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Education System of Cuba
INSTITUTION TYPES & CREDENTIALS Types of higher education institutions: Universidad (University) Centro Universitario (University Centre) Instituto Superior Politécnico (Polytechnic) Centro de Educación Superior (Higher Institute) Instituto (Institute) Instituto Superior Pedagógico (Higher Pedagogical Institute)
School leaving and higher education credentials: Bachillerato Secondary School Completion Diploma Examen de Concurso Licenciatura Título Profesional Diplomado Especialista Doctor en Ciencias de (+ special field) Maestría Doctor en Ciencias
STRUCTURE OF EDUCATION SYSTEM Pre-higher education: Duration of compulsory education: Age of entry: 6 Age of exit: 15 Structure of school system: Primary Type of school providing this education: Escuela primaria Length of program in years: 6 Age level from: 6 to: 11 Basic Secondary Type of school providing this education: Secundaria Básica Length of program in years: 3 Age level from: 12 to: 15 Certificate/diploma awarded: Secondary School Completion Diploma Technical Secondary Type of school providing this education: Escuela Tecnológica Length of program in years: 3 Age level from: 15 to: 18 Upper Secondary Type of school providing this education: Ciclo medio superior or preuniversitario (Higher Intermediate Cycle) Length of program in years: 3 Age level from: 15 to: 18 Certificate/diploma awarded: Bachillerato (Secondary-School-Leaving Certificate) School education: Primary education lasts for six years. Secondary education is divided into basic secondary education and pre-university secondary education. At the end of basic secondary education, pupils can choose between pre-university education and technical and professional education. Those who complete pre-university education are awarded the Bachillerato. Technical training leads to two levels of qualification - skilled worker and middle-level technician. Successful completion of this cycle gives access to the technological institutes. Higher education: Higher education is provided by universities, higher institutes, higher pedagogical institutes, centres of higher education and higher polytechnic institutes. All higher education institutions are public. The Ministerio de Educación Superior (MES) is responsible for policy in matters of undergraduate and postgraduate education. It controls teaching, methodology, courses and programmes and the allocation of student places, as well as the specialization courses offered by centres of higher education which come under the control of other ministries. All institutions have the same status. Main laws/decrees governing higher education: Decree: Decreto Ley No 147 Year: 1994 Concerns: Modification of Law no 67 Decree: Decreto Ley No 67 Year: 1983 Decree: Ley No 1306 Year: 1976 Concerns: Higher education Decree: Ley No 1307 Year: 1976 Concerns: Higher education Academic year: Classes from: Sep to: Jul Languages of instruction: Spanish Stages of studies: Non-university level post-secondary studies (technical/vocational type): Non-university level: Technical/vocational studies are offered by Institutos superiores politécnicos. Studies last for two-and-a-half to three years.
University level studies: University level first stage: Licenciatura/Título Profesional: The first and main stage of higher education usually lasts for four or five years. In Medicine, studies last for five or six years. Courses that are offered to workers usually last longer than traditional courses. At the end of the first stage, students are awarded a Licenciatura or a Título profesional (professional diploma). Professional titles are awarded in all fields. University level second stage: Diplomado, Maestría, Especialista: Diplomado courses have three levels, each requiring some 200 hours of theoretical instruction, practical work, industrial internship and a final project. Students can gain academic credit towards completion of a Master's degree and are allowed to work on a Master's thesis as they progress through Diplomado studies. The second stage corresponds to a period of in-depth study and research which leads to the Maestría after two years. In Medicine, the first stage is usually followed by a course of professional specialization leading to a specific specialization. Especialista programmes are designed for people in industry. University level third stage: Doctor en Ciencias de (+special field): Three to four years' studies and research with a supervisor lead to the Doctor en Ciencias de (+special field) (for example: Doctor in Mathematics). The research results must have been defended before a jury and published in academic journals. University level fourth stage: Doctor en Ciencias: The Doctor en Ciencias is awarded to Doctors en Ciencias de (+special field) who, following additional years of scientific research and relevant scientific results, submit and defend a thesis before a jury and publish in academic journals.
Teacher education: Training of pre-primary and primary/basic school teachers A five-year course is provided for elementary or special-education teachers in institutos superiores pedagógicos. They obtain the Licenciado en Educación Primaria or other types of degrees. Training of secondary school teachers Secondary school teachers are trained in Institutos Superiores Pedagógicos which offer five-year courses to qualify students for basic secondary and upper secondary teachers' certificates. They are conferred a Licenciatura en Educación. Admission to these courses is based on the Bachillerato. Training of higher education teachers Higher education teachers are offered specialized upgrading courses in the subjects they teach as well as teacher training courses. Many teachers are professionals from the production field. They also receive teacher training. Where teachers are specially selected graduate students, as has mostly been the case in the last ten years, they receive initial teacher training simultaneously with their studies.
