We Are UAchievers
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More than a Degree, A Journey that Shapes You!
Starting university is more than choosing a study program. It is choosing the kind of person you want to become. At the University of Aruba, you become part of a community that challenges you to grow, speak up, stay curious, and believe in your own potential.
The UAchiever Experience
Who you become here
As a UAchiever, you learn by asking questions, sharing
ideas, supporting others, and stepping outside your
comfort zone, together. Some days will challenge you.
Some moments will surprise you. But every experience
helps shape your story.
Here, you are not just preparing for a career. You are
discovering your voice, your strengths, and the impact
you want to make in Aruba and beyond.
We are a small university by design, which means
interactive classes, meaningful connections with faculty
and staff, and an environment where you are truly
known, supported, and encouraged to do your best
work!
At the University of Aruba, we grow together. We challenge ourselves to think differently, collaborate openly, and contribute meaningfully to the world around us.
To grow with purpose and to lead with impact! That is what it means to be an #UAchiever.
A Global Experience
Discover the world
UAchievers are locally grounded and globally connected. Through our international programs and partnerships, you gain the experiences, skills, and confidence to thrive in an interconnected world. Whether you are a UAchiever wanting to study abroad, intern internationally, collaborate online across borders, or simply experience Aruba, our Office of International Affairs (OIA) connects you to the world and prepares you for wherever your future takes you!
International Opportunities
UAchievers Studying Abroad
Spending a semester or a full year at one of our partner universities abroad is one of the most valuable experiences you can have as a UAchiever. You gain new academic perspectives, build intercultural connections, learn to navigate the unexpected, and come home with a stronger sense of who you are.
Through our exchange programs such as the Erasmus+ Program, Non-Erasmus Exchange Programs, and the SEA+ Kingdom Scholarship, UAchievers can study abroad at partner universities in Europe, the Americas, and across the Caribbean, earning credits that count toward their degree!
A few examples:
– Funded by the European Union
However, the views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the
author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the
National Agency. Neither the European Union nor the National Agency can be
held liable for them.
Our Exchange Program
International Students at the University of Aruba
The University of Aruba is not only a place from which UAchievers go out into the world, but also a destination for international students who want to experience the Caribbean while earning their degrees. Our classrooms bring together local and international students, as well as our diverse staff members from across the world. As a visiting exchange student, you get to experience a genuinely international learning environment, get to know our culture, and what it truly means to be a UAchiever. We look forward to welcoming you to our one happy island of Aruba!
</span>”I had the pleasure to spend my fall semester as an exchange student at the wonderful University of Aruba. The island is magnificent, and the UA offers a broad range of courses. I still stay in contact with many people from my time there. I recommend that everybody come to the UA in Aruba and have their own experience. You won’t regret it!”
— Marvin Ikedo, Exchange Student (2019)
General Information & Admission Requirements
Whether you are a UAchiever heading abroad or an international student considering Aruba, we want the process to feel clear and manageable. Here is what you need to know:
UAchiever Study Abroad
Requirements
- Open to students enrolled in a UA degree program
- Minimum GPA requirements apply (varies per program and partner)
- Erasmus+ grants are available to help cover costs for eligible students
- Applications are submitted through the Office of International Affairs (Contact OIA for more details)
International Students (Exchange Program)
Application Deadline
International students who would like to spend a semester or more studying at the University of Aruba are invited to apply through the Office of International Affairs before the following deadlines:
- Fall Semester: 1 May
- Spring Semester: 1 Nov
Erasmus Exchange students will need to follow the OIA procedures emailed to them. The following forms must be completed by non-Erasmus exchange students. Download the form here!
Course Modules
Please search our available courses using our Course Catalogue
Tuition Fees
| AWG. 1000 | |
| AWG. 450 | |
| AWG. 250 | |
| AWG. 1700 (aprox. €835 or $642) |
For institutions without formalized collaboration with the University of Aruba, Erasmus, or otherwise.
Bachelors program per semester (all fees quoted in Aruban Florin)
| AWG. 1.250 | |
| AWG. 450 | |
| AWG. 250 | |
| AWG. 1950 (aprox. €958 or $1.090) |
Master’s Program (Aruban Law) per semester (all fees quoted in Aruban Florin)
The international administration fee covers costs related to standard DIMAS charges. Additional costs for visa/health checks are the student’s responsibility.
If a student wishes to attend only 1 module, a separate “attendance” fee is applied.
Contact oia@ua.aw for more information.
Permits
After your application, you will have to submit the following documents to the Office of International Affairs.
Required Documents for Tourist Permit Extension (max 180 days)
- Proof of Medical Insurance (in English, Dutch, Spanish, or Papiamento). It must state the dates of validity and that it is valid internationally. If using a copy of a ‘Zorgpas’, a copy of the letter with the dates is required.
- Financial Letter and bank statement (minimum of €1.280,00)
- Copy of the passport of your parents or guardian.
- Copy of the passport of your parents/guardian, in case your parents/guardian is financially supporting the student.
- Housing Contract. The contract must extend until the end of your stay in Aruba. If the contract is with an individual rather than a company, submit it with the landlord’s Chamber of Commerce number (KVK nummer).
- Copy of Arrival and Return flight reservation.
