Financing for equity in higher education
1. Education resources to subnational governments
2. Education resources to institutions
3. Education resources to students
4. Support for students' living costs
Introduction
Key financing indicators (UIS Data)
No data is available from UIS on the gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education for both sexes, the initial government funding per tertiary student as a percentage of GDP per capita, or the initial household funding per tertiary student as a percentage of GDP per capita.
Tuition-free status
Public tertiary education in Nauru is not tuition-free according to national laws and policies.
Governance
The government of Nauru does not operate any higher education institutions; the Nauru Campus of the regional University of the South Pacific (USP) is the only tertiary institution operating in the country. The Nauru Campus offers certificate programs and coordinates distance-learning programmes from the main campus in Fiji.
The Department of Education leads policy, planning, and the direct administration of higher education funding, which includes operating donor-funded scholarship schemes and negotiating with external providers such as the University of the South Pacific (USP). The Ministry of Finance oversees public financial management, preparing the annual national budget, approving sector allocations, and managing expenditure monitoring.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
Higher education financing is managed centrally by the Department of Education and the Ministry of Finance.
2. Education resources to institutions
Funding for private universities in the absence of public institutions
No funding is available for private universities in the absence of public universities. Given the lack of tertiary education in Nauru, the government supports student access to higher education through national and donor-funded scholarship programmes that allow students to study at private universities abroad, typically covering tuition and living costs directly or through stipends. Further information is provided below.
Allocation and equity
Nauru does not operate any public higher education institutions. As a member country of the University of the South Pacific, the government contributes to the funding of the Nauru campus. However, USP has noted that government contributions have been inconsistent.
3. Education resources to students
Admission for vulnerable groups
Nauru does not fund or operate its own public higher education institutions, nor manage admissions to the University of South Pacific’s Nauru Campus.
Scholarships, grants and loans for vulnerable groups
Scholarships for higher education in Nauru are primarily funded by donor agencies, most notably Australia Awards and New Zealand Manaaki Scholarships. No information was found on Ministry of Education-funded tertiary education scholarships for students in Nauru.
4. Support for students’ living costs
Transportation
No information was found on support for student transportation.
Accommodation
No information was found on support for student accommodation.
Textbooks
No information was found on support for student textbooks.
