| Below, you can read about the countries' and regions' education systems listed below. The information helps you to get a comprehensive view and general idea about different types of higher educations and how they are embedded into the whole national school system. The first link covers the newly implemented EU norm concerning higher education in the EU. Click on the flag or the excerpt if you would like to see a short summary of the so called Bologna system which is obligatory to inaugurate until 2010 in all the countries of the European Union.
 EU - This section tells you more about the Bologna higher education system. According to this, after high school graduation the higher education will be divided into two levels. Bachelor studies(BA, BSc) and Master's studies (MA, MSc.) . More >>>
 American - The educational structure of the United States is a very multi-level one. Students have the choice to go to several types of schools even before high school. Besides attending middle schools, students can go to various grammar schools and high schools, too. The American higher education is more or less similar to the divided education described at the EU section but. More >>>
 Canadian - The vast majority of the Canadian system is parallel to the American type, especially in terms of admission processes. The main source of the differences may come from the diverse provincial responsibilities and regulations. But generally, you may find the same private and public schools even from Kindergarten. More >>>
 English - The educational system in the United Kingdom follows the Bologna norms. The main difference and characteristics of the region is in its standardized tests. Although, international applicants can cope with different admission requirements because they use the UCAS system at their applications. . More >>>
 Hungarian - Due to the inauguration of the Bologna system (March 2006) Hungary undergoes its third large educational reform from the early 90'. First, students went through a general curriculum, then the credit system was implemented and now bologna creeps in suddenly. The big advantage of studying in Hungary is the wide range of financial aid. Most levels of education from Kindergarten to university the tuition of the first degree is covered by the State. . More >>>
 German- In Germany it is up to the provinces what type of education system the use. For example, elementary schools last for 4 year, generally. But in Berlin and Brandenburg it is 6 years. The palette of secondary education is very different, too according to various regions and specialties. Still there are four main types of high schools: Haupschule, Realschule, Gymnasium és Gesamtschule. After graduation the higher education now - after the reforms of year 1990 and 1998 - follows the EU norms. More >>>
 French - The most characteristic feature of French education is their national language. Knowledge of French is almost a must everywhere in the country. The structure of education follows a standard path. Children from 6 to 11 go to primary schools ( Ecole Primaire) and obligatory studies last until the age of 16 when they finish high school (College). More >>>
 Italian - The Italians have a diverse system with a lot of options and vocational opportunities. Students after the age of 11 ( Scuola Elementare) may choose professional trainings and schools. The secondary school that follows is - normally - divided into a 3-year lower level and a 5-year higher level studies. Finishing high school they receive the so called Diploma di Maturita after graduation. This is minimum requirement fot university entrance. More >>>
 Spanish - After the educational reform in 1990 the primary school in Spain lasts for 6 years. After the further 2-year obligatory studies (ESO) students can graduate and obtain Graduado en Educación Secundaria Certificate. Once they've received this, they can go for their "Bacchilerato" studies until their age of 18. Without this Bacchilerato and the university entrance exam (Prueba de Acceso a la Universidad) they are not allowed to gain admission to higher education . More >>>
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Countries using French system: Guadeloupe ; Martinique ; New Caledonia ; Reunion ; French Guyana; French Polynesia ; Monaco .
School education:
Primary education lasts for five years. After lower secondary education (lasting four years), pupils may opt either for general/technological education in lycées preparing for the Baccalauréat or the Baccalauréat technologique in three years; or for technical/vocational education in lycées professionnels preparing first for the Certificat d'Aptitude professionnelle (CAP) or the Brevet d'Etudes professionnelles (BEP) in two years and then, for those who want to continue, for the Baccalauréat professionnel in two more years.
Higher education:
Higher education in France is characterized by a dual system : it is provided in universities (including Instituts nationaux polytechniques) open to a large number of students, whose programmes are generally geared towards research and its applications and in Grandes Ecoles and other professional higher education institutions with selective admission policies. Whereas most institutions come under the responsibility of the Ministry of Youth, Education and Research, some Grandes Ecoles come under other Ministries. Universities are made up of units offering curricula in academic fields and of various institutes and schools - such as the IUT - offering courses in Engineering and Technology and special programmes in Management, Political Science, Languages and Physical Education, the IUFM (Instituts Universitaires de Formation des Maîtres) which offer training courses for primary and secondary schools teachers, the IUP (Instituts Universitaires Professionalisés) which offer technological courses and practical training with an introduction to research and foreign languages. The Grandes Ecoles offer a high standard of professional education in three or more years after two years of preparatory classes and the passing of a very selective competitive entrance examination. They offer scientific training, teacher training or advanced business studies. Five Catholic higher education institutes prepare for either national and professional diplomas or for church diplomas. National diplomas are conferred by universities.
