Northern Caribbean University emblem

Northern Caribbean University

Mandeville, Jamaica • Founded 1907

Updated May 2026 · Source: ncu.edu.jm

Overview

English Name: Northern Caribbean University
Acronyms: NCU
Founded: 1907
Institution Type: University
Control Type: Private
Religious Affiliation: Christian-Adventist
Motto: Ubi Semper Discimus
Colours: Blue and yellow
Northern Caribbean University emblem

Founded in 1907, the Northern Caribbean University is a private higher education institution located in the large town of Mandeville (population range of 10,000-49,999 inhabitants), Manchester.

Officially recognized by the Ministry of Education and Youth of Jamaica, Northern Caribbean University (NCU) is a small-sized coeducational Jamaican higher education institution formally affiliated with the Christian-Adventist religion. Northern Caribbean University (NCU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor's degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation), bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.

This 117-year-old Jamaican higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic records and grades. International students are welcome to apply for enrollment.

NCU also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.

Location & Contact

Northern Caribbean University's physical location and contact details are listed below.

Address: Manchester Rd.
Other Sites: Alos East Jamaica Regional Campus (Kingston), West Jamaica Regional Campus (Montego Bay), North Jamaica Regional Campus (St. Ann's Bay)
Map:
Phone: +1 (876) 962 2204
Fax: +1 (876) 962 0075

Academic Details

Northern Caribbean University's key academic numbers — student body size, staffing, and accreditation context.

Recognition: Ministry of Education and Youth of Jamaica
Accrediting Agency: University Council of Jamaica (UCJ); Institutional accreditation from the Adventist Accrediting Association, Washington D.C., USA
Student Enrollment: 5,000-5,999
Memberships & Networks
Joint Committee for Tertiary Education (JCTE) Association of Caribbean Tertiary Institutions (ACTI)

Degrees

Also Diplomas and Certificates

Associate 17 programs
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Computer Science
  • Criminal Law
  • Dental Hygiene
  • Dietetics
  • English
  • History
  • Home Economics Education
  • Information Technology
  • Mass Communication
  • Music
  • Religion
  • Social Work
  • Spanish
  • Theology
  • Visual Arts
Bachelor's 39 programs
  • Agriculture
  • Agronomy
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Biochemistry
  • Biological and Life Sciences
  • Biology
  • Business Administration
  • Chemistry
  • Computer Science
  • Criminal Law
  • Dental Hygiene
  • Dietetics
  • Educational and Student Counselling
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • English
  • Environmental Studies
  • Family Studies
  • Foreign Languages Education
  • Geography
  • History
  • Hotel and Restaurant
  • Information Technology
  • Management
  • Mass Communication
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Technology
  • Music
  • Music Education
  • Nursing
  • Preschool Education
  • Primary Education
  • Psychology
  • Religion
  • Secondary Education
  • Social Work
  • Spanish
  • Special Education
  • Theology
  • Tourism
Master's 16 programs
  • Biology
  • Business Administration
  • Computer Networks
  • Education
  • Engineering Management
  • Environmental Studies
  • Finance
  • Human Resources
  • Information Management
  • Information Sciences
  • Information Technology
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Psychology
  • Public Health
  • Software Engineering
Doctoral 3 programs
  • Biology
  • Education
  • Psychology

Faculties & Divisions

All faculties operate under Ministry of Education and Youth of Jamaica.

Business and Management (College) 3 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Business Administration
  • Hotel Management
  • Management
Education and Leadership (College) 3 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Education
  • Leadership
  • Teacher Training
Humanities, Behavioual and Social Sciences (College) 6 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Arts and Humanities
  • Criminal Law
  • Fine Arts
  • Mass Communication
  • Music
  • Social Work
Natural and Applied Sciences, Allied Health and Nursing (College) 13 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Computer Science
  • Dental Hygiene
  • Dietetics
  • Engineering
  • Environmental Studies
  • Food Science
  • Information Sciences
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Technology
  • Nursing
  • Nutrition
Religion and Theology (Course/Programme) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Religion
  • Theology
Graduate Studies and Research (Department/Division) 10 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Biology
  • Business Administration
  • Education
  • Environmental Studies
  • Pastoral Studies
  • Psychology
  • Public Health
  • Religion
  • Religious Practice
  • Teacher Training
E.G.W. Research Centre (Research Division) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • History
  • Theology

Programs Offered

Search and filter Northern Caribbean University's available programmes by degree level.

