Thinking·OS

Education systems

Schooling & higher education in Europe

How schooling and higher education are organised in each European country — the stages, their age spans and ISCED levels, the branching tracks (Hauptschule, Gymnasium, VMBO/HAVO/VWO, lycée …), leaving qualifications, the tertiary system, and the governmental-vs-private split. Wired to adapt atlas content to specific user groups (country + age → local stage → Thinking OS learning stage).

48 countries · every figure is sourced (Eurydice, ISCED). Values can vary regionally in federal systems.

Adapt to a user group

Choose a country and age — the atlas derives the local school stage, the available tracks, and the Thinking OS learning stage to pitch content at.

A 13-year-old in Germany is Sekundarstufe Icompulsory.

Possible tracks: Hauptschule, Realschule, Gymnasium, Gesamtschule

Thinking OS learning stage: lower-secondary — atlas content would be explained at this stage.

European Union

Austria compulsory 6–15

Stages

  • Kindergarten — Kindergarten · ages 3–6 · ISCED 0
  • Volksschule — Primary school · ages 6–10 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → early-primary
  • Sekundarstufe I — Lower secondary (tracked) · ages 10–14 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • Sekundarstufe II — Upper secondary · ages 14–18 · ISCED 3 · → upper-secondary

Secondary tracks

  • Mittelschule (MS) (general): General lower-secondary school (grades 5–8) attended by the majority of pupils; leads on to upper-secondary academic or vocational schools.
  • Allgemeinbildende höhere Schule (AHS) (general → matura): Academic secondary school (Gymnasium) spanning a lower cycle (grades 5–8) and an upper cycle (grades 9–12), concluding with the Matura and general university entrance.
  • Berufsbildende höhere Schule (BHS) (vocational → matura-bhs): Five-year vocational colleges (e.g. HAK for business, HTL for engineering) leading to a Reife- und Diplomprüfung that combines the Matura with a vocational qualification and grants university entrance.
  • Berufsbildende mittlere Schule (BMS) (vocational): Vocational middle schools (typically 3–4 years) providing a full vocational qualification but not, on their own, general university entrance.
  • Lehre (vocational → lehrabschluss): Dual apprenticeship combining a training company with a part-time vocational school (Berufsschule), concluding with the Lehrabschlussprüfung.

Qualifications

  • Lehrabschlussprüfung
  • Reife- und Diplomprüfung (BHS) ✓🎓
  • Berufsreifeprüfung ✓🎓
  • Matura (Reifeprüfung) ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna · Bachelor (3y) → Master (2y) → Doktorat (Dr. / PhD) (3y)

Governmental / private

State schools are free and organised nationally under federal school law, with school administration shared between the federation and the nine Länder; the final kindergarten year is free and compulsory.

Private schools require state authorisation and can be granted 'public-law status' (Öffentlichkeitsrecht) to issue valid certificates; confessional (mainly Catholic) schools receive state funding for teaching staff.

Compulsory schooling lasts nine years (ages 6–15); a separate education-and-training obligation (Ausbildungspflicht) requires young people to remain in education or training until age 18.

Sources: Eurydice — Austria: Overview, Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (BMBWF)

Belgium compulsory 5–18 · federal

Stages

  • Kleuteronderwijs / Enseignement maternel — Pre-primary education · ages 3–6 · ISCED 0
  • Lager onderwijs / Enseignement primaire — Primary education · ages 6–12 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → early-primary
  • Eerste graad / Premier degré — Lower secondary · ages 12–14 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • Tweede en derde graad / Deuxième et troisième degré — Upper secondary (tracked) · ages 14–18 · ISCED 3 · compulsory · → upper-secondary

Secondary tracks

  • Algemeen secundair onderwijs (ASO) / Enseignement général (general → diploma-secundair): Academic general education preparing primarily for higher education.
  • Technisch secundair onderwijs (TSO) / Enseignement technique (mixed → diploma-secundair): Technical education combining general and applied subjects, leading either to work or to higher education.
  • Kunstsecundair onderwijs (KSO) / Enseignement artistique (mixed → diploma-secundair): Arts-focused secondary education combining general education with artistic training.
  • Beroepssecundair onderwijs (BSO) / Enseignement professionnel (vocational → getuigschrift-beroeps): Practically oriented vocational education; a diploma of secondary education can be obtained by completing an additional (seventh) year.

Qualifications

  • Studiegetuigschrift / Certificat d'études
  • Diploma secundair onderwijs / Certificat d'enseignement secondaire supérieur (CESS) ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna · Bachelor (3y) → Master (2y) → Doctoraat / Doctorat (PhD) (4y)

Governmental / private

Education is a competence of the three language communities (Flemish, French and German-speaking), not the federal state; publicly funded schooling includes community, provincial/municipal and subsidised free (mostly Catholic) networks, all free of tuition.

Most 'free' (vrij / libre) schools are subsidised and follow the community curriculum; genuinely independent private schools that receive no subsidy are rare.

Education is run separately by the Flemish, French and German-speaking Communities, so structures, education-form names and details vary between them; the ladder above is the common pattern.

Sources: Eurydice — Belgium (Flemish Community): Overview, Eurydice — Belgium (French Community): Overview

Bulgaria compulsory 7–16

Stages

  • Предучилищно образование — Pre-school education · ages 3–7 · ISCED 0
  • Начален етап (I–IV клас) — Primary stage · ages 7–11 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → early-primary
  • Прогимназиален етап (V–VII клас) — Lower secondary stage · ages 11–14 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • Средно образование (VIII–XII клас) — Secondary education · ages 14–19 · ISCED 3 · compulsory · → upper-secondary

Secondary tracks

  • Профилирана гимназия (general → diploma-sredno): Profiled (academic) secondary school preparing for the state matriculation examinations and higher education.
  • Професионална гимназия (vocational): Vocational secondary school combining a profession with general education; graduates who pass the matura receive the same secondary education diploma.

Qualifications

  • Свидетелство за основно образование
  • Диплома за средно образование ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna · Бакалавър (4y) → Магистър (1y) → Доктор (3y)

Governmental / private

State and municipal schools are free of charge and follow the national Pre-school and School Education Act and state educational standards.

Private schools require approval from the Ministry of Education and Science and form a small share of provision.

Basic education (grades 1–7) is split above into a primary stage (grades 1–4, ISCED 1) and a lower-secondary stage (grades 5–7, ISCED 2). The single secondary-education diploma (matura) has been common to general and vocational pathways since 2003. Compulsory education ends at age 16, before the end of upper-secondary schooling.

Sources: Eurydice — Bulgaria: Overview, Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science (Министерство на образованието и науката)

Croatia compulsory 6–15

Stages

  • Dječji vrtić — Kindergarten · ages 1–6 · ISCED 0
  • Osnovna škola – razredna nastava — Basic school, lower stage (grades 1–4) · ages 6–11 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → early-primary
  • Osnovna škola – predmetna nastava — Basic school, upper stage (grades 5–8) · ages 11–15 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • Srednja škola — Upper secondary · ages 15–19 · ISCED 3 · → upper-secondary

Secondary tracks

  • Gimnazija (general → drzavna-matura): Four-year general academic upper-secondary school preparing for the state matura (državna matura) and university entrance.
  • Strukovna škola (vocational): Vocational school with programmes of 3 years (trade qualification) or 4–5 years (technician). Four-year programmes may sit the državna matura for higher-education access.
  • Umjetnička škola (vocational): Art school (music, dance, fine or applied arts); four-year programmes can lead to the državna matura and higher education.

Qualifications

  • Završni rad (strukovni)
  • Državna matura ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna · Sveučilišni/stručni prvostupnik (bacc.) (3y) → Magistar (mag.) (2y) → Doktor znanosti (dr. sc.) (3y)

Governmental / private

Public schools are free of charge; basic schools are founded by local governments and secondary schools mostly by counties, under national curricula set by the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth.

Private and denominational schools operate with authorisation and follow approved programmes; they may receive partial state funding and charge fees, and remain a small share.

The osnovna škola is a single-structure basic school spanning ISCED 1 and 2 (grades 1–8); it is split here into two stages by ISCED. Compulsory education lasts 8 years.

Sources: Eurydice — Croatia: Overview, Ministarstvo znanosti, obrazovanja i mladih (Ministry of Science, Education and Youth)

Cyprus compulsory 4–15

Stages

  • Nipiagogeio (Νηπιαγωγείο) — Pre-primary (kindergarten) · ages 4–6 · ISCED 0 · compulsory
  • Dimotiko (Δημοτικό) — Primary school · ages 6–12 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → early-primary
  • Gymnasio (Γυμνάσιο) — Lower secondary school · ages 12–15 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • Lykeio (Λύκειο) — Upper secondary school · ages 15–18 · ISCED 3 · → upper-secondary

Secondary tracks

  • Lykeio (Λύκειο) (general → apolytirion): Academic general upper-secondary track with common core and optional specialisation subjects; leads to the Apolytirion and higher education.
  • Techniki kai Epaggelmatiki Ekpaidefsi kai Katartisi (vocational → apolytirion-tvet): Secondary technical and vocational education offered at technical schools in theoretical and practical directions; leads to a school-leaving certificate (apolytirion) giving access to higher education.

Qualifications

  • Apolytirion Lykeiou (Απολυτήριο Λυκείου) ✓🎓
  • Apolytirion (Technical and Vocational Education) ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna · Ptychio / Bachelor (4y) → Metaptychiako / Master (2y) → Didaktoriko / Doctorate (3y)

Governmental / private

State schools are free and centrally administered by the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth.

A sizeable private sector includes Greek-curriculum and English-language/international private schools, especially at secondary level.

Data refer to the areas under the effective control of the Republic of Cyprus. Compulsory education runs about 10 years, from roughly age 4 years 8 months to 15 (end of gymnasio).

Sources: Eurydice — Cyprus: Overview, Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth

Czechia compulsory 6–15

Stages

  • Mateřská škola — Nursery school · ages 3–6 · ISCED 0
  • Základní škola – první stupeň — Basic school, first stage (grades 1–5) · ages 6–11 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → early-primary
  • Základní škola – druhý stupeň — Basic school, second stage (grades 6–9) · ages 11–15 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • Střední škola — Upper secondary · ages 15–19 · ISCED 3 · → upper-secondary

Secondary tracks

  • Gymnázium (general → maturita): General academic upper-secondary school (4-year, or 6- and 8-year variants starting earlier) preparing for the maturita and higher education.
  • Střední odborná škola (vocational → maturita): Secondary technical school offering a vocational qualification together with the maturita (4-year programmes).
  • Střední odborné učiliště (vocational): Vocational school leading to an apprenticeship certificate (výuční list) after 2–3 years; some programmes can lead to the maturita.