University level studies:
University level first stage : Premier Cycle (2 years):
The first cycle of long study courses corresponds to basic training in a specific field. It leads, two years after the Baccalauréat, to the Diplôme d'Etudes universitaires générales (DEUG) with mention of the major field of study. In Medicine, the first cycle is called PCEM. Two years in Classes Préparatoires aux Grandes Ecoles (CPGE) are required to enter a Grande Ecole. In Instituts Universitaires Professionnalisés (IUP), the first cycle is called DEUP (Diplôme d'Etudes Universitaires Professionnalisées).
University level second stage : Deuxieme Cycle (2 years):
The second cycle normally leads after one year to the Licence and after another to the Maîtrise. In professional fields, the following Maîtrises are awarded two years after the DEUG : Maîtrise des Sciences et Techniques (MST), Maîtrise des Sciences de Gestion (MSG), Maîtrise des Méthodes informatiques appliquées a la gestion (MIAGE). The Magistere is awarded three years directly after the DEUG (or the DUT). In Medicine this cycle (DCEM) consists of four years of study and hospital internship. In Dentistry and Pharmacy, it leads to the Diplôme d'Etat de Docteur en Chirurgie Dentaire and to the Diplôme d'Etat de Docteur en Pharmacie after six years. In the Grandes Ecoles, a Diploma is awarded in Engineering, Commerce or literary fields, generally three years after the DEUG, the DUT, or the CPGE. The Titre d'Ingénieur (engineering Degree) is conferred by independent engineering schools or by engineering schools attached to universities, upon successful completion of five years of study beyond the Baccalauréat. Some engineering schools accept students on the basis of a competitive examination generally taken two years after the Baccalauréat (in this case, studies last three years at most) or according to the Baccalauréat results, followed by aptitude tests and an interview (in this case, studies last four or five years). Catholic higher education institutes, besides preparing to State diplomas at this level (in agreement with a public university), offer four-year and six-year ecclesiastic canonic qualifications.
University level third stage : Troisieme Cycle:
The third cycle is devoted to specialization and training for research. It offers two channels: a professional one, leading in one year to the Diplôme d'Etudes Supérieures Spécialisées (DESS), a terminal degree. A doctoral channel leads in one year to the Diplôme d'Etudes Approfondies (DEA) and then to preparation of a Doctorat. The latter is obtained three or four years after the DEA and after extensive research, either individual or as part of a group supervised by a Directeur de Theses and the preparation and successful defence of a thesis. Several schools of Engineering, Business and Management offer a Mastere spécialisé to students who are recipients of Engineering degrees or the DEA. The Mastere spécialisé is a specialized 12-month programme (including four months' training). Since 2000, a Mastaire is awarded to holders of a DEA or a DESS or an Engineering Diploma. Engineers with a Maîtrise from a university (Ingénieurs-Maîtres) and engineering students in their last year of engineering school can work towards a Diplôme de Recherche technologique (DRT) (Technological Research Diploma), a third cycle diploma issued after completion of a course centring on innovation through technological research in the industrial sector and service industries. The DRT marks the successful completion of a programme of 18 months to two years that is carried out in an industrial or service-oriented scientific environment under the joint responsibility of two advisers, one being a teacher-cum-researcher, the other coming from the industrial sector or a service industry. In general Medicine, the third cycle culminates in the Diplôme d'Etat de Docteur en Médecine after two years' further study following DCEM. In specialized Medicine, it leads to the Diplôme d'Etudes spécialisées (DES) after four to five years' further study.
University level fourth stage : Post-doctorat:
The Doctorat may be followed by a post-doctoral degree, the Habilitation a Diriger les Recherches, which constitutes the highest national award and is offered to academics who display the ability to carry out high level scientific research and to supervise thesis.
Distance higher education
Télé-enseignement universitaire is offered to students who are unable to attend regular courses. 29 universities cooperate in this. The Centre national d'Enseignement a Distance (CNED) provides training leading to technical diplomas - BEP, BP, BTS, in addition to competitive entrance examinations for recruitment to the civil service and to adult education courses.
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