Copyright, IAU, World Higher Education Database (WHED)

Albania - Education system

INSTITUTION TYPES & CREDENTIALS

Types of higher education institutions: Universitet (University) Akademi (Academy) Institute i lart (Higher Institute)

School leaving and higher education credentials: Deftese Pjekurie Diplom Diplom 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: Cikl i Ult Length of program in years: 4 Age level from: 6 to: 10 Basic Second Stage Type of school providing this education: Cikl i Lart Length of program in years: 4 Age level from: 10 to: 14 Certificate/diploma awarded: Dftes Lirimi (Leaving Certificate) General Secondary Type of school providing this education: Shkoll e Mesme e Prgjithshme (Middle School) Length of program in years: 4 Age level from: 14 to: 18 Certificate/diploma awarded: Dftes Pjekurie (Maturity Certificate)

Prevocational Type of school providing this education: Shkoll Professionale Length of program in years: 3 Age level from: 14 to: 17 Certificate/diploma awarded: Dftes e prfundimit dhe ertifikat e aftsive profesionale pr puntor t kualifikuar Vocational Type of school providing this education: Shkoll Teknike Length of program in years: 5 Age level from: 14 to: 19 Certificate/diploma awarded: Dftes e prfundimit dhe etifikat e aftsive profesionale pr puntor t kualifikuar School education: Basic education lasts for eight years, divided into two cycles of four years each and leads to the Dftes Lirimi (Leaving Certificate). Secondary education consists of the ninth through twelfth grades, which are taught in the skoll e mesme (middle school). The Dftes 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 Dftes Lirimi (Leaving Certificate) from a shkoll 8-vekare (eight-year school). Higher education: The higher education system in Albania consists of eight universities, two academies and one Higher Nursing School (Shkolla e Larte e Inferimerise). Main laws/decrees governing higher education: Decree: Decision of the Council of Ministers no 786 Year: 1998 Concerns: Post-university qualifications and qualifications for research and teaching personnel Decree: Law on Higher Education no 8461 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: Non-university level 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: Diplom: The first stage of higher education usually takes 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: Shkoll pas Universitare (SHPU) (Post-university school): Postgraduate studies lasting 2 - 4 semesters after completion of the first stage of higher education lead to the Diplom e Studimeve te Thelluara pasuniversitare 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 erdhe dhe kopesht fmijsh (crches) and kopesht fmijsh (kindergarten) are trained in 6 semesters at the Shkoll e Mesme Pedagogjike (pedagogical middle school). On graduation they obtain an Edukatore per erdhe 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 (university and post-university level).. 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 Dshmi (certificate) is issued. It may indicate a grade for the course.

NATIONAL BODIES
Administration & co-ordination: Responsible authorities: Ministria e Arsimit dhe e Shkencs (Ministry of Education and Science) Head: Luan Memushi, Minister Administrative officer: Edmond Hajderi, Director - Higher Education Rruga e Durrsit, 23 Tiran Albania Tel: +355(4) 226 307 Fax: +355(4) 232 002 EMail: lmemushi@mash.gov.al WWW: http://www.mash.gov.al Role of governing body: Organizes the system of higher education and research and responsible for

expenditure on institutions and specialized institutions. Albanian Rectors' Conference

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 25 out of 100 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: Aug For university level studies: Aug 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 Head: Agim Mucaj, Director of Higher Education Rruga e Durrsit, 23

Tiran Albania Tel: +355(4) 222-260 Fax: +355(4) 232-002 EMail: amuca@mash.gov.al WWW: http://www.mash.gov.al

STUDENT LIFE
Student expenses and financial aid Student costs: Home students tuition fees: Minimum: 2500 (Lek) Publications on student services and financial aid: Title: Study Abroad 2004-2005, 32nd Edition Author: UNESCO Publisher: UNESCO Publishing Year of publication: 2003

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION & EXCHANGES

Principal national bodies responsible for dealing with international cooperation and exchanges in higher education: Ministry of Education and Science Head: Agim Mucaj, Director of Higher Education Directorate Rruga e Durrsit, 23 Tiran Albania Tel: +355(4) 227-975 Fax: +355(4) 227-975 EMail: amuca@mash.gov.al WWW: http://www.mash.gov.al 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-dhjet: excellent; 9-nnt: very good; 8-tet: good; 7-shtat: average; 6-gjasht: satisfactory; 5-pes: lowest passing grade; 4-katr; 3-tre, tri; 2-dy; 1-nj. Highest on scale: 10

Pass/fail level: 5/4 Lowest on scale: 1 Main grading system used by higher education institutions Full Description: 10-dhjet: excellent; 9-nnt: very good; 8-tet: good; 7-shtat: average; 6-gjasht: satisfactory; 5-pes: lowest passing grade; 4-katr; 3-tre, tri; 2-dy; 1-nj. Highest on scale: 10 Pass/fail level: 5/4 Lowest on scale: 1

NOTES ON HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM

Data for academic year: 2004-2005 Source: Ministry of Education and Science, Directorate of Higher Education, Tiran, 2003; updated from documentation, 2005