Why study a Bachelor or Master in Jamaica

Study in Jamaica

Education in Jamaica has been undergoing significant improvements throughout the years, it is still developing but is ahead of other Caribbean islands. The islands hospitality and mix of cultures makes studying at Jamaica an eye-opening experience for learners who are eager to become educated about people’s differing philosophies while seeing the world.

Why you should study in Jamaica

Studying at Jamaica will allow you to enjoy a variety of activities such as spending time hiking and being outdoors, immersing yourself in their crystal clear blue waters or simply enjoying the variety of deliciousness the island has to offer. Additionally, you will not feel restless studying as their coffee is guaranteed to keep you up and focused! The community at Jamaica will also help you become more informed at different cultures and you will not have problems dealing as English is their primary language.

How much does it cost?

Seeing as there are not that many universities in Jamaica, the competition between them is low and so the fees are not very affordable, especially for students coming from households of limited income or do not have their own source of income or savings. International students can expect to pay between $6,700 – $30,000 but this will be more if you plan on pursuing a degree related to medicine.

 

Living in Jamaica

Living in Jamaica is significantly less than living in the United Sates, but is a lot richer in the experiences it has to offer. Living at Jamaica you can expect to spend a lot of time in summer clothes and your everyday life will become enriched with water based activities including the different waterfalls you will come across. Living costs will differ wildly depending on your lifestyle but being there on a budget can be arranged.

Accommodation

The most common accommodation at Jamaica for travellers is to rent. The overall rent costs are noticeably lower than that of the United Sates but still remain high. Travellers wishing to save money could rent away from the capital city and remain on the island’s outskirts but those who have a little extra money to pay can consider a centred location for rent. You can expect to pay between $350 for an average apartment which is not very far nor very centred but around $500 for an apartment in the heart of Jamaica and $250 if you closer to the water than town. It depends on your needs and budget but you can find different accommodation means to suit you, including dorms provided by your university of choice or housing units run by the university.

 

Other costs of Living

Daily living costs in Jamaica are affordable, you cannot to find a lot of imported goods being sold at Jamaican supermarkets but you can expect very high quality fruit and vegetables from the island grounds itself. These are price tags you will find at a Jamaican supermarket; $3.00 for a kilogram of apples, $2.5 for a litre of milk, $2.4 for a kilogram of bananas and $1.90 for a kilogram of tomatoes. As for transportation and utilities; per month you will pay $32.30 and $76.00, respectively.

Universities in Jamaica

Universities in Jamaica have been experiencing improvements in their system and an increased number of international students overtime. They offer different programs of study and are taught in English which makes it probable for many students. There are different degrees and fields of study; however, the four most dominant fields are mentioned below along with the top ranked universities in the island.

Degrees available

There are a number of available degrees at Jamaica; however, among international students these are the most popular fields of study: business, computer science, social sciences and medicine. This includes undergraduate and graduate studies at the island.

Top ranked universities

• The University of the West Indies, Mona

The University of the West Indies was founded in 1948 and is located in Kingston, the capital of Jamaica. The university is inclusive of 200 different programs across 7 schools and has 50 departments for specialisations as well as research centres. There are around 20,000 student enrolled across the university and they benefit from the university’s study abroad and distance learning programs, sports facilities and its very well equipped many libraries. Tuition fees differ based on your selected program of study, fees for undergraduates are going to differ depending on your school of choice but those pursuing a degree in law or engineering will expect to pay $360 per credit. The university also offers financial aid and has scholarships programs which anyone can apply to.

• University of Technology, Jamaica

The university specialises in the field of technology and was established in 1958, there are currently 9000 students pursuing an education there at the different programs the university has to offer; undergraduate and graduate studies. The different colleges found at the university are the following; business and management, heathy sciences, education and liberal studies, engineering and computing, law and built environment. The courses offered at these faculties are also connected with other recognised universities and constantly upgrading their position on the international spectrum.

• Northern Caribbean University

The Northern Caribbean University was founded in 1907, it is the oldest university in Jamaica and has been growing since and developing since its founding. The university currently offers several programs of study but specialised in ungraduated and graduate degrees. For undergraduate students, they have the option to choose between 42 different majors for study across five different colleges and they are; business and management, education and leadership, humanities and social sciences, natural and applied sciences and religion and theology. The university offers many facilities for its students which are divided into physical – health and wellness – and mental – counselling, student guide-  facilities in order to assist their students in the best way possible during their time at NCU.

• University of the Commonwealth Caribbean

The university was founded in 2002, has a somewhat selective admission process, welcomes international students and has a small community of around 5,000 enrolled students. The university offers studies in the following programs; short courses, associate degrees, undergraduate studies, graduate studies, online programs, UK doctoral degrees and University of London Law. For undergraduate students, you will have the option to choose from one of the following three schools for a specialisation of study; business and management, humanities and law, technology and mathematics. International students can expect to pay around $85 per credit and complete a total of 30 credits per year.

 

Examples of other universities

There are many other universities at the island of Jamaica and they offer different programs with several study prospects as well; they are the following Mico University College and College of Agriculture Science and Education. They also conduct their learning in English and their ranking follows the previously mentioned universities.

Student Visa - Jamaica

The study visa is essential when wanting to complete your study journey at Jamaica. The procedures are simply but may require 2-3 weeks until processed so make sure you plan on applying in advance. The visa will be granted for either one year, if your chosen program of study and university are decided upon and payment has been made or for 2 months if your chosen university might change or payments have not been made to your host university, this extends upon your arrival and finalising of your university documents.

How to apply - Jamaica

Before applying make sure you have all necessary travel documents ready; letter of acceptance and payments to host university, valid travel document, photographs, confirmed return ticket and proof of sufficient funds for your travel. These documents may differ depending on your host country and so checking with a nearby embassy is crucial. Once you have prepared the documents, you will have to book an appointment by sending to the following: info@pica.gov.jm and booking an appointment to go present your document and travel document.

Scholarship in Jamaica

As an international student you might be interest in applying for a scholarship when looking to study at Jamaica, you can do so through your university’s student office. The following universities offer scholarship opportunities and financial aids and all students are permitted to apply: Caribbean Maritime University, Northern Caribbean University, Uiversity Of Technology, Jamaica, University Of The West Indies, University Of The Commonwealth Caribbean, Edna Manley College Of The Visual & Performing Arts and University Of The Commonwealth Caribbean. They offer based on your academic records and the scholarships awarded differ from one student to the other, they are not standard.