Education System Egypt

Education system
Egypt
described and compared with
the Dutch system
Education system | Evaluation chart
Education system Egypt
This document contains information on the education system of Egypt. We

explain the Dutch equivalent of the most common qualifications from Egypt for
the purpose of admission to Dutch higher education.
Disclaimer
We assemble the information for these descriptions of education systems with the
greatest care. However, we cannot be held responsible for the consequences of
errors or incomplete information in this document.
With the exception of images and illustrations, the content of this publication is
subject to the Creative Commons Name NonCommercial 3.0 Unported licence.
Visit www.nuffic.nl/en/home/copyright for more information on the reuse of this
publication.
Education system Egypt | Nuffic | 2nd edition, December 2010 | version 3, September 2018 2
 Education system Egypt
Doctorate Degree L8
(PhD)
postgraduate
Master L7 Diploma of Higher Studies L7

(university education) (university education)
2 1-2
Bachelor L6 Bachelor L6
(university education) (higher institutes)
undergraduate
4
Higher Diploma of Technology L5
(higher institutes of technology)
4-5 3
Technical Institute Diploma L4

(intermediate technical institutes)
General Secondary L4 Secondary School L3 Diploma of L4 Secondary L3

Education Certificate Technical Diploma Advanced Technical School Diploma in
(senior secondary (senior secondary Studies Vocational Preparation
general education) vocational education) (senior secondary (senior secondary
vocational education) vocational education)
3 3 5 3
Basic Education Certificate L2 Certificate of Completion of L2

(junior secondary education) Basic Education and Vocational
Preparation
3
(junior vocational education) 3
Primary education L1
0 Duration of education
 Evaluation chart
The left-hand column in the table below lists the most common foreign
qualifications applicable to admission to higher education. The other columns
show the Dutch equivalent along with the corresponding levels in the Dutch and
European qualifications frameworks.
Degree or qualification Dutch equivalent and NLQF level EQF

level
Basic Education Certificate approximately 2 years of 2 2

HAVO
Secondary School Technical Diploma MBO diploma (qualification 2/3 2/3

level 2 or 3)
Diploma of Advanced Technical Studies MBO diploma (qualification 3/4 3/4

level 3 or 4)
General Secondary Education HAVO diploma 4 4

Certificate
Al-Azhar Secondary Education HAVO diploma 4 4

Certificate
Technical Institute Diploma MBO diploma (qualification 4 4

level 4)
Higher Diploma of Technology 3 years of HBO (higher 5 5

technical education)
Bachelor (Higher Institutes) HBO bachelor’s degree 6 6
Bachelor (University) HBO bachelor’s degree, or 2 6 6

years of wo
Diploma of Higher Studies (1 year) WO bachelor's degree or 6/7 6/7

HBO master’s degree
Diploma of Higher Studies (2 years) HBO or WO master’s degree 7 7
Master’s degree 1-year WO master’s degree 7 7
NB
• The information provided in the table is a general recommendation from
which no rights may be derived.
• NLQF = Dutch Qualifications Framework; EQF = European Qualifications
Framework.
• The EQF/NLQF level is not so much a reflection of study load or content;
rather, it is an indication of a person’s knowledge and skills after having
completed a certain programme of study.
• Information about Dutch equivalent qualifications can be found on our

website: education and diplomas the Netherlands.
• The Cooperation Organisation for Vocational Education, Training and the
Labour Market (SBB), evaluates statements on foreign qualifications and
training at VMBO and MBO level. The evaluation may vary if SBB evaluates
the diploma for admission to VET schools or the labour market in the
Netherlands.
 Introduction
Egypt is made up of 18 provinces and is bordered by Libya, Sudan and

Israel. The official name of the country is the Arab Republic of Egypt.
Today, Egypt’s population is over 96 million people, half of which live in urban
areas. It is estimated that approximately one-quarter of Egypt's population live in
poverty, mainly due to underemployment. Approximately 35 per cent of the
population is made up of young people under the age of 15, putting a lot of
pressure on education and the labour market. Around a quarter of the
population is illiterate.
In Egypt, 2 ministries are responsible for education: the Ministry of Education is