51 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Jamaica

Bachelor's Degree 34 programmes

Bachelor's Degree in Applied Environmental Geography
Geography

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry
Chemistry

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Bachelor's Degree in Communication Studies
Communication Studies

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science
Computer Sciences

Entry requires five external examination passes, among them Mathematics and English at CSEC grades I or II (or A or B at GCE), plus one laboratory science, ideally Physics or Biology, passed at CSEC General Proficiency g...

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Showing 10 of 34.

Master's Degree 7 programmes

Doctorate 2 programmes

Doctorate in Counseling Psychology
Counselling & Psychotherapy

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Doctorate in Educational Psychology
Educational Psychology

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Associate's Degree 6 programmes

Associate's Degree in Business Administration
Business Administration

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Associate's Degree in Music
Music

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Associate's Degree in Social Work
Social Work

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Diploma 2 programmes

Diploma in Information Technology
Information Systems & Technology

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Postgraduate Diploma in Education
Education & Teaching

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Scholarships in Jamaica

Funding options available to students studying in Jamaica, alongside Northern Caribbean University's costs.

Annual Jamaica Scholarship
Ministry of Education and Youth, Jamaica · Government funded · Combined · Covers Living
Covers tuition at government-approved fee levels, plus a maintenance allowance and a book allowance, for the duration of the recipient's approved programme.
CHASE Fund Tertiary Scholarships and Grants
CHASE Fund · Government funded · Partial Tuition
Funds up to 100% of tuition cost for the academic year awarded, normally the final year of study only (students pursuing a BSc in Early Childhood Education may be supported for the full programme duration); other costs such as books and housing are considered only in special circumstances where alternative tuition funding has already been secured.
Dr. Rickert Allen Scholarship
NCB Foundation · Corporate funded
An annual award for one student restricted to a named partner institution, University of the Commonwealth Caribbean (UCC); amount not published on the NCB Foundation page.
Elias Issa Scholarship
Ministry of Education and Youth, Jamaica · Other funded · Combined · Covers Living
A privately-funded award, administered through the Ministry's tertiary scholarships programme, covering tuition, a maintenance allowance and a book allowance.
Emancipation Post Graduate Scholarship
Ministry of Education and Youth, Jamaica · Government funded · 350,000 JMD
A fixed-value award of J$350,000 toward postgraduate study, as stated on the Ministry's tertiary scholarships page; the specific coverage breakdown (tuition vs. other costs) is not itemised.
Emancipation Scholarship
Ministry of Education and Youth, Jamaica · Government funded · Combined · Covers Living
Covers tuition at government-approved fee levels, plus a maintenance allowance and a book allowance.
Jamaica Government Exhibition
Ministry of Education and Youth, Jamaica · Government funded · Combined
Covers tuition and a book allowance for the recipient's approved tertiary programme.
Jamaica Independence Scholarship
Jamaica's Promise · Foundation funded
A final-year scholarship for Jamaican nationals, funded from Jamaica Independence Gala proceeds; the programme's own site does not itemise the amount or specific expenses covered per recipient, though a recent award cycle distributed over J$10 million across 25 scholarships.
Jamaica Technical High School Scholarship
Ministry of Education and Youth, Jamaica · Government funded · Combined
Covers tuition and a book allowance for the recipient's approved technical/vocational-track tertiary programme.
JAMVAT Tuition Support
Students' Loan Bureau · Government funded · Partial Tuition
Under the Jamaica Values and Attitudes (JAMVAT) partnership between SLB and the Ministry of Education and Youth, the Ministry covers 30% of a participating student's tuition cost in exchange for 200 hours of voluntary service, with the remaining tuition financed through a standard SLB loan.
John J. Mills Scholarship
Ministry of Education and Youth, Jamaica · Government funded · Combined · Covers Living
Covers tuition, a maintenance allowance and a book allowance for the recipient's approved tertiary programme.
NCB Foundation Digital Scholarship
NCB Foundation · Corporate funded · 400,000 JMD per year · Partial Tuition
Provides up to J$400,000 annually toward tuition for the duration of study, prioritising technology and digital-economy fields such as software engineering, data/AI, cybersecurity and digital media.
NCB Foundation National Scholarship
NCB Foundation · Corporate funded · 700,000 JMD per year · Partial Tuition
Provides up to J$700,000 annually toward tuition for the duration of study, open to a broader range of fields than the Digital Scholarship but still prioritising Jamaica's national workforce development priorities.
NCB Foundation Tertiary Grant
NCB Foundation · Corporate funded · 150,000 JMD per total
A one-time J$150,000 grant for undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need, offered to scholarship finalists who were interviewed but not selected for a full NCB Foundation scholarship.
PATH Application Fee Waiver
Students' Loan Bureau · Government funded · Fee Waiver
Waives the Students' Loan Bureau's loan-application fee for applicants who are registered PATH (Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education) beneficiaries, in addition to the PATH grant-in-aid benefits for school-related expenses.
Sagicor Foundation Tertiary Scholarship
Sagicor Foundation · Corporate funded · 300,000 JMD · Partial Tuition
Scholarships valued at up to J$300,000, paid directly to the university to cover tuition expenses, available to students at any year of their first degree.
SLB Grant-in-Aid
Students' Loan Bureau · Government funded · 60,000 JMD · Covers Living
A non-repayable grant intended to assist with general school-related expenses (such as books, transport and meals) for Students' Loan Bureau applicants assessed as eligible, layered on top of the applicant's SLB loan rather than replacing it.
University of Technology Open Scholarship
Ministry of Education and Youth, Jamaica · Government funded · Combined
Covers tuition and a book allowance for recipients studying at the University of Technology, Jamaica.

