INSTITUTION TYPES & CREDENTIALS

Types of higher education institutions:

Universitet (University)

Akademi (Academy)

School leaving and higher education credentials:

Deftese Pjekurie

Diplomë

Diplomë e Studimeve te Thelluara pasuniversitare

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: Cikël i Ulët (Elementary)

Length of program in years: 4

Age level from: 6 to: 10

Basic Second Stage

Type of school providing this education: Cikël i Lartë (Primary)

Length of program in years: 4

Age level from: 10 to: 14

Certificate/diploma awarded: Dëftesë Lirimi (Leaving Certificate)

General Secondary

Type of school providing this education: Shkollë e Mesme e Përgjithshme (High School)

Length of program in years: 4

Age level from: 14 to: 18

Certificate/diploma awarded: Dëftesë Pjekurie (Maturity Certificate)

Prevocational

Type of school providing this education: Shkollë Professionale (Vocational School)

Length of program in years: 3

Age level from: 14 to: 17

Certificate/diploma awarded: Dëftesë e përfundimit dhe Çertifikatë e aftësive profesionale për punëtor të kualifikuar (Certificate and certificate of vocational abilities)

Vocational

Type of school providing this education: Shkollë Teknike (High Technical School)

Length of program in years: 5

Age level from: 14 to: 19

Certificate/diploma awarded: Dëftesë e përfundimit dhe Çetifikatë e aftësive profesionale për punëtor të kualifikuar

School education:

Basic education lasts for eight years, divided into two cycles of four years each and leads to the Dëftesë Lirimi (Leaving Certificate). Secondary education consists of the ninth through twelfth grades, which are taught in the shkollë e mesme (high school). The Dëftesë Pjekurie (Maturity Certificate) is awarded at the end. Access to higher education requires the passing of an entrance examination. Admission to high school requires a Dëftesë Lirimi (Leaving Certificate) from a shkollë 8-vjecare (eight-year school).

Higher education:

The higher education system in Albania consists of eight universities, two academies and six non public higher schools.

Main laws/decrees governing higher education:

Decree: Decision of the Council of Ministers no 156 Year: 2001

Concerns: Post-university qualifications and qualifications for research and teaching personnel

Decree: Law on Education Year: 1995

Concerns: Pre-university level

Decree: Law on Higher Education no 8461 Year: 1999

Concerns: University, non-university and post-university schools

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:

University level studies:

University level first stage: Diplomë (Bachelor):

The first stage of higher education  usually takes 6 to 12 semesters (3 to 6 years) (6 semesters for most disciplines, 12 semesters in Medicine). A Titull (title) is conferred.

University level second stage: Diplomë e Studimeve te Thelluara pasuniversitare (Master):

Postgraduate studies lasting 2 - 4  semesters after completion of the first stage of higher education lead to the Diplomë e Studimeve te Thelluara pasuniversitare degree (Master). Students must prepare a thesis.

University level third stage: Doktor I Shkencave (Doctor of Sciences):

Studies lasting for 6 to 10 semesters after the Master 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 fëmijësh (nursery) and kopesht fëmijësh (kindergarten) are trained in 6 semesters at the Shkollë e Mesme Pedagogjike (pedagogical high school). On graduation they obtain an Edukatore per Çerdhe dhe Kopesht Femijesh Diploma (kindergarten-governess 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 high 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 distance learning and 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 Dëshmi (certificate) is issued. It may indicate a grade for the course.

NATIONAL BODIES

Administration & co-ordination:

Responsible authorities:

Ministria e Arsimit dhe e Shkencës (Ministry of Education and Science)

Head: Genc Pollo, Minister

Administrative officer: Agim Mucaj, Director - Higher Education and Recognition of Diplomas

Rruga e Durrësit, 23
Tiranë
Albania

Tel: +355(4) 226307

Fax: +355(4) 232002

EMail: gpollo@mash.gov.al

WWW: http://www.mash.gov.al

Role of governing body: Organizes the system of higher education and research and is responsible for expenditure on institutions and specialized institutions.

Albanian Rectors' Conference

c/o Ministry of Education and Science
Rruga e Durrësit, 23
Tirana
Albania

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 national level (State Matura)

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 national level (State Matura)

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 higher education institutions are accredited by the Albanian State if they are recognized by the Ministry of Education and Science (Higher Education Accreditation Agency and Council of Accreditation).

Studies pursued in foreign countries (bodies dealing with recognition of foreign credentials):

Higher Educatio and Recognition of Diplomas Department, Ministry of Education and Science

Head: Agim Mucaj, Director of Higher Education

Rruga e Durrësit, 23
Tiranë
Albania

Tel: +355(4) 222260

Fax: +355(4) 232002

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: 12000 (Lek)

Publications on student services and financial aid:

Title: Study Abroad 2005-2006

Author: UNESCO

Year of publication: 2005

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION & EXCHANGES

Principal national bodies responsible for dealing with international cooperation and exchanges in higher education:

Foreign Relations Department, Ministry of Education and Science

Head: Gavrosh Muzaka, Director

Rruga e Durrësit, 23
Tiranë
Albania

Tel: +355(4) 227975

Fax: +355(4) 227975

EMail: gmuzaka@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-dhjetë: excellent; 9-nëntë: very good; 8-tetë: good; 7-shtatë: average; 6-gjashtë: satisfactory; 5-pesë: lowest passing grade; 4-katër; 3-tre, tri; 2-dy; 1-një.

Highest on scale: 10

Pass/fail level: 5/4

Lowest on scale: 1

Main grading system used by higher education institutions

Full Description: 10-dhjetë: excellent; 9-nëntë: very good; 8-tetë: good; 7-shtatë: average; 6-gjashtë: satisfactory; 5-pesë: lowest passing grade; 4-katër; 3-tre, tri; 2-dy; 1-një.

Highest on scale: 10

Pass/fail level: 5/4

Lowest on scale: 1

NOTES ON HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM

Data for academic year: 2005-2006

Source: IAU from Ministry of Education and Science, Directorate of Higher Education, Tiranë, 2006