About
The University of New Caledonia (UNC) offers a unique academic experience rooted in the South Pacific, with a strong focus on disciplines relevant to the region, such as environmental sciences, law, economics, and humanities. While primarily French-speaking, UNC welcomes international students, often through exchange agreements, providing an immersive cultural and linguistic experience. The university's international relations office assists incoming students, though English-taught programs are limited. Its distinctive characteristic is its unparalleled location, offering a living laboratory for studies in marine biology, biodiversity, and Pacific island development, making it ideal for those interested in regional challenges and opportunities.
Background
The University of New Caledonia UNC (Université de la Nouvelle-Calédonie) is a French university which is part of the Academy of New Caledonia located in Nouméa and Koné. The university goes back to 1987 when the Université Française du Pacifique (French University of the Pacific) was created, with two centres, one in French Polynesia and the other in New Caledonia. In 1997, the decision was made to split the two parts into separate universities and so in 1999 the Université de la Nouvelle Calédonie and the Université de la Polynésie Française were created. UNC hosts around 3,000 local and international students with a staff of about 100 professors and researchers and 100 administrative employees each year. The President of UNC since 2021 has been the economist Catherine Ris, who succeeded Gaël Lagadec and Jean-Marc Boyer.
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SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.