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Education System of Columbia
INSTITUTION TYPES & CREDENTIALS Types of higher education institutions: Universidad (University) Institución Universitaria (University Institution) Institución Técnica Profesional (Professional Technical Institution) Institución Tecnológica/Escuela Tecnólogica (Technological Institution/School) School leaving and higher education credentials: Bachillerato Técnico Profesional Tecnólogo Ingeniero Licenciatura Maestro Especialización Maestría Doctorado STRUCTURE OF EDUCATION SYSTEM Pre-higher education: Duration of compulsory education: Age of entry: 5 Age of exit: 13 Structure of school system: Pre-Primary Type of school providing this education: Educación preescolar Length of program in years: 1 Age level from: 5 to: 6 Primary Type of school providing this education: Educación Básica Primaria Length of program in years: 5 Age level from: 7 to: 11 Lower Secondary Type of school providing this education: Educación Básica Secundaria Length of program in years: 4 Age level from: 12 to: 15 Certificate/diploma awarded: Certificado de Estudios de Bachillerato Básico Technical Secondary Type of school providing this education: Educación Media Técnica Length of program in years: 2 Age level from: 16 to: 17 Certificate/diploma awarded: Bachillerato Upper Secondary Type of school providing this education: Educación Media Length of program in years: 2 Age level from: 16 to: 17 Certificate/diploma awarded: Bachillerato School education: Compulsory education lasts for nine years. Basic primary education lasts for five years, preceded by one year of pre-school education. The secondary school system covers six years divided into two cycles: the basic cycle (educación básica secundaria) covers four years and the middle secondary cycle (educación media) two years. Successful completion of studies leads to the Bachillerato. Students must pass an entrance examination/test for access to universities. Higher education: Higher education is provided by university institutions, institutes of technology and technical professional institutions. These three institution types include both public and private institutions. In university institutions, each faculty is divided into departments. Distance education is provided by universities and regional centres. Higher education comes under the responsibility of the Ministry of National Education. The Instituto Colombiano para el Fomento de la Educación Superior (ICFES) is in charge of the evaluation of the education system. The Consejo Nacional de Educación Superior (CESU) proposes policies for the development of higher education. Main laws/decrees governing higher education: Decree: Decree No. 2230 Year: 2003 Concerns: Ministry of National Education Decree: Decree No. 272 Year: 1998 Concerns: Higher Education Programmes Decree: Law No. 30 Year: 1992 Concerns: Higher Education Academic year: Classes from: Feb to: Dec Languages of instruction: Spanish Stages of studies: Non-university level post-secondary studies (technical/vocational type): Non-university level: Technological education is offered in technical and technological institutions. Studies usually last for five to six semesters and lead to the title of Técnico Profesional Intermedio. There are also eight-semester courses leading to the title of Tecnólogo. University level studies: University level first stage: Licenciatura: This stage is characterized by a high level of knowledge and practical experience of the subject and lasts for four or five years. It leads to the Licenciatura or to a professional qualification (Título Profesional). A thesis or monograph and/or preliminary work in the main subjects are sometimes compulsory for the award of the professional qualification. Course work is measured in Unidades de Labor Académica (ULA). A minimum of 3,200 ULAs is required for a Licenciatura. University level second stage: Especialización, Magister: The entry requirement for Specialist (Especialista) and Magister programmes is the title of Licenciado and, usually, an entrance examination. A Magister is conferred after two years of study and is usually required for entry to doctoral programmes. Specialist programmes are usually offered in practical or applied disciplines and vary in length from one to four years. University level third stage: Doctorado: The Doctorado is awarded after two years' postgraduate specialization study in the same subject as the Magister and the defence of a thesis. It requires a complete mastery of the specialization and an effective contribution to the advancement of knowledge through extensive research. Teacher education: Training of secondary school teachers Secondary school teachers are trained in the faculties of education of institutions of higher education, which also train teachers of physical education and industrial education or in pedagogical universities. They must hold the Licenciatura. There is also an experimental school for rural education which, in two years, trains certain teachers for agricultural schools. Training of higher education teachers Higher education teachers are mainly trained in graduate programmes leading to the award of the degrees of Magister or Doctor. Non-traditional studies: Distance higher education Institutes of higher education offer distance education programmes. They are also offered by regional centres (CREADS). Lifelong