Universities in Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea has a small university sector, taught in English and mainly serving Papua New Guinean and Pacific Island students. Higher and technical education is coordinated by the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST), which lists seven partner universities: 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.

Some universities are state institutions, others are run by churches. The University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) was created by an ordinance of the House of Assembly in 1965. Divine Word University (DWU) in Madang, the university in our directory, is a Catholic foundation that describes itself as organised and managed as a public university but privately administered.

How it works

DHERST is responsible for quality assurance: it runs the National Qualification Framework, registers institutions and accredits programmes, and keeps a register of higher-education institutions. Checking that a university and its programme appear there is the first step for any applicant.

Universities award diplomas and bachelor's degrees at undergraduate level, followed by honours years, postgraduate diplomas, master's degrees and doctorates. At DWU, for example, a Diploma in General Nursing takes three years, a Bachelor of Nursing four years and a Master of Leadership in Development two years, and research degrees include the PhD and the MPhil. At UPNG, a good bachelor's degree gives access to a bachelor (honours), a postgraduate diploma or a master's programme. The academic year follows the calendar year: new UPNG postgraduate students usually register in February.

DWU grew out of Divine Word High School, founded in Madang in 1968 by the Society of the Divine Word and the Holy Spirit Sisters, and received full university status in 1996. It now teaches at campuses in Madang, Port Moresby, Wewak, Rabaul and Mount Hagen.

Admission

Papua New Guinean school leavers apply through DHERST's online system after Grade 12. International applicants apply directly to the university. At UPNG, non-nationals, including South Pacific Islanders, may apply for undergraduate programmes, but admission depends on places within a quota reserved for overseas students; competition is high and priority goes to applicants with higher grades. Grade 12 students from other Pacific countries such as Solomon Islands use the normal enrolment application. At DWU, entry requirements vary by programme, are published on each programme page and may change between admission cycles.

Most 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 then processed by the embassy (checked October 2026). Get a letter of offer from the university first and check the student visa requirements on the ICA site.

Costs and funding

Fees 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 also plans scholarships for new students in genuine financial hardship and states that tuition at other universities in the country is substantially higher. Government support, such as DHERST's HELP loan scheme, is aimed at Papua New Guinean students. International students should ask each university's admissions office for their own fee.

How to choose

• Registration: check the university and programme with DHERST
• Quota for overseas students: ask early how many places are open to non-nationals
• Location: Port Moresby for the capital's universities, Madang and regional towns for DWU's campuses
• Field of study: health sciences, education, business and informatics, and arts and social sciences are taught at DWU
• Accommodation and safety: ask about on-campus housing and student services before you arrive

Pacific Adventist University, another of DHERST's partner universities, is on a rural campus about 14 miles outside Port Moresby.

Frequently asked questions

How many universities are there in Papua New Guinea?

DHERST lists seven partner universities, including the University of Papua New Guinea, the University of Technology and Divine Word University.

Can international students apply to universities in Papua New Guinea?

Yes, by applying directly to the university. At UPNG, non-nationals compete for a quota of places reserved for overseas students.

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 and K9,000 for corporate-sponsored students. International students should ask each university for its fee.

How do I get a student visa for Papua New Guinea?

Visa applications are made online through the ICA at ica.gov.pg, and long-term visas are then processed by the Papua New Guinea embassy or high commission.