Qualifications

  • Výuční list
  • Maturitní zkouška (maturita) ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna · Bakalář (Bc.) (3y) → Magistr / Inženýr (Mgr./Ing.) (2y) → Doktor (Ph.D.) (4y)

Governmental / private

Public schools are free of charge and mostly established by municipalities and regions under national framework curricula set by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports.

Private and denominational schools operate under the same Education Act, receive partial state funding and may charge fees.

The základní škola is a single-structure basic school spanning ISCED 1 and 2 (grades 1–9); it is split here into two stages by ISCED. Compulsory education lasts 9 years (to about age 15).

Sources: Eurydice — Czechia: Overview, Ministerstvo školství, mládeže a tělovýchovy (Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports)

Denmark compulsory 6–16

Stages

  • Børnehave / dagtilbud — Pre-school (day care / kindergarten) · ages 3–6 · ISCED 0
  • Folkeskole (indskoling) — Folkeskole — pre-school & lower grades · ages 6–12 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → early-primary
  • Folkeskole (mellemtrin & udskoling) — Folkeskole — upper grades · ages 12–16 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • Ungdomsuddannelse (gymnasiale / erhvervsuddannelse) — Upper secondary (youth education) · ages 16–19 · ISCED 3 · → upper-secondary

Secondary tracks

  • Gymnasiale uddannelser (general → studentereksamen): Academic upper-secondary programmes: the general STX, the commercial HHX, the technical HTX (each three years) and the two-year HF, all giving access to higher education.
  • Erhvervsuddannelse (EUD) (vocational): Dual vocational programmes alternating college-based instruction with paid company placements, leading to a skilled-worker qualification.

Qualifications

  • Folkeskolens afgangseksamen (FP9)
  • Studentereksamen (STX) ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna · Bachelor (bachelorgrad) (3y) → Master (kandidatgrad) (2y) → PhD (ph.d.-grad) (3y)

Governmental / private

The municipal Folkeskole is free and attended by the large majority of pupils; municipalities run the schools within a national framework.

Denmark has a strong tradition of state-subsidised independent schools (friskoler and privatskoler), which charge modest fees and receive substantial public funding; free boarding schools (efterskole) are also common for grades 8–10.

Danish schooling is comprehensive: the Folkeskole keeps pupils together without tracking until age 16. Municipalities are responsible for the Folkeskole within a national framework set by the Ministry.

Sources: Eurydice — Denmark: Overview, Ministry of Children and Education (Denmark)

Estonia compulsory 7–16

Stages

  • Koolieelne lasteasutus (lasteaed) — Pre-school (kindergarten) · ages 3–7 · ISCED 0
  • Põhikool (I–II kooliaste) — Basic school — primary stage · ages 7–13 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → early-primary
  • Põhikool (III kooliaste) — Basic school — lower secondary stage · ages 13–16 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • Gümnaasium — Upper secondary school · ages 16–19 · ISCED 3 · → upper-secondary

Secondary tracks

  • Gümnaasium (general → gumnaasiumi-loputunnistus): General academic upper-secondary school (grades 10–12) preparing for the state matriculation examinations and higher education.
  • Kutseõppeasutus (vocational): Vocational upper-secondary education; programmes based on basic education can also grant access to higher education.

Qualifications

  • Põhikooli lõputunnistus
  • Gümnaasiumi lõputunnistus (riigieksamid) ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna · Bakalaureus (3y) → Magister (2y) → Doktor (4y)

Governmental / private

State and municipal schools are free of charge; basic and upper-secondary education is regulated nationally under the Basic Schools and Upper Secondary Schools Act.

Private schools (erakool) operate under the Private Schools Act of 1998 and require a licence; they form a small share of provision.

The põhikool is a 9-year single-structure basic school spanning ISCED levels 1–2; it is split above by ISCED stage. Compulsory education traditionally ran to age 16; a 2024 reform is extending the obligation to age 18 or completion of upper-secondary/vocational education.

Sources: Eurydice — Estonia: Overview, Estonian Ministry of Education and Research (Haridus- ja Teadusministeerium)

Finland compulsory 7–18

Stages

  • Varhaiskasvatus — Early childhood education and care · ages 1–6 · ISCED 0
  • Esiopetus — Pre-primary education · ages 6–7 · ISCED 0 · compulsory · → early-primary
  • Perusopetus (alakoulu) — Basic education — lower grades · ages 7–13 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → late-primary
  • Perusopetus (yläkoulu) — Basic education — upper grades · ages 13–16 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • Toinen aste (lukio / ammatillinen koulutus) — Upper secondary education · ages 16–19 · ISCED 3 · compulsory · → upper-secondary

Secondary tracks

  • Lukio (general → ylioppilastutkinto): Academic upper-secondary school, typically three years, ending with the national matriculation examination (ylioppilastutkinto).
  • Ammatillinen koulutus (vocational): Vocational upper-secondary programmes leading to a vocational qualification (ammatillinen perustutkinto), which also grants eligibility for higher education.

Qualifications

  • Peruskoulun päättötodistus
  • Ylioppilastutkinto (matriculation examination) ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna · Kandidaatti / Bachelor (3y) → Maisteri / Master (2y) → Tohtori (doctorate) (4y)

Governmental / private

Basic education is free — including tuition, materials, meals and transport — and provided by municipalities within a national core curriculum; the large majority of pupils attend public schools.

Private schools are rare; the few that exist are publicly funded, follow the national curriculum and may not charge tuition fees or select pupils by ability.

Finnish schooling is strongly comprehensive and public: the nine-year peruskoulu keeps all pupils together without tracking or fees. A 2021 reform raised the compulsory-education age to 18, making upper-secondary education compulsory and free of charge.

Sources: Eurydice — Finland: Overview, Finnish National Agency for Education (Opetushallitus)

France compulsory 3–16

Stages

  • École maternelle — Pre-primary school · ages 3–6 · ISCED 0 · compulsory
  • École élémentaire — Primary school · ages 6–11 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → early-primary
  • Collège — Lower secondary (comprehensive collège) · ages 11–15 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • Lycée — Upper secondary (lycée, tracked) · ages 15–18 · ISCED 3 · compulsory · → upper-secondary

Secondary tracks

  • Lycée général (general → bac-general): Academic upper-secondary track leading to the baccalauréat général and higher education.
  • Lycée technologique (mixed → bac-technologique): Technological track leading to the baccalauréat technologique, oriented towards short and applied higher-education pathways.
  • Lycée professionnel (vocational → bac-professionnel): Vocational track leading to the baccalauréat professionnel or, over two years, the CAP; can be followed at school or via apprenticeship.

Qualifications

  • Diplôme national du brevet (DNB)
  • Certificat d'aptitude professionnelle (CAP)
  • Baccalauréat professionnel ✓🎓
  • Baccalauréat technologique ✓🎓
  • Baccalauréat général ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna · Licence (3y) → Master (2y) → Doctorat (PhD) (3y)

Governmental / private

Public schools are free, secular (laïque) and centrally governed by the Ministry of National Education, with a national curriculum applied across académies.

Private schools mostly operate under a contract with the state (sous contrat), which funds teacher salaries and requires them to follow the national curriculum; a small number remain fully independent (hors contrat).

A comprehensive collège for all pupils, then branching in the lycée into général, technologique and professionnel; compulsory schooling from age 3 to 16, with a training obligation to 18.

Sources: Eurydice — France: Overview, Ministère de l'Éducation nationale

Germany compulsory 6–18 · federal

Stages

  • Kindergarten — Pre-school (kindergarten) · ages 3–6 · ISCED 0
  • Grundschule — Primary school · ages 6–10 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → early-primary
  • Sekundarstufe I — Lower secondary (tracked) · ages 10–16 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • Sekundarstufe II — Upper secondary · ages 16–19 · ISCED 3 · compulsory · → upper-secondary

Secondary tracks

  • Hauptschule (vocational → hauptschulabschluss): The most basic secondary track (grades 5–9/10), preparing pupils for vocational training; increasingly merged with Realschule into combined schools.
  • Realschule (general → mittlere-reife): Intermediate track (grades 5–10) leading to the Mittlere Reife and access to vocational or upper-secondary schools.
  • Gymnasium (general → abitur): Academic track (grades 5–12/13) leading to the Abitur and general university entrance.
  • Gesamtschule (mixed): Comprehensive schools that combine the tracks under one roof, deferring or softening selection.

Qualifications

  • Hauptschulabschluss
  • Mittlere Reife (Realschulabschluss)
  • Fachhochschulreife ✓🎓
  • Abitur (allgemeine Hochschulreife) ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna · Bachelor (3y) → Master (2y) → Promotion (Dr.) (3y)

Governmental / private

State schools are free and run by the 16 Länder, which each set their own curricula and school laws.

Private schools (Privatschulen) are constitutionally permitted as Ersatz- or Ergänzungsschulen, must be approved by the Land, and include church, Waldorf and Montessori schools; about 9% of pupils attend.

Education is a competence of the 16 Länder, so ages, track names and school types vary regionally; the structure above is the common pattern.

Sources: Eurydice — Germany: Overview, KMK — The Education System in the Federal Republic of Germany

Greece compulsory 4–15

Stages

  • Nipiagogeio (Νηπιαγωγείο) — Pre-primary (kindergarten) · ages 4–6 · ISCED 0 · compulsory
  • Dimotiko (Δημοτικό) — Primary school · ages 6–12 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → early-primary
  • Gymnasio (Γυμνάσιο) — Lower secondary school · ages 12–15 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • Lykeio (Λύκειο) — Upper secondary school · ages 15–18 · ISCED 3 · → upper-secondary

Secondary tracks

  • Geniko Lykeio (Γενικό Λύκειο, ΓΕΛ) (general → apolytirio-lykeiou): Academic general upper-secondary track preparing chiefly for the national university-admission examinations (Panellinies).
  • Epaggelmatiko Lykeio (Επαγγελματικό Λύκειο, ΕΠΑΛ) (vocational → apolytirio-epal): Vocational upper-secondary track giving both a leaving certificate (apolytirio) and a vocational specialisation diploma (ptychio); graduates may sit university-admission exams.

