The University of the West Indies (UWI) is a dynamic, international institution serving the countries of the Commonwealth Caribbean: Anguilla, Antigua/Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Christopher-Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The main source of funding of the UWI is the contributing governments with other income derived from tuition fees, research and other grants. The University began at Mona, Jamaica in 1948 as a College of the University of London. It achieved full University status in 1962. The St. Augustine Campus in Trinidad was established in 1961 and in 1963 a third campus was established at Cave Hill in Barbados. There is also a Centre for Hotel and Tourism Management in The Bahamas. University centres in the non-campus countries ensure that a wide cross-section of the population has access to a variety of educational resources and services through an innovative distance education facility.

The UWI is the region's premier educational institution. Its faculties offer a wide range of undergraduate, masters and doctoral programmes in Arts and Education, Humanities, Agriculture and Natural Sciences, Science and Technology, Pure and Applied Sciences, Engineering, Law, Medical Sciences and Social Sciences. There is a strong emphasis on Caribbean issues making the UWI the ideal educational institution for local and international students with an interest in Caribbean Society.

The UWI works with the Association of Caribbean Tertiary Institutions on inter-institutional co-operation, in areas such as accreditation, equivalency and joint programme development. A joint degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management is offered with the University of Technology in Jamaica, the Barbados Community College and the College of the Bahamas. Students of Codrington College in Barbados, the United Theological College of the West Indies and St. Michael's Theological Centre in Jamaica and the Seminary of St. John Vianney in Trinidad, all read under affiliation arrangements for the Bachelor of Arts (Theology) Degree. Postgraduate Diploma and higher degree programmes are offered through the Institute of International Relations, St. Augustine, the Institutes of Business, Mona and St. Augustine and the Centre for Management Development, Cave Hill; while the Caribbean Meteorological Institute in Cave Hill, offers a major in the BSc Degree programme. The Bachelor of Education degree is offered in collaboration with Mico and Shortwood Teachers' Colleges in Jamaica, while the BA in Visual Arts, Drama, Dance, or Music is available through the Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts.

In a recent initiative a range of certificate programmes, mainly in the Social Sciences, are offered through Community and Teachers' Colleges.

UWI is proud of its 58,558 alumni represented at the highest levels of governments, corporate and professional life. Seven of our graduates are Prime Ministers, one is a Nobel Laureate and countless others are doctors, lawyers, teachers, engineers, agriculturists, nurses, accountants and business managers.

Highlights Of Developments In The University During Your Student Years
2000 – 2003

2002/2003

• Opening of the Sir Allister McIntyre Building, Rex Nettleford Hall and Refurbished Students' Union
• Dialogue in Ethics Series of Seminars
• First Caribbean Labour Conference

2001/2002

• Establishment of Natural Products Institute and Mona Institute of Applied Sciences
• Acquisition of VSAT Earth Station
• Introduction of Programmes in Cultural Studies and BSc. in Physical Therapy
• Radio Mona went live with transmission across Jamaica.

2000/2001

• Establishment of Mona Visitor's Lodge and Conference Centre
• Reform of Medical Curriculum – new admission requirements introduced
• Launch of MSc. Family Medicine via Distance Education
• OAS Grant to continue collaborative Research to Identify Generic Profiles of Caribbean Medicinal Plants and Develop Effective Drugs

AZ Preston Hall

Established 1995
Located near the Mona Bowl
Co-ed, houses approx. 350 students Colours: Purple and White
Mascot: Shark
Motto: "Relentless pursuit of excellence" Opening lines of hall song: "Preston Hall we sing our praises true/And give our hearts, our best, all to you"

Chancellor Hall

Established 1954
Located along the Ring Road
All-male, houses approx. 250 students Colours: Black and Gold
Mascot: Lion
Motto: "Long live the lions"
Opening lines of hall song: "Chancellor stands brave and tall/ Conquering Lions all."

Irvine Hall

Established 1950
Located along Shed Lane
Co-ed, houses approx. 280 students Colours: Green and Yellow
Emblem: Torch
Motto: "Know Thyself"
Opening lines of hall song: "I am proud to be a part of Irvine/ The hall of courage and pride."

Mary Seacole Hall

Established 1958
Located along the Ring Road
Co-ed, houses approx. 250 students Colours: Black and White
Mascot: Peliduck
Motto: "So hard to be a Seacolite, but so good."
Opening lines of hall song: "When Seacolites go marching/ All the girls will march as one."

Taylor Hall

Established 1952
Located along the Ring Road
Co-ed, houses approx. 280 students Colours: Blue and White
Mascot: Pelican
Motto: "Hall of Halls"
Opening lines of hall song: "Taylor is the hall of halls of every creed or race."