There are four tertiary level institutions which fall under the ambit of the Ministry of Education:

(a) The University of the West Indies (UWI)
(b) Barbados Community College (BCC)
(c) Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic (SJPP)
(d) Erdiston Training College.

(a) As a regional tertiary level institution, the University of the West Indies is in the forefront of the Higher Education thrust of Government.  The Government provides an annual subvention for the University and pays tuition fees for Barbadian citizens pursuing undergraduate studies at all three (3) campuses of the U.W.I.  In the area of medicine there is a cap on the number of medical students based the ability of the Q.E.H. to absorb student trainees.
Government sponsors the tuition fees of MBBS students to a maximum intake of fifteen (15) students at the Mona Campus of the U.W.I, and ten (10) students at the St. Augustine  Campus of the U.W.I. on an annual basis.

(b)  The Barbados Community College (BCC) seeks to make available  a comprehensive range of curriculum offerings to foster the educational, personal and social growth of all its students, and to enhance their ability to contribute to the development needs of the country.  The college offers the following programmes and activities.

(i) Bachelor Degrees in Fine Arts and Graphic Design
(ii) Associate Degree in Arts, Sciences, Applied Arts and Applied Sciences. These include areas such as Mass Communication, Social Work, General Nursing, Medical Laboratory Technology, Pharmacy, etc.
(iii) Occupational Education courses and activities.
(iv) Training provided by the Hospitality Institute.
(v) B.Ed  Tech.Voc.

(c) The objectives of the Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic (SJPP) are:

(i) To develop trade skills and occupational competence.
(ii) To meet the requirements of the labour market for skilled operators, craftsmen and technicians.
(iii) To prepare students for direct entry into employment
(iv) To train students to be useful, effective and good citizens.

These objectives are met through a number of vocational/occupational
programmes offered by the institution.

(d) Erdiston Teachers Training College provides opportunities for untrained teachers in the school system to become professionally trained and for trained teachers to upgrade their skills. This is achieved through Certificates, In-Service Diplomas, and Postgraduate diploma programmes offered by the College. The College also collaborates with U.W.I, B.C.C, and S.J.P.P, in the delivery of some of these programs.