responsible for pre-school, primary and secondary education, and higher
education is governed by the Ministry of Higher Education. There are also a
number of specialist institutes that fall under the supervision of other ministries. The
Ministry of Al-Azhar Affairs supervises denominational education (from primary to
university education) at the Al-Azhar schools and the university (Al-Azhar
University). Diplomas awarded in this system are considered to be equivalent to
diplomas obtained at public institutions.
Monitoring of the Egyptian education system is highly centralised, for both public
and private institutions. The Ministry of Higher Education (established in 1961) is
responsible for the supervision and coordination of higher education. These
activities have been subdivided among a number of Supreme Councils, including
a Supreme Council of Universities. This council, chaired by the Minister of Higher
Education, formulates university education policy, coordinates university
programmes, determines how many students may be admitted to the various
faculties each year, and advises the government on university financial affairs.
The council also deals with international comparisons and credential evaluation.
Education has been free at public institutions since 1962, and is compulsory until
the end of the first phase of secondary school, i.e. up to the ninth year.
The language of instruction in higher education is Arabic, except at the following

university faculties, where English is used: Dentistry, Engineering, Medicine,
Pharmacy, Architecture, Natural Sciences, Veterinary Medicine and English
Language and Literature. Final theses and doctoral theses are written in Arabic,
with an abstract in English. One exception to this rule is the American University of
Cairo, where English is used as the language of instruction for all programmes.
The academic year runs from September until June, with a break in January. The
school/study week runs from Saturday until Thursday morning. University
examinations are conducted in June, with supplementary exams in September
and January.
 Primary and secondary education
Primary school (basic education) lasts for 6 years. No diploma is issued at the end
of basic education (prior to 1988, the Primary Education Certificate was
awarded). This is followed by preparatory education for children aged from 12 to
14, with a nominal duration of 3 years. At the end, pupils take a centralised
national examination and are awarded the Basic Education Certificate
(shahâdat itmâm al-dirâsa bi-marhalat al-ta`lîm al-asâsî).
In terms of level, the Basic Education Certificate

is comparable to approximately 2 years of HAVO.
Alternatively, pupils can enrol on a 3-year programme at a vocational school

after primary school. This type of schooling is aimed particularly at pupils who are
unable to successfully complete basic education, or who do not pass the first
year of preparatory education. At the end of this phase, pupils receive the
Certificate of Completion of Basic Education and Vocational Preparation
(shahâdat itmâm marhalat al-ta`lîm al-asâsî, i`dâd mihanî).
After this programme, pupils can continue on to a vocational secondary school.

The Secondary School Diploma in Vocational Preparation (diblôm al-madâris al-
thânawiyya l-fanniyya, i`dâd mihanî) does grant access to post-secondary
education, and is therefore a final programme of study.
After preparatory education, pupils can continue on to related general

secondary education or to vocational education at a technical secondary
school (madrasa thânawiyya fanniyya).
The secondary education phase lasts 3 years. The first year consists of a common
curriculum, and in the second year pupils choose either the general (academic)
or technical track. Around 70% of all pupils choose the technical track, due to the
lack of places in the general track and also because selection takes place based
on pupils’ results from the previous phase. Within the general track, pupils opt to
study either (natural) sciences or language and literature.
Upon completion of this phase, students are awarded the General Secondary
Education Certificate (shahâdat itmâm al-dirâsa al-thânawiyya al-`âmma).
Subjects are divided into compulsory subjects and subjects for which pupils take
exams but which do not count towards the final diploma.
Secondary school curricula are very uniform in all schools, and the final
examination is a national exam. Teaching methods put a strong emphasis on
memorizing a large quantity of information. There is little focus on group work,
discussions or project work.
In terms of level, the General Secondary Education Certificate

Is comparable to a HAVO diploma.
The Al-Azhar secondary school system has a different curriculum, which can be
divided into three groups of subjects: religious education, education in the Arabic
language and general education. Upon completion, pupils are awarded the Al-
Azhar Secondary School Certificate (al-shahâda l-thânawiyya l-azhariyya).
In terms of level, the Al-Azhar Secondary School Certificate

is comparable to a HAVO diploma.
Secondary vocational education

After obtaining the Certificate of Completion of Basic Education and Vocational
Preparation of students to a secondary vocational education. The Secondary
School Diploma in Vocational Preparation (diblôm al-madâris al-thânawiyya al-
fanniyya, i`dâd mihanî) does not provide access to post-secondary education
and is therefore a final education.
Pupils who have obtained the Basic Education Certificate, but whose exam results
are not good enough to progress to secondary education can attend a
technical secondary school. Schools of this type provide both 3-year and 5-year
secondary vocational programmes in industry (sinâà), commerce (tidjâra) and
agriculture (zirâà). At the end of the 3-year programmes, pupils are awarded the
Secondary School Technical Diploma in Commerce/Industry/Agriculture (diblôm
al-madâris al-thânawiyya l-fanniyya al-tidjâriyya/al-sinâìyya/al-zirâìyya).
In terms of level, the Secondary School Technical Diploma is

