Institution Types & Credentials

Types of higher education institutions:
Universitet (University)
Akademi (Academy)
Shkolle e Larte jo Universitare (Non-University Higher School)

School leaving and higher education credentials:
Deftese Pjekurie
Diploma
Diploma e Studimeve te Thelluara pasuniversitare
Kandidat i Shkencave
Doktor i Shkencave

Structure of education system

Pre-higher education:
Duration of compulsory education:
Age of entry: 6
Age of exit: 14

Structure of school system:
Basic First Stage
Type of school providing this education: Cikal i Ulat
Length of program in years: 4
Age level from: 6 to: 10

Basic Second Stage
Type of school providing this education: Cikal i Larta
Length of program in years: 4
Age level from: 10 to: 14
Certificate/diploma awarded: Daftesa Lirimi (Leaving Certificate)

General Secondary
Type of school providing this education: Shkolla e Mesme e Pargjithshme (Middle School)
Length of program in years: 4
Age level from: 14 to: 18
Certificate/diploma awarded: Daftesa Pjekurie (Maturity Certificate)

Prevocational
Type of school providing this education: Shkolla Professionale
Length of program in years: 3
Age level from: 14 to: 17
Certificate/diploma awarded: Daftesa e parfundimit dhe Çertifikata e aftasive profesionale par punator ta kualifikuar

Vocational
Type of school providing this education: Shkolla Teknike
Length of program in years: 5
Age level from: 14 to: 19
Certificate/diploma awarded: Daftesa e parfundimit dhe Çetifikata e aftasive profesionale par punator ta kualifikuar

School education:
Secondary education consists of the ninth through twelfth grades, which are taught in the skolla e mesme (middle school). The Daftesa Pjekurie (Maturity Certificate) is awarded at the end. Access to higher education requires the passing of an entrance examination. Admission to middle school requires a Daftesa Lirimi (Leaving Certificate) from a shkolla 8-vekçare (eight-year school).

Higher education:
The higher education system in Albania consists of eight universities, one academy and one institute divided into faculties.

Main laws/decrees governing higher education:
Decree: Decision of the Council of Ministers no 351 on post-university qualifications and qualifications of research and teaching personnel Year: 1993
Concerns: Post-university schools
Decree: Law on Higher Education Year: 1999
Concerns: University, non-university and post-university schools
Decree: Ligji Arsimit Paruniversitar Year: 1995

Academic year:
Classes from: Oct to: Jun
Languages of instruction: Albanian

Stages of studies:

Post-secondary studies (technical/vocational type):

Non-university level:
The Shkolla e Larte e Infermierte (Higher School for Nurses) confers a qualification after 7 semesters. The Cikli I Ulet Parashkollor (Teaching in Primary School) confers a qualification for lower cycle school teachers after 6 semesters.

University level studies:
University level first stage: Diploma:
The first stage of higher education usually takes on average 8 to 12 semesters (4 to 6 years) (8 semesters for most disciplines, 10 semesters in Engineering, 12 semesters in Medicine). A Titull (title) is conferred.

University level second stage: Shkolla pas Universitare (SHPU) (Post-university school):
Postgraduate studies lasting 2 - 4 semesters after completion of the first stage of higher education lead to the Diploma e Studimeve te Thelluara pasuniversitare or to the Kandidat i Shkencave degree. Students must prepare a thesis.

University level third stage: Doktor I Shkencave (Doctor in Sciences):
Studies lasting for 6 to 10 semesters after SHPU consist in individual study and research (while working). The title of Doktor I Shkencave is conferred. Admission prerequisites include research and scientific activities and publications. The candidate, under the supervision of a scientific researcher, must prepare and defend a dissertation thesis. There is a grading system.

Teacher education:

Training of pre-primary and primary/basic school teachers
Teachers for the çerdhe dhe kopesht famijash (crèches) and kopesht famijash (kindergarten) are trained in 6 semesters at the Shkolla e Mesme Pedagogjike (pedagogical middle school). On graduation they obtain an Edukatore per Çerdhe dhe Kopesht Femijesh Diploma. Teachers for the lower cycle of the eight-year school are trained in 6 semesters at a higher education institution. They obtain a Mesues te Ciklit Parashkollor Diploma. Teachers for the upper cycle are trained in eight semesters in an academic area and follow education courses and practical training. They obtain the Mesues per Ciklin e Ulet Diploma.

