Study and find schools in Barbados

Studying in Barbados

Barbados is a small, English-speaking island in the eastern Caribbean, with an area of 166 square miles. For international students, higher education on the island is centred on one institution: The University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill Campus, in the parish of St. Michael just outside the capital, Bridgetown. The UWI was founded in 1948 and today has an enrolment of over 50,000 across five campuses in the English-speaking Caribbean; Cave Hill has approximately 6,000 students, according to the university.

English is the language of instruction. Students usually come to Barbados either for a full degree at Cave Hill or for a semester or year abroad, often in Caribbean studies, cultural studies, literature, history or environmental studies.

The education system in Barbados

Barbados follows a British-style system. School leavers in the region take the Caribbean CAPE examinations (or GCE A-Levels), which are the standard route into university. Tertiary education is offered by the UWI campus, other colleges and private providers.

Quality assurance is the task of the Barbados Accreditation Council (BAC), established under the Barbados Accreditation Council Act 2004. Its list of accredited post-secondary and tertiary providers names three institutions: the American University of Barbados (accredited 2024-2031), the UWI Cave Hill Campus (2019-2026) and the UWI Open Campus (2019-2026). The BAC also registers other providers, so check its registers before enrolling at a school that is not on the accredited list.

The UWI Cave Hill Campus grew out of a College of Arts and Sciences that opened in 1963 with 118 students and moved to its permanent site at Cave Hill in 1966. It offers over 350 programmes across seven faculties: Culture, Creative and Performing Arts; Humanities and Education; Law; Medical Sciences; Science and Technology; Social Sciences; and Sport. Students can study full-time or part-time. Two institutions in Barbados are affiliated to the UWI: Codrington College, which offers the Bachelor of Arts and the Licentiate in Theology, and the Caribbean Meteorological Institute, which teaches the meteorology part of the Bachelor of Science with Meteorology.

Degrees follow the bachelor's, master's and doctorate structure. Undergraduate teaching runs in two semesters (Semester I from around September and Semester II), with an optional summer school of six weeks of teaching followed by examinations.

Admission and recognition

International students applying for a full degree or diploma use the same online portal as all other applicants. Entry requirements vary by faculty and programme and are set out in the university's undergraduate entry requirements booklet for 2026/2027. Applicants without CAPE or GCE A-Levels may qualify through an alternative route, such as an associate degree, transfer from another institution or mature student entry (21 years and over). Depending on their qualifications and nationality, applicants may also have to sit the English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT) or the Mathematics Proficiency Test (MPT).

Applications for 2026-27 have closed: the cycle ended on 31 May 2026, and the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) did not take applications in this cycle.

Students whose first language is not English must show their level, for example with a TOEFL score of 500 (paper-based) or 82 (internet-based), or an IELTS score of 6.5. Exchange students from partner universities apply through their home institution; the deadline is 15 April, and exchanges run in Semesters I and II only, not in summer. Students from other universities can come as independent study abroad students: they pay for the credits taken and their home institution receives the transcript.

To have a foreign qualification compared with Barbadian awards, you can apply to the BAC for a Statement on Recognition (BDS$60) or a Standard Evaluation Report (BDS$180). These statements are for guidance only; universities and employers make their own decisions.

Student visa and residence

Everyone who comes to Barbados to study needs a student visa, and must apply before arriving. At UWI Cave Hill the H1 and H2 forms are submitted through the Admissions Office (full degrees) or the International Office (exchange and study abroad), and they must reach the Barbados Immigration Department at least three months before the programme starts. The fee is BDS$300 (US$150). According to the Immigration Department, adults must also provide evidence of financial support for fees, living and medical costs, proof of accommodation and a police certificate from each country where they have lived for at least 6 months in the past 3 years.

Student visas are issued for a maximum of 12 months and must be extended if the programme lasts longer. Some nationalities also need a visitor's visa to enter. Spanish and other EU nationals do not need a visa for tourist stays of under 90 days in a 180-day period, according to the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (advice valid on 7 October 2026). International students may not work in Barbados, except for limited hours on campus.

Costs

Tuition for international students is listed in the university's Financial Brochure for Study Abroad and International Students 2025-2026. On top of tuition, all students pay mandatory university fees: 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, not to Cave Hill, but still pay these fees. All fees must be paid in full before arrival.

The International Office gives these estimates for living costs:

• Shared off-campus apartment or house: US$300-400 per month (about US$500 if you do not share)
• Homestay with a family: about US$50 per day, including breakfast and dinner
• Meals: US$15-30 per day
• Daily transport: US$100-200 per month, less with the student shuttle

Where to study

The UWI Cave Hill Campus is the only school in our directory in Barbados. It sits on a hill overlooking the Caribbean Sea in St. Michael. The campus has three halls of residence with furnished single bedrooms and shared kitchens and bathrooms; places are given on a first come, first served basis. Most off-campus housing is about 5 miles from the campus, with public transport to the university. There are no meal plans; students buy meals at the campus cafeteria or nearby.

Practical life

Climate: the maximum daily temperature is 23-29 °C all year. The hurricane season runs from June to November, so check weather warnings during the first semester.

Health insurance: registered international students are enrolled automatically in the university's health plan for 12 months. Cover is limited to the Caribbean region and does not include dental or vision care, so travel insurance for trips home is still useful.

Safety: the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises travelling with caution. It notes petty theft in tourist areas and an increase in armed robberies and assaults in quiet places, such as beaches at night.

Frequently asked questions

Which universities are there in Barbados?

The main one is The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, with over 350 programmes in seven faculties. The Barbados Accreditation Council also lists the American University of Barbados and the UWI Open Campus as accredited providers.

Do I need a student visa to study in Barbados?

Yes. Everyone who comes to study needs a student visa before arrival. At UWI Cave Hill the application goes through the university and must reach the Immigration Department at least three months before the start; the fee is BDS$300.

How much does it cost to live in Barbados as a student?

The UWI International Office estimates US$300-400 a month for a shared room off campus, US$15-30 a day for meals and US$100-200 a month for transport, plus university fees of US$540 a year before tuition.

Can I study in Barbados for one semester?

Yes. Students from partner universities can come on exchange (apply by 15 April through the home university), and others can enrol as independent study abroad students for a semester or a year.

Can international students work in Barbados?

No, except for limited hours on campus, according to UWI Cave Hill.