The information presented below is a compilation of news and instructions from the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) website. The information is for non-school leavers (who have applied to UPNG) and school leavers who applied through DHERST's NOAS (National Online Application System).
The Grade 12 School Leavers ONLINE Selection started in 2018. It is the best thing that happens. The online selection helps DHERST, the government and stakeholders know exactly how many Grade 12 students are selected for universities and colleges.
In a recent media statement, DHERST resorted to also bringing the NON-SCHOOL LEAVERS Selection ONLINE. Universities and colleges are not going to make the selections. So, what does that mean for you as a non-school leaver applicant? Find out here
THE FORMER DHERST MINISTER, DON POLYE ANNOUNCED AN ONLINE NSL SELECTION TO TAKE EFFECT IN 2024/2025 (SEE VIDEO HERE). BUT, THE DETAILS ARE NOT CLEAR YET. STAY IN TUNE FOR MORE OR CHECK DHERST WEBSITE FOR THE LATEST ON NSL APPLICATION FOR 2025.
Important selections note
If you are a non-school leaver and have applied to UPNG, the university (UPNG) will inform you when you are accepted into a program.
For example, if you submitted the 2025 UPNG non-school leaver application, you'll hear directly from UPNG - not from DHERST.
The university will directly inform you via the acceptance letter and/or by publishing the acceptance list on its website. Then, you must accept the Offer Letter and let the UPNG know about your intention to take up the offer immediately.
RELATED ARTICLE: PNG Universities and Colleges Last Year's Acceptance List Info, TESAS, HELP Loan and Registration and Orientation - ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW.
UPNG Acceptance Lists for 2025
The University of Papua New Guinea offers Diploma, Bachelor, Bachelor (Professional), Bachelor (Honours), Post-Graduate Diploma, Master, PhD and D.B.A. programs.
UPNG accepts School Leavers and Non-School leavers for admission into its Diploma, Bachelor and Bachelor (Professional) programs.
Here is what SL and NSL mean:
- School leavers - Grade 12 school leavers seeking admission in the next immediate year
- Non-School leavers - Prospecting students who completed Grade 12 in the last 5 years, including FODE and DODL students and international students.
Non-school Leavers Acceptance List
Due to limited space and resources, the University can only admit a limited number of new students into various programmes of study. As a result, competition is very high and priority is given to those with higher GPAs.
Those seeking enrolment must satisfy the UPNG admission requirement.
The Non-School Leavers are selected based on their application in response to the University’s advertisement every year. The university does the selection and informs the students by publishing the 2025 non-school leavers acceptance list on each university's website.
If you have a question about the 2025 Grade 12 selection process, PDF list, etc., please leave a comment below or check out this latest update on PNG Universities Non-School Leavers Selection.
School Leavers Acceptance List
School leavers are selected based on the options provided by the Department of Higher Education. DHERST does the selection online and informs the students of their AES or TESAS statuses.
The 2025 school leavers' selection list will be published on the DHERST website like it did in the past unless things have changed. However, it seems that the selection will continue as normal this year.
So, check this blog post here or the DHERST website for the latest info in regards to the 2025 school leavers online selection list.
UPNG postgraduate programs
The University advertises for postgraduate programs such as Bachelor (Honours), Post-Graduate Diploma, Master, PhD and D.B.A. programs. Candidates with a good Bachelors degree are eligible to apply for Bachelor (Honours), Post-Graduate Diploma and Master programs.
Candidates with a good Master degree are eligible to apply for the PhD program and D.B.A. program. The University selects the candidates for these programs from among those who apply against its advertisement every year.
Acceptance letters
The University sends offer/acceptance letters to all candidates selected for various programs in addition to advertising the names of selected candidates for various programs in the prominent newspapers in the Country.
The candidates who accept the offer letters are requested to pay the relevant yearly fee in full and register themselves for the program for which they are accepted usually in February of the year concerned.
The process of admission ends with the registration of the students for the program for which they are accepted.
If you have any questions about the 2025 Grade 12 selection process, PDF list, etc., please leave a comment below or check out this latest update on PNG Universities Non-School Leavers Selection.