Qualifications

  • Apolytirio Gymnasiou (Απολυτήριο Γυμνασίου)
  • Apolytirio Genikou Lykeiou (Απολυτήριο Γενικού Λυκείου) ✓🎓
  • Apolytirio / Ptychio Epaggelmatikou Lykeiou (Απολυτήριο / Πτυχίο ΕΠΑΛ) ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna · Ptychio (Πτυχίο) (4y) → Metaptychiako (Μεταπτυχιακό) (2y) → Didaktoriko (Διδακτορικό) (3y)

Governmental / private

State schools are free and centrally administered by the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports.

Private schools (idiotika scholeia) follow the national curriculum under ministry supervision; there are also foreign and international schools.

Compulsory education runs from age 4 (two years of nipiagogeio) through the end of gymnasio at 15. Access to public universities is governed by the national Panellinies examinations.

Sources: Eurydice — Greece: Overview, Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports

Hungary compulsory 6–16

Stages

  • Óvoda — Kindergarten · ages 3–6 · ISCED 0 · compulsory
  • Általános iskola – alsó tagozat — General school, lower stage (grades 1–4) · ages 6–10 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → early-primary
  • Általános iskola – felső tagozat — General school, upper stage (grades 5–8) · ages 10–14 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • Középiskola — Upper secondary · ages 14–18 · ISCED 3 · compulsory · → upper-secondary

Secondary tracks

  • Gimnázium (general → erettsegi): General academic upper-secondary school (4-year, or 6- and 8-year variants starting earlier) preparing for the érettségi and higher education.
  • Technikum (vocational → erettsegi): Five-year vocational school (introduced by the 2020 VET reform, replacing the former szakgimnázium) that awards both a vocational qualification and the érettségi.
  • Szakképző iskola (vocational): Three-year vocational school (the former szakközépiskola) leading to a vocational qualification; graduates can add two years to obtain the érettségi.

Qualifications

  • Szakmai bizonyítvány
  • Érettségi bizonyítvány ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna · Alapképzés (BA/BSc) (3y) → Mesterképzés (MA/MSc) (2y) → Doktori fokozat (PhD/DLA) (4y)

Governmental / private

Most public schools are maintained by the state (through the Klebelsberg Centre and vocational training centres) and are free of charge, following the National Core Curriculum.

Church-run and private (foundation) schools operate within the public system, receive state funding and may charge fees; churches maintain a substantial share of schools.

The általános iskola is a single-structure general school spanning ISCED 1 and 2 (grades 1–8); it is split here into two stages by ISCED. A 2020 reform restructured vocational education (technikum and szakképző iskola).

Sources: Eurydice — Hungary: Overview, Oktatási Hivatal (Educational Authority)

Ireland compulsory 6–16

Stages

  • Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) — Early childhood care and education · ages 3–5 · ISCED 0
  • Primary school (Bunscoil) — Primary school · ages 4–12 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → late-primary
  • Junior Cycle — Junior Cycle (lower secondary) · ages 12–15 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • Senior Cycle — Senior Cycle (upper secondary) · ages 15–18 · ISCED 3 · → upper-secondary

Qualifications

  • Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement / Junior Certificate
  • Leaving Certificate (Ardteistiméireacht) ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna · Bachelor's degree (honours, Level 8) (3y) → Master's degree (Level 9) (2y) → Doctorate (Level 10) (4y)

Governmental / private

Most schools are state-funded but privately owned, historically by the Catholic Church and other patron bodies; the state pays teachers and running costs, so attendance is generally free.

A minority of fee-charging private secondary schools exist, though even many of these receive some state funding for teacher salaries.

Irish schooling is comprehensive rather than tracked; the state largely funds schools that are owned and managed by patron bodies. Most primary and many secondary schools are denominational. Irish (Gaeilge) is a compulsory subject, and Gaelscoileanna teach through Irish.

Sources: Eurydice — Ireland: Overview, Department of Education (Ireland)

Italy compulsory 6–16

Stages

  • Scuola dell'infanzia — Pre-school · ages 3–6 · ISCED 0
  • Scuola primaria — Primary school · ages 6–11 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → early-primary
  • Scuola secondaria di primo grado — Lower secondary school · ages 11–14 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • Scuola secondaria di secondo grado — Upper secondary school · ages 14–19 · ISCED 3 · compulsory · → upper-secondary

Secondary tracks

  • Liceo (general → diploma-maturita): Academic upper-secondary track (e.g. classico, scientifico, linguistico, artistico) preparing chiefly for university.
  • Istituto tecnico (mixed → diploma-maturita): Technical upper-secondary track combining general and technical/economic education, leading to the maturità and university access.
  • Istituto professionale (vocational → diploma-maturita): Vocational upper-secondary track with a stronger occupational focus; also leads to the maturità. Regional vocational training (IeFP) offers an alternative shorter qualification route.

Qualifications

  • Diploma conclusivo del primo ciclo di istruzione
  • Diploma di istruzione secondaria superiore (Esame di Stato / maturità) ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna · Laurea (triennale) (3y) → Laurea magistrale (2y) → Dottorato di ricerca (3y)

Governmental / private

State schools (scuole statali) are free and run under the national Ministry of Education and Merit, with a nationally set curriculum.

Non-state schools include scuole paritarie (accredited private schools whose qualifications are legally recognised) and non-accredited private schools; many are Catholic.

Compulsory education runs 10 years (ages 6–16); education/training is obligatory until 18 or until a qualification is obtained. Upper secondary is five years and ends with the Esame di Stato.

Sources: Eurydice — Italy: Overview, Ministero dell'Istruzione e del Merito

Latvia compulsory 5–16

Stages

  • Pirmsskolas izglītība — Pre-school education · ages 1–7 · ISCED 0
  • Pamatizglītība (1.–6. klase) — Basic education — primary stage · ages 7–13 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → early-primary
  • Pamatizglītība (7.–9. klase) — Basic education — lower secondary stage · ages 13–16 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • Vidējā izglītība — Upper secondary education · ages 16–19 · ISCED 3 · → upper-secondary

Secondary tracks

  • Vispārējā vidusskola / ģimnāzija (general → atestats): General upper-secondary school (grades 10–12) preparing for the centralised state examinations and higher education.
  • Profesionālā vidējā izglītība (vocational): Vocational upper-secondary education combining a profession with general subjects; can grant access to higher education.

Qualifications

  • Apliecība par vispārējo pamatizglītību
  • Atestāts par vispārējo vidējo izglītību ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna · Bakalaurs (3y) → Maģistrs (2y) → Doktors (3y)

Governmental / private

State and municipal schools are free of charge and follow the national Education Law and state education standards; the language of instruction is being transitioned fully to Latvian.

Private schools require a licence and accreditation from the Ministry of Education and Science and form a small share of provision.

Pamatizglītība is a 9-year single-structure basic school (6 years primary + 3 years lower secondary, ISCED 1–2), split above by ISCED stage. Education is compulsory from age 5 (final pre-school preparation) with primary schooling starting at 7.

Sources: Eurydice — Latvia: Overview, Latvian Ministry of Education and Science (Izglītības un zinātnes ministrija)

Lithuania compulsory 6–16

Stages

  • Ikimokyklinis ir priešmokyklinis ugdymas — Pre-school and pre-primary education · ages 3–7 · ISCED 0
  • Pradinis ugdymas (pradinė mokykla) — Primary education · ages 7–11 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → early-primary
  • Pagrindinis ugdymas (pagrindinė mokykla) — Basic (lower secondary) education · ages 11–17 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • Vidurinis ugdymas — Secondary (upper secondary) education · ages 17–19 · ISCED 3 · → upper-secondary

Secondary tracks

  • Gimnazija (general → brandos-atestatas): Gymnasium delivering general upper-secondary education (grades 11–12, and often grades 9–10) preparing for the maturity examinations and higher education.
  • Profesinio mokymo mokykla (vocational): Vocational education and training that can be combined with the upper-secondary curriculum, allowing learners to also obtain the maturity certificate.

Qualifications

  • Pagrindinio išsilavinimo pažymėjimas
  • Brandos atestatas ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna · Bakalauras (4y) → Magistras (2y) → Daktaras (4y)

Governmental / private

State and municipal schools are free of charge and follow the national Law on Education and general curriculum frameworks.

Non-state schools require a licence and may receive per-pupil state funding; they form a small share of provision.

The pagrindinė mokykla delivers six years of basic (lower secondary) education (ISCED 2, grades 5–10). Compulsory education ends at age 16, so the final grade of basic school and all of upper-secondary schooling extend beyond the compulsory age. Gymnasiums often also cover grades 9–10.

Sources: Eurydice — Lithuania: Overview, Lithuanian Ministry of Education, Science and Sport (Švietimo, mokslo ir sporto ministerija)

Luxembourg compulsory 4–16

Stages

  • Éducation précoce et préscolaire (cycle 1) — Early and pre-school education (cycle 1) · ages 3–6 · ISCED 0 · compulsory
  • Enseignement fondamental (cycles 2–4) — Fundamental (primary) education · ages 6–12 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → early-primary
  • Enseignement secondaire (cycle inférieur) — Lower secondary (tracked) · ages 12–15 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • Enseignement secondaire (cycle supérieur) — Upper secondary · ages 15–19 · ISCED 3 · → upper-secondary

Secondary tracks

  • Enseignement secondaire classique (ESC) (general → diplome-fin-etudes): Academic seven-year pathway with a strong languages component, leading to the diplôme de fin d'études secondaires classiques and university entrance.
  • Enseignement secondaire général (ESG) (mixed → diplome-fin-etudes-general): General secondary education offering technical and vocational streams; leads to the diplôme de fin d'études secondaires générales, technician diplomas or, via apprenticeship, the DAP.

Qualifications

  • Diplôme d'aptitude professionnelle (DAP)
  • Diplôme de technicien (DT) ✓🎓
  • Diplôme de fin d'études secondaires générales ✓🎓
  • Diplôme de fin d'études secondaires classiques ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna · Bachelor (3y) → Master (2y) → Doctorat (PhD) (3y)

Governmental / private

Public schools are free and run by the state under the Ministry of Education; a distinctive feature is trilingual instruction in Luxembourgish, German and French.

