Top Universities in Samoa | 2026 Guide

Q: Which universities in Samoa offer medical education?

The National University of Samoa offers a six-year Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery pathway. Oceania University of Medicine offers a graduate-entry medical programme for applicants who already hold a bachelor's degree.

Samoa has a small higher-education sector, so students should not expect a meaningful “Top 10” university ranking. The more useful decision is choosing between institutions with very different academic roles.

On this pageTable of Content

The National University of Samoa (NUS) offers the broadest Samoa-based range of faculties and professional programmes. The University of the South Pacific (USP) Samoa Campus has a particularly clear strength in agriculture and flexible regional learning. The Oceania University of Medicine (OUM) is a specialist graduate-entry medical university.

USP is currently placed in the 1001-1200 band in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026. This ranking applies to USP as a whole, not specifically to its Samoa Campus. Source: Times Higher Education.

At the time of this review on 16 September 2026, THE’s 2027 World University Rankings had not yet been released. THE lists 30 September 2026 as the scheduled release date.

Quick Answer: Which Universities Should You Consider?

University	Strongest Reason to Consider It	Particularly Relevant For	Main Consideration
National University of Samoa	Broadest locally based academic portfolio	Medicine, nursing, education, business, science and technical education	Current comparable 2026 tuition information is limited
University of the South Pacific, Samoa Campus	Agriculture plus flexible regional study	Agriculture, agribusiness and students comfortable with flexible learning	USP’s global ranking is university-wide, not Samoa-campus specific
Oceania University of Medicine	Accredited graduate-entry medical pathway	Students who already hold a bachelor’s degree and want medicine	Professional licensing must be checked in the country where you plan to practise

How We Chose These Universities

We did not create an artificial national league table.

The institutions were assessed according to evidence that can materially affect a student’s decision, including:

programme breadth and specialisation;
current admission requirements;
professional accreditation where relevant;
published tuition information;
current international ranking evidence;
programme delivery model;
practical requirements for international students.

This approach is particularly important in Samoa because NUS, USP Samoa and OUM are not three versions of the same type of university.

National University of Samoa

Why We Recommend NUS

The National University of Samoa is the clearest starting point for students who want a broad, locally based university rather than a specialist medical institution or a regional multi-country university.

NUS currently lists faculties covering Arts, Business and Entrepreneurship, Education, Health Science, Science and Technical Education. It also operates the School of Nursing, School of Medicine and School of Maritime Training, alongside specialist centres. Source: National University of Samoa.

That academic breadth is its main advantage over the other institutions in this guide.

Who Is NUS Best Suited To?

NUS is particularly relevant for students considering:

medicine;
nursing and health sciences;
education;
business;
science;
technical education;
Samoan-focused academic study.

Medicine at NUS

NUS offers a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS).

The programme is full-time and has a minimum duration of six years. Years 1 to 3 cover pre-clinical study, while Years 4 to 6 move into clinical education. Source: NUS Faculty of Health Science.

NUS lists clinical attachments in:

Internal Medicine;
Surgery;
Primary Health Care;
Psychiatry;
Obstetrics and Gynaecology;
Paediatrics;
Emergency Medicine and Anaesthesia;
other specialties.

These clinical stages are based at TTM Hospital, with Year 6 structured as a trainee internship. Source: NUS Medicine Programme.

NUS MBBS Admission Requirements

NUS publishes specific requirements for medicine rather than relying on general university admission rules.

One pathway requires completion of a Foundation Certificate in Science or equivalent, with a minimum aggregate grade of 80% across English and the best three specified science-related subjects. English must be passed at 70% or above.

Applicants may also qualify with a health-related bachelor’s degree or Bachelor of Science with a minimum 3.5 GPA or B1 average, subject to the programme’s credit and admission rules.

Applicants must also pass an admission interview. Source: NUS.

Important NUS Consideration

A sufficiently clear and comprehensive current 2026 NUS fee schedule suitable for direct comparison was not established during this research.

