Belize is located in Central America, bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the south and west, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. It is a culturally and linguistically diverse country, and English is its official language. Belize has the lowest population density in Central America. Its coastal areas, forests, jungles, wildlife reserves, and distinctive ecosystems contribute to its appeal as a travel destination.
Belize is known for activities such as snorkeling, canoeing, fishing, caving, and scuba diving, as well as the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The World Bank classifies Belize as an upper-middle-income country. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology has identified access, equity, and quality as key priorities for the education system. Students comparing institutions should review each school’s current fees, program availability, and financial aid rules before applying. Let’s take a look at the cheapest universities in Belize for international students.
Affordable Schools in Belize for International Students
1. University of Belize
The University of Belize (UB) is the country’s national, autonomous university. It was created on August 1, 2000, through the merger of five institutions. UB’s main campus is in Belmopan, and it also offers programs from locations in Belize City, Central Farm, and Punta Gorda. In addition, the university owns and manages two marine field stations at Calabash and Hunting Caye.
UB has four academic faculties: the Faculty of Education and Arts, the Faculty of Health Sciences, the Faculty of Management and Social Sciences, and the Faculty of Science and Technology. Its current website also lists a School of Medicine and several centers and institutes. Students can use UB’s official programs and estimates page to compare available programs and current costs.
UB offers scholarships and other forms of financial assistance. Its official scholarships page lists the Black Jaguar Financial Aid program, a work scholarship program, and emergency financial assistance, along with links to other funding options. Eligibility and coverage vary, so applicants should review the current rules carefully.
2. Galen University (GU)
Galen University is an independent university chartered by the Government of Belize. Founded in September 2003, it is located at Mile 64 George Price Highway in Cayo. Galen uses a hybrid online and face-to-face learning approach, and its website states that students can take individual classes or complete an entire degree online.
Galen has three faculties: the Faculty of Arts, Science, and Technology; the Faculty of Business and Entrepreneurship; and the Faculty of Education. Its current program list includes subjects such as anthropology, computer science, criminal justice, environmental science, accounting, business administration, economics, entrepreneurship, hospitality and tourism management, international business, marketing, elementary education, and secondary education.
Galen’s current tuition page lists an undergraduate rate of BZ$320 per credit hour under its discounted pricing. It also lists graduate tuition rates by program and an additional undergraduate discount for students who pay tuition in full within the first two weeks of the semester. Galen offers scholarship and financing options, but applicants should check the official pages for current eligibility rules and deadlines.
3. University of West Indies Open Campus
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Tuition Fees: US$648 per 3-credit undergraduate course for international students in the 2025/2026 fee schedule; additional compulsory and administrative fees apply.
The University of the West Indies (UWI) Open Campus was renamed the UWI Global Campus effective August 1, 2023. It is part of The University of the West Indies and was established to expand access to higher education across the Caribbean and beyond. The Global Campus provides flexible continuing and professional education, undergraduate, and postgraduate programs and courses, including online options.
Belize is among the Global Campus locations listed by UWI. Students applying for online programs select a Global Campus country site during the application process. Tuition is not a flat annual amount: the official 2025/2026 schedule lists international undergraduate tuition for regional programs on a per-course basis and notes that compulsory and administrative fees also apply.
Students should use UWI Global Campus’s official program search, admissions pages, and tuition schedule to confirm the current options available to them. Course availability, delivery mode, and total costs can vary by program and registration site.
We hope that this article on affordable schools in Belize was helpful. If you are interested in studying abroad, check out the Available Programs for International Students!