Private and international/European schools operate under state authorisation; some are state-subsidised and follow the national curriculum, others offer international or European Baccalaureate programmes.

A distinctive trilingual system (Luxembourgish, German, French); secondary education is split into the classique and général pathways, the latter carrying the technical and vocational streams.

Sources: Eurydice — Luxembourg: Overview, Ministère de l'Éducation nationale, de l'Enfance et de la Jeunesse

Malta compulsory 5–16

Stages

  • Kindergarten — Kindergarten · ages 3–5 · ISCED 0
  • Primary school — Primary school · ages 5–11 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → early-primary
  • Secondary school — Secondary school · ages 11–16 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • Sixth form / MCAST — Post-secondary (upper secondary) · ages 16–18 · ISCED 3 · → upper-secondary

Secondary tracks

  • Sixth form / Junior College (general → matriculation-certificate): Academic post-secondary route preparing for the MATSEC Matriculation Certificate (Advanced and Intermediate matriculation-level subjects) and university entrance.
  • MCAST (Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology) (vocational): Malta's main vocational institution, offering programmes from MQF level 1 up to degree level; some routes also give access to higher education.

Qualifications

  • Secondary Education Certificate (SEC)
  • MATSEC Matriculation Certificate ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna · Bachelor's degree (3y) → Master's degree (2y) → Doctorate (PhD) (3y)

Governmental / private

State schools are free and run by the Ministry for Education, organised into regional colleges (networks of state schools).

A substantial non-state sector comprises Church schools (largely Catholic, historically funded by state–Church agreement) and independent private schools.

Compulsory education runs from age 5 to 16. Malta is bilingual (Maltese and English). SEC exams are taken around age 16 and the MATSEC Matriculation Certificate around age 18.

Sources: Eurydice — Malta: Overview, Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation

Netherlands compulsory 5–16

Stages

  • Voor- en vroegschoolse educatie — Pre-school education · ages 2–4 · ISCED 0
  • Basisonderwijs — Primary education · ages 4–12 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → early-primary
  • Voortgezet onderwijs (onderbouw) — Lower secondary (tracked) · ages 12–15 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • Voortgezet onderwijs (bovenbouw) / MBO — Upper secondary · ages 15–18 · ISCED 3 · compulsory · → upper-secondary

Secondary tracks

  • Voorbereidend middelbaar beroepsonderwijs (VMBO) (vocational → vmbo-diploma): Four-year pre-vocational track (with basic to theoretical learning pathways) leading to the VMBO diploma and on to secondary vocational education (MBO).
  • Hoger algemeen voortgezet onderwijs (HAVO) (general → havo-diploma): Five-year general track leading to the HAVO diploma and access to universities of applied sciences (hogescholen).
  • Voorbereidend wetenschappelijk onderwijs (VWO) (general → vwo-diploma): Six-year academic track (including atheneum and gymnasium variants) leading to the VWO diploma and access to research universities.

Qualifications

  • VMBO-diploma
  • HAVO-diploma ✓🎓
  • MBO-diploma (niveau 4) ✓🎓
  • VWO-diploma ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna · Bachelor (3y) → Master (2y) → Doctoraat (PhD / dr.) (4y)

Governmental / private

Under the constitutional 'freedom of education', publicly funded schools include both public-authority schools and private (mostly denominational) schools that meet the same standards; both are free of tuition and funded on equal terms.

Most schools are legally 'private' (bijzonder onderwijs) but publicly funded; genuinely independent, fee-charging private schools exist but are a small minority.

Early tracking at age 12 into VMBO, HAVO and VWO; the term 'private school' is unusual in that most publicly funded schools are legally private (bijzonder) under the freedom-of-education principle.

Sources: Eurydice — Netherlands: Overview, Rijksoverheid — Onderwijs (Government of the Netherlands: Education)

Poland compulsory 7–18

Stages

  • Przedszkole / obowiązkowe roczne przygotowanie przedszkolne — Pre-school · ages 3–7 · ISCED 0
  • Szkoła podstawowa (klasy I–III) — Primary school (grades 1–3, early education) · ages 7–10 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → early-primary
  • Szkoła podstawowa (klasy IV–VIII) — Primary school (grades 4–8, subject teaching) · ages 10–15 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • Szkoła ponadpodstawowa — Upper secondary · ages 15–20 · ISCED 3 · compulsory · → upper-secondary

Secondary tracks

  • Liceum ogólnokształcące (general → matura): Four-year general upper-secondary school preparing for the matura and university entrance.
  • Technikum (vocational → matura): Five-year technical school combining general education, a vocational qualification and the option to sit the matura.
  • Szkoła branżowa (I i II stopnia) (vocational): First-stage (3-year) sectoral vocational school leading to a trade qualification; graduates may continue in a second-stage (2-year) school that can lead to the matura.

Qualifications

  • Egzamin ósmoklasisty
  • Świadectwo dojrzałości (matura) ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna · Licencjat / inżynier (3y) → Magister (2y) → Doktor (4y)

Governmental / private

Public schools are free of charge; they are run by local governments (gminy and powiaty) under a national core curriculum set by the Ministry of Education.

Non-public schools (szkoły niepubliczne) may be run by associations, churches or private bodies and can obtain public-school status; they may charge fees.

A 2017 reform replaced the 6+3 primary/gimnazjum structure with an 8-year single-structure szkoła podstawowa followed by reformed upper-secondary schools; the structure above reflects the post-reform system.

Sources: Eurydice — Poland: Overview, Ministerstwo Edukacji Narodowej (Ministry of National Education)

Portugal compulsory 6–18

Stages

  • Educação pré-escolar — Pre-school education · ages 3–6 · ISCED 0
  • Ensino básico — 1.º e 2.º ciclos — Basic education (1st & 2nd cycles) · ages 6–12 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → late-primary
  • Ensino básico — 3.º ciclo — Basic education (3rd cycle) · ages 12–15 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • Ensino secundário — Secondary education · ages 15–18 · ISCED 3 · compulsory · → upper-secondary

Secondary tracks

  • Cursos científico-humanísticos (general → diploma-ensino-secundario): Academic upper-secondary courses oriented mainly toward continuation to higher education, ending with national exams that count toward university access.
  • Cursos profissionais (vocational → diploma-ensino-secundario): Vocationally oriented upper-secondary courses giving both the ensino secundário diploma and a level-4 professional qualification; graduates may also progress to higher education.

Qualifications

  • Diploma de ensino básico
  • Diploma de ensino secundário ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna · Licenciatura (3y) → Mestrado (2y) → Doutoramento (3y)

Governmental / private

State schools (escolas públicas) are free and run by the Ministry of Education under a national curriculum.

Private and cooperative schools (ensino particular e cooperativo) operate alongside the public network; some hold association contracts (contratos de associação) with public funding, especially where public provision is limited.

Compulsory education spans 12 years (ages 6–18), covering the nine-year ensino básico and the three-year ensino secundário. Basic education is a single structure divided into three cycles.

Sources: Eurydice — Portugal: Overview, Direção-Geral da Educação (Ministério da Educação)

Romania compulsory 6–16

Stages

  • Grădiniță (învățământ preșcolar) — Kindergarten · ages 3–6 · ISCED 0
  • Învățământ primar — Primary education (preparatory + grades 1–4) · ages 6–11 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → early-primary
  • Învățământ gimnazial — Lower secondary (gymnasium, grades 5–8) · ages 11–15 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • Învățământ liceal / profesional — Upper secondary · ages 15–19 · ISCED 3 · compulsory · → upper-secondary

Secondary tracks

  • Liceu teoretic (general → bacalaureat): General academic lyceum (real and humanities profiles) preparing for the bacalaureat and university entrance.
  • Liceu tehnologic (vocational → bacalaureat): Technological lyceum combining general education with technical/vocational specialisations; graduates may sit the bacalaureat.
  • Liceu vocațional (vocational → bacalaureat): Vocational lyceum with arts, sports, pedagogical, theological or military profiles; graduates may sit the bacalaureat.
  • Învățământ profesional (vocational): Separate vocational track (typically 3 years, including dual programmes) leading to a vocational qualification certificate rather than the bacalaureat.

Qualifications

  • Certificat de calificare profesională
  • Diplomă de bacalaureat ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna · Licență (3y) → Master (2y) → Doctorat (Dr.) (3y)

Governmental / private

State schools are free of charge and run within a national system under the Ministry of Education; funding combines national and local-authority sources.

Private and denominational schools operate with accreditation under the same national curriculum and may charge fees; they remain a minority of provision.

Romanian education was restructured by the 2023 education laws (Legea învățământului preuniversitar); some provisions (e.g. the phased extension of compulsory education and early-education ages) are being introduced gradually. The structure above reflects the standard preuniversity ladder.

Sources: Eurydice — Romania: Overview, Ministerul Educației și Cercetării (Ministry of Education)

Slovakia compulsory 6–16

Stages

  • Materská škola — Nursery school · ages 3–6 · ISCED 0
  • Základná škola – prvý stupeň — Basic school, first stage (grades 1–4) · ages 6–10 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → early-primary
  • Základná škola – druhý stupeň — Basic school, second stage (grades 5–9) · ages 10–15 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • Stredná škola — Upper secondary · ages 15–19 · ISCED 3 · compulsory · → upper-secondary

Secondary tracks

  • Gymnázium (general → maturita): General academic upper-secondary school (4-year, or 5-year bilingual and 8-year variants) preparing for the maturita and higher education.
  • Stredná odborná škola (vocational → maturita): Secondary vocational school offering a vocational qualification; 4-year programmes end with the maturita, shorter (2–3 year) programmes with an apprenticeship certificate (výučný list).
  • Konzervatórium (vocational → maturita): Conservatory providing artistic (music, dance, drama) education; the programme includes the maturita and can extend to a post-secondary absolutorium.

Qualifications

  • Výučný list
  • Maturitná skúška (maturita) ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna · Bakalár (Bc.) (3y) → Magister / Inžinier (Mgr./Ing.) (2y) → Doktor (PhD.) (4y)

Governmental / private

Public schools are free of charge and mostly maintained by municipalities and self-governing regions under national curricula set by the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth.

Private and church schools are part of the school network, follow the same state education programmes, receive state funding and may charge fees.