Students should request the latest tuition and compulsory fee information directly from NUS for their intended programme rather than relying on older fee figures.

This gap is important because an old fee schedule should not be presented as current tuition.

University of the South Pacific, Samoa Campus

Why We Recommend USP Samoa

The University of the South Pacific Samoa Campus has the clearest specialist case for students interested in agriculture while also giving students access to a wider regional university system.

USP operates across Pacific Island countries, with its main campus in Suva, Fiji. For Samoa-based students, the combination of agriculture and flexible learning is especially important.

Agriculture at USP Samoa

USP’s 2026 academic regulations state that its Bachelor of Agriculture is offered in two streams:

Agribusiness
Applied Sciences

The programme is offered face-to-face and full-time at the Samoa Campus, while most courses can also be completed through flexible learning at other USP campuses. Source: USP 2026 Handbook and Calendar.

This is one of the strongest programme-specific reasons to choose USP Samoa rather than selecting it simply because USP appears in an international ranking.

Bachelor of Agriculture Admission

USP lists several possible admission routes.

Applicants with a recognised Year 13/Form 7 or equivalent qualification should have passed:

English;
Biology;
Chemistry;
Agricultural Science, Mathematics or Physics.

Another pathway is available to applicants holding a USP Diploma in Agriculture or equivalent with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

USP also provides a mature-student route under its admission regulations. Source: USP.

USP’s Current Global Ranking

The University of the South Pacific is ranked 1001-1200 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026.

THE also places USP in the 601-800 band for Business and Economics and 601-800 for Social Sciences in its 2026 subject rankings. Source: Times Higher Education.

Students should interpret this carefully.

These rankings refer to The University of the South Pacific as an entire institution. They are not rankings specifically awarded to the Alafua campus in Samoa.

A student should therefore not choose the Samoa Campus solely because of USP’s overall global ranking.

USP Tuition in Samoa

USP publishes a detailed 2026 Fees Schedule with different fee structures according to level, study mode, course and country. Source: USP 2026 Fees Schedule.

For example, its Samoa column lists 2026 face-to-face or blended undergraduate course charges in Samoan tala. A general 100-level course is listed at TALA 433, while course charges differ for areas such as accounting and computing science. Source: USP Undergraduate Fees.

Flexible-learning rates are different. The 2026 schedule lists a general 100-level flexible course for Samoa at TALA 373, again with different charges according to subject. Source: USP Flexible Learning Fees.

These are course-level fees, not a universal annual degree cost.

Students should calculate costs using the actual courses required for their programme rather than multiplying one example fee across an entire degree.

Important USP Consideration

USP can be attractive for students who value flexible learning, but delivery method should be checked carefully.

A programme accessible from Samoa may include significant online or flexible study rather than being taught entirely through traditional face-to-face classes.

Oceania University of Medicine

Why We Recommend OUM

The Oceania University of Medicine deserves inclusion for a completely different reason.

It is a specialist medical institution offering a graduate-entry pathway. It should not be compared with NUS or USP as though it were a broad undergraduate university.

OUM makes the most sense for students who:

already hold a bachelor’s degree;
specifically want to become doctors;
can meet graduate-entry academic requirements;
are comfortable with its hybrid educational model.

OUM Admission Requirements

Applicants need a recognised bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited tertiary institution.

OUM normally requires at least:

3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale, or
5.5 on a 7.0 scale, or
an equivalent academic result.

Its admission decision also considers previous academic performance, relevant healthcare experience where applicable, recommendation letters and an admissions interview. Source: Oceania University of Medicine.

OUM also states that MCAT and GAMSAT are not required for admission. Source: OUM FAQs.

This is a major difference from NUS.

NUS offers a six-year MBBS with a pathway from foundation-level science study, whereas OUM requires applicants to have completed a bachelor’s degree first.

OUM Accreditation

Accreditation is one of OUM’s strongest evidence-supported features.

The Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU) lists OUM’s Doctor of Medicine programme at Level II, with accreditation valid until May 2030. Source: PAASCU.