Training of secondary school teachers
Teachers for middle school are trained in 8 semesters in an academic field and follow education courses and practical training. They obtain the Mesues per Shkollat e Mesme Diploma.

Training of higher education teachers
Certification of teachers depends on their first and second degrees, post-university studies and the defence of a dissertation or doctoral thesis. The rank of professor requires the degree of Doctor of Sciences and a background of extensive research, teaching and publishing. A docent is an experienced researcher and instructor holding the Candidate of Sciences degree. There are also two types of teaching positions at higher education institutions that do not require a scientific degree: pedagog and assistant, who must hold a Diploma with excellent grades.

Non-traditional studies:

Distance higher education
Part-time higher education - correspondence courses are offered.
Lifelong higher education
Continuing education courses are offered for Diploma holders who have a good academic background plus at least two years of work experience in their field. The courses are offered for employment purposes. They are not academic programmes. Upon completion of these courses, a Dashmi (certificate) is issued. It may indicate a grade for the course.

National bodies:

Responsible authorities:
Ministry of Education and Science
Minister: Et'hem Ruka

Role of governing body: Organize the system of higher education and research. It is responsible for expenditure on institutions and specialized institutions (e.g. Institute of Pedagogical Research)

Rectors' Conference of Albanian Universities c/o Ministry of Education and Science

Admissions to higher education

Admission to non university higher education studies
Name of secondary school credential required: Deftese Pjekurie
Minimum score/requirement: Minimum score of 15 out of 30
For entry to: all programmes.
Entrance exams required:
Entrance Examination for all programmes.
Numerus clausus/restrictions:
At level of the institution

Admission to university-level studies
Name of secondary school credential required: Deftese Pjekurie
Minimum score/requirement: Minimum score of 15 out of 30
For entry to: all programmes.
Entrance exams required: Entrance Examination for all programmes.
Numerus clausus/restrictions: At the level of the institution

Foreign students admission
Admission requirements: Foreign students must hold a Diploma of Maturity.
Entry regulations: Entrance requirements depend on the Foreign Relations Department of the Ministry of Education and Science.
Health requirements: Foreign students can purchase security against accidents. There is no health guarantee for foreign students.
Language requirements: Students must sit for the Albanian Language Examination at the Faculty of Languages and Literature.
Application procedures:
Apply to national body for entry to: All institutions
Application closing dates:
For non-university level (technical/vocational type) studies: Jul
For university level studies: Jul

Recognition of studies & qualifications:
Studies pursued in home country (System of recognition/accreditation): Diplomas and Certificates conferred by institutions of higher education are accredited by the Albanian State if they are recognized by the Ministry of Education and Science

Studies pursued in foreign countries (bodies dealing with recognition of foreign credentials):
Foreign Relations Department, Ministry of Education and Science
Director of Higher Education: Edmond Hajdari
Rruga e Durrasit, 23
Tirana

Student Life:

Student expenses and financial aid
Student costs:
Home students tuition fees: Minimum: 0 (Lek)
Publications on student services and financial aid:

International cooperation & exchanges:
Principal national bodies responsible for dealing with international cooperation and exchanges in higher education:
Ministry of Education and Science
Director: Edmond Hajdari

Participation of country in multilateral or bilateral higher education programmes
Name of exchange programme: TEMPUS

Grading system:

Usual grading system in secondary school
Full Description: 10-dhjeta: excellent; 9-nanta: very good; 8-teta: good; 7-shtata: average; 6-gjashta: satisfactory; 5-pesa: lowest passing grade; 4-katar; 3-tre, tri; 2-dy; 1-nja.
Highest on scale: 10
Pass/fail level: 5/4
Lowest on scale: 1

Main grading system used by higher education institutions
Full Description: 10-dhjeta: excellent; 9-nanta: very good; 8-teta: good; 7-shtata: average; 6-gjashta: satisfactory; 5-pesa: lowest passing grade; 4-katar; 3-tre, tri; 2-dy; 1-nja.
Highest on scale: 10
Pass/fail level: 5-4
Lowest on scale: 1
Data for academic year: 2000-2001