UPNG Online Application System - Enrollment

The University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG), informs prospective applicants that the Online Application System for receiving applications for Undergraduate, and Post Graduate programs is offered by the University.

Click here to get the latest on UPNG Online Application System 2024/2025

The University will consider applications from the following categories of candidates:

General Criteria for Non-School Leavers 

1. Candidates who have completed diploma or degree programs from recognized institutions within the country or overseas;
2. Candidates who have met the National Matriculation Requirements from recognized National and Secondary High Schools or that equivalent level prior to 2020;
3. Professional candidates applying to specific programs that are on offer under professional study programs and related to their current job experience and description;
4. Candidates who have attained a diploma from a recognised college or university under an affiliated program with UPNG;
5. International and South Pacific Islanders may apply using this form. Admissions to UPNG will depend on the fixed quota that is reserved for such category; and
6. Candidates who have withdrawn or been excluded from studies for academic and disciplinary reasons are eligible to re-enrol in Semester 1.

General Criteria for School Leavers

PNG citizens completing Year 12 in overseas countries such as Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific countries are encouraged to apply. 

If in doubt regarding this arrangement, please seek assistance from the Selection Unit of the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology (DHERST);

Students currently undertaking Grade 12 studies at National and Secondary High Schools in PNG will apply through the DHERST Online application. 

Please see the specific eligibility criteria for each program, which are available with the details of each program.

 Limitation of Admission

Because of limited places and resources, the University can only admit a limited number of new students into various programs of study. As a result, competition is very high and priority is given to those with higher GPAs. Those seeking enrolment must satisfy the admission requirements of the University.

2. Application for Enrollment Instructions

Applicants are hereby requested to take note of the following instructions

1. Pay a (K20.00 for Undergraduate & Honours) and (K50.00 for Masters and PhD programmes of all schools except for School of Business and Public Policy) non-refundable application processing fee, to UPNG General Account No: 1000583572 BSP, (WAIGANI) before applying online. Make sure to indicate your name and correct date of deposit on the deposit slip when paying.
2. Applicants to the School of Business and Public Policy (SBPP) Post Graduate programs must refer to the SBPP Post Graduate advertisement on the UPNG website for the application processing fee and eligibility criteria. Call Lisa on 3267 299 for more information.
3. Before choosing your program of choice, read through our admission and eligibility requirements and criteria for all our programs.
4. Follow the steps as indicated on the online form, fill in the blanks and submit your application online. No attachment is required in the Online Application.
5. After submitting your application online, scan your documents into a single compressed PDF file and send: to the school of your choice email address indicated below. For example, if you have applied Online for Science Foundation Year, email your documents to School of Natural & Physical Sciences email. Indicate and label the file appropriately under your name and the specific program applied to before sending/emailing.

♦ School of Business & Public Policy Application: mn_sbpp@upng.ac.pg

♦ 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

6. Successful candidates will be notified through email and by post by mid-December, together with the successful School Leavers.
7. If your name is not on the Final List, it means that your application for admission is unsuccessful.
8. All information regarding Fees, Registration & Orientation will be included in the acceptance letter.
9. Manual Applications without any record of online submission will not be considered.

Authorized by:

The Acting Registrar

Ms. Eshwin Enoch

Contact the registrar or visit UPNG's website for the latest information on the Online Application System and  Enrollment

PNG Universities School Leavers and Non-school Leavers Registration Dates

The school leavers and non-school leavers whose names are on the selection list would know by now the starting dates for registration and orientation. Take note of the expected day to arrive at your university for the 2024 academic year.

If you have any questions about the 2024 Grade 12 selection process, PDF list, etc., please leave a comment below or check out this latest update on PNG Universities Non-School Leavers Selection 2024.

Note that the 2024 dates are based on past orientation dates, this is old registration information, so read it for guidance ONLY. Or follow the link for the latest information.

DHERST would have, also, made all the travelling arrangements and provided needed logistical support. Contact your reliable friends, relatives or university if there are any changes to the dates.

Generally, all should be according to plan, so arrive at your university at the start of the registration week. For those whose names are on the non-school leavers’ acceptance list, be reminded of the following starting dates.