The základná škola is a single-structure basic school spanning ISCED 1 and 2 (grades 1–9); it is split here into two stages by ISCED. Compulsory education lasts 10 years.

Sources: Eurydice — Slovakia: Overview, Ministerstvo školstva, výskumu, vývoja a mládeže SR (Ministry of Education)

Slovenia compulsory 6–15

Stages

  • Vrtec — Kindergarten · ages 1–6 · ISCED 0
  • Osnovna šola – prvo in drugo obdobje — Basic school, first period (grades 1–6) · ages 6–12 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → early-primary
  • Osnovna šola – tretje obdobje — Basic school, third period (grades 7–9) · ages 12–15 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • Srednja šola — Upper secondary · ages 15–19 · ISCED 3 · → upper-secondary

Secondary tracks

  • Gimnazija (general → splosna-matura): Four-year general academic upper-secondary school preparing for the general matura (splošna matura) and university entrance.
  • Srednje strokovno / tehniško izobraževanje (vocational → poklicna-matura): Four-year technical secondary programme awarding a vocational qualification and the vocational matura (poklicna matura).
  • Srednje poklicno izobraževanje (vocational): Three-year vocational programme leading to a trade qualification (zaključni izpit); graduates may add a vocational course to obtain the poklicna matura.

Qualifications

  • Zaključni izpit
  • Poklicna matura ✓🎓
  • Splošna matura ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna · Diplomant (dipl.) (3y) → Magister (mag.) (2y) → Doktor znanosti (dr.) (3y)

Governmental / private

Public basic schools are free of charge and mostly maintained by municipalities; the state sets national curricula through the Ministry of Education and finances teachers.

Private schools (including Waldorf and denominational schools) may follow publicly approved programmes and receive partial state funding; they play a small role.

The osnovna šola is a single-structure basic school spanning ISCED 1 and 2 (grades 1–9, organised in three three-year periods); it is split here into two stages by ISCED. Compulsory education lasts 9 years.

Sources: Eurydice — Slovenia: Overview, Ministrstvo za vzgojo in izobraževanje (Ministry of Education)

Spain compulsory 6–16

Stages

  • Educación infantil — Pre-school · ages 0–6 · ISCED 0
  • Educación primaria — Primary school · ages 6–12 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → early-primary
  • Educación Secundaria Obligatoria (ESO) — Compulsory secondary education (ESO) · ages 12–16 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • Bachillerato / Formación Profesional — Post-compulsory upper secondary · ages 16–18 · ISCED 3 · → upper-secondary

Secondary tracks

  • Bachillerato (general → titulo-bachiller): Two-year academic track with modalities (sciences, humanities/social sciences, arts, general); leads to the Título de Bachiller and, via the university-access exam (EBAU/EvAU), to university.
  • Formación Profesional (vocational → titulo-tecnico): Vocational education organised in intermediate (grado medio, ISCED 3) and higher (grado superior, ISCED 5) cycles; graduates of grado medio receive the Título de Técnico.

Qualifications

  • Título de Graduado en Educación Secundaria Obligatoria
  • Título de Técnico (Formación Profesional de grado medio)
  • Título de Bachiller ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna · Grado (4y) → Máster universitario (1y) → Doctorado (3y)

Governmental / private

State schools (centros públicos) are free; education is administered by the 17 autonomous communities within a national framework law.

Alongside private schools (centros privados), Spain has a large sector of state-subsidised private schools (centros concertados), many Catholic, funded by public agreements.

Basic education (educación básica), free and compulsory from 6 to 16, comprises primary and ESO. Education administration is decentralised to the autonomous communities.

Sources: Eurydice — Spain: Overview, Ministerio de Educación, Formación Profesional y Deportes

Sweden compulsory 6–16

Stages

  • Förskola — Pre-school · ages 1–6 · ISCED 0
  • Förskoleklass — Pre-school class · ages 6–7 · ISCED 0 · compulsory · → early-primary
  • Grundskola (lågstadiet & mellanstadiet) — Compulsory school — lower grades · ages 7–13 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → late-primary
  • Grundskola (högstadiet) — Compulsory school — upper grades · ages 13–16 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • Gymnasieskola — Upper secondary school · ages 16–19 · ISCED 3 · → upper-secondary

Secondary tracks

  • Högskoleförberedande program (general → gymnasieexamen): Academic gymnasium programmes designed to prepare students for higher education.
  • Yrkesprogram (vocational → gymnasieexamen): Vocational gymnasium programmes including workplace-based training; students may also opt to add courses granting higher-education eligibility.

Qualifications

  • Slutbetyg från grundskolan
  • Gymnasieexamen ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna · Kandidatexamen (bachelor) (3y) → Masterexamen (2y) → Doktorsexamen (PhD) (4y)

Governmental / private

Compulsory and upper-secondary schooling is free; municipalities run most schools within a national curriculum set by the Swedish National Agency for Education (Skolverket).

Independent 'free schools' (friskolor) are publicly funded through school vouchers and may not charge tuition fees; they educate a significant minority of pupils.

Swedish schooling is comprehensive: the nine-year grundskola keeps pupils together without tracking. Sweden is notable for its tax-funded voucher system, under which municipal and independent (friskolor) schools compete on equal funding and neither may charge fees.

Sources: Eurydice — Sweden: Overview, Skolverket — The Swedish National Agency for Education

EFTA (Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein)

Iceland compulsory 6–16

Stages

  • Leikskóli — Pre-school (play school) · ages 1–6 · ISCED 0
  • Grunnskóli (1.–7. bekkur) — Compulsory school — primary stage · ages 6–13 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → early-primary
  • Grunnskóli (8.–10. bekkur) — Compulsory school — lower secondary stage · ages 13–16 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • Framhaldsskóli — Upper secondary school · ages 16–20 · ISCED 3 · → upper-secondary

Secondary tracks

  • Bóknámsbraut (til stúdentsprófs) (general → studentsprof): Academic programme in a grammar school (menntaskóli) or comprehensive/multi-programme school, leading to the matriculation examination and higher education.
  • Starfsnám / iðnnám (vocational): Vocational and industrial education, including apprenticeships; some programmes can be supplemented to also gain the matriculation examination.

Qualifications

  • Lokapróf úr grunnskóla
  • Stúdentspróf ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna · Bakkalárgráða (BA/BS) (3y) → Meistaragráða (2y) → Doktorsgráða (3y)

Governmental / private

Compulsory schools are run by the municipalities and are free of charge; upper-secondary schools are largely state-run under the national curriculum guide.

Independent (private) schools operate with public approval and often public funding; they form a small share of provision.

The grunnskóli is a 10-year single-structure compulsory school spanning ISCED levels 1–2 (ages 6–16), split above by ISCED stage. Upper-secondary study was traditionally four years and is now commonly three following a 2015 reform.

Sources: Eurydice — Iceland: Overview, Icelandic Ministry of Education and Children (Mennta- og barnamálaráðuneytið)

Liechtenstein compulsory 6–15

Stages

  • Kindergarten — Kindergarten · ages 4–6 · ISCED 0
  • Primarschule — Primary school · ages 6–11 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → early-primary
  • Sekundarstufe I — Lower secondary (tracked) · ages 11–15 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • Sekundarstufe II — Upper secondary · ages 15–19 · ISCED 3 · → upper-secondary

Secondary tracks

  • Oberschule (general): Lower-secondary track with basic requirements, preparing chiefly for vocational education and training.
  • Realschule (general): Lower-secondary track with extended requirements, leading to VET or transfer to the Gymnasium.
  • Liechtensteinisches Gymnasium (general → matura): Academic secondary school with a lower and an upper cycle, concluding with the Matura and general university entrance.
  • Berufliche Grundbildung (vocational → efz): Dual vocational training, largely aligned with the Swiss system, leading to the Eidgenössisches Fähigkeitszeugnis (EFZ); a Berufsmaturität can be added.

Qualifications

  • Eidgenössisches Fähigkeitszeugnis (EFZ)
  • Berufsmaturität ✓🎓
  • Matura ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna · Bachelor (3y) → Master (2y) → Doktorat (PhD) (3y)

Governmental / private

Public schooling is run by the state and is free; the school system is closely coordinated with Switzerland, and Liechtenstein participates in the Swiss VET framework.

A small number of private and international schools operate under state authorisation.

A very small state whose system mirrors the Swiss (and partly Austrian) model; vocational training is integrated with the Swiss dual VET system and qualifications such as the EFZ.

Sources: Eurydice — Liechtenstein: Overview, Liechtenstein — Schulamt (Office of Education)

Norway compulsory 6–16

Stages

  • Barnehage — Kindergarten · ages 1–6 · ISCED 0
  • Barnetrinnet (grunnskole) — Primary school · ages 6–13 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → late-primary
  • Ungdomstrinnet (grunnskole) — Lower secondary school · ages 13–16 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • Videregående opplæring — Upper secondary school · ages 16–19 · ISCED 3 · → upper-secondary

Secondary tracks

  • Studieforberedende utdanningsprogram (general → vitnemal-vgo): Three-year academic programmes leading to general university admission certification (generell studiekompetanse).
  • Yrkesfaglige utdanningsprogram (vocational): Vocational programmes commonly following a 2+2 model — two years in school followed by two years of apprenticeship in a company — leading to a trade or journeyman's certificate (fag-/svennebrev).

Qualifications

  • Vitnemål for grunnskolen
  • Vitnemål fra videregående opplæring ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna · Bachelor (bachelorgrad) (3y) → Master (mastergrad) (2y) → PhD (ph.d.) (3y)

Governmental / private

The great majority of pupils attend free public schools; municipalities run primary and lower-secondary schools, and county authorities run upper-secondary schools.

Private schools are relatively few and tightly regulated; most approved independent schools follow an alternative pedagogy or religious profile and receive substantial state funding while charging only limited fees.

Norwegian schooling is comprehensive: the ten-year grunnskole keeps pupils together without tracking until age 16. Upper-secondary education is a statutory right, and vocational programmes typically follow a 2+2 school-plus-apprenticeship model.

