Types of Higher Education Institutions 

1 : Univerzitet : University

Description:Offers academic and professional programmes at all levels of higher education.


2 : Other institute of higher education

Description:Institution that is not a university and offers first and second cycle programmes.

top Pre-Higher Education System

Age of 

entry:6

exit:18

Structure of School System 

Primary : Osnovno učilište

Length of program:9

Age level from:6

Age level to:15


Upper Secondary : Gimnazija

Length of program:4

Age level from:15

Age level to:18

Certificate/Diploma awarded at end:Diploma za položena državna matura (Diploma of completed matura exam)


Vocational Secondary :

Length of program:4

Age level from:15

Age level to:18

Description of School System 

Children start primary school in the calendar year in which they turn six, and compulsory primary school covers nine years, divided in three cycles, each one of three years.
Secondary education is also compulsory and depending on the stream chosen, may last two, three or four years. General upper secondary lasts four years at the end of which students are awarded the Diploma za položena državna matura (Diploma of completed matura exam), which is required for entry into higher education.
Secondary vocational education and training can last two to four years; those following the four year school can also sit for the Diploma za položena državna matura. They can also sit for the Diploma za položen završen ispit (Diploma of completed final exam) which allows them to enter the labour market.

top Higher Education System

Structure 

Higher education is provided by universities and other institutes of higher education and comes under the supervision of the Ministry of Education and Science. Institutions are accredited by the Higher Education Accreditation and Evaluation Board and accreditation is carried out on a regular basis.

Laws/Decrees 

Law on Higher Education (2018)

Languages of Instruction 

Macedonian

Stages of Higher Education 

University level first stage : First cycle degree

Description:First university degree obtained on completion of a three to four years' course; it can be academic, in which case it lasts four years (240 ECTS), or professionally-oriented, and lasts three years (180 ECTS).


University level second stage : Second cycle degree

Description:The Master's degree amounts lasts one or two years, depending on the length of the first degree, and is worth 60 or 120 ECTS, and requires a thesis. There is also an integrated study programme combining both first and second cycle studies and which takes five to six years and is offered in certain medical fields. The second cycle also includes a postgraduate course several fields (surgery, engineering, law) lasting one to two years and confers the title of ‘specialist'.


University level third stage : Doktor

Description:The title of Doctor is conferred after three years' study.

top Bodies

Governing bodies and other organizations / associations 

Ministerstvo za Obrazovanie i Nauka

Street:ul. Sv. Kiril i Metodij br. 54

City:Skopje

PostCode:1000

Tel:+389(2) 311 7896

Fax:+389(2) 311 8414

www:http://www.mon.gov.mk

Contacts:Arber Ademi (Head), Job title : Minister

Bodies Responsible for Recognition 

Ministerstvo za Obrazovanie i Nauka

Services provided and types of students dealt with:Unit for equivalence and recognition of foreign higher education qualifications

Recognition for institution:no

Recognition for profession:no

Street:ul. Sv. Kiril i Metodij br. 54

City:Skopje

PostCode:1000

Tel:+389(2) 311 7896

Fax:+389(2) 311 8414

www:http://www.mon.gov.mk

Secondary School Credentials Required for University Level Admission 

Diploma za položena državna matura

Minimum mark:40 points in secondary school results and 60 points in entrance examination

Alternatives 

International Baccalaureate or special examinations

Foreign Students Admission 

Language Proficiency:A certificate attesting to knowledge of Macedonian is compulsory.

Multilateral Agreements 

Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region. Lisbon, 11 April 1997. (2002)

Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees concerning Higher Education in the States belonging to the Europe Region. Paris, 21 December 1979. (1997)

International Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees in Higher Education in the Arab and European States bordering on the Mediterranean. Nice, 17 December 1976. (1997)

Regional Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees in Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean. Mexico City, 19 July 1974. (1997)

top Credentials

 

Diploma za položena državna matura

Description:Secondary school leaving certificate


Diploma za završen prv ciklus na studii - Diplomiran

Description:First university degree obtained on completion of a three to four years' course; it can be academic, in which case it lasts four years (240 ECTS), or professionally-oriented, and lasts three years (180 ECTS).

Credential required for entry:Diploma za položena državna matura

Type of institution where credential is offered:Univerzitet (University)


Diploma za završen prv ciklus na studii - integrirani studii

Description:An integrated study programme combining both first and second cycle studies and which takes five to six years and is offered in certain areas such as Medicine (6 years), veterinary science (5 1/2 years), dentistry, pharmacy and architecture (5 years). The programme awards between 300 and 360 ECTS and requires a thesis.


Diploma za završen vtor ciklus na studii - Magister

Description:The Master's degree amounts lasts one or two years, depending on the length of the first degree, and is worth 60 or 120 ECTS, and requires a thesis.

Credential required for entry:Diploma za završen prv ciklus na studii - Diplomiran

Type of institution where credential is offered:Univerzitet (University)


Diploma za završeni specialistički studii

Description:Period of practical training in some professional fields (eg. surgery, engineering, law) lasting one to two years and confers the title of ‘specialist..' followed by name of the field.


Doktor

Description:The third cycle study programmes amount to 180 ECTS credits and lasts three years of full time study.

Credential required for entry:Diploma za završen vtor ciklus na studii - Magister

top Data Provided by

AcademicYear 

From:2019

To:2020

Source 

IAU from Nuffic Education Profile on North Macedonia and Eurydice information on National Education Systems, May 2020.

Updated on 28-05-2020