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Frequently Asked Questions
Admissions FAQs
1. What qualifications do I need to do a degree?
UNIVERSITY matriculation requirements
i. Passes in five (5) subjects of which at least two (2) must be at the CAPE/GCE A-level while the remainder may be an acceptable pass in CXC (CSEC)/GCE/BGCSE examinations. The following are acceptable:-
- Two two-Unit CXC (CAPE) Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination
- Six (6) CXC (CAPE units including Caribbean Studies and Communication Studies
iii. Degrees from any university recognized by the Board for Undergraduate Studies.
iv. Overall professional and/or academic achievements of persons over age 21, who do not fall within any of the categories above.
Note: Candidates with such qualifications as outlined in (ii) and (iii) above are considered individually, so typical offers cannot be quoted. Remember, if you possess such qualifications, you must request that a copy of your transcript be forwarded directly to the Student Affairs (Admissions) Office by February 28 of the year in which you wish to enter.
Faculty requirements For admission to some degree programmes, applicants are required to have qualifications in specific subjects.
Note: Mathematics and two (2) approved Science subjects are required for the Faculty of Science & Agriculture.For the Faculty of Social Sciences Mathematics at CXC (CSEC) General Grade II or GCE O’level is required. For the Faculty of Humanities & Education an Arts/Humanities subject or background is required. For the Faculty of Medical Sciences candidates must have Chemistry and two (2) other Science subjects from Biology, Physics, Mathematics.
2. What degrees, certificates and diplomas do you offer?
There are Five (5) Faculties; each offers a wide range of degrees, certificates and diplomas. Please consult our Undergraduate Prospectus which is available for download here.
3. How long does it take to complete a degree programme?
For programmes in the Faculties of Engineering, Social Sciences, Law, Humanities & Education, Science & Agriculture as a full-time student a degree programme will normally take three (3) academic years; for a part time student it will take four (4) years except in the case of Humanities where it can take a maximum of six years.
For the Faculty of Medical Sciences – the MBBS, DVM and DDS degree programmes are for five (5) years, while the BSc Pharmacy Programme is for four (4) years.
NOTE: There is no part-time study for programmes in the Faculties of Engineering, Law and Medical Sciences.
4. When can I apply?
The application period is between Mid-November and Mid- January for Full time programmes and until the end of March for Certificate/Diploma/Part-Time /Evening University programmes.
5. If I do not have the required grade(s) for my 1st choice of faculty, what do I do now?
Once you have indicated on your application a faculty of second choice, your application is automatically transferred to your faculty of second choice for consideration.
6. If I have met University entry requirements but not met the requirements for my faculty of 1st choice and did not indicate a faculty of 2nd Choice on my application, would my application be considered for another faculty? What should I do?
No. You would be required to submit a written request indicating the degree programme you would wish to be considered for.
7. If I am accepted for a programme which is not what I would truly like to pursue, can I request a change? And how can I go about this?
NEW students may request changes in programmes and transfer between faculties (except to the Faculty of Medical Sciences) up to the end of the SECOND week of Semester I. Students requesting such transfers must:-
• Make a written request through the Assistant Registrar, Student Affairs (Admissions) to the appropriate Dean
• Collect a NEW offer, if approval is granted
• Complete registration
NOTE: Transfers between faculties for the current academic year will NOT be permitted after the end of the Second week of Semester I.
8. I applied to the University and I was not accepted. Why?
(i) You did not meet either University Matriculation requirements and/or faculty requirements(ii) You were qualified but there was insufficient space to offer you this year
(ii) Your qualifications were not sufficiently competitive as there were applicants more qualified than you, hence we were unable to offer you at place.
9. If I am accepted to UWI, what fees do I have to pay to the University in order to register?
The fees payable to the University are Tuition fees and Compulsory fees. If you would be living in a University Hall of Residence, then Halls of Residence fees must also be paid.
10. When is the deadline to pay fees, do I pay all at once?
You are advised to pay your fees before registration week and keep the receipt safely until registration. Fees are payable by semester.Semester 1 fees must be paid by September 8. Semester II fees must be paid by January 15.
Only tuition fees are payable by semester.All Compulsory fees are payable in full at the beginning of the academic year.
Tuition fees, compulsory fees and for Halls of Residence are payable in advance in the prescribed manner.
11. What are the hours the office is open?
The Admissions Office hours are:
Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays : 8.30 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
Wednesdays and Fridays : 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.
12. Do you give financial assistance for persons who cannot afford full fees?
Financial assistance is available through the following options:-
- UWI Open Scholarship- available only to new applicants and First Year UWI students.
- Scholarships & Bursaries – available to Year Two students i.e. students who have completed one year of study at UWI; and students who are not in their final year of study. Awards are based on the students’ academic performance and/or financial need.
- All citizens of Trinidad & Tobago are eligible for Government Assistance for Tuition Expenses (GATE). Documentary evidence as proof of citizenship is required. Other conditions apply.
- Second and Final Year students with a good academic record may have access to a Hardship Loan from the University. Applications for the loan are made to Student Services Office.
13. If I did a Certificate, Diploma or Associate Degree would I get any exemptions?
You can apply for exemptions through the Admissions Office but any advising concerning exemptions are done at the faculty office.
14. Where do I get a car sticker? Student Parking Permits are issued from the Security Department.
Parking Permits are issued annually, per school year, and are valid from August 1 through July 31 of the following year.
15. Where can I go to get advice on careers?
Information on possible careers is available in our Undergraduate Prospectus
Our Student Advisory Services Office (SAS) coordinates a Career Advice Programme (CAP) which is designed to assist students in Career Planning and Development. CAP workshops are usually held during the first semester of the academic year. Contact our Placement and Careers Officer at the Student Advisory Services Office who would be happy to assist you.
16. Where can I apply for a letter/statement for income tax purposes? How long before I can collect it?
You can apply for this at the Admissions Office; turn- a-round time would be two (2) working days.
This letter would only verify that you are/were a registered student at the University for a given period.Should you require a statement which gives fees or monies paid, you should request this letter from the Student Accounts Section, Bursary.
17. Where can I apply for a visa letter; how long before I can collect it?
You can apply for this at the Admissions Office; turn-a-round time would be two (2) working days.
You must produce your passport and provide a Host Name and Address in the country you propose to visit. Visa Letters are not issued to students in their final year of study.
18. If I applied for a scholarship or bursary when would I get a response?
If you applied for a scholarship or bursary you would first receive an acknowledgement letter in the mail. If you have been awarded a scholarship/bursary you would receive a response by November of the current academic year.
19. I am a Returning student, how and when do I register?
Returning students are required to re-register at the beginning of the academic year in the designated Official University Registration week. This is usually in the last week of August.20. If I did not register for sometime, say one (1) year, can I just come back and register?
No. If you were not on approved leave of absence, that is, the University did not formally advise you that you were granted leave of absence, the University would have deemed you as voluntary withdrawn. You would be required to reapply for admission when applications are invited.
21. I applied for Evening university, when would I get a response?
As a general practice, all persons accepted to pursue programmes at the UWI-St.Augustine Campus are advised via a telephone call. Successful applicants to the Evening University programmes are also contacted by telephone by mid-August .
22. What days and times does Evening University run?
Evening University classes are normally scheduled from 5:00 pm- 10:00 pm Mondays to Fridays and from 10:00 am-8:00pm on Saturdays.