comparable to an MBO diploma at qualification level 2 or 3,
depending on the specialization.
With a final mark of 70% or higher, students may apply for admission to a post-
secondary programme in a similar specialization at an Intermediate (Technical)
Institute (ma`had fannî or ma`had mutawassit), or (in rare cases) to a programme
at a higher education institution or university in a similar specialization. Private
institutions will usually accept a lower final mark. However, admission is limited to a
certain number of students (around 5-10%), and the students with the highest
marks are given priority.
At the end of the 5-year programmes, students are awarded the Diploma of
Advanced Technical Studies in Commerce/Industry/Agriculture (diblôm al-
madâris al-fanniyya al-mutaqaddima al-tidjâriyya/al-sinâìyya/al-zirâìyya).
Diplomas are awarded following the completion of a central examination, set by
the Ministry of Education. This type of diploma allows students to enter the labour
market directly. They can also apply to a Higher Institute or to some university
programmes in a similar specialization, yet only with a final mark of 75% or higher.
In terms of level, the Diploma of Advanced Technical Studies

is comparable to an MBO diploma at qualification level 3 or 4,
depending on the specialization.
Post-secondary education
These programmes are offered by Intermediate (Technical) Institutes (ma`had
mutawassit or ma`had fannî), and have a nominal duration of 2 years. The sector
is quite limited and counts as higher professional education in Egypt, yet in Dutch
terms it rather resembles senior secondary vocational education (MBO). The
programmes are very practical in nature and cover the areas of commerce,
industry, health and social services. The entrance requirement is either a General
Secondary Education Certificate, or a Secondary School Technical Diploma with
a mark of 70% or higher.
Upon completion, the Technical Institute Diploma (diblôm al-ma`âhid al-fanniyya)

is awarded. A minimum final score of 75% allows students to apply to a Higher
Institute or to a university programme in a similar specialization. In some cases
students can start the second year straight away. In general, only a limited
number of students actually continue on to a university programme.
In terms of level, the Technical Institute Diploma is comparable to

at least an MBO diploma at qualification level 4.
 Admission to higher education
Admission to higher education requires a General Secondary Education

Certificate, a Secondary School Technical Diploma with a minimum score of 75%,
or a Diploma of Advanced Technical Studies. Although in principle there are no
entrance examinations, minimum final marks are set by each faculty. For
example, the highest final examination marks are required for admission to the
faculties of medicine, dentistry, engineering and natural sciences. Lower scores
grant entry to agriculture, arts, commerce and law.
In addition, students also need to have taken the correct subject cluster, that is
either the (natural) science track or the language and literature track. Some
faculties do set additional requirements, such as passing for a second foreign
language, personal or subject-specific test. The number of available places in
each faculty and the exact cut-off scores are set each year by the Supreme
Council of Universities.
The entrance requirements for higher professional education are the same as
those above; either a General Secondary Education Certificate, a Diploma of
Advanced Technical Studies, or a Secondary School Technical Diploma with a
minimum score of 65%. Admission to a Higher Technical Institute also requires a
test in mathematics and English.
 Higher education
Egypt has two kinds of higher education institutions. Higher professional education
is provided by the Higher Institutes (ma`had âlî) which offer 4-year programmes,
concluding with the bachelor’s degree. In most cases, the Supreme Council of
Universities considers this degree as being equivalent to a bachelor’s degree
awarded by a university. There is a large number of Higher Institutes, both state-
run and private. The latter are recognized by the Ministry of Higher Education,
under whose supervision they also fall.
Higher education is also provided by universities (jâmià), which offer both

academic programmes as well as higher professional education. Most private
universities are recognized by the Ministry of Higher Education. Universities have a
considerable amount of freedom in setting their curricula. The Supreme Council
of Universities is the umbrella organisation that coordinates education at
universities. Depending on the specialization, an internship may be part of the
programme. All programmes usually also conclude with a project or short thesis.
 University education
Universities provide both academic and higher professional education. For

language and literature studies, graduates are awarded a Bachelor of Arts
(bakâlôriyûs âdâb); for exact sciences, agricultural and engineering
specializations, graduates receive a Bachelor of Science (bakâlôriyûs ‘ulûm). The
degree of Licence (lîsâns) is also awarded in the arts, law and some teacher-
training faculties. Most programmes have a nominal duration of 4 years. A
nominal duration of 5 years applies to Dentistry, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine,
Engineering and the fine arts. A bachelor's/Licence degree represents a final
qualification level that allows graduates to enter the labour market or continue
on to further study.
Study programmes allow little room for elective subjects. Students take from 6-10
subjects per year, involving around 20 to 30 hours of lectures, tutorials and
practical classes per week. The 5 and 6-year programmes usually start with a
preparatory year containing basic subjects; the subsequent year is then called
the first year. Four-year programmes also devote a relatively large portion of the
first year to general subjects.
In terms of level, the Bachelor is comparable to

