Universities in Barbados

Barbados has a small university sector in which one regional university plays the main role. The University of the West Indies (UWI), founded in 1948, is shared by the countries of the English-speaking Caribbean, and its Cave Hill Campus, in the parish of St. Michael above Bridgetown, is the university's campus in Barbados. Teaching is in English.

SpainExchange lists one university in Barbados: The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus. The Barbados Accreditation Council's list of accredited providers also includes the American University of Barbados and the UWI Open Campus.

How the university system works

Quality assurance is the job of the Barbados Accreditation Council (BAC), set up under the Barbados Accreditation Council Act 2004. The BAC registers and accredits post-secondary and tertiary providers and publishes lists of registered and accredited institutions, which are the first thing to check before enrolling at a private provider. Institutional accreditation is granted for a maximum of seven years and is renewable.

The UWI has five campuses: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and an online Open Campus. Cave Hill grew out of a College of Arts and Sciences that opened in 1963 with 118 students. It moved to its permanent site in 1966 and became a full campus when the Faculty of Law was set up in 1970. According to the campus, it now has about 6,000 students and offers over 350 programmes in seven faculties: Culture, Creative and Performing Arts; Humanities and Education; Law; Medical Sciences; Science and Technology; Social Sciences; and Sport.

Cave Hill states that it was first granted institutional accreditation by the BAC in 2013, that this was renewed in 2019, and that its next evaluation is scheduled for 2026. Some programmes also follow specialised bodies, such as CAAM-HP for medicine and the health professions.

The academic year has two semesters. In 2026-27, Semester I teaching starts on 1 September 2026 and Semester II teaching on 18 January 2027, each followed by an examination period.

Admission for international students

International students apply for full degree and diploma programmes through the same online portal as other applicants. Entry requirements vary by faculty and programme. The usual school qualifications are the Caribbean CAPE or GCE A-Levels; applicants without them can check alternative routes, such as an associate degree, mature student entry (21 years and over), transfer or equivalent foreign qualifications. For the 2026-27 intake, undergraduate applications closed on 31 May 2026.

Applicants whose first language is not English must prove their English level. Cave Hill gives as a guide a TOEFL score of 500 on the paper-based test (82 internet-based) or an IELTS score of 6.5.

Students who only want a semester or a year in Barbados have two routes: exchange through a partner university (the application deadline is 15 April) or independent study abroad, where the home institution approves the courses and the student pays Cave Hill for the credits taken. There are also summer schools and short programmes.

Holders of foreign qualifications can ask the BAC for a Statement on Recognition or a Standard Evaluation Report that compares them with Barbadian awards. These reports are for guidance only: institutions and employers make their own decisions.

Student visa

According to the Barbados Immigration Department, a non-immigrant student must apply for a student visa before entering the island. For adults, the documents include a Certificate of Eligibility (Form H-1) completed by the school and certified by the Ministry of Education, a letter of acceptance, evidence of financial support for school, living and medical expenses, police certificates of character, proof of accommodation and an application fee of Bds $300. A provisional visa for up to four months may be issued first while the application is checked.

Costs and funding

Tuition fees are set by the University and published each year in separate booklets for undergraduate, postgraduate and international students; the current booklets on the Cave Hill fees page are for 2025-26. On top of tuition, all students pay mandatory university fees before registration, including a Guild Fee of US$60 and a Student Amenities Fee of US$480 per academic year. Exchange students pay tuition to their home university but still pay these fees.

For living costs, Cave Hill's international office estimates US$300-400 a month for a room in a shared off-campus apartment and US$15-30 a day for meals. A homestay costs about US$50 a day, including breakfast and dinner. The campus has halls of residence but no meal plans.

How to choose

• Recognition: check that the institution appears on the BAC lists of registered or accredited providers
• Study mode: full degree, exchange semester or independent study abroad
• Entry route: CAPE or A-Levels, associate degree, mature entry or foreign equivalents
• Language: all teaching is in English, so check the required TOEFL or IELTS score
• Total cost: tuition, mandatory fees, housing, meals and the visa fee

Frequently asked questions

Which universities are there in Barbados?

The main university is The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus. The Barbados Accreditation Council also lists the American University of Barbados and the UWI Open Campus as accredited providers.

Do I need a visa to study in Barbados?

A non-immigrant student must apply for a student visa before entering Barbados. The application needs, among other documents, a letter of acceptance, proof of funds and a fee of Bds $300.

Can I study in Barbados for one semester?

Yes. Cave Hill accepts exchange students from partner institutions and independent study abroad students for a semester or a year; the exchange application deadline is 15 April.

What English level do I need?

Cave Hill gives as a guide a TOEFL score of 500 on the paper-based test (82 internet-based) or an IELTS score of 6.5 for students whose first language is not English.