Sources: Eurydice — Norway: Overview, Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training (Utdanningsdirektoratet)

Switzerland compulsory 4–15 · federal

Stages

  • Kindergarten — Kindergarten (first cycle) · ages 4–6 · ISCED 0 · compulsory
  • Primarschule — Primary school · ages 6–12 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → early-primary
  • Sekundarstufe I — Lower secondary (tracked) · ages 12–15 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • Sekundarstufe II — Upper secondary · ages 15–19 · ISCED 3 · → upper-secondary

Secondary tracks

  • Gymnasium (Maturitätsschule) (general → gymnasiale-maturitaet): Academic baccalaureate schools leading to the gymnasiale Maturität and general university entrance; entry usually by cantonal exam or grades.
  • Fachmittelschule (FMS) (mixed → fachmaturitaet): Specialised middle schools preparing for professional fields (health, education, social work); lead to a Fachmittelschulausweis and, with an added year, the Fachmaturität.
  • Berufliche Grundbildung (vocational → efz): Mostly dual VET combining an apprenticeship in a company with part-time vocational school; leads to the Eidgenössisches Fähigkeitszeugnis (EFZ) or the two-year Eidgenössisches Berufsattest (EBA).

Qualifications

  • Eidgenössisches Berufsattest (EBA)
  • Eidgenössisches Fähigkeitszeugnis (EFZ)
  • Berufsmaturität ✓🎓
  • Fachmaturität ✓🎓
  • Gymnasiale Maturität ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna · Bachelor (3y) → Master (2y) → Doktorat (Dr. / PhD) (3y)

Governmental / private

Compulsory schooling is a cantonal responsibility, coordinated nationally through the HarmoS concordat and the EDK conference of cantonal ministers; public schools are free.

Private schools are permitted and must be authorised by the canton; they range from local alternative schools to international boarding schools, and receive little or no public funding in most cantons.

Education is largely a cantonal matter, harmonised through HarmoS; ages, track names and models differ between the 26 cantons and across the German-, French- and Italian-speaking regions.

Sources: Eurydice — Switzerland: Overview, EDK — Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education

United Kingdom

United Kingdom compulsory 5–16 · federal

Stages

  • Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) — Early Years Foundation Stage · ages 3–5 · ISCED 0
  • Primary school (Key Stage 1) — Primary — Key Stage 1 · ages 5–7 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → early-primary
  • Primary school (Key Stage 2) — Primary — Key Stage 2 · ages 7–11 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → late-primary
  • Secondary school (Key Stage 3) — Secondary — Key Stage 3 · ages 11–14 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • Secondary school (Key Stage 4) — Secondary — Key Stage 4 (GCSE) · ages 14–16 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • Sixth form / Further education (Key Stage 5) — Sixth form / Key Stage 5 · ages 16–18 · ISCED 3 · → upper-secondary

Secondary tracks

  • A-Levels (general → a-levels): Academic upper-secondary route: students typically study three or four A-Level subjects over two years for university entrance.
  • T-Levels / BTEC (vocational → t-levels): Vocational and technical upper-secondary qualifications: T-Levels (introduced 2020, one qualification equivalent to three A-Levels with an industry placement) and BTEC courses.

Qualifications

  • General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE)
  • General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (A-Levels) ✓🎓
  • T-Levels ✓🎓
  • BTEC (Business and Technology Education Council) ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna-partial · Bachelor's degree (e.g. BA, BSc) (3y) → Master's degree (e.g. MA, MSc) (1y) → Doctorate (PhD/DPhil) (3y)

Governmental / private

State schools are free and funded by the government; most are comprehensive, but some areas retain selective grammar schools with entrance exams (the 11-plus), and many schools are academies funded directly by central government.

Fee-paying independent schools (confusingly called 'public schools' in the historic sense) educate around 6–7% of UK pupils, a share that rises in the senior years.

Education is devolved: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland run separate systems. The structure above describes England. Scotland differs most — it uses National 4/5 and Highers/Advanced Highers instead of GCSEs and A-Levels, and its bachelor's degrees typically take four years. Wales and Northern Ireland broadly resemble England but with their own qualifications and curricula.

Sources: Eurydice — United Kingdom (England): Overview, GOV.UK — The national curriculum

Other Europe

Albania compulsory 6–15

Stages

  • Arsimi parashkollor (kopsht) — Pre-school (kindergarten) · ages 3–6 · ISCED 0
  • Arsimi fillor (shkolla fillore) — Primary (basic education, first cycle) · ages 6–12 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → early-primary
  • Arsimi i mesëm i ulët (shkolla 9-vjeçare) — Lower secondary (basic education, second cycle) · ages 12–15 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • Arsimi i mesëm i lartë — Upper secondary · ages 15–18 · ISCED 3 · → upper-secondary

Secondary tracks

  • Gjimnazi (general → matura-shteterore): Three-year general academic school preparing pupils for university, concluded with the State Matura (Matura Shtetërore).
  • Shkolla profesionale (vocational → matura-shteterore): Vocational and technical secondary schools of typically two to four years; the full (usually four-year) programmes lead to the State Matura and can grant higher-education access.

Qualifications

  • Dëftesa e lirimit (arsimi bazë)
  • Matura Shtetërore ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna · Bachelor (3y) → Master (i shkencave / profesional) (2y) → Doktoraturë (3y)

Governmental / private

Public education is free and administered by the Ministry of Education and Sports; the nine-year arsimi bazë is compulsory and follows a national curriculum.

Private (licensed) schools and universities are permitted and charge fees; private higher-education institutions expanded significantly after 2000.

Compulsory education is the nine-year arsimi bazë (ages ~6–15); upper secondary is not compulsory. Albania is a Bologna signatory.

Sources: UNESCO IBE — World Data on Education: Albania, Ministry of Education and Sports (Ministria e Arsimit dhe Sportit) — Albania, Eurydice / Erasmus+ — Albania: Overview

Andorra compulsory 6–16

Stages

  • Primera Ensenyança / Maternelle / Educación Infantil — Pre-school · ages 3–6 · ISCED 0
  • Ensenyament / Educació primària — Primary education · ages 6–12 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → early-primary
  • Segona ensenyança / Educació secundària obligatòria — Lower secondary (compulsory) · ages 12–16 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • Batxillerat / Lycée / Bachillerato — Upper secondary · ages 16–18 · ISCED 3 · → upper-secondary

Qualifications

  • Batxillerat ✓🎓
  • Baccalauréat ✓🎓
  • Bachillerato ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna · Bàtxelor (3y) → Màster (2y) → Doctorat (3y)

Governmental / private

Andorra runs three parallel, publicly funded school systems — the Andorran (Escola andorrana), the French, and the Spanish — and pupils may attend any of the three; all are free at the point of use.

The Spanish-tradition schools include Catholic congregational schools historically funded via agreements; some private (largely religious) provision exists, but a reliable single private-share figure is not published.

Andorra is unusual in running THREE parallel public education systems — Andorran, French and Spanish — funded by the state, and a pupil may follow any one of them. Each system uses its own curriculum, calendar and leaving qualification (Batxillerat / Baccalauréat / Bachillerato), all giving university entrance. Compulsory schooling runs from age 6 to 16.

Sources: Govern d'Andorra — Ministeri d'Educació i Ensenyament Superior, Universitat d'Andorra, UNESCO IBE — World Data on Education

Armenia compulsory 6–15

Stages

  • նախադպրոցական կրթություն (nakhadprots'akan krt'ut'yun) — Pre-school · ages 3–6 · ISCED 0
  • տարրական (tarrakan) — Primary education · ages 6–10 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → early-primary
  • հիմնական (himnakan) — Lower secondary (basic) · ages 10–15 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • ավագ (avag) — Upper secondary · ages 15–18 · ISCED 3 · → upper-secondary

Secondary tracks

  • ավագ դպրոց (general → avartakan-vkayakan): Academic general track (grades 10–12) leading to the school leaving certificate and, via unified examinations, to higher education.
  • նախնական և միջին մասնագիտական կրթություն (vocational): Preliminary (craft) and middle vocational education at colleges/училища, entered after basic education; some programmes also confer general secondary completion.

Qualifications

  • հիմնական կրթության վկայական
  • միջնակարգ (ավարտական) կրթության վկայական ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna · բակալավր (bakalavr) (4y) → մագիստրոս (magistros) (2y) → ասպիրանտուրա / գիտությունների թեկնածու (3y)

Governmental / private

State general education is provided free at public schools run under the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport; the system is centralised (non-federal).

Private schools operate under state licence, mainly in Yerevan; a reliable single national private-share figure is not published here.

Armenia has a national general-education system organised as 4+5+3: primary (grades 1–4), basic (5–9) and upper/senior secondary (10–12), the last often in separate senior schools (ավագ դպրոց). Compulsory education covers primary and basic levels (ages 6 to ~15). School leavers receive the ավարտական վկայական and access higher education via unified entrance examinations. Armenia is a Bologna Process member; bachelor's degrees are typically four years.

Sources: Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of the Republic of Armenia, Assessment and Testing Center (ATC) — unified examinations, UNESCO IBE — World Data on Education: Armenia

Belarus compulsory 6–15

Stages

  • Дошкольное образование — Pre-school education · ages 3–6 · ISCED 0
  • Начальное образование — Primary school · ages 6–10 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → early-primary
  • Базовое образование — Basic (lower) secondary school · ages 10–15 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • Среднее образование — Upper (general) secondary school · ages 15–17 · ISCED 3 · → upper-secondary

Secondary tracks

  • Гимназия / лицей (general → attestat-o-srednem-obrazovanii): General-academic upper-secondary schools; gymnasia and lyceums offer selective, in-depth study preparing for higher education.
  • ПТУ (профессионально-техническое) / ССУЗ (среднее специальное) (vocational): Vocational-technical education (ПТУ / профессионально-техническое образование) and specialised secondary education (ССУЗ) in colleges and technikums, awarding a trade or technician qualification alongside secondary education.

Qualifications

  • Свидетельство об общем базовом образовании
  • Аттестат об общем среднем образовании ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna · Бакалавр (Bachelor) (4y) → Магистр (Master) (1y) → Кандидат наук / аспирантура (3y)

Governmental / private

State schools are free and centrally governed by the Ministry of Education under the Code on Education; the system is highly state-dominated.

Private educational institutions exist but are tightly regulated and account for a very small share of enrolment.

Structure is the Soviet-legacy 4+5+2 ladder (primary / basic / general secondary). Compulsory education covers primary and basic (to grade 9, about age 15). University entrance combines the аттестат with centralised testing (централизованное тестирование, ЦТ) and, since 2023, a centralised exam. Belarus is a Bologna member since 2015 but implementation has been contested.

