🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
Full Tuition plus Maintenance Stipend
⏱
Duration
Duration of the undergraduate program (usually 3 years)
🌐
Fields
All fields (except Full Fee-paying programs in some jurisdictions)
🏆
Awards/Year
Approximately 50-70 per academic year
🌏
Study Country
Caribbean Regional (Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda)
🏛️
Provider
The University of the West Indies (UWI)
The UWI Open Scholarship is the most prestigious scholarship offered by the University of the West Indies. It is designed to reward Caribbean nationals who show exceptional academic achievement at the pre-university level. The scholarship supports students across all three residential campuses and the Open Campus, covering the full cost of their undergraduate education.
👥 Who Should Apply
Open to citizens of UWI-contributing Caribbean countries who have outstanding academic records at the CAPE, Associate Degree, or equivalent level.
🏛️ Host University
The University of the West Indies (All Campuses)
🤝 Sponsor
The University of the West Indies
🌐 Fields of Study
All fields (except Full Fee-paying programs in some jurisdictions)
✨ Key Benefits
The scholarship covers the full cost of tuition, provides a maintenance stipend for living expenses, covers accommodation in the University's Halls of Residence, and includes a book allowance.
🎯 Target Students
Undergraduate Freshmen
🏷 Tags
Caribbean
Undergraduate
Merit-based
Fully Funded
UWI
💸 Funding Breakdown
Living Stipend
Included as a maintenance allowance
Total Award
Full Tuition plus Maintenanc
✈️ Travel: Not standard, varies by home territory
🏠 Accommodation: Yes (Halls of Residence fees or equivalent allowance)
💊 Health Insurance: Check official website (usually covered by university health fee)
🔄 Renewable: Yes
💳 App Fee: No
🏠 Living Stipend
Included as a maintenance allowance
🏡 Accommodation
Yes (Halls of Residence fees or equivalent allowance)
✈️ Travel Allowance
Not standard, varies by home territory
💊 Health Insurance
Check official website (usually covered by university health fee)
🎁 Other Benefits
Book allowance provided annually
📋 Renewal Conditions
Must maintain a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Must be a citizen of a UWI-contributing country; must be a first-time undergraduate applicant.
🎓 Academic Level
Undergraduate
📊 Minimum GPA
Not applicable for entry (based on exam ranks); 3.0 to maintain
🗣️ English Requirement
Proficiency in English (standard Caribbean secondary school requirements)
🎂 Age Limit
No specific age limit
💼 Work Experience
Not required
🏆 Leadership
Considered but academic merit is primary
💰 Financial Need
Not a requirement for the Open Scholarship
🎯 Target Students
Undergraduate Freshmen
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes (Personal Statement/Essay typically required)
Rec Letters
Yes (Usually 2 letters of recommendation)
Documents Required
- Academic Transcripts
- Passport / National ID
- Yes (Usually 2 letters of recommendation) Recommendation Letters
- CV / Resume
- Personal Statement / Essays
- Proficiency in English (standard Caribbean secondary school requirements)
- Interview: No
- Min GPA: Not applicable for entry (based on exam ranks); 3.0 to maintain
📋 Application Process
Ensure that your CAPE/A-Level results are sent directly to the UWI; highlight leadership and community service in your personal statement.
💡 Insider Tip: Start the application as soon as you receive your offer of admission or even during the admission application process.