Study Abroad
Study Guide to Masters and Bachelors Degree Courses




Macedonia



Structure of Educational System
Pre-higher Education System
Higher Education System
Administrative structure of higher education  
Admissions to Higher Education and Recognition



 Pre-higher Education System

     Duration of compulsory education
     Age of entry: 7
     Age of exit:  16

     Structure of school system

     Type/level of education:     Primary
     Type of school:                    LOWER PRIMARY SCHOOL/OSNOVNO UCILISTE
     Length of program (years): 4
     Age level:                               from 7 to 11

     Type/level of education:     Basic Second Stage
     Type of school:                    UPPER PRIMARY SCHOOL
     Length of program (years): 4
     Age level:                              from 11 to 15

     Type/level of education:     Secondary
     Type of school:                    HIGH SCHOOL/GIMNAZIJA
     Length of program (years): 4
     Age level:                              from 15 to 19
     Certificate awarded:             SECONDARY SCHOOL DIPLOMA/MATURA

     Type/level of education:     Technical
     Type of school:                    TECHNICAL SCHOOL/TEHNICKI UCILISTE
     Length of program (years): 3
     Age level:                              from 15 to 18

     Type/level of education:     Vocational
     Type of school:                    VOCATIONAL SCHOOL/UCILISTE ZA ZANIMANJA
     Length of program (years): 4
     Age level:                              from 15 to 19

     Type/level of education:     Specialized Secondary
     Type of school:                    ART SECONDARY SCHOOL/UMETNICKO UCILISTE
     Length of program (years): 4
     Age level:                              from 15 to 19

     Description of secondary school system
Secondary school education is provided by high schools, technical and other vocational schools, and art secondary schools. Education at a 'Gimnazija' lasts four years. In the second half of the fourth year, pupils are supposed to write a project (maturska tema) and defend it, and pass a written examination in their mother tongue and literature. The final examination is the "Matura". The technical and other vocational schools train technicians for different professions: medical, financial and others. In some schools, there are programmes of shorter duration (from several months to three years of training) for different occupations and crafts. Entry to higher education is on the basis of the Secondary School Leaving Diploma, the Matura, plus an entrance examination.
 

Higher Education System

     Structure of system
Higher education is provided by colleges and pedagogical academies offering two-year courses, whereas university faculties and institutes offer four to six-year courses in a range of disciplines. Upon successful completion of higher education courses at faculties/institutes, students are awarded a diploma with professional title e.g. engineer, lawyer, teacher, at the lower (college) level; graduate engineer, graduate lawyer, graduate teacher at the higher (faculty/institute) level. The exact duration of studies leading to higher level diplomas depends on the type of faculty. The financing mechanisms of higher education are under revision.

     Main types of higher education institutions in country

     Type of institution:  UNIVERZITET
     Translation:               UNIVERSITY

     Type of institution:  COLLEGE

     Type of institution:  PEDAGOCICAL ACADEMY

     Main laws/decrees governing higher education

     Name of law/decree:        Law on Vocational education
     Date:                      16 January, 1985
     Institution type:  Universities, colleges, academies

     Name of law/decree:        The Law on the University
     Date:                      1 March, 1994
     Institution type:  Universities
 

Administrative structure of higher education

     Name of body:      Ministry of Education and Sports

     Address:
          Street: Veljko Vlahovik 9
          City: Skopje
          Postal code: 91000
          Telephone: 389-91-117896
          Fax: 389-91-118414

     Academic year
     Classes start:     September
     Classes end:       June

     Languages of instruction
     Macedonian
 

Stages and Organization of Higher Education Studies

     University level studies

     Stage 1:     Vise Obrazovanje

Description: The first-level degree is obtained on completion of a two- to three-year course. Students are awarded a diploma with a ssional     title: e.g. engineer, lawyer, teacher.

     Stage 2:     Visoko Obrazovanje

Description: The second-level degree is obtained on completion of a four- to six year course. The exact duration of studies leading to higher level diplomas depends on the type of faculty. For instance: Faculty of Medicine, 6-years of study; Technological/metallurgical Faculty - 5-years of study; Faculty of Law - 4-years of study. Each graduate student has the opportunity to specialize in relevant professional fields - e.g. surgery, obstetrics, engineering. Such specialization requires one to five years of practical training.

     Stage 3:     Magistar

Description: The Magistar degree (Master of Science/Master of Arts) is awarded after two years' study followed by research and the writing of a thesis approved by a mentor and publicly defended.

     Stage 4:     Doktor na nauiki

Description: The Doctor na nauki degree (Doctor of Science) is awarded after a further approved period of research and the defence of a doctoral dissertation.
 

     Teacher education

     Training of primary/basic school teachers

Teachers are trained at Pedagogical Academies and at Vise Skole. Primary teachers (Grades I-IV) and subject teachers (Grade V-VIII) have different training. Pre-service training lasts two years. Subject teachers may follow a four-year course at a pedagogical academy or at the univeristy.

     Training of secondary school teachers

Secondary school teachers are university graduates.  Courses last four years. Elementary and secondary school teachers are obliged to attend in-service seminars.
 

     Non-formal studies

     Other forms of non-formal education

The Workers University (Rabutniski Univerzitet) offers a great variety of courses for additional education. It does not award degrees but offers special courses leading to a particular qualification.
 

Grading system

     Usual grading system in (upper) secondary school
     Grading is on a five-point scale: 5: Excellent; 4: Very Good; 3: Good; 2: Satisfactory; 1: Unsatisfactory ("Negative Grade").

     Highest on scale:  5
     Pass/fail level:           2/1
     Lowest on scale:   1

     Main grading system generally used by higher education institutions
     Marking is on the scale 5-10, with 6 as the minimum passing mark.

     Highest on scale:  10
     Pass/fail level:           6/5
     Lowest on scale:   5
 

Admissions to Higher Education

     Admissions to university level

     Secondary school credential/certificate/diploma(s) required for entry

     Name of sec. school credential: MATURA/SECONDARY SCHOOL LEAVING DIPLOMA
     Total number of years of primary and secondary school study: 12

     Other admission requirements established at national level:
     Enrolment criteria are determined by secondary school results and results of the entrance examinations.
 

Recognition of studies and qualifications

     Recognition of studies completed and credentials awarded in foreign countries

     Bodies primarily addressing questions relating to the recognition of foreign credentials and studies in higher education

     Name of body: NEIC, Ministry of Education and Physical Culture
     Address:
          Street: Veljko Vlahovik 9
          City: Skopje
          Postal code: 91000
          Telephone: 389-91-117896
          Fax: 389-91-118414
 

    

     Date:         1995/1996
     Source:     International Association of Universities (IAU)