of USP or FNU for entry requirements for international applicants and for the recognition of your previous studies. Language schools place new students by level and accept beginners.

If you plan to use a qualification from Fiji in Spain or Latin America, check your own country's recognition procedure first. Short English courses at a private language school lead to a school certificate, not to an official qualification.

Visas and student permits

Fiji's Ministry of Immigration issues several permits for study and training:

• a student permit to study at a secondary, tertiary or vocational institution or a university
• an internship or training attachment permit for an internship or training at an approved institution or organisation
• a research permit for research at a local university or as part of professional or educational requirements

Citizens of many countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay, do not need a visa to travel to Fiji, but the ministry stresses that they still need the right permit for the purpose of their stay. According to the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (advice valid on 7 October 2026), Spanish citizens need no visa for tourism and receive a permit to stay for up to four months on arrival, provided they show a return or onward ticket; the passport must be valid for six months after the planned departure. If you need to stay longer, contact the Fijian authorities at least a month before your permit expires: overstaying can lead to deportation.

Costs

The currency is the Fiji dollar (FJD), which is not convertible, so it is hard to obtain outside Fiji. Card payments are common in towns, but most shops add a surcharge of 2% to 5%. Language schools publish their own prices: Free Bird Institute lists tuition of $250 per week for courses of up to 12 weeks, $200 per week for 12 to 24 weeks and $175 per week for longer courses, plus a $250 enrolment fee, with homestays from $25 per night (its page does not state the currency). University fees for international students are set by each university; ask its international office. No official source gives typical student living costs.

Where to study

• Suva, the capital, is home to the University of the South Pacific and the Fiji National University School of Medicine
• Nadi, home to the international airport, is also home to Free Bird Institute, which offers homestays with local families as well as dormitory rooms

Culture and practical life

• Climate and natural hazards: the cyclone season runs from November to April, and Fiji lies in an earthquake and tsunami zone; follow the instructions of local authorities
• Health: health care is limited, and serious cases are transferred to Australia or New Zealand, so take out broad health insurance that covers repatriation. There have been local outbreaks of dengue, leptospirosis and measles, mostly from December to April, the rainy season
• Safety: thefts from foreigners have increased, especially at night in towns; avoid unlit areas and outlying districts of Suva and Nadi after dark
• Arrival rules: biosecurity controls are strict: plants, animals and fresh food may not be brought in, and a false arrival declaration can mean an on-the-spot fine of up to FJD 400. Drug laws are severe; possession of any amount of cannabis carries an automatic three-month prison sentence
• Getting around: traffic drives on the left; use registered taxis with yellow number plates
• Consular help: Spain covers Fiji from its embassy in Wellington, New Zealand

Frequently asked questions

Is Fiji a good place to learn English?

English is an official language and is used every day in education, business and daily life, so you can practise outside class. Language schools such as Free Bird Institute offer courses at several levels with homestays.

Do I need a visa to study in Fiji?

Many nationalities, including Spanish and most Latin American citizens, do not need a visa to enter Fiji, but you need a student permit from the Ministry of Immigration to study at a local institution.

Which universities in Fiji are in your directory?

The University of the South Pacific and the Fiji National University School of Medicine, both in Suva.

When is the best time to go to Fiji?

The cyclone season runs from November to April, and mosquito-borne diseases are most common from December to April, so plan your arrival with this in mind and check the weather warnings.