Sources: UNESCO IBE — World Data on Education: Belarus, Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus

Bosnia and Herzegovina compulsory 6–15 · federal

Stages

  • Predškolsko obrazovanje — Pre-school · ages 3–6 · ISCED 0
  • Osnovna škola (razredna nastava) — Primary (basic school, first stage) · ages 6–11 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → early-primary
  • Osnovna škola (predmetna nastava) — Lower secondary (basic school, second stage) · ages 11–15 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • Srednja škola / Srednja škola (Средња школа) — Upper secondary · ages 15–19 · ISCED 3 · → upper-secondary

Secondary tracks

  • Gimnazija (general → matura): Four-year general academic school preparing pupils for university; completed with the matura examination.
  • Srednja stručna škola (vocational → strucna-svjedodzba): Technical and vocational schools offering four-year programmes (with a leaving certificate that can grant higher-education access) and three-year trade programmes leading to a vocational qualification.

Qualifications

  • Svjedodžba o završenoj osnovnoj školi
  • Svjedodžba o završenoj srednjoj stručnoj školi
  • Matura ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna · Bachelor / Prvi ciklus (3y) → Master / Drugi ciklus (2y) → Doktorat / Treći ciklus (3y)

Governmental / private

There is no single state education ministry: competence lies with the two entities (Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina — devolved further to 10 cantons — and Republika Srpska) plus the Brčko District. Public basic education is free and compulsory; curricula differ between jurisdictions.

Private schools and (numerous) private universities are permitted and accredited; they are more common in higher education than in compulsory schooling.

Education is highly decentralised: it is governed by the two entities, the ten cantons of the Federation, and the Brčko District, so structures, ages and curricula vary. The pattern above (nine-year osnovna škola + upper-secondary matura) is the common framework; the entity/canton split is the main source of variation.

Sources: UNESCO IBE — World Data on Education: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Eurydice / Erasmus+ — Bosnia and Herzegovina: Overview

Georgia compulsory 6–15

Stages

  • სკოლამდელი აღზრდა (skolamdeli aghzrda) — Pre-school · ages 3–6 · ISCED 0
  • დაწყებითი (dats'q'ebiti) — Primary education · ages 6–12 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → early-primary
  • საბაზო (sabazo) — Lower secondary (basic) · ages 12–15 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • საშუალო (sashualo) — Upper secondary · ages 15–18 · ISCED 3 · → upper-secondary

Secondary tracks

  • საშუალო ზოგადი განათლება (general → atestati): Academic general track (grades 10–12) leading to the school leaving certificate and, via the unified national exams, to higher education.
  • პროფესიული განათლება (vocational): Vocational education and training (VET) programmes offered at colleges from the basic-education level upward, with tiered vocational qualifications.

Qualifications

  • საბაზო განათლების ატესტატი
  • სრული ზოგადი განათლების ატესტატი ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna · ბაკალავრი (bakalavri) (4y) → მაგისტრი (magistri) (2y) → დოქტორი (doktori) (3y)

Governmental / private

State general education is provided free at public schools run under the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth; the system is centralised (non-federal).

Private schools operate under state licence, especially in Tbilisi; a reliable single national private-share figure is not published here.

Georgia has a national general-education system (ზოგადი განათლება) organised as 6+3+3: primary (grades 1–6), basic (7–9) and secondary (10–12). Compulsory education covers primary and basic levels (ages 6 to ~15). School leavers receive the ატესტატი and access higher education through the Unified National Examinations. Georgia is a Bologna Process member; bachelor's degrees are typically four years.

Sources: Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia, National Assessment and Examinations Centre (NAEC) — Unified National Exams, UNESCO IBE — World Data on Education: Georgia

Kosovo compulsory 6–15

Stages

  • Arsimi parashkollor / parafillor — Pre-school / pre-primary · ages 3–6 · ISCED 0
  • Arsimi fillor — Primary (basic education, first cycle) · ages 6–11 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → early-primary
  • Arsimi i mesëm i ulët — Lower secondary (basic education, second cycle) · ages 11–15 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • Arsimi i mesëm i lartë — Upper secondary · ages 15–18 · ISCED 3 · → upper-secondary

Secondary tracks

  • Gjimnazi (general → matura-shteterore): Three-year general academic school preparing pupils for university, concluded with the State Matura (Matura Shtetërore).
  • Shkolla profesionale (vocational → matura-shteterore): Vocational and technical secondary schools; the full programmes lead to the State Matura and can grant higher-education access.

Qualifications

  • Dëftesa e arsimit të mesëm të ulët
  • Matura Shtetërore ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna · Bachelor (3y) → Master (2y) → Doktoratë (3y)

Governmental / private

Public education is free and administered by the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation; the nine-year basic education is compulsory and follows the Kosovo Curriculum Framework.

Private (licensed) schools and universities are permitted and charge fees; a number of private higher-education providers operate alongside the public universities.

Kosovo unilaterally declared independence in 2008; its status is disputed and it is not a UN member, so it is not covered by all comparative education datasets and uses the user-assigned ISO code XK. Compulsory education is the nine-year basic education (ages ~6–15); upper secondary is not compulsory.

Sources: Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (MASHTI) — Kosovo, Kosovo Curriculum Framework — MASHTI, European Commission — Kosovo enlargement / education

Moldova compulsory 6–16

Stages

  • Educație preșcolară — Pre-school education · ages 3–6 · ISCED 0
  • Învățământ primar — Primary school · ages 6–10 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → early-primary
  • Învățământ gimnazial — Lower secondary (gymnasium) · ages 10–16 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • Învățământ liceal — Upper secondary (lyceum) · ages 16–19 · ISCED 3 · → upper-secondary

Secondary tracks

  • Liceu (general → diploma-de-bacalaureat): General-academic upper-secondary lyceum (theoretical profile), preparing pupils for the Baccalaureate and higher education.
  • Învățământ profesional tehnic (școală profesională / colegiu) (vocational): Vocational-technical education in professional schools (școală profesională) and post-secondary colleges (colegiu), combining a trade or technician qualification with secondary education.

Qualifications

  • Certificat de studii gimnaziale
  • Diplomă de bacalaureat ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna · Licență (Bachelor) (3y) → Master (2y) → Doctorat (3y)

Governmental / private

State schools are free and governed by the Ministry of Education and Research under the 2014 Education Code (Codul educației).

Private education institutions are permitted and licensed by the state; they are a small part of the system.

Structure follows the 2014 Education Code (4 primary + 5 gymnasium + 3 lyceum). Compulsory education runs to age 16 / completion of gymnasium. The system is largely Romanian-language and closely parallels Romania's; Transnistria operates outside government control and is not described here.

Sources: UNESCO IBE — World Data on Education: Republic of Moldova, Ministry of Education and Research of the Republic of Moldova

Monaco compulsory 6–16

Stages

  • École maternelle — Pre-school · ages 3–6 · ISCED 0
  • École élémentaire — Primary education · ages 6–11 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → early-primary
  • Collège — Lower secondary (collège) · ages 11–15 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • Lycée — Upper secondary (lycée) · ages 15–18 · ISCED 3 · → upper-secondary

Secondary tracks

  • Lycée général et technologique (general → baccalaureat): Academic and technological track leading to the general or technological Baccalauréat, on the French model.
  • Lycée technique et professionnel (vocational → baccalaureat-professionnel): Vocational track leading to the CAP and the Baccalauréat professionnel, on the French model.

Qualifications

  • Diplôme national du brevet
  • Baccalauréat ✓🎓
  • Baccalauréat professionnel ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna · Licence / Bachelor (3y) → Master (2y) → Doctorat (3y)

Governmental / private

State schools are run by the Principality's Direction de l'Éducation Nationale and are free; they follow the French national curriculum and lead to French national diplomas.

Private (largely Catholic, e.g. the Institution François d'Assise–Nicolas Barré) schools also operate under agreement and follow the same French curriculum; a reliable single private-share figure is not published.

Monaco's public schools largely follow the FRENCH national curriculum and award French national diplomas (Diplôme national du brevet, Baccalauréat). Compulsory schooling runs from age 6 to 16. Monaco has no comprehensive public state university, so most higher education takes place abroad (chiefly in France); the International University of Monaco is a private institution.

Sources: Gouvernement Princier — Direction de l'Éducation Nationale, de la Jeunesse et des Sports, International University of Monaco (private), France — Ministère de l'Éducation nationale (reference curriculum)

Montenegro compulsory 6–15

Stages

  • Predškolsko vaspitanje i obrazovanje — Pre-school · ages 3–6 · ISCED 0
  • Osnovna škola (prvi ciklus) — Primary (basic school, first cycle) · ages 6–12 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → early-primary
  • Osnovna škola (treći ciklus) — Lower secondary (basic school, third cycle) · ages 12–15 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • Srednja škola — Upper secondary · ages 15–19 · ISCED 3 · → upper-secondary

Secondary tracks

  • Gimnazija (general → matura): Four-year general academic school preparing pupils for university, concluded with the external matura examination.
  • Srednja stručna škola (vocational → strucna-matura): Technical and vocational schools with four-year programmes (leading to a vocational matura with higher-education access) and three-year trade programmes leading to a vocational leaving exam.

Qualifications

  • Svjedodžba o završenoj osnovnoj školi
  • Stručna matura ✓🎓
  • Matura ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna · Osnovne studije (bachelor) (3y) → Master studije (2y) → Doktorske studije (3y)

Governmental / private

Public education is free and administered by the Ministry of Education; the nine-year osnovna škola is compulsory and follows a national curriculum.

Private (licensed) schools and universities are permitted and charge fees; they form a small minority of provision, mainly in higher education.

Compulsory education is the nine-year osnovna škola (ages ~6–15); upper secondary is not compulsory. Montenegro is a Bologna signatory.