This is important, but students should not interpret institutional or programme accreditation as automatic permission to practise medicine anywhere in the world.

Medical graduates can still face:

national licensing examinations;
internship requirements;
registration procedures;
international medical graduate rules;
jurisdiction-specific recognition requirements.

Students intending to practise outside Samoa should check the medical regulator in their intended destination before enrolling.

OUM Tuition and Scholarships for Samoa

OUM publishes a Samoa-specific fee structure.

For its January 2027 cohort, the published non-scholarship intake fee for Samoa is WST 13,020. This consists of:

Unit 1: WST 11,040
Research Requirement: WST 1,980

The payment is due by 1 December 2026. Source: OUM Tuition and Fees.

This is an intake fee, not the total cost of completing the entire MD programme.

OUM also states that qualified Samoan applicants may receive tuition-and-fee-inclusive scholarships.

Eligibility includes Samoan citizenship and specified residency conditions.

OUM states that recipients of its Samoa and American Samoa scholarships are legally required to work as medical doctors in Samoa or American Samoa for at least five years after completing postgraduate training. Source: OUM.

That service obligation is a major condition and should be considered before accepting the scholarship.

NUS vs USP Samoa vs OUM

The three institutions become easier to compare once students stop treating them as direct substitutes.

Choose NUS if:

You want the broadest locally based university option in Samoa.

It is particularly relevant if your interests include health sciences, medicine, nursing, education, business, science or technical education.

Consider USP Samoa if:

You want agriculture or agribusiness, or you value access to a regional university with flexible study options.

The Bachelor of Agriculture provides one of the strongest subject-specific reasons to choose USP Samoa.

Consider OUM if:

You already hold a bachelor’s degree and specifically want graduate-entry medicine.

Its published admissions requirements and current PAASCU accreditation provide a clear evidence base for considering it.

Best Options by Study Goal

Student Goal	University to Consider	Why
Broad undergraduate study	National University of Samoa	Broad range of locally based faculties and schools
Agriculture	USP Samoa Campus	Bachelor of Agriculture is specifically offered at Samoa Campus
Agribusiness	USP Samoa Campus	Dedicated Agribusiness stream within the Bachelor of Agriculture
Six-year medical pathway	National University of Samoa	Full-time six-year MBBS with clinical stages at TTM Hospital
Graduate-entry medicine	Oceania University of Medicine	Requires an existing bachelor’s degree and offers an accredited MD pathway
Flexible regional study	University of the South Pacific	Many courses can be accessed through USP’s flexible-learning system

These recommendations are based on programme structure and documented evidence, not on invented “best university” awards.

Does University Ranking Matter in Samoa?

Ranking has some value, but it should not dominate the decision.

USP has current global ranking evidence, while NUS and OUM have programme strengths that cannot be captured by an overall league table.

For example:

a student interested in agriculture has a programme-specific reason to consider USP Samoa;
a student seeking a six-year MBBS has a reason to investigate NUS;
a student with an existing bachelor’s degree seeking graduate-entry medicine has a different reason to investigate OUM.

For Samoa, programme fit, admission route and professional recognition can be more useful than overall university rank.

Tuition and Value: What Can Be Compared?

Direct annual cost comparisons are difficult because the universities publish fees in different ways.

Institution	Verified Cost Evidence	Limitation
NUS	Current comprehensive comparable 2026 figure not established	Confirm directly with university
USP	Detailed 2026 course-level fee schedules available	Fees vary by course, level and delivery method
OUM	Samoa-specific MD fees and scholarship conditions published	Intake fee is not the total MD cost

Students should avoid articles that present one programme fee as though it represents the entire university.

Total affordability also depends on accommodation, living costs, mandatory charges and study duration. Comparable current figures for all of these components were not established strongly enough to calculate a defensible total cost for each university.

Admission Reality

Admission requirements vary substantially by institution and programme.

