| 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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The structure of the Hungarian educational verticum:
The structure of the new (bologna) and the old (Dual) system of higher education:
School education:
Basic education lasts for eight years divided into two stages of four years each. Secondary education is provided in comprehensive/academic secondary schools (gimnázium) or vocational secondary schools (szakközépiiskola). Schools often offer more than one programme (e.g. academic and vocational, academic four- or six-year courses). The typical institutions offering general education and an Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate are known as comprehensive/academic secondary schools (gimnázium) and may be attended for four, five (e.g. bilingual secondary schools), six or eight years. Secondary vocational schools (szakközépiskola) and vocational schools (szakiskola) train in the fields of humanities, technical, agricultural sciences and services. Secondary vocational schools provide general education in the first four years and award the Secondary School Leaving Certificates. Vocational education generally begins after the fourth year, although some introductory vocational subjects may be taught during the first four years as well. Length of vocational courses may vary from one to three years up to vocational programmes. Vocational schools do not award secondary school leaving certificates and the level of the vocational qualification is lower than that in the vocational secondary schools.
Higher education:
Hungarian higher education has a dual system with colleges and universities. Some colleges are associated with universities and operate as college faculties of the universities. A university can also offer college level courses. The duration of training at college level is minimum 3 years, maximum 4 years; the duration of education at university level is minimum 4 years, maximum 5 years (with the exception of medical universities where it is 6 years). According to the binary pattern, colleges and universities grant Föiskolai Oklevél (college level degree) and universities grant Egyetemi Oklevél (university level degree). Universities organize three-year PhD courses, specialized further education courses (with a normal duration of two years) and various continuous education courses. The Act LXXX of 1993 on Higher Education established two institutions to provide professional advice on the development and control of higher education: the Hungarian Accreditation Committee (HAC) and the Higher Education and Scientific Council (HESC). On 1 June 1999 , Parliament passed Act LII of 1999 on Restructuring the Institutions of Higher Education and amended Act LXXX of 1993 on Higher Education. By passing the above law the number of state run universities and colleges decreased significantly. The number of higher education institutions was 89 (55 run by the State, 28 by Churches and 6 by foundations). At present, the new network of higher education institutions consists of 17 state universities, 1 non-state university, 13 colleges, 26 Church universities and colleges and 9 colleges run by foundations. From March 2006 according to the inauguration of the Act about higher education Hungary follows the Bologna-system in its educational structure (see the picture above.)
University level first stage :
The old method had a jointed structure of levels where Higher education at university level generally consists of a course, usually four to six years in duration, which confers, after the defence of a thesis and successful completion of the final examination, the higher education qualification of Oklevél/Egyetemi Oklevél (University Degree). This qualification - which may also be called "Master's"- entitles holders to practise a profession or to continue higher education studies and obtain a Szakirányú Továbbképzési Oklevél (Post-university Specialization degree) in one to three years or to pursue doctoral studies. From March 2006, according to the reform of higher education, the University level first stage has been divided into two, the Bachelor Degree Studies and the Master's Degree Studies.
University level second stage : University studies:
The Szakirányú Továbbképzési Oklevél (Further Specialization Degree) may be obtained after the Föiskolai Oklevél (College Degree) or Egyetemi Oklevél (University Degree) after following a programme of one to two years.
University level third stage : Postgraduate studies: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph D), Doctor of Liberal Arts (DLA):
Doctoral studies are another type of postgraduate studies. This stage of higher education leads to the degrees of Doktor or Mester three years after the Oklevél/ Egyetemi Oklevél. The Doktor and Mester are awarded by a Committee of the University after not less than three years' research following upon the Oklevél/Egyetemi Oklevél and the submission of a thesis/dissertation and an oral examination which includes foreign languages. The new Hungarian Doctorate (Doctor of Philosophy and, in the case of Arts universities, the Doctor of Liberal Arts degree) corresponds to what is known and recognized internationally as a PhD.
Distance higher education
Levelező tagozatos oktatás: correspondence courses are organized at universities and colleges and the diplomas awarded are equivalent to those granted to full-time students
Usual grading system in secondary school
Full Description: 5: jeles (excellent); 4: jó (good); 3: közepes (fair); 2: elégséges (satisfactory); 1: elégtelen (unsatisfactory).
Highest on scale: 5; Pass/fail level: 2/1; Lowest on scale: 1
Main grading system used by higher education institutions
Full Description: Examinations are graded according to the commonly used system 5: jeles (excellent); 4: jó (good); 3: közepes (fair); 2: elégséges (satisfactory); 1: elégtelen (unsatisfactory).
Highest on scale: 5; Pass/fail level: 2/1; Lowest on scale: 1
Other main grading systems
For the defence of a thesis a point system or the Latin system (summa cum laude, cum laude, rite) are used.
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