Sources: UNESCO IBE — World Data on Education: Montenegro, Ministry of Education (Ministarstvo prosvjete) — Montenegro, Eurydice / Erasmus+ — Montenegro: Overview

North Macedonia compulsory 6–19

Stages

  • Предучилишно образование — Pre-school · ages 3–6 · ISCED 0
  • Основно училиште (прво одделение) — Primary (basic school, first stage) · ages 6–12 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → early-primary
  • Основно училиште (предметна настава) — Lower secondary (basic school, upper stage) · ages 12–15 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • Средно образование — Upper secondary (compulsory) · ages 15–19 · ISCED 3 · compulsory · → upper-secondary

Secondary tracks

  • Гимназија (general → drzavna-matura): Four-year general academic school preparing pupils for university, concluded with the state matura (državna matura).
  • Средно стручно образование (vocational → strucna-matura): Vocational and technical secondary schools; four-year programmes lead to a vocational matura granting higher-education access, while shorter (three- and two-year) programmes lead to a vocational qualification.

Qualifications

  • Свидетелство за завршено основно образование
  • Завршен испит (стручно образование)
  • Стручна матура ✓🎓
  • Државна матура ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna · Додипломски студии (bachelor) (3y) → Магистерски студии (2y) → Докторски студии (3y)

Governmental / private

Public education is free and administered by the Ministry of Education and Science; a national curriculum applies and both the nine-year basic school and upper secondary are compulsory.

Private (licensed) schools and universities are permitted and charge fees; they are a small minority of provision, mainly in higher education.

Unusually for the region, upper-secondary education is compulsory (since the 2007 reform), so compulsory schooling runs from about age 6 to 19. North Macedonia is a Bologna signatory.

Sources: UNESCO IBE — World Data on Education: The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Ministry of Education and Science (МОН) — North Macedonia, Eurydice / Erasmus+ — North Macedonia: Overview

Russia compulsory 6–15 · federal

Stages

  • Дошкольное образование — Pre-school education · ages 3–7 · ISCED 0
  • Начальное общее образование — Primary general education · ages 7–11 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → early-primary
  • Основное общее образование — Basic general education · ages 11–16 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • Среднее общее образование — Secondary general education · ages 16–18 · ISCED 3 · → upper-secondary

Secondary tracks

  • Общеобразовательная школа / гимназия / лицей (general → attestat-o-srednem-obshchem-obrazovanii): General-academic upper secondary; gymnasia and lyceums are selective schools offering in-depth or profile study preparing for the ЕГЭ and higher education.
  • Среднее профессиональное образование (СПО) (vocational): Secondary vocational education (СПО) in colleges and technikums, entered after grade 9 (or 11), awarding a skilled-worker or mid-level specialist qualification together with completion of secondary education.

Qualifications

  • Аттестат об основном общем образовании
  • Аттестат о среднем общем образовании ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna · Бакалавр (Bachelor) (4y) → Магистр (Master) (2y) → Кандидат наук / аспирантура (3y)

Governmental / private

State and municipal schools are free and governed by the Ministry of Education under the 2012 federal Law on Education; federal subjects (regions) administer schools within a common federal framework and standards (ФГОС).

Private schools are legally permitted and licensed but account for a small share of enrolment.

Russia is a federation: education is organised on a common federal framework (ФГОС) while the 80+ federal subjects administer schools. The ladder is 4+5+2 (primary / basic general / secondary general); compulsory education runs to basic general (grade 9). University admission uses the Unified State Exam (ЕГЭ). Bologna status is contested since Russia's 2022 exclusion and announced withdrawal.

Sources: UNESCO IBE — World Data on Education: Russian Federation, Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation

San Marino compulsory 6–16

Stages

  • Scuola dell'infanzia — Pre-school · ages 3–6 · ISCED 0
  • Scuola elementare — Primary school · ages 6–11 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → early-primary
  • Scuola secondaria superiore di primo grado (scuola media) — Lower secondary · ages 11–14 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • Scuola secondaria superiore di secondo grado — Upper secondary · ages 14–19 · ISCED 3 · → upper-secondary

Secondary tracks

  • Scuola secondaria superiore (indirizzo liceale) (general → maturita): Academic liceo-type strands (e.g. classical, scientific, linguistic) leading to the Diploma di maturità, on the Italian model.
  • Istituto tecnico / professionale (vocational → maturita): Technical/vocational strands leading to the corresponding Diploma di maturità, on the Italian model.

Qualifications

  • Licenza di scuola media
  • Diploma di maturità (esame di Stato) ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna · Laurea (3y) → Laurea magistrale (2y) → Dottorato di ricerca (3y)

Governmental / private

State schools are run by the Segreteria di Stato per l'Istruzione and are free; the system is closely aligned with the Italian one in structure, curriculum and qualifications.

Provision is predominantly public; some private and religious schooling exists, but a reliable single private-share figure is not published.

San Marino's education system is closely ALIGNED WITH ITALY's in structure, curriculum and qualifications, while run through its own state schools and ministry. The upper-secondary leaving qualification is the Diploma di maturità (esame di Stato). Compulsory schooling runs from age 6 to 16.

Sources: Repubblica di San Marino — Dipartimento Istruzione, Università degli Studi della Repubblica di San Marino, Italy — Ministero dell'Istruzione e del Merito (reference model)

Serbia compulsory 6–15

Stages

  • Predškolsko vaspitanje i obrazovanje — Pre-school (kindergarten) · ages 3–6 · ISCED 0
  • Osnovna škola (prvi ciklus) — Primary (basic school, first cycle) · ages 6–10 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → early-primary
  • Osnovna škola (drugi ciklus) — Lower secondary (basic school, second cycle) · ages 10–14 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • Srednja škola — Upper secondary · ages 14–18 · ISCED 3 · → upper-secondary

Secondary tracks

  • Gimnazija (general → opsta-matura): Four-year general academic school, in natural-science/mathematics or social-science/language streams, preparing for university.
  • Srednja stručna škola (vocational → strucna-matura): Technical and vocational schools offering four-year programmes (leading to a vocational matura and higher-education access) and three-year programmes leading to a trade qualification (završni ispit).

Qualifications

  • Završni ispit (male mature)
  • Završni ispit (trojogodišnje obrazovanje)
  • Stručna matura ✓🎓
  • Opšta matura ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna · Osnovne akademske studije (bachelor) (4y) → Master akademske studije (1y) → Doktorske studije (3y)

Governmental / private

Public education is free and administered by the Ministry of Education, which sets a national curriculum; compulsory education covers the eight-year osnovna škola.

Private (accredited) schools and universities are permitted and charge fees; they remain a small minority of provision, concentrated at pre-school and higher-education level.

Compulsory education comprises the compulsory preparatory pre-school year plus the eight-year osnovna škola (ages ~6.5–15); upper secondary is not compulsory. Serbia is a Bologna signatory.

Sources: UNESCO IBE — World Data on Education: Serbia, Ministry of Education (Ministarstvo prosvete) — Serbia, Eurydice / Erasmus+ — Serbia: Overview

Turkey (Türkiye) compulsory 6–18

Stages

  • Okul öncesi eğitim — Pre-school education · ages 3–6 · ISCED 0
  • İlkokul — Primary school · ages 6–10 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → early-primary
  • Ortaokul — Lower secondary (middle) school · ages 10–14 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • Lise (ortaöğretim) — Upper secondary (high) school · ages 14–18 · ISCED 3 · compulsory · → upper-secondary

Secondary tracks

  • Anadolu lisesi (general → lise-diplomasi): General-academic high school with emphasis on foreign-language instruction, the most common academic track.
  • Fen lisesi (general → lise-diplomasi): Selective high schools specialising in mathematics and the natural sciences.
  • Meslek lisesi (mesleki ve teknik Anadolu lisesi) (vocational → lise-diplomasi): Vocational and technical high schools combining a trade or technician qualification with the high-school diploma.
  • İmam hatip lisesi (general → lise-diplomasi): Religious vocational high schools that combine the general curriculum with Islamic religious studies; graduates can proceed to any faculty.

Qualifications

  • Lise diploması (ortaöğretim diploması) ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna · Lisans (Bachelor) (4y) → Yüksek lisans (Master) (2y) → Doktora (Doctorate) (4y)

Governmental / private

State schools are free and centrally governed by the Ministry of National Education (Millî Eğitim Bakanlığı, MEB) with a national curriculum.

Private schools (özel okullar) are permitted, regulated by the MEB, and include Turkish and international schools; they are a growing minority of enrolment.

The 4+4+4 structure (ilkokul / ortaokul / lise) was introduced by the 2012 reform, which extended compulsory education to 12 years (ages ~6–18) across all three tiers. Transition between tiers uses central exams (LGS for selective high schools, YKS for university).

Sources: Eurydice — Türkiye: Overview, UNESCO IBE — World Data on Education: Turkey, Ministry of National Education (Millî Eğitim Bakanlığı)

Ukraine compulsory 6–18

Stages

  • Дошкільна освіта — Pre-school education · ages 3–6 · ISCED 0
  • Початкова школа — Primary school · ages 6–10 · ISCED 1 · compulsory · → early-primary
  • Базова середня освіта (гімназія) — Basic secondary school (gymnasium) · ages 10–15 · ISCED 2 · compulsory · → lower-secondary
  • Профільна середня освіта (ліцей) — Specialised (profile) secondary — lyceum · ages 15–18 · ISCED 3 · compulsory · → upper-secondary

Secondary tracks

  • Академічний ліцей (general → svidotstvo-pro-zdobuttia-povnoi-serednoi-osvity): General-academic upper-secondary lyceum preparing pupils for higher education.
  • Професійний (професійно-технічний) ліцей / коледж (vocational): Vocational and technical education (професійно-технічна освіта) delivered in professional lyceums and colleges, combining a trade qualification with completion of secondary education.

Qualifications

  • Свідоцтво про здобуття базової середньої освіти
  • Свідоцтво про здобуття повної загальної середньої освіти ✓🎓

Tertiary

bologna · Бакалавр (Bachelor) (4y) → Магістр (Master) (2y) → Доктор філософії (PhD) (4y)

Governmental / private

State and municipal schools are free and governed by the Ministry of Education and Science under the 2017 Law on Education and the New Ukrainian School reform.

Private schools are legally permitted and licensed by the state; they remain a small share of enrolment.

The 2018 "New Ukrainian School" reform is transitioning Ukraine from an 11-year to a 12-year structure (4 primary + 5 basic + 3 profile), phased in cohort by cohort; the full three-year upper-secondary tier is expected around 2027. Figures and structure reflect the reform's target model. Russia's full-scale invasion since 2022 has severely disrupted schooling and shifted entrance testing to the НМТ.

Sources: UNESCO IBE — World Data on Education: Ukraine, Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine — New Ukrainian School