Education System of Albania

Albania is located in southeastern Europe, flanked by the Republic of Macedonia to the east, Montenegro to the northwest, Greece to the south and southeast, and Kosovo to the northeast. The Ministry of Education and Sports of the Republic of Albania (In Albanian: Ministria e Arsimit dhe Sportit) is responsible for the administration of education in Albania.

Preschool Education

In Albania, preschool education is both private and public. Preschool education in Albania is provided by nurseries and kindergartens. 
  • Nurseries are for children aged 0-3
  • Kindergartens caters to children aged 3 to 6 years

Compulsory Education

Compulsory education in Albania last for 9 years. In Albania, children at the age of 6 to 16 are required to undertake the basic education.

Basic Education

Basic education in Albania is compulsory to attend and last for 9 years. This educational level develops the creative, physical, social, practical and intellectual skills of the students. This educational level comprises of 2 cycles:
  • Elementary cycle: This cycle covers grades 1 to 5
  • Lower Secondary cycle: This cycle covers grades 6 to 9

Secondary Education

Secondary education in Albania is not mandatory to attend and comprises of Gymnasium and vocational or technical secondary education schools.
  • Gymnasium: These secondary schools last for 3 years
  • Vocational and technical secondary education: This education level lasts for 2-5 years, depending on the field of study.
Examination: At the end of secondary education, students must undertake a State Matura exam in order to gain admittance into the higher education institutions in Albania. 

Higher Education

Students who have successfully completed secondary education are eligible for higher education in Albania. 

Higher Education Institutions 

Higher education in Albania is offered by following higher education institutions- University, academy and higher institutes. There are public as well as private higher education institutions in Albania.

University (Universitet): These are autonomous universities. In Albania, universities offer a wide range of courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. 

Higher institute (institute i larte): The higher institutes/non-university higher schools provide programmes up to master’s level. 

Academy (akademi): Academies offers programmes up to doctorate level. 

Higher Education Qualifications

Higher education institutions in Albania provide undergraduate as well as postgraduate study programmes. 
  • Bachelor degree last for 3 to 4 years
  • Master’s degree last for 1-2 years
  • Quaternary education/doctorate (doktorate) last for 3 years
There are also programmes that last for 1 to 3 years leading to Specialization Certificate (Deshmi Specializimi) 

To know more about the Albanian education system, read the post “Albania Education Overview”.

Admission Requirements

Students must have passed State Matura exam and hold a secondary education completion certificate for admission to the higher education in Albania. In addition, several higher education institutions in Albania conduct admission exam/entrance exam for specific areas of study.

For detailed higher education admission procedure in Albania, click here

Special Needs Education

In Albania, there are special national institutions and special schools for children with special needs. These students are integrated into the ordinary school classes. Special national institutions:  “Institute of blind students” and an “institute of deaf students”. Studies at these institutions are free.

Accreditation

The Public Agency of Accreditation for Higher Education (PAAHE) in Albania is in charge for quality assurance and accreditation. It is a public institution that is a part of the Albania higher education quality assurance system. The institution is in charge for the evaluation of study programmes (external) offered by the private and public higher education institutions in Albania.

For latest updates see official website Arsimi.gov.al
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