Study and find schools in Trinidad and Tobago

Studying in Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago is a two-island republic in the southern Caribbean. English is the language of daily life and of teaching, which makes the country an option both for Caribbean students who want a university degree close to home and for Latin American students who want to learn English. Its largest higher-education institution is the St. Augustine campus of The University of the West Indies (UWI).

Quality is overseen by the Accreditation Council of Trinidad and Tobago (ACTT), which keeps public lists of accredited and registered institutions. Checking those lists is the first step before you enrol anywhere.

The education system

Tertiary education covers certificates, diplomas, associate degrees, bachelor's and postgraduate degrees. The government's ttconnect portal highlights three institutions:

• The University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine, offering undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in many disciplines
• The University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT), focused on engineering, business and applied sciences
• COSTAATT, the College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago, with career-focused programmes

The UWI is one university with five campuses across the Caribbean, and St. Augustine serves 17 countries of the Commonwealth Caribbean. The campus offers more than 200 programmes in 8 faculties and 38 departments and research centres; its Faculty of Food and Agriculture is the only one in the UWI network. According to the ACTT list updated on 28 September 2026, accredited institutions include the UWI, UTT, COSTAATT and the University of the Southern Caribbean (USC). The ACTT notes that candidacy for accreditation is not the same as accreditation.

University admission in the region is based on the Caribbean secondary-school exams, CSEC and CAPE. Alongside the universities, language schools teach English as a second language, for example to students from Latin America.

Admission and recognition

Students apply directly to each institution. At UWI St. Augustine, applications for certificates, diplomas and bachelor's degrees are made online, and the campus publishes a separate checklist for international students. Its "No CAPE? No Problem!" route allows entry to some certificate, diploma and degree programmes with five CSEC passes, an associate degree, professional qualifications or experience. Applicants with other school-leaving qualifications should ask the admissions office how their diploma is assessed.

The ACTT also assesses foreign qualifications: a Statement on Equivalence tells you the local equivalent of your qualification and can help with credit transfer, further study or employment. Processing takes at least 20 working days, and the fee is TT$400 per qualification.

Student visa and residence

Foreign nationals accepted into full-time academic 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 a designated learning institution. The permit fee is TTD 100 for CARICOM nationals and TTD 200 for other nationals. Students from countries that need a visa may also need an eVisa to enter (fee TTD 400), which is designed for short visits. Information checked October 2026; confirm the rules for your nationality with the Immigration Division.

Costs and funding

UWI St. Augustine publishes its undergraduate and postgraduate tuition and other fees, including hall fees, on its website, so check the current schedule for your programme before you apply. GATE, the Government Assistance for Tuition Expenses Programme, is managed by the Funding and Grants Administration Division of the Ministry of Education and includes a means test; international students should check whether they are eligible before counting on it.

For English courses, prices are set by each school. Langdons Language Institute in Chaguanas, for example, lists a four-week intensive programme at US$1,575, including accommodation and programme services.

Where to study

St. Augustine is the main student town because of the UWI campus. The campus also runs the Centre for Language Learning (CLL), which teaches English as a second language to international students and has done so for more than twenty years, along with courses in Mandarin Chinese, French, German, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish and Yoruba. Chaguanas is home to Langdons Language Institute, which states that more than 7,400 students from Venezuela, Colombia, Argentina, Panama and other countries have completed its programmes since 1998.

Culture and practical life

Ask your institution about housing before you arrive: UWI St. Augustine has a student accommodation office that deals with both on-campus and off-campus housing, and Langdons includes accommodation and airport pick-up in its programmes. Arrange health insurance before you travel, and keep your acceptance letter and student permit with you, as they are needed for most formalities. UWI St. Augustine's campus life is described by the university as cosmopolitan, with students from across the Caribbean.

Frequently asked questions

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

Yes, foreign nationals accepted into full-time academic programmes need a student permit from the Immigration Division. You apply online with your passport and acceptance letter.

Which universities are accredited?

The ACTT publishes the current list. In September 2026 it included The University of the West Indies, the University of Trinidad and Tobago, COSTAATT and the University of the Southern Caribbean, among others.

Is Trinidad and Tobago a good place to learn English?

English is the language of daily life and teaching. Language schools and UWI's Centre for Language Learning run English as a second language courses for international students.

How can I get a foreign qualification recognised?

Apply to the ACTT for a Statement on Equivalence. It takes at least 20 working days and costs TT$400 per qualification.