How to apply to Northern Caribbean University

How to apply to Northern Caribbean University — a five-step structure.

  1. 1
    Find a programme that fits your goals

    Use the programme finder to browse Northern Caribbean University's 51 active programmes. Filter by keyword or scan by degree level. Read curriculum details on each programme's dedicated page if available.

  2. 2
    Confirm you meet the requirements

    Programme-level requirements at Northern Caribbean University typically include academic transcripts, language proficiency proof, identity documents, and a personal statement or interview. Confirm specific requirements with the admissions office.

  3. 3
    Assemble your application package

    Prepare academic transcripts, ID/passport copies, language proficiency proof, a personal statement, and reference letters. International candidates may need apostilled or notarised translations — start early to avoid deadline pressure.

  4. 4
    Submit your application

    Northern Caribbean University processes applications through www.ncu.edu.jm. Create an account, fill out the application form, and submit your documents. Note application deadlines, which vary by intake and programme.

  5. 5
    Contact admissions and follow up

    Confirm receipt of your application with the admissions office and keep an eye on your portal for status changes. Reach the institution by phone at +1 (876) 962 2204. Quick responses to any follow-up requests keep your application moving smoothly through the review process.

Frequently Asked Questions about Northern Caribbean University

Quick reference for Northern Caribbean University: founding, control type, and recognition status.

How old is Northern Caribbean University?

The institution opened in 1907 (approximately 119 years ago).

Where is Northern Caribbean University located?

Northern Caribbean University is located in Mandeville, Jamaica.

Is Northern Caribbean University public or private?

Northern Caribbean University is a private institution.

What is the student enrolment at Northern Caribbean University?

Student enrolment at Northern Caribbean University is around 5,000-5,999.

What programmes are available at Northern Caribbean University?

Northern Caribbean University offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.

Is Northern Caribbean University affiliated with a religion?

Northern Caribbean University is associated with Christian-Adventist.

Is Northern Caribbean University accredited?

Yes, Northern Caribbean University is recognised by University Council of Jamaica (UCJ); Institutional accreditation from the Adventist Accrediting Association, Washington D.C., USA.

What is Northern Caribbean University's official website?

Northern Caribbean University's official website is www.ncu.edu.jm.

Other Jamaican Universities Affiliated with Christian-Adventist

Northern Caribbean University and the universities below share a Christian-Adventist affiliation.

Where Else to Study Information Systems & Technology

Below: other Jamaica universities that offer Information Systems & Technology programmes.

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