NUS Medicine

NUS MBBS admission can require strong Foundation Science results, including an 80% aggregate across specified subjects and at least 70% in English, or a relevant bachelor’s-level route. An interview is required. Source: NUS.

USP Agriculture

USP’s Bachelor of Agriculture expects relevant senior-secondary subjects including English, Biology and Chemistry, plus another specified science or agriculture subject, unless the student qualifies through another approved pathway. Source: USP.

OUM Medicine

OUM requires a bachelor’s degree and normally at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale or equivalent. Source: OUM.

Reliable comparable acceptance rates were not identified and should not be estimated from third-party SEO websites.

Accreditation Matters More Than Ranking for Medicine

Students entering regulated professions should check the specific degree rather than relying on the university’s overall reputation.

For OUM, PAASCU lists the Doctor of Medicine at Level II with accreditation through May 2030. Source: PAASCU.

For NUS, students should separately verify the professional registration requirements relevant to the country where they eventually intend to practise.

The key question is not simply:

“Is this university recognised?”

It is:

“Will this particular qualification meet the education and licensing requirements in the country where I want to work?”

International Students: Samoa Study Permit

International students intending to study in Samoa may require a Temporary Resident Permit for Study.

Samoa Immigration currently requires applicants to provide:

the temporary residence application;
confirmation of enrolment from the relevant educational institution;
evidence of sufficient funds;
scholarship documentation where applicable, or accommodation evidence for private students.

For medical students, Samoa Immigration states that the confirmation letter must be provided by the Samoa Ministry of Health. Source: Samoa Immigration.

Samoa Immigration also states that the entry permit must be approved and granted before travel to Samoa. Source: Samoa Immigration.

As of the current government fee schedule, a Study in Samoa temporary residence application costs:

Main applicant: SAT/WST 450
Dependent spouse or child: SAT/WST 200 each

The government lists a processing time of 10 working days. Source: Samoa Immigration.

Immigration rules are time-sensitive, so applicants should confirm them again before travelling.

[Internal link opportunity: Student Visa for Samoa]

Which University Should You Choose?

Choose NUS as your starting point if you want a broad Samoa-based university offering multiple conventional academic and professional fields.

Consider USP Samoa Campus if agriculture, agribusiness or flexible regional study is central to your plans. Its Bachelor of Agriculture provides the clearest specialist academic case among Samoa-based options.

Consider OUM if you already have a bachelor’s degree and specifically want graduate-entry medicine. Its admission requirements and PAASCU accreditation are well documented, but medical licensing requirements in your future country of practice must still be checked.

Students should not choose between these institutions purely by global ranking.

The more useful comparison is:

subject fit + admission feasibility + programme recognition + cost + intended career pathway.

Sources and Methodology

Research reviewed: 16 September 2026

This guide prioritised current authoritative sources rather than third-party university aggregators.

University Programmes and Admissions

The National University of Samoa was used for current faculty information, MBBS structure, clinical attachments and admission requirements. National University of Samoa.

The University of the South Pacific’s 2026 Handbook and Calendar was used for Bachelor of Agriculture structure, admission requirements and current fee schedules. USP 2026 Handbook and Calendar.

Oceania University of Medicine was used for current admissions, Samoa-specific tuition information and scholarship conditions. Oceania University of Medicine.

Ranking

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026 was used for USP’s current institutional ranking. Times Higher Education.

Medical Accreditation

PAASCU was used to verify OUM’s Level II Doctor of Medicine accreditation and its May 2030 validity date. PAASCU.

Immigration

Samoa’s Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Immigration Division was used for study-permit requirements, current fees and processing-time information. Samoa Immigration.

Where comparable current information was not sufficiently established, particularly comprehensive NUS 2026 tuition and comparable graduate-employment statistics, no figure was invented.

Internal Linking Opportunities

[Internal link opportunity: Cost of Living in Samoa]
[Internal link opportunity: Student Visa for Samoa]
[Internal link opportunity: Scholarships in Samoa]
[Internal link opportunity: Study in Samoa]