Universities in Suriname

University education in Suriname centres on the Anton de Kom Universiteit van Suriname (AdeKUS) in Paramaribo, which describes itself as the highest level of academic education in the country. Its campus is at Leysweg 86 in the capital. Programmes follow a bachelor's and master's structure with ECTS credits, and the university's information, regulations and admission requirements are published in Dutch.

The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture (Ministerie van Onderwijs, Wetenschap en Cultuur, MinOWC) plays a direct role: together with the university board it sets the registration fee each year, and it issues the yearly decree that limits places in some programmes.

How it works

AdeKUS is organised in faculties of humanities, law, social sciences, medical sciences, technological sciences and mathematics and natural sciences, plus an Interfaculty for Graduate Studies and Research (IGSR). Research institutes include CELOS, the National Herbarium of Suriname and IMWO.

• Bachelor's degree: 180 ECTS credits; programmes include medicine (pre-clinical phase), law, economics, business administration, psychology, public health, civil engineering, environmental sciences, geosciences and mathematics
• Master's degree: 120 ECTS credits; examples are Surinamese law, psychology, public health, mineral geosciences and mining, petroleum geoscience and engineering, and sustainable development
• Fixed and occasional master's programmes: fixed programmes run every year within a faculty; occasional ones are offered through the IGSR as needed, with an academic (WO) or professional (HBO) orientation
• Bridging year (schakeljaar): a one-year programme of two semesters for students who do not fully meet the entry requirements of a bachelor's programme

The academic year runs from 1 October to 30 September. Students must re-register every year; those who have not re-registered by the last working day of January are deregistered.

Admission

Admission requirements are set by law. In general, applicants need at least a recognised VWO diploma (the pre-university secondary diploma) or an equivalent or higher qualification, and must meet any specific criteria of the programme, such as minimum grades in mathematics, economics, Dutch or English. Some programmes also admit applicants who pass a Colloquium Doctum entrance test.

• Bridging year: open to holders of a HAVO diploma, certain vocational diplomas or a VWO diploma with missing subjects; the certificate gives access to the bachelor's programme, although for some programmes it is not enough
• Numerus fixus: nine programmes admit a limited number of students each year, including medicine, physiotherapy, public health, business administration, psychology, biology, mathematics, chemistry and physics
• Selection: for these programmes there is a pre-registration period, and applicants who are selected or drawn by lot receive an admission certificate before they can enrol
• Master's: usually a relevant bachelor's degree from AdeKUS; for some programmes, graduates from other universities first need an intake interview

Applicants with foreign diplomas should check with the university's Student Affairs office (Bureau Studentenzaken) whether their qualification counts as equivalent to the VWO diploma.

Costs and funding

Government policy aims to keep university study as accessible and inexpensive as possible. All students pay a registration fee (inschrijfgeld), set each academic year by the ministry and the university board. Bachelor's students pay only this fee. Master's students also pay tuition (collegegeld), which differs by programme. The registration fee covers a full academic year and can be paid in instalments. Students can apply for study finance from the National Development Bank (Nationale Ontwikkelingsbank, NOB), but approval is not guaranteed.

How to choose

• Language: check that your Dutch is strong enough, since information and regulations are in Dutch and several programmes require a pass in Dutch
• Entry route: direct admission with a VWO-level diploma, or the bridging year first
• Places: numerus fixus programmes have their own pre-registration period and selection
• Costs: bachelor's programmes charge only the registration fee; master's programmes add tuition
• Level: occasional master's programmes are offered only for a limited period, so check when the next intake opens

Frequently asked questions

Which university is in Suriname?

The Anton de Kom Universiteit van Suriname (AdeKUS) in Paramaribo offers bachelor's and master's programmes across six faculties and a graduate interfaculty.

What do I need to enter a bachelor's programme at AdeKUS?

At least a recognised VWO diploma or an equivalent, plus any specific requirements of the programme. Students who do not fully meet them can first follow the one-year bridging programme.

How much does it cost to study at AdeKUS?

Bachelor's students pay only a registration fee set each year by the ministry and the university board. Master's students also pay tuition, which depends on the programme.

When does the academic year start?

On 1 October. It ends on 30 September of the following year.