The University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) is one of the leading universities in the Pacific, offering world-class education to students from all over the world.
UPNG provides a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs designed to meet the needs of its diverse student body.
How to Apply to UPNG as a Non-School Leaver
If you are a non-school leaver looking to apply for a program at UPNG, this article will guide you through the application process, including the steps to follow and the requirements you need to meet.
Step 1: Check the Admission Requirements
Before applying for a program at UPNG, it is important to ensure that you meet the admission requirements. These requirements vary depending on the program you want to study. Some of the requirements include:
- Completion of grade 12 or equivalent
- Relevant work experience
- Proficiency in the English language
- Meeting the minimum grade point average (GPA) requirement
You can find the admission requirements for each program on the UPNG website. Here are the direct links to the Undergraduate admission requirements where you can check out the GPA and additional information on selection criteria:
- School of Law Undergraduate Requirements
- School of Business & Public Policy Undergraduate Requirements
- School of Medicine & Health Sciences Undergraduate Requirements
- School of Natural & Physical Sciences Undergraduate Requirements
- School of Humanities & Social Sciences Undergraduate Requirements
Step 2: Pay the Application Fee
All non-school leaver applicants are required to pay a non-refundable application fee using BSP Pay.
The application fee is K20.00 for undergraduate programs and K50.00 for postgraduate programs, except for the School of Business and Public Policy, which has a different application processing fee.
Make sure to indicate your name and correct date of deposit on the deposit slip when paying. Keep the receipt with you for verification purposes.
Step 3: Apply Online
To apply for a program at UPNG, you must use the Online Applicant Portal. Note that before applying, ask for the Applicant Portal User Manual and BSP Pay Activation Guide for guidance, and read them carefully before applying. Here are last year's documents to give you some ideas:
Also, look out for the 2025 Non-School Leavers Application Notice. This notice provides instructions on how to apply to UPNG, including the application fees and how to apply using the "UPNG Applicant Online Portal".
Step 4: Contact the Relevant School
If you have any queries regarding your application or online submission, contact the relevant school based on the program you are applying to. The email addresses for each school are:
- School of Business & Public Policy Application: mn_sbpp@up
- School of Humanities & Social Sciences: mb_shss@upng.ac.pg
- School of Natural & Physical Sciences: gv_snps@upng.ac.pg
- School of Medicine & Health Sciences: rk_smhs@upng.ac.pg
- School of Law: mt_sol@upng.ac.pg
The schools can provide you with further information on the program you are applying for and can assist with any questions you may have about the application process.
Step 5: Notification - 2025 UPNG Non-school Leavers List
After submitting your application, successful candidates will be notified by mid-December 2024 or early January 2025 via email and post, together with the successful school leavers of 2025.
If your name is not on the final list, it means that your application for admission in 2025 has been unsuccessful.
Also, DHERST will release the 2025 UPNG Non-school Leavers List before publishing it on its website. So, check out the list to see if you are expecting to apply this year.
Step 6: Complete Registration and Orientation
All information regarding 2025 fees, registration, and orientation will be included in the acceptance letter. It is important to read and understand this information before commencing your studies.
To find out about how to apply to UPNG Open Campus, click here
Apply to UPNG as a Non-school Leaver for 2025 programs
Manual applications for the 2025 non-school leavers undergraduate programs without any record of online submission will not be considered. That means that you will have to submit an online application.
To maximise your chances, we suggest:
1) submit an online application via the UPNG Applicant Portal,
2) send a copy of the application to the school you are applying to, see the email above, and
3) if you are in Port Moresby, drop off a copy of your application at UPNG's student admin.
Important: DO NOT PAY BRIBE WHEN APPLYING TO UPNG. THIS IS AGAINST THE UNIVERSITY'S POLICY. IF SOMEONE ASK YOU FOR CASH OR KIND, REPORT THEM!
Conclusion
Applying to UPNG as a non-school leaver is a straightforward process that involves meeting admission requirements, paying the application fee, applying online, and contacting the relevant school for further information.
By following these steps, you can increase your chances of success in gaining admission to UPNG.