- ED (Embarkation – Disembarkation) Card must be filled in.
- Return must be within 180 days of arrival.
The Office of International Affairs will help students apply for a Tourist Permit Extension at the Aruban Immigration office upon their arrival. The Office of International Affairs will meet in the first week to provide students with more information about this matter.
If you plan to stay for more than 180 days to study, then the Office of International Affairs will have to secure a student visa for you.
Student VISA
Students who will do an exchange for a year or more will need to apply for a Student Permit. Please bear in mind that there are additional costs associated with the Student Permit and certain medical tests.
Required Documents for Application (1 or more Semesters)
- Lease Agreement
- Essential for DIMAS: Court document. Certificate of good conduct (must be apostilled). This must be requested from the Supreme Court Clerk’s Office.
- Certificate of registration with the UA (acceptance letter)
- Proof of solvency (bank statement of sufficient funds) for the student’s study duration
- Proof of private insurance for the duration of studies.
- Student VISA information
Housing
There are various apartments around the island that can accommodate you while studying at the University of Aruba. You can download our Guidebook 2025-2026 or request an overview at the Office of International Affairs by emailing oia@ua.aw.
Please take note that our University is not responsible for these apartments
Erasmus+
We welcome incoming exchange students from our partner institutions. If you are a student from one of our Erasmus Partner Universities, contact your institution’s international office to apply to study at the University of Aruba on the Erasmus Exchange. See our fact sheet and international partners section for more information.
Student Facilities
Life at the University of Aruba
Spaces, Support, and Community; all found in one place!
At the University of Aruba, student life extends well beyond the classroom. We have created an environment where you can find your people, take care of yourself, access what you need, and grow in ways that go far beyond your degree. Everything here is designed with you in mind.
Your Campus
Spaces designed for learning, connection & growth!
The spaces where you study, collaborate, and connect matter. Our campus is continuously being developed into a modern, future-ready environment that reflects our values and gives every UAchiever a place to feel at home. From study spaces and lecture halls to labs, social areas, the library, and event venues, our facilities are here to support your academic journey and your life on campus.
Student Organizations & Activities
Finding your community
Student life at the University of Aruba is built on connection, collaboration, and shared experiences. Over the years, our student organizations have played an important role in shaping campus life, bringing students together through initiatives such as academic clubs, cultural activities, advocacy efforts, creative projects, and student-led social events.
It's all about #UAmbiente!
Check out @universityofaruba on Instagram or contact our Office of Student Affairs (OSA) to learn more about past and present student activities, and to explore how you can get involved in or help shape student life during the academic year. Getting involved is more than participation; it’s where you meet people, discover new interests, build confidence, and create memories and networks that stay with you long after graduation.
Guidance & Wellbeing
We've got you!
As a UAchiever, you are never expected to handle everything on your own. At the University of Aruba, your well-being matters not just as a student, but as a person.
Through the Shoco Wellness program, you have access to a safe and supportive space where you can talk, recharge, and get the guidance you need when life feels overwhelming. Academic advisors are available in every study program to support your studies, decisions, and goals, and our confidential counselors are here for the moments that go beyond academics.
At the University of Aruba, we invest in the growth of our UAchievers and offer support to help you thrive and transform lives!
Student Opportunities
Your opportunities start here!
There is always a next step at the University of Aruba. Whether you want to go further, be recognized for your efforts, or stay connected long after graduation. The opportunities are here, and they are yours to take.
UA Student Development Fund
Financial Support for your Ambitions
Every UAchiever has ambitions that go beyond the classroom. The Student Development Fund (SDF) was established by the Office of Student Affairs to make sure that financial barriers do not stand in the way of your growth.
The fund provides microfinance assistance to students who are actively involved in the University of Aruba community and seek meaningful opportunities. From attending international conferences and completing internships abroad, to participating in exchange programs or launching a social entrepreneur venture.
Celebrating and unlocking opportunities for every UAchiever!
Student Awards & Recognition
We See You!
At the University of Aruba, we celebrate students who go above and beyond as scholars, leaders, and members of our community. Recognition here is not just about grades. It is about the kind of person you are becoming and the impact you are already making. Every year, the University of Aruba presents the Student Ambassador Award to a UAchiever. The UAchiever who receives this award demonstrates leadership, active involvement, academic commitment, and community engagement, and serves as a positive role model for fellow students.
The University of Aruba also proudly recognizes academic excellence through the Best Thesis Awards for both Bachelor’s and Master’s programs. These awards celebrate students whose research demonstrates quality, innovation, relevance, and meaningful contribution to society and their field of study.
Graduating from the University of Aruba is not the end of your journey. It is the beginning of your lifelong connection to a community of people who share your values, your roots, and your ambition.
Once a UAchiever, Always Part of the Story
After Graduation
Our alumni are teachers, lawyers, economists, entrepreneurs, researchers, and leaders across Aruba and beyond. They are the proof of what a UA education makes possible, and they remain part of our ecosystem as mentors, ambassadors, and advocates for the next generation of UAchievers.
We are building a stronger alumni network, with networking opportunities, mentoring programs, and meaningful ways to give back and stay connected. We look forward to welcoming you back as an alumnus, as a partner, and as part of our story. Being a UAchiever means being part of the UA ecosystem for life!