Institution Types and Credentials    |    Grading System

Structure of Education System     |    Admissions to Higher Education

Institution Types and Credentials

Types of higher education institutions:

• University
• College
• Institute
• School

School leaving and higher education credentials:

• Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate
• General Certificate of Education Advanced 'A' Level
• Teacher's Diploma
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Postgraduate Diploma
• Doctorate

Structure of Education System

Pre-higher education:

Duration of compulsory education:

Age of entry: 5
Age of exit: 12

Structure of School System

Primary
Type of school providing this education: Primary School
Length of program: 6 years
Ages: 5 to: 11
Certificate/diploma awarded: Common Entrance Examination

Secondary
Type of school providing this education: Secondary School (traditional system)
Length of program: 5 years
Ages: 11 to: 16
Certificate/diploma awarded: Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate

Junior Secondary
Type of school providing this education: Junior Secondary School (new system)
Length of program: 3 years
Ages: 11 to: 14

Senior Secondary
Type of school providing this education: Upper Secondary School (new system)
Length of program: 2 years
Ages: 14 to: 16
Certificate/diploma awarded: Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate

Sixth Form
Type of school providing this education: Sixth Form (traditional system and new system)
Length of program: 2 years
Ages: 17 to: 19
Certificate/diploma awarded: General Certificate of Education Advanced 'A' Level; Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE)

School education
Primary education is compulsory and lasts for six years leading to the Common Entrance Examination.There are two types of secondary education: the traditional academic sector providing five or seven years of schooling (Five years of secondary school followed by two years of Sixth Form) and the new system providing three-year junior secondary and two years of senior secondary schooling and two years of Sixth Form. New-type schools offer a more diversified curriculum than the traditional schools.After five years of secondary school, courses lead to the examinations for the Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate or GCE O Levels, and after a further two years to GCE A level examinations or to the new Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE). Technical and vocational courses are also offered in Business Studies; Engineering; Surveying; Home Economics; and Graphics and Applied Arts.

Higher education
Higher education is provided by the University of the West Indies (UWI), St Augustine campus, the National Institute for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (NIHERST), technical colleges, teachers' colleges and a host of private institutions. The University is financed through contributions from participating governments, grants from private corporations and individuals, and fees from students. Other tertiary-level institutions in the country include various colleges and institutions providing training in Teacher Education, Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery, Technical and Information Technology, Management and Banking, Languages, Nursing and Health Care, and Theological Education. There is a growing number of private tertiary institutions of overseas origins which have accredited status with North American universities, e.g. the Caribbean Union College. As from 1991, responsibility for university-level education and for the provisioning of the National Institute for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology has been entrusted to the Ministry of Planning and Development and the Ministry of Finance.

Main laws/decrees governing higher education
Decree: Education Act Year: 1966

Academic year
Classes from: Aug to: May

Languages of instruction: English

Stages of studies

Non-university level post-secondary studies (technical/vocational type):

Non-university level
There are a number of institutions, both public and private, providing a wide range of courses leading to the award of the National Technician Certificate. The National Institute of Higher Education, Research Science and Technology (NIHERST) includes four main teaching divisions and offers courses leading to the award of an Associate degree, a Diploma or a Certificate.

University level studies

University level first stage: Bachelor's Degree
The Bachelor's Degree is conferred after studies lasting three to five years by the University of the West Indies. A Diploma is also awarded after one year.

University level second stage: Master's Degree
The Master's Degree is conferred by the University of the West Indies two to three years after the Bachelor's Degree. A Postgraduate Diploma is also awarded two years after the Bachelor's Degree. A research-based Master's Degree leads to the award of a Master of Philosophy (Mphil).

University level third stage: Doctorate
The Doctorate usually requires a further two years after the Master's Degree.

Teacher education
Training of pre-primary and primary/basic school teachers
Primary school teachers must hold five CXC/GCE passes and study for two years in a Teacher Training College where they obtain a Teacher's Diploma. Alternatively, they remain in the system for two years before proceeding to two years of compulsory in-service training at the Teacher Training Colleges. Continuing training is available part-time for one year at the School of Education, which confers a Certificate of Education. This is recognized as the first year of completion of the three-year BEd introduced in 1992.

Training of secondary school teachers
The School of Education offers a one-year part-time Diploma in Education. It is offered in Mathematics, Modern Languages, Social Studies, Science and Educational Administration. The School of Education also offers a Masters in Education, a two-year, part-time Degree programme designed for teacher educators, school principals, administrators and supervisors.

Training of higher education teachers
Higher education teachers are trained at recognized universities.

Admissions to Higher Education

Admission to non university higher education studies
Name of secondary school credential required: General Certificate of Education Advanced Level
Name of secondary school credential required: General Certificate of Secondary Education

Admission to university-level studies
Name of secondary school credential required: General Certificate of Education Advanced Level
Minimum score/requirement: 2/3 passes at A-level
Name of secondary school credential required: General Certificate of Education Advanced Supplementary Level
Other admission requirements: School report and interview. Universities may also impose their conditions, such as a certain combination of passes or a particular standard achieved in subjects taken at A level.

Foreign students admission
Definition of foreign student: A foreign student is a person who is enrolled at an institution of higher education in Spain but is not a permanent resident.

Admission requirements: Foreign students must hold qualifications equivalent to the Spain General Certificate of Education with five or six passes including two at Advanced level.

Entry regulations: Passport, a visa and evidence confirming their registration in full-time courses and evidence of funds.

Health requirements: Students who come from countries outside the European Union need a medical certificate

Language requirements: Students must have a good knowledge of English. English courses and English-as-a-Foreign-Language courses are available in the private/state sector.

Grading System

Usual grading system in secondary school
Full Description: Alphabetical system A to E. A: excellent/outstanding; B: above average; C: average; D: below average; E: failing.
Highest on scale: A
Pass/fail level: C/D
Lowest on scale: E

Main grading system used by higher education institutions
Full Description: Alphabetical system A to E. A: excellent/outstanding; B: above average; C: average; D: below average; E: fail.
Highest on scale: A
Pass/fail level: D/E
Lowest on scale: E

Other main grading systems
Numerical system.

List of Universities and COLLEGES in SPAIN