Universities in Fiji

Fiji's universities serve students from Fiji and from other Pacific Island countries, and they are open to international students from further away. According to Fiji's Ministry of Immigration, programmes range from marine biology to tourism management, which makes the country a natural choice for subjects linked to the environment, the ocean and sustainability.

Both universities listed on SpainExchange in Fiji are in the capital, Suva. The University of the South Pacific (USP) is a regional university owned jointly by the governments of several Pacific Island countries; its main campus, Laucala, is in Suva. Fiji National University's School of Medicine trains doctors, nurses and other health professionals for the region.

How studies are organised

Universities in Fiji offer undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, and each university sets its own admission rules, entry routes, language requirements and academic calendar. Check the programme page and admission conditions of the university you are interested in, and ask its international office which documents it needs for the student permit.

Admission and student permit

International students apply directly to the university. Once accepted, they need a student permit from Fiji's Ministry of Immigration, which authorises foreigners to study at secondary, tertiary and vocational institutions and universities. The main points:

• applications are lodged online through the Immi Hub portal
• international students must apply while they are outside Fiji
• the permit is valid for one to three years
• documents include an acceptance letter from the institution for the current academic year, a medical report less than three months old and police reports from countries where the applicant has lived for 12 months or more in the last 10 years
• self-sponsored students show a financial statement from their sponsor and a confirmed return ticket
• documents that are not in English must be translated and notarised in the applicant's country of residence

The base fee for international students is FJD 321, paid once the permit is approved. Citizens of visa-exempt countries do not need a Fiji visa to enter, but they still need the right permit for the purpose of their stay. For a short course, students can request an authority to study while on a visitor's permit, for a maximum of 12 weeks from arrival, with a letter of acceptance from the institution.

Costs and funding

Tuition fees are set by each university. Many Pacific students study in Fiji on government scholarships: the student permit checklist lists scholarship awards from Tuvalu, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Tokelau and Kiribati, and sponsorship from Australian and New Zealand aid programmes. Students from outside the region usually pay their own way, so ask the university for the current international fee in writing and include living costs in Suva in your budget.

How to choose

• Field of study: marine science, environment and tourism, or health sciences and medicine
• Type of study: full degree, a semester abroad or a short course
• Permit: a student permit for a degree, or an authority to study for courses of up to 12 weeks
• Costs: international tuition fees, permit fees and living costs

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit to study at a university in Fiji?

Yes. International students need a student permit from the Ministry of Immigration, applied for online through Immi Hub while outside Fiji. It is valid for one to three years.

How much does a Fiji student permit cost?

The base fee for international students is FJD 321, paid after the permit is approved. Online payment service fees are added.

Can I take a short course in Fiji without a student permit?

For study of up to 12 weeks from arrival, the Ministry of Immigration can grant an authority to study while on a visitor's permit. You need a letter of acceptance from the institution and evidence of sufficient funds.

Which universities in Fiji are listed on SpainExchange?

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