higher education Post-secondary institutions offer specialization and upgrading courses in the framework of lifelong education. Some receive support from firms. Courses take place during and outside working hours. Other forms of non-formal higher education Short courses are offered by companies or vocational schools which are generally controlled by local authorities. The duration varies from one institution to another and depends on the particular course. The Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje (SENA) offers special courses for technicians and office staff who are not associated with industry or firms. A Diploma is awarded to students who successfully complete the course. NATIONAL BODIES Administration & co-ordination: Responsible authorities: Ministerio de Educación Nacional (Ministry of National Education) Head: Cecilia María Vélez White, Minister Administrative officer: Javier Botero Alvarez, Vice-Minister, Higher Education Diagonal
38 bis No 39-14 Tel: +57(1) 2222800/ 3157777 Fax: +57(1) 2224578 EMail: ipacheco@mineducacion.gov.co WWW: http://www.mineducacion.gov.co Instituto Colombiano para el Fomento de la Educación Superior - ICFES (Colombian Institute for the Development of Higher Education) Head: José Daniel Bogoya Maldonado, Director General Administrative officer: Genisberto Bernardo López Conde, Secretary General Calle 17
No. 3-40 Tel: +57(1) 2840511/ 3387360 Fax: +57(1) 2836778 EMail: director@icfes.gov.co WWW: http://www.icfes.gov.co Consejo Nacional de Acreditación - CNA (National Accreditation Council) Head: Dario Abad Arango, Coordinator Administrative officer: Genoveva Iriarte E., Executive Secretary Calle 19
No 6-68 Piso 17 Tel: +57(1) 3411050/ 3411052 Fax: +57(1) 2863416 EMail: cna@cna.gov.co WWW: http://www.cna.gov.co Asociación Colombiana de Universidades - ASCUN (Association of Colombian Universities) Head: Jesús Ramón Rivera, President Administrative officer: Galo Burbano Lopez, Executive Director Calle 93
No 16 - 43 Tel: +57(1) 6231580/ 6231582 Fax: +57(1) 2185059/ 2185098 EMail: informa@ascun.org.co WWW: http://www.ascun.org.co ADMISSIONS TO HIGHER EDUCATION Admission to non university higher education studies Name of secondary school credential required: Bachillerato Minimum score/requirement: 50 Entrance exams required: Students must sit for an entrance examination. Admission to university-level studies Name of secondary school credential required: Bachillerato Minimum score/requirement: 50 Entrance exams required: Students must sit for an entrance examination. Other admission requirements: Some universities set their own compulsory examinations. Foreign students admission Admission requirements: Students must hold a secondary school leaving certificate equivalent to the Diploma de Bachiller and must sit for a state examination. Entry regulations: Foreign students must hold a visa, a health certificate and warrant financial guarantees. Language requirements: Students must have a good knowledge of Spanish. Recognition of studies & qualifications: Studies pursued in home country (System of recognition/accreditation): Academic programmes are evaluated by the Consejo nacional de Acreditación (http://www.cna.gov.co) Studies pursued in foreign countries (bodies dealing with recognition of foreign credentials): Dirección de Calidad, Ministerio de Educación Nacional Deals with credential recognition for entry to: University and Profession Multilateral agreements concerning recognition of foreign studies Name of agreement: Convenio Andres Bello Year of signature: 1970 Name of agreement: Convenio Regional de Convalidación de Estudios, Títulos y Diplomas de Educación Superior en America Latina y El Caribe Year of signature: 1974 References to further information on foreign student admissions and recognition of studies Title: Directorio de Estudios Superiores en Colombia Publisher: ICFES Title: Manueles académicos sobre cursos y programas de postgrado en Colombia Publisher: ICETEX STUDENT LIFE Student expenses and financial aid Bodies providing information on student financial aid: Instituto Colombiano de Crédito Educativo y Estudios Técnicos en el Exterior (ICETEX) Carrera 3A No. 18-24
Apartado Aéreo 5735 Tel: +57(1) 3428387 Fax: +57(1) 2838094 WWW: http://www.icetex.gov.co Deals with: Grants and Loans Publications on student services and financial aid: Title: Study Abroad 2006-2007 Author: UNESCO Publisher: UNESCO Publishing Year of publication: 2005 INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION & EXCHANGES Principal national bodies responsible for dealing with international cooperation and exchanges in higher education: Oficina de Cooperación Internacional - OCI, Ministerio de Educación Nacional WWW: http://www.mineducacion.gov.co/cooperacion/oci.asp?s=8&v=0 GRADING SYSTEM Usual grading system in secondary school Full Description: 0-100 ; 1-10 Highest on scale: 100 ; 10 Pass/fail level: 50 ; 6 Lowest on scale: 0 ; 0 Main grading system used by higher education institutions Full Description: 0 to 5; 4.60-5.00 extremely high, 4.00-4.59 excellent, 3.50-3.99 good, 3.00-3.49 sufficient, 0.00-2.99 failure Highest on scale: 5.00 Pass/fail level: 3.00 Lowest on scale: 0.00 NOTES ON HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM Data for academic year: 2005-2006 Source: IAU from Ministry of National Education, Colombia, 2006
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