an HBO bachelor’s degree or to 2 years of university education (WO),
depending on the content of the study programme.
After completing a bachelor’s degree, graduates have two options for further
study. A Diploma of Higher Studies (diblôm al-dirâsât al-ùlyâ) is a 1 to 2-year
programme involving specialized course work. The entrance requirement is a
bachelor’s (or Licence) degree in any specialization. Admission to these types of
programmes is not particularly selective.
In terms of level, the Diploma of Higher Studies following a 1-year programme

is comparable to a WO bachelor’s degree or HBO master's degree,
In terms of level, the Diploma of Higher Studies following a 2-year programme

is comparable to a WO or HBO master’s degree,
The second type of programme culminates in a master’s degree (mâjistêr), and

has a minimum duration of 2 years. The content of the programme differs
according to faculty, and may consist of a mixture of course work and a thesis, or
just a thesis. A bachelor’s (or Licence) degree in the same specialization with a
minimum score of ‘good’ is required for admission. The names of master’s degrees
are parallel to the bachelor's degrees (âdâb and ‘ulûm) (Arts and Science).
In terms of level, the master’s degree is comparable to

a 1-year WO master’s degree.
After a master’s programme, students may be eligible for the Doctorate Degree
(dukturâh) programme, which requires 3 years of research and must be
completed within 5 years. The entrance requirement is a master’s degree in the

same area with a minimum score of ‘good’.
 Higher professional education
This type of education is offered by the Higher Institutes (ma`had `âlî), which were
founded in the late 1950s. There are over 100 Higher Institutes, the majority of
which are private. They offer nominal 4-year programmes, culminating in a
bachelor’s degree.
In terms of level, the bachelor’s degree from a Higher Institute

is comparable to an HBO bachelor's degree.
Graduates from these programmes can continue studying for another 2 years to
obtain a master’s degree from a university.
In most cases, the Supreme Council of Universities considers a bachelor’s degree
from a Higher Institute as being equivalent to a bachelor’s degree awarded by a
university. There are also Higher Institutes that fall under the supervision of another
ministry, such as the Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime
Transport, the Arts Academy and a number of military academies.
In addition to the 4-year programmes, three Higher Institutes of Technology offer

3-year programmes that award graduates a Higher Diploma of Technology.
In terms of level, the Higher Diploma of Technology

is comparable to 3 years of higher technical education (HTO).
Study programmes in higher professional education can also be followed at

universities.
 Assessment systems
The following grading scales are used in the Egyptian education system:
Secondary education 0 – 100 (a minimum satisfactory mark is 40 or 50,
depending on the subject)
Higher education Marks are given in words, with a ‘pass’ being
required for transition to the next year:
excellent, very good, good, pass, weak, very
weak
The system varies from faculty to faculty:
Programme In percentages Description
Arts 90-100 Mumtâz/excellent

80-89 djayyid djiddan/very good
65-79 djayyid/good
50-64 maqbûl/pass
Dentistry 75-84 djayyid djiddan/very good
Veterinary Medicine 65-74 Djayyid/good
Pharmacy 60-64 Maqbûl/pass
Other faculties 85-100 Mumtâz/excellent

75-84 djayyid djiddan/very good
65-74 djayyid/good
50-64 maqbûl/pass
 Qualification frameworks
Egypt is a member of the Arab Network for Quality Assurance in Higher Education
(ANQAHE). The National Authority for Quality Assurance and Accreditation of
Education (NAQAAE) is responsible for quality assurance and accreditation, see
also this website (only in Arabic).
However, a fully developed and implemented NQF does not yet exist in Egypt.
 Quality assurance and accreditation
The quality of higher education is monitored by the aforementioned Supreme

Council of Universities and the NAQAAE. The Egyptian Ministry of Education
monitors quality in primary and secondary education.
 Composition of file
After completion of their studies, students usually receive a certificate of

graduation, which may be in Arabic or English. A transcript/grade list is also
issued, in Arabic and/or English. These documents must always be submitted
along with the certificate. Graduates who have lost their certificate of graduation
or transcript can request a replacement copy in Egypt.
Authenticity
If the authenticity of the documents is in doubt, please contact Nuffic.
 Overview of higher education institutions
• The Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education provides a map with all Egyptian
universities (only in Arabic).
• Website of the Supreme Council of Universities with overviews of Egyptian
universities and Higher Institutes (only in Arabic):
- Public universities
- Public institutes
- Private universities
- Private institutes
- Other institutes
- University hospitals
 Useful links
• Website of the Supreme Council of Universities (only in Arabic).