Non-traditional studies: Distance higher education Non-formal studies are offered in many centres of higher education which provide courses for workers in addition to their traditional full-time courses. Candidates must have completed secondary school, have at least one year's work experience, be between 25 and 35 years of age and pass an entrance examination. These studies are offered as evening or correspondence courses (week-ends) and generally last for six years. There are also 'guided' or free courses open to all secondary school or higher education graduates.
NATIONAL BODIES Administration & co-ordination: Responsible authorities: Ministerio de Educación Superior (Ministry of Higher Education) Head: Dr Fernando Vecino Alegret, Minister Administrative officer: Rodolfo Alarcón Ortiz, Senior Vice-Minister International relations: Lourdes Díaz Fernández, Director CP 10400,
Calle 23 no 565 esquina F. Vedado Plaza de la Revolución Tel: +53(7) 55 2354 Fax: +53(7) 33 3096 EMail: ministro@reduniv.edu.cu;develop@reduniv.edu.cu WWW: http://www.mes.edu.cu
ADMISSIONS TO HIGHER EDUCATION Admission to university-level studies Name of secondary school credential required: Bachillerato Entrance exams required: For access to degree courses, students must sit for the Examen de Ingreso. It is taken in two or three subjects. Foreign students admission Admission requirements: Foreign students must hold a Bachiller or an equivalent degree. Entry regulations: Students must have a visa. Health requirements: Students must have a health certificate. Language requirements: Students must follow compulsory Spanish classes. Preparatory faculties offer courses in Spanish to foreign students. Application procedures: Apply to: Centre for Academic Recognition and Mobility, Ministry of Higher Education Head: Jorge Valdés Asán, Director, National Information Centre Administrative officer: Pedro Bégué Lescaille, Registrar Calle 23
No 565 esquina F. Vedado, Plaza de la Revolución C.P. 10400 Tel: +53(7) 55 2354 Fax: +53(7) 33 3295 EMail: jvasan@reduniv.edu.cu
Recognition of studies & qualifications: Studies pursued in foreign countries (bodies dealing with recognition of foreign credentials): Centre for Academic Recognition and Mobility, Ministry of Higher Education Head: Jorge Valdés Asán, Director, National Information Centre Administrative officer: Pedro Bégué Lescaille, Registrar Calle 23
No 565 esquina F. Vedado, Plaza de la Revolución C.P. 10400 Tel: +53(7) 55 2354 Fax: +53(7) 33 3295 EMail: jvasan@reduniv.edu.cu
Deals with credential recognition for entry to: University and Profession
Multilateral agreements concerning recognition of foreign studies Name of agreement: Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees in Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean Year of signature: 1974 References to further information on foreign student admissions and recognition of studies Title: Contenidos fundamentales de los ciclos de estudio Publisher: Ministerio de Educación Superior Title: Especialidades en la Educación Superior de Cuba
STUDENT LIFE Special student travel fares: By road: Yes Student expenses and financial aid Student costs: Foreign students tuition fees: Minimum: 4000 (US Dollar) Maximum: 7000 (US Dollar) Type of financial aid available: Scholarships/grants/fellowships: Higher vocational/technical studies: Foreign: Yes Bodies providing information on student financial aid: Ministerio de Educación Superior Calle 23 no 565
Esquina F. Vedado Plaza de la Revolución Tel: +53(7) 55 2314 Fax: +53(7) 33 3295 EMail: ministro@reduniv.edu.cu
Deals with: Grants Category of students: Applicants from countries which have signed the convention with Cuba. Age: 18-25. Publications on student services and financial aid: Title: Reglamento de becarios extranjeros en Cuba Publisher: Ministerio de Educación Superior Title: Study Abroad 2004-2005, 32nd Edition Publisher: UNESCO Publishing Year of publication: 2003
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION & EXCHANGES Principal national bodies responsible for dealing with international cooperation and exchanges in higher education: Centre for Academic Recognition and Mobility, Ministry of Higher Education Head: Jorge Valdés Asán, Director, National Information Centre Administrative officer: Pedro Bégué Lescaille, Registrar Calle 23
No 565 esquina F. Vedado, Plaza de la Revolución C.P. 10400 Tel: +53(7) 55 2354 Fax: +53(7) 33 3295 EMail: jvasan@reduniv.edu.cu
Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores Calle G. y Calzada
Vedado
GRADING SYSTEM Usual grading system in secondary school Full Description: The following grades are used throughout: 90-100: excellent; 80-89: very good; 70-79: good; 60-69: insufficient; 0-59: deficient Highest on scale: 90-100 Pass/fail level: 70-79 Lowest on scale: Below 70 Main grading system used by higher education institutions Full Description: 2-5; 5=excellent; 4=very good; 3=good; 2=deficient Highest on scale: 5 Lowest on scale: 2
NOTES ON HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM
Data for academic year: 2004-2005 Source: Ministerio de Educación Superior, 2005
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