International Verification
How to Verify Samoan University Degrees: SQA and NUS Guide
Guide to verifying Samoan education credentials. Covers Samoa Qualifications Authority, National University of Samoa, and verification processes.
5 min read
Samoa's higher education system
Samoa's higher education is regulated by the Samoa Qualifications Authority (SQA). The National University of Samoa (NUS) is the primary institution, established in 1984. The University of the South Pacific (USP) also operates a campus in Samoa, offering additional degree programs.
Verification steps
- Check SQA registration — Verify the institution is registered with SQA. VerifyED includes registered Samoan institutions.
- Contact the institution — NUS maintains a registrar office for verification.
- Distinguish NUS vs USP — USP Samoa campus degrees are issued by USP (Fiji-based), not NUS.
- NZQA recognition — Samoan qualifications may be recognized under NZQA frameworks.
Key considerations
- NUS — The national university offering certificates through master's degrees.
- Pacific Qualifications Framework — Samoa participates in the regional PQF for credential recognition.
- New Zealand connections — Large Samoan diaspora in New Zealand creates significant verification demand.