• Website of the Arab Network for Quality Assurance in Higher Education
(ANQAHE).
• Website of the National Authority for Quality Assurance and Accreditation of
Education (NAQAAE), alleen in het Arabisch.
 Secondary School Technical Diploma
 Secondary School Technical Diploma (Dutch translation)
 Secondary School Technical Diploma
 Secondary School Technical Diploma (transcript)
 General Secondary Education Certificate
 General Secondary Education Certificate (Dutch translation)
 General Secondary Education Certificate (transcript)
 Technical Institute Diploma
 Technical Institute Diploma (English translation)
 Technical Institute Diploma (transcript)
 Transcript Technical Institute Diploma (English translation)
 University Bachelor
 University Bachelor (Dutch translation)
 University Bachelor (Certificate accompanying the bachelor’s

degree)
 University Bachelor (English version of the Certificate)
 University Bachelor (transcript)
 Transcript University Bachelor (English version)
 Diploma of Higher Studies
 Diploma of Higher Studies (transcript)
 Master's programme
 Bachelor of Higher Institute
 Bachelor of Higher Institute (Dutch translation)
 Bachelor of Higher Institute (transcript)
 Transcript Bachelor of Higher Institute (English version)
 Transcript Bachelor of Higher Institute (Dutch translation)

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Education system

Education system Egypt

This document contains information on the education system of Egypt. We

Education system Egypt

 Education system Egypt

Master L7 Diploma of Higher Studies L7

Technical Institute Diploma L4

General Secondary L4 Secondary School L3 Diploma of L4 Secondary L3

Basic Education Certificate L2 Certificate of Completion of L2

Education system Egypt

Degree or qualification Dutch equivalent and NLQF level EQF

Basic Education Certificate approximately 2 years of 2 2

Secondary School Technical Diploma MBO diploma (qualification 2/3 2/3

Diploma of Advanced Technical Studies MBO diploma (qualification 3/4 3/4

General Secondary Education HAVO diploma 4 4

Al-Azhar Secondary Education HAVO diploma 4 4

Technical Institute Diploma MBO diploma (qualification 4 4

Higher Diploma of Technology 3 years of HBO (higher 5 5

Bachelor (Higher Institutes) HBO bachelor’s degree 6 6

Bachelor (University) HBO bachelor’s degree, or 2 6 6

Diploma of Higher Studies (1 year) WO bachelor's degree or 6/7 6/7

Diploma of Higher Studies (2 years) HBO or WO master’s degree 7 7

Master’s degree 1-year WO master’s degree 7 7

Education system Egypt

• Information about Dutch equivalent qualifications can be found on our

Education system Egypt

Egypt is made up of 18 provinces and is bordered by Libya, Sudan and

In Egypt, 2 ministries are responsible for education: the Ministry of Education is

The language of instruction in higher education is Arabic, except at the following

Education system Egypt

 Primary and secondary education

In terms of level, the Basic Education Certificate

Alternatively, pupils can enrol on a 3-year programme at a vocational school

After this programme, pupils can continue on to a vocational secondary school.

After preparatory education, pupils can continue on to related general

Education system Egypt

In terms of level, the General Secondary Education Certificate

In terms of level, the Al-Azhar Secondary School Certificate

Secondary vocational education

In terms of level, the Secondary School Technical Diploma is

Education system Egypt

In terms of level, the Diploma of Advanced Technical Studies

Upon completion, the Technical Institute Diploma (diblôm al-ma`âhid al-fanniyya)

In terms of level, the Technical Institute Diploma is comparable to

 Admission to higher education

Admission to higher education requires a General Secondary Education

Education system Egypt

Higher education is also provided by universities (jâmi`a), which offer both

Universities provide both academic and higher professional education. For

Education system Egypt

In terms of level, the Bachelor is comparable to

In terms of level, the Diploma of Higher Studies following a 1-year programme

In terms of level, the Diploma of Higher Studies following a 2-year programme

The second type of programme culminates in a master’s degree (mâjistêr), and

In terms of level, the master’s degree is comparable to

Education system Egypt

completed within 5 years. The entrance requirement is a master’s degree in the

 Higher professional education

In terms of level, the bachelor’s degree from a Higher Institute

In addition to the 4-year programmes, three Higher Institutes of Technology offer

In terms of level, the Higher Diploma of Technology

Study programmes in higher professional education can also be followed at

Education system Egypt