1. UPNG

The University of Papua New Guinea has *not* clearly marked the start of registration and orientation week. PNG Insight understands that all fees are to be paid by February before you can be cleared for registration.

2. UNITECH

PNG University of Technology's first semester, registration will be conducted from January to February. You should plan to be on campus for the registration on the morning of January 28th.

3. DWU

Student Registration and Orientation Week commences in February. The first and second-year students will commence their Registration process on February 4th. 

The third and fourth-year students will commence registration on February 5th. Registration will be at St. John Paul II Hall. Thus, all students must be on campus by February 3rd.

4. PAU

Check the Pacific Adventist University website for the latest details. No info for registration was available (or I may have missed it) at the time of this compilation. 

Last year, the registration and orientation took place in the second week of February. Please confirm if you need if you still need to know when PAU registration for new and continuing starts.

5. UNRE

PNG University of Natural Resources and Environment registration and orientation start in March. The first semester lectures begin in April. 

Students should be at the campus starting March 20th.

6. UoG

The University of Goroka *orientation* for all new students will be from February 11th to February 15th.

*Registration* for all students - both school leavers and non-school leavers - will be from February 18th to February 28th.

Late Registration is only on March 1st, and a fee of K200 is charged for late registration.

Make fee payments to universities as instructed in letters you may have received. Also, travel to the universities on the date given to you.

You must speak to your university admin directly if any pressing issues need ironing out before the commencement of the lectures.

7. WPU

Western Pacific University's registration and orientation take place around the same time as the other universities. Please, visit the WPU website for the latest.

How to Use Your GPA to Navigate the National Online Application System (NOAS) During the Grace Period

The choices every Grade 12 student makes on the National Online Application System (NOAS) are critical, yet many capable students miss out on selection simply due to a lack of proper guidance. 

Providing students with the right direction can significantly increase their chances of entering higher learning institutions. Good marks, typically a GPA above the required threshold, are vital. However, even students with a GPA of 2.8 (Bs and higher Cs) sometimes miss out on selection to universities or colleges on a government scholarship.

Why Students with Good GPAs May Not Get Selected

Three key factors disadvantage capable students:

1. Increasing Number of Grade 12 Students: 

Since 2014, the number of students completing Grade 12 has increased, while spaces at tertiary institutions have remained relatively low. On average, only 20% of students continue to higher education each year. As secondary schools have proliferated across provinces, the competition for limited tertiary spots has become fierce, with five students vying for every available space.

Today, there are 237 secondary schools and NSOE with over 34600 Grade 12 students - see the exact figure here.

SLF Choices: 

A 'funnel effect' means only students with excellent Grade 12 marks and strategic SLF choices get preference. It's crucial to balance both—good grades and wise choices on the SLF. As a rule of thumb:

1. SLF Choice 1: University
2. SLF Choice 2: College/Technical Institute
3. SLF Choice 3: Vocational/Technical Centre
4. ...
5. ...
6. ...

STAT-P Test: 

For those applying to UNITECH or UOG, sitting for the STAT-P (aptitude) test is mandatory. All principals and deputy principals must ensure students intending to apply to these universities take the test. The University of Natural Science and Environment is also expected to introduce entry tests in the future. Non-school leavers should avoid listing university programs as their second choice on the SLF; the first choice must be a university program if they aim to excel in the Grade 12 exams.

Grade 12 Grace Period - Adjusting Choices

The Grace Period allows students to adjust their choices based on their final marks. The online School Leavers Choice system simplifies this process, enabling students to match their grades to appropriate institutions.

Related Articles

• With the increasing number of students passing out of grade 12, only 20% of students were selected to continue after Grade 12 each year between 2014 and 2016. This rate has not improved yet.
• STAT-P Test To get more details on STAT-P, click HERE.

About PNG Insight

PNG Insight is an education blog. It aims to highlight the key developments in the education sector in Papua New Guinea. Started in 2014 on Google's blogger (now self-hosted on WordPress), PNG Insight strives to be a platform for critical thinking and discussions; and a source of information.

You can follow us on Twitter (@PNG_Insight) for information on Education and Development in Papua New Guinea.