University of the South Pacific

Key facts

Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 9 November 2026.

About the University of the South Pacific

USP opened on 5 February 1968 with Colin Aikman as its first vice-chancellor. It started with preliminary courses, and degree teaching began in 1969. The site was the former Royal New Zealand Air Force seaplane base at Laucala Bay.^[2] The Marshall Islands became the twelfth member country in 1991.^[2]

The university describes itself as the premier higher education institution in the Pacific region and as one of only three regional universities in the world.^[9] It is one university with several campuses, not a system of separate universities.^[2] Laucala is the main campus and administrative centre. Outside Fiji the university lists campuses in the Cook Islands, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu (Emalus campus, Port Vila). In Fiji there are two further campuses, at Lautoka and Labasa.^[7] The School of Agriculture is at Alafua in Samoa, and the law school is at Emalus in Vanuatu.^[2] USP says its international office serves students at all 14 campuses and centres.^[1]

How is the University of the South Pacific ranked?

In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026, USP was placed in the 1001–1200 band. THE assessed 2,191 universities; USP’s press release of 14 October 2025 says this was its fifth consecutive year in the ranking.^[4]

We could not confirm a QS World University Rankings 2027 position. USP’s page on the QS website shows no World University Rankings position. It shows a Full-time MBA ranking of #301+ (Global 2027) and #=15 in the Oceania MBA ranking, and a QS Sustainability Ranking band of #1301–1400; the page does not state the edition of the sustainability band.^[3] Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.

What can you study at the University of the South Pacific?

USP’s schools page says its academic units are organised into 8 schools that offer undergraduate and postgraduate programmes; it names six schools with their disciplines, plus the Institute of Education:^[8]

• School of Accounting, Finance and Economics
• School of Business and Management, including tourism and hospitality, land management, public administration and the Graduate School of Business
• School of Information Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Physics, with civil, electrical and electronic and mechanical engineering, computer science and physics
• School of Agriculture, Geography, Environment, Ocean and Natural Sciences
• School of Law and Social Sciences
• School of Pacific Arts, Communication and Education, with the Institute of Education

Interdisciplinary units include Pacific TAFE, the College of Foundation Studies, the Centre for Sustainable Futures and the Institute of Marine Resources.^[8] The university says its programmes are designed for the Pacific Islands context and that it is the only university in the world that teaches with that context across the board.^[9] It also offers an Intensive English Programme for people who need to improve their English first.^[10]

How much does the University of the South Pacific cost in 2026?

These are the 2026 international tuition fees from USP’s Handbook and Calendar, in Fijian dollars (FJ$) at the Laucala campus.^[5] The same schedule gives separate amounts for some programmes at Alafua (in Samoan tala) and at Emalus (in vatu); for example a Postgraduate Certificate costs 14,750 tala at Alafua and 1,020,400 vatu at Emalus.^[5]

Who pays the international rate?

Any student who holds a citizenship other than that of a USP member country pays the international tuition fee. Students who are not enrolled in a full programme are charged per course, and any course with a field trip carries an extra field-trip fee.^[5]

Source conflict on the English programme

The IEP page says tuition is FJD$3,500 per term and that it must be paid in full before classes start.^[10] The 2026 fee schedule lists FJ$3,600 per term.^[5] Use the 2026 schedule and confirm the figure with the international office.

Other costs

The study-permit application costs FJD$523.20 according to USP (FJD$328.20 immigration fee plus a FJD$200 non-refundable bond).^[11] For living costs see our Fiji guide; USP’s international office also publishes an estimate of the cost of living in Fiji.^[1]

How do you apply to the University of the South Pacific as an international student?

USP lists five steps for international students:^[11]

1. Submit your admissions application online. Upload certified copies of your birth certificate, passport biodata page and all academic certificates and transcripts. Master’s and PhD applicants also need an updated CV with at least two work referees and a research proposal of about 2,000 words. Documents must be certified by a notary public or a solicitor, and documents not in English must be translated by a registered translator.
2. Receive your offer. You must return the signed acceptance letter within 5 days to confirm your place.
3. Apply for a study permit. Required documents include a medical report, a police report, a financial statement or sponsorship letter, a passport valid for at least 6 months and a return ticket or refundable bond.
4. Apply for accommodation.
5. Receive orientation information and sign up for Orientation Week.

The international office handles applications and visa questions; its contact address is international@usp.ac.fj.^[1] We give no deadlines here because they change every year; the admissions page publishes the closing date for each intake, so check it before you start.^[11]

Which English level do you need?

International applicants are citizens of non-USP member countries. Those whose entry qualification was not in English must meet the university’s English requirement, and exam scores must be no older than 2 years at the date of application.^[6]

The handbook also accepts International Baccalaureate scores and prior study in English: at least 2 years of full-time secondary study for foundation entry, 3 years for diploma and undergraduate entry, and 1 year of undergraduate study (undergraduate entry) or 2 years (postgraduate entry) where English was the medium of instruction.^[6] It also lists TOEFL paper-based and computer-based scores.

More about studying in Fiji

• Fiji: best universities
• Cost of Studying Abroad
• International Student Scholarships
• University Ranking Methodology

More university profiles in Fiji

• Fiji National University
• University of Fiji