Financing for equity in higher education

1. Education resources to subnational governments

Introduction

Key financing indicators (UIS Data)

In 2025, the gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education for both sexes in Barbados was 50.80, a decrease from the country’s highest enrolment of 74.21% in 2009. The initial government funding per tertiary student as a percentage of GDP per capita was last measured in Barbados in 2010 at 40.76%. The initial household funding per tertiary student as a percentage of GDP per capita was last measured in 2001 at 4.76%.

Tuition-free status

Higher education is tuition free with a caveat. In 2018, the government reintroduced the payment of tuition fees. Students would be able to continue to attend higher education institutions as long as they participated in the government’s Give Back programme. Under the national Give Back programme, students are asked to contribute a certain number of hours in approved community services per year. Students may still need to pay registration fees.

Governance

The Ministry of Educational Transformation (MEdT) is responsible for financing and management of the education system in Barbados. The Higher Education Development Unit (HEDU) was established to facilitate institutional strengthening initiatives across the higher education institutions in Barbados (Barbados Community College (BCC), Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology (SJPI) and Erdiston Teachers’ Training College (ETTC)). Meanwhile, the Tertiary Unit of the MEdT coordinates activities related to scholarships, awards, and grants that allow citizens to pursue higher education.

1. Education resources to subnational governments

Funds are paid directly to higher education institutions and do not go through a subnational funding mechanism.

2. Education resources to institutions

Funding for private universities in the absence of public institutions

The 1997 Education Act gives the Minister the power to grant financial aid and other assistance to private educational institutions.

Allocation and equity

The Ministry of Educational Transformation (MEdT) pays the tuition of Barbadian students directly to the higher education institutions located in Barbados, including the University of the West Indies (UWI).

Transfers to the various higher education institutions (University of the West Indies, Samuel Jackman Institute of Technology, Barbados Community College) are found in the 2024-2025 state budget.

3. Education resources to students

Admission for vulnerable groups

The Ministry of Educational Transformation (MEdT) policy is to ensure equitable access to quality education for all citizens. Higher education institutions should facilitate expansion relative to increasing access to students currently denied admission. No specific admission criteria for vulnerable groups were found.

Scholarships, grants and loans for vulnerable groups

The Tertiary Unit of the MEdT processes all financial support activities that support the attendance of Barbados citizens in higher education. The unit manages the Barbados Scholarships, the National Development Scholarships, Commonwealth Scholarships and other external scholarships and awards. The unit also processes applications for bursaries, financial assistance, and other sponsorships.

National Development Scholarships are available for Barbadian students accepted to an internationally accredited university in one of the accepted areas of study. The scholarship covers student transportation to the country of study, tuition fees, living allowance, book allowance, and clothing allowance.

Barbadian students are also able to attend the University of the West Indies (UWI) with support from the government. In 2013, the government stopped paying the tuition of UWI students from Barbados. When student enrolment dropped, the Higher Education Support Grant was established in 2015. The programme spent BSD 15 million over three years to students based on income, academic performance, and area of study. In 2018, the government returned to the previous policy of covering student tuition for Barbadian UWI students.

The Student Revolving Loan Fund, established under the 1976 Student Revolving Loan Fund Act, provides loans to eligible Barbadians to assist in financing areas of study. The project was financed by the Inter-American Development Bank and the Government of Barbados.

The Barbados Community College and the UWI Cave Hill campus each provide their own lists of available scholarships. UWI offers academic bursaries to eligible undergraduate students on the basis of their academic performance.