2026 Non-School Leavers Acceptance Lists for PNG Universities & Colleges

Securing a place in a university or college in Papua New Guinea as a non-school leaver (NSL) requires upgrading marks and navigating the NOAS selection and admission processes. It can be daunting, and the anticipation of seeing your name on the selection list is high. This article aims to provide key information on the PNG Universities and Colleges 2026 Non-School Leavers Acceptance Lists and what to expect between December (this year) and January (next year).

We’ll explore the different lists, responsible institutions, and crucial download locations so that you have an idea of what is happening.

Have You Applied to a PNG University or College as a Non-School Leaver for 2026?

• IMPORTANT: 2024 was the first year when non-school leavers applied through the DHERST NOAS platform. That means that all NSLs applying through NOAS must check their NOAS MyStatus to see the outcome of their choices, just like the current Grade 12 school leavers.
• Lists to watch: Look for the Non-School Leavers Selection Lists coming out before the third week of January 2026.
• Where to find the NSL Selection List: Check the website, notice boards, or social media of your chosen university or college.
• Ask if unsure: Don’t hesitate to contact the admissions department for any questions. Or leave a comment below to get clarification.
• Scholarship info: The DHERST TESAS Awards Lists in January 2026 will confirm your selection along with your scholarship status.

Understanding the Different Selection Lists

The Department of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology (DHERST) and individual institutions play a central role in disseminating information about admission through a variety of selection lists:

• Re-enrolling Students: For students resuming their studies after dropping out of their university and college studies.
• Online Student Selection List: For applicants who applied to specific institutions to study online.
• Non-School Leavers Selection List: This crucial list details NSL placements across PNG’s universities and colleges.
• Continuing Students Progression List: For existing students successfully transitioning to the next academic level.
• New Intake (2026 Non-School Leavers Acceptance Lists): For recent secondary school Grade 12 school leavers.

For a more detailed breakdown of these lists, please refer to the PNG Insight Blog.

Accessing the Acceptance Lists PDF

The channels for accessing these lists vary depending on the releasing authority, the PNG universities and colleges, and DHERST.

1. Colleges and Universities:

The universities and colleges are responsible for the following lists: Re-enrolling Students, Online Student Selection List, Non-School Leavers Selection List, and Continuing Students Progression List.

To access your specific selection list (Re-enrolling Students, Online Student Selection, Non-School Leavers Selection, or Continuing Students’ Progression), visit the official website, notice boards, or social media pages of the institution you applied to. Don’t hesitate to contact their admissions department for any further questions.

2. DHERST 2026 Non-School Leavers Acceptance Lists

The Department of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology (DHERST) released two important lists that you should know about:

• The higher education department will launch the Grade 12 Selection List (New Intake) on the 16th of December 2024. Check out the DHERST website. The publication date will be made known to parents and students when the final TESAS list is ready – more information here
• Note that the DHERST TESAS Awards List for 2026 consolidates the Tertiary Education Student Assistance Scheme (TESAS) awards across all the PNG Higher Education Institutions. The list includes the scholarship status for both the selected School Leavers and Non-school Leavers.

PNG Universities and Colleges Non-School Leavers Acceptance Lists 2026

As for the exact release date of the PNG Universities and Colleges Non-School Leavers Selection Lists for 2026, it remains uncertain. Different institutions release these lists at varying times between December and January.

However, it is crucial to note that the non-school leavers’ selection lists must be made public before the DHERST TESAS Awards Lists 2026, which is normally scheduled for the third week of January 2026. This implies that the acceptance lists for non-school leavers should be available by the end of the third week of January 2026, a few weeks before the academic year starts.

Prospective students will then be informed of their TESAS status on the DHERST TESAS Awards Lists just before the end of January or early February.

Key Points on Non-School Leavers Acceptance Lists for PNG Universities and Colleges Selection

Colleges and Universities release the following selection lists:

• Re-enrolling students
• Online Student Selection List
• Non-School Leavers Selection List
• Continuing Students Progression List

Any inquiries should be directed to the specific institution you are applying to for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

DHERST releases the following selection and the TESAS awards list:

• Grade 12 Selection List (New Intake)
• DHERST TESAS Awards Lists

Importantly, the DHERST TESAS Awards Lists for 2026 consolidate the TESAS scholarship awards’ status for students across different categories, combining selections from both colleges and universities (including the Non-school Leavers) and DHERST Grade 12 School Leavers (New Intake) selections.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is recommended to regularly check with the respective institutions and DHERST for the latest updates. We hope that this article provides some answers to the six different selection lists, expected dates and education organisations involved with the lists.

PNG Insight will also bring the latest information on Education and Development, leading up to the start of the 2026 academic year.

Join PNG Insight on YouTube for updates on tertiary institution selections and releases.