Study Pathways
There is more than one way into a UPNG degree. Which one is yours depends on two things: whether you study on campus or by distance, and whether you are finishing Grade 12, returning to study after years away, or already working in the field you want to qualify in.
Which Applicant Are You?
Three kinds of applicant, two ways to study. Find yourself below, then follow your pathway.
School Leavers
For students completing Grade 12 this year. You are selected through the national school leaver process and start a full-time degree at first-year level.
Non-School Leavers
For applicants who left school some time ago and apply in their own right. You enter the same full-time four-year degrees as school leavers, …
Professionals
For people already working who need the degree their profession requires. Professional programs are built around employment: you are admitted on your qualifications and …
Internal — Study on Campus
Internal students are based at Waigani, or at Taurama for Medicine and Health Sciences, and attend lectures, tutorials and laboratories in person semester by semester. Every School admits internal students, and all three kinds of applicant have a route in.
School Leavers — On Campus
For students completing Grade 12 this year. You are selected through the national school leaver process and start a full-time degree at first-year level.
- Who it's for
- Grade 12 students sitting the national examinations, and recent school leavers who have not yet undertaken tertiary study.
- Entry is based on
- Your Grade 12 results and the program preferences on your national school leaver application, assessed against the cut-off each program sets for the intake.
- What you study
- The standard undergraduate degrees across all five Schools — Business and Public Policy, Humanities and Social Sciences, Law, Natural and Physical Sciences, and Medicine and Health Sciences.
- Typical duration
- 4 years full-time; longer for MBBS
- Delivery
- On campus, full-time, semester by semester
- How to apply
- Through the national school leaver selection process run by the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology. School leavers do not apply to UPNG directly.
Non-School Leavers — On Campus
For applicants who left school some time ago and apply in their own right. You enter the same full-time four-year degrees as school leavers, through a separate application route and quota.
- Who it's for
- Mature-age applicants, applicants who completed Grade 12 in an earlier year, and applicants holding matriculation, a certificate or a diploma from another institution.
- Entry is based on
- Matriculation or upgraded Grade 12 results, any prior tertiary study, and relevant work experience. Recognition of prior learning can give you credit toward the degree.
- What you study
- The same regular full-time degrees a school leaver enters — Arts, Science, Business and Management, Economics, Laws, Nursing and the rest. This is a different door into the same programs, not a different qualification.
- Typical duration
- 4 years full-time, or less with approved credit
- Delivery
- On campus, full-time
- How to apply
- Direct to the UPNG Admissions Office as a non-school leaver applicant, with certified copies of every qualification you hold.
Professionals — Professional Degrees
For people already working who need the degree their profession requires. Professional programs are built around employment: you are admitted on your qualifications and service, and credited for what you already know.
- Who it's for
- Employed applicants, usually sponsored or endorsed by their employer, who already hold a certificate or diploma and standing in the field they are qualifying in.
- Entry is based on
- A relevant certificate or diploma, documented work experience, and employer sponsorship or endorsement. This is not the mature-age route — it is entry on professional standing.
- What you study
- Professional degrees offered by three Schools: the professional studies programs in the School of Business and Public Policy, the professional studies program in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, and the Diploma in Law (Prosecutions) in the School of Law.
- Typical duration
- 2 years, credited for the qualification you already hold
- Delivery
- On campus in intensive blocks, structured around full-time work
- How to apply
- Direct to the School that offers the program, with your employer's sponsorship or endorsement letter, your qualifications and a statement of service.
Programs on this pathway
External — Study by Distance
External students study by distance through the Open College, working from course materials in their own province with tutor support, residential schools, and supervised examinations at a study centre. The same three kinds of applicant apply here as on campus, and the qualification awarded is the same qualification.
School Leavers — External
For Grade 12 school leavers who were not selected into an internal place, or who need to stay in their province. You begin the same first-year study by distance through the Open College.
- Who it's for
- Grade 12 school leavers, including those who narrowly missed an internal offer, who can study from home.
- Entry is based on
- Grade 12 results, assessed against the Open College entry standard rather than the internal cut-off.
- What you study
- Foundation and first-year courses by distance, leading to a diploma or to internal degree study once you meet the progression requirement.
- Typical duration
- Varies with course load; usually part-time
- Delivery
- Distance, from your own province, with study materials, tutor support, residential schools and supervised examinations
- How to apply
- Direct to the Open College, with your Grade 12 certificate and statement of results.
Non-School Leavers — External
For adults returning to study who cannot leave work or family to come to campus. The Open College admits you on the same mature-age basis as an internal non-school leaver.
- Who it's for
- Mature-age applicants studying from anywhere in the country, including those upgrading before applying for an internal place.
- Entry is based on
- Matriculation, upgraded Grade 12 results, prior study, or assessed work experience.
- What you study
- Diploma and degree study by distance, including the Diploma in Business & Management, which is offered in external mode only.
- Typical duration
- Part-time by distance; 3–6 years depending on course load
- Delivery
- Distance, with residential schools and study centre examinations
- How to apply
- Direct to the Open College, with certified copies of every qualification you hold.
Programs on this pathway
Professionals — External
The professional pathway delivered by distance. The Bachelor of Arts (Professional Studies in Education) is the professional degree offered in external mode, for teachers upgrading their qualification without leaving their post.
- Who it's for
- Practising teachers and education officers holding a teaching certificate or diploma who need a degree to progress.
- Entry is based on
- A teaching certificate or diploma, current employment in education, and employer endorsement.
- What you study
- The Bachelor of Arts (Professional Studies in Education) — the School of Humanities and Social Sciences professional studies degree, taken by distance.
- Typical duration
- 2 years by distance
- Delivery
- Distance, with residential schools scheduled in school holidays
- How to apply
- Direct to the Open College with your teaching qualification, service record and employer endorsement.
Programs on this pathway
Coming next: online study
External study is distance mode today. Online study modes are being developed and will be listed here program by program as each one moves across, so check this page before you assume a program is print-based.
Compare Every Pathway
Six pathways in total: three kinds of applicant, each of them available on campus and by distance.
| Applicant | Internal — on campus | External — distance |
|---|---|---|
| School Leaver |
School Leavers — On Campus For students completing Grade 12 this year. You are selected through the national school leaver process and start a full-time degree at first-year level. 4 years full-time; longer for MBBS |
School Leavers — External For Grade 12 school leavers who were not selected into an internal place, or who need to stay in their province. You begin the same first-year study by distance through the Open College. Varies with course load; usually part-time |
| Non-School Leaver |
Non-School Leavers — On Campus For applicants who left school some time ago and apply in their own right. You enter the same full-time four-year degrees as school leavers, through a separate application route and quota. 4 years full-time, or less with approved credit |
Non-School Leavers — External For adults returning to study who cannot leave work or family to come to campus. The Open College admits you on the same mature-age basis as an internal non-school leaver. Part-time by distance; 3–6 years depending on course load |
| Professional |
Professionals — Professional Degrees For people already working who need the degree their profession requires. Professional programs are built around employment: you are admitted on your qualifications and service, and credited for what you already know. 2 years, credited for the qualification you already hold |
Professionals — External The professional pathway delivered by distance. The Bachelor of Arts (Professional Studies in Education) is the professional degree offered in external mode, for teachers upgrading their qualification without leaving their post. 2 years by distance |
Please confirm before you apply. Entry criteria, durations and application routes on this page are indicative and are reviewed each intake. The Admissions Office confirms internal requirements and the Open College confirms external requirements, and their advice takes precedence over this page.
Ready to apply?
Start with the admissions page for your pathway, or talk to the Admissions Office if you are not sure which one you are on.
Admissions