Study and find schools in Belize

Studying in Belize

Belize is a small country on the Caribbean coast of Central America, with an estimated 418,982 inhabitants in July 2026, according to the Statistical Institute of Belize. It is the only country in Central America where English is the official language, which makes it an option for students who want to study in English within Latin America and the Caribbean.

Higher education is centred on the national university, the University of Belize (UB), whose central campus is on Hummingbird Avenue in the capital, Belmopan. UB also has campuses in Belize City, at Central Farm and in Punta Gorda. Its newest unit, the University of Belize School of Medicine (UBSoM), is aimed in part at international students who want to earn a medical degree in English.

The education system

Belize shares its school examinations with the English-speaking Caribbean: UB's medical school, for example, accepts results in the Caribbean CAPE examinations or British GCE A Levels as entry qualifications. At university level, qualifications include associate degrees, such as UB's Associate Degree in PreMedical Sciences, and bachelor's degrees, for example in biology or chemistry.

The School of Medicine shows how the system is developing. UB's Board of Trustees approved a medical programme in 2019; after the pandemic, the university concluded that the programme needed regional accreditation to be viable and created UBSoM as a separate unit within the university. UBSoM describes itself as on its "journey to accreditation", and clinical training takes place in Belize. If you plan to practise medicine elsewhere, check the accreditation status and how your country recognises the degree before applying.

Admission and recognition

Admission requirements depend on the programme. For medicine, UBSoM asks for a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (out of 4.0) in an associate degree in premedical sciences or a bachelor's degree in biology or chemistry, or for regional examinations: two passes in GCE A Level with at least a B, or CAPE with at least a Grade II, in the sciences or their international equivalents. Applicants who do not meet these criteria must take the school's Qualifying Entrance and Scholarship Examination (QESE, minimum score 320) or the MCAT (500 recommended).

Applications include transcripts, at least two letters of recommendation, a personal statement, a police record covering the last four years and, if needed, an English language test score. Selection also includes an interview, and the deadline is advertised each year. For other UB programmes, contact the Office of Admissions directly about requirements for international applicants and how foreign school qualifications are assessed.

Student visa and residence

Everyone who comes to Belize to study must obtain a student permit from the Immigration Department before the school year or semester starts. For tertiary students the permit is issued per semester. The fee is BZ$200 per semester for most nationalities, BZ$750 for nationals of India, Nepal, Thailand, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, and BZ$3,000 for nationals of China. You apply in person at an immigration office with:

• a letter from the institution stating the programme, duration and institution details
• a letter of financial support signed before a Justice of the Peace, with a BZ$1.50 stamp
• two photographs, your passport and birth certificate (translated into English if needed)
• a recent bank statement of the sponsor, if you are sponsored
• a one-year return ticket, if you come from outside the region

The permit sticker is placed in your passport when the application is processed. Entry rules depend on nationality: Spanish citizens do not need a visa, nor do nationals of Mexico, Colombia, Argentina and many other Latin American countries for an initial stay (30 or 90 days), while nationals of Venezuela, Cuba and some other countries do. According to the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, passports must be valid for at least three months from entry (advice valid on 7 October 2026).

Costs

The School of Medicine publishes its full annual cost. For international students in 2026, tuition is US$29,600 a year, and with administrative, laboratory, technology and student fees, health insurance and books the total comes to US$38,700 a year. Scholarships based on the QESE cover between 25% and 100% of tuition, with a full waiver for scores of 93% or more. UB also lists sports scholarships, an ESL scholarship programme, loans and payment plans. Fees for other UB programmes are not published on the pages we could access, and no official source gives student living costs. Air travellers pay a departure tax of US$73.50, usually included in the ticket price.

Where to study

Belmopan, the capital, is home to UB's central campus and the School of Medicine. UB also has campuses in Belize City, Central Farm and Punta Gorda. Choose the campus by programme, and take the safety advice below into account for Belize City.

Safety and practical life

Safety needs careful thought. The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises travelling with extreme caution: it describes the security situation as poor, with high rates of violent crime, and a state of emergency has applied in much of the Belize District since 8 May 2026. It recommends avoiding the south side of Belize City, where gang activity is concentrated, and not travelling alone or at night.

The same source rates health care in Belize as poor, with serious cases usually transferred abroad, typically to the United States, so comprehensive health and repatriation insurance is essential (the UBSoM fee schedule includes US$2,000 a year for health insurance). The ministry also advises against drinking tap water.

Frequently asked questions

Can I study in English in Belize?

Yes. English is the official language of Belize, and the University of Belize's School of Medicine promotes its medical degree to students who want to study in English.

How much does medical school cost at the University of Belize?

For international students, UBSoM tuition is US$29,600 a year, and the total annual cost including fees, insurance and books is US$38,700.

Do I need a permit to study in Belize?

Yes. All foreign students need a student permit from the Immigration Department before classes start; for university students it is issued per semester and costs BZ$200 for most nationalities.

Do Spanish and Latin American students need a visa for Belize?

Spanish citizens and nationals of many Latin American countries, such as Mexico, Colombia and Argentina, do not need an entry visa, but nationals of Venezuela and Cuba do. All of them still need a student permit to study.

Is Belize safe for students?

The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises extreme caution because of violent crime, especially in parts of Belize City. Check current advice before deciding.