INSTITUTION TYPES & CREDENTIALS

Types of higher education institutions:

Universitate (University)

Academie (Academy)

Institut de învăţămînt Superior (Institute of Higher Education)

School leaving and higher education credentials:

Certificat de Studii Gimnasiale

Atestat de Studii Medii de Cultura Generală

Diploma de Bacalaureat

Diplomă de Licenţă

Diploma de Studii Superioare Universitare

Diploma de Magistru

Diploma de Doctor în Ştiinţe

Diploma de Doctor Habilitat

STRUCTURE OF EDUCATION SYSTEM

Pre-higher education:

Duration of compulsory education:

Age of entry: 6

Age of exit: 17

Structure of school system:

Primary

Type of school providing this education: Primary School

Length of program in years: 4

Age level from: 6 to: 10

Lower Secondary

Type of school providing this education: Gymnaziu

Length of program in years: 5

Age level from: 10 to: 15

Upper Secondary

Type of school providing this education: Scoala Medie de Cultură generală

Length of program in years: 2

Age level from: 15 to: 17

Certificate/diploma awarded: Atestat de Studii Medii de Cultură generală

Upper Secondary

Type of school providing this education: Lyceum

Length of program in years: 3

Age level from: 15 to: 18

Certificate/diploma awarded: Diploma de Bacalaureat

School education:

Primary education lasts for four years. Secondary schooling covers seven or eight years. It is divided into five years of lower secondary and two or three years of upper secondary school education.

Higher education:

Higher education in Moldova is provided by private and public universities, academies and institutes.The first diploma can be obtained after 4 years for students entering higher education with the Diploma de Bacalaureat, 5 for those with the Atestat de Studi medii de cultura generala. Two types of first diplomas are available: the diploma de Licenţă or the diploma de studii superioare universitare. Only the first one gives access to higher studies (Master or Doctorate).

Main laws/decrees governing higher education:

Decree: Law of Education Year: 1995

Academic year:

Classes from: Sep to: Jul

Languages of instruction: Romanian, Russian

Stages of studies:

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

Non-university level:

Higher technical/vocational education is provided by colleges and consists of short-cycle specialized courses in Agriculture, Teacher training, Arts, Mechanics, Construction, Industrial wood processing, Economics and others. The duration of the study programme varies from two to three years, depending on the field of study. Courses lead to qualifications at undergraduate degree level.

University level studies:

University level first stage: Undergraduate studies:

Higher education institutions offer full-time courses in all fields of study, and extramural courses for some of them. Full-time courses last for four to six years, depending on the field of study, external courses require one additional year of study. Two kinds of diplomas are awarded: The Diploma de Licenţă or Diploma de Studii superioare. Only the first one gives access to higher studies and research, the second one doesn't require any research activity nor defence of a thesis.

University level second stage: Master studies:

Master degree studies aim at consolidating the competencies acquired before. The programme lasts from 1 to 2 years after the Diplomă de Licenţă. The admission to this programme is done at the institution level. It requires the presentation and defence of a research thesis (Teza de Master).

University level third stage: Doctoral studies:

This level of higher education in the Republic of Moldova comprises two stages: Doctor of Science and Doctor Habilitat. Admission to doctoral studies is submitted to a competitive examination. Only students with a Master or Licence Degree can participate. The National Council for Certification and Accreditation in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Academy of Science establishes the admission criteria and procedures. The title of Doctor of Science is awarded after three to four years of study and research activity. The public defence of an original research work (Teza de Doctor) is required. Doctor Habilitat is the highest scientific degree conferred in all fields. Candidates must normally hold a Doctor of Science Diploma to be able to apply to the programme. The degree is conferred after the public defence of a doctoral thesis presenting an original contribution in a particular field (Teza de Doctor Habilitat).

Teacher education:

Training of pre-primary and primary/basic school teachers

Primary school teachers are trained in four-year teacher-training colleges.

Training of secondary school teachers

Lower-secondary level education (gimnaziu) teachers are trained in four-year university programmes. Upper-secondary level education (liceu) teachers are trained in five years in universities and institutes.

Training of higher education teachers

Higher-education teachers are trained in five to six years in universities, academies and institutes. The Doctor's degree is mandatory for an associate professor and/or a professor.

NATIONAL BODIES

Administration & co-ordination:

Responsible authorities:

Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports

Head: Victor Tvircun, Minister

1, Piaţa Marii Adunări Naţionale
MD-2033 Chişinău
Moldova

Tel: +373(22) 233348

Fax: +373(22) 233515

EMail: consilier@edu.md

WWW: http://www.edu.md

Role of governing body: Governs and finances institutions of higher education.

Higher Commission for Diplomas and Degrees (Comisia Superioară de Atestare)

WWW: http://www.csa.acad.md

ADMISSIONS TO HIGHER EDUCATION

Admission to non university higher education studies

Name of secondary school credential required: Diploma de Bacalaureat

For entry to: All colleges

Name of secondary school credential required: Atestat de Studii Medii de Cultura Generală

Name of secondary school credential required: Certificat de Studii Gimnasiale

Admission to university-level studies

Name of secondary school credential required: Diploma de Bacalaureat

For entry to: Higher education institutions

Name of secondary school credential required: Atestat de Studii Medii de Cultura Generală

Entrance exams required: There is a competitive entrance examination in some institutions.

Foreign students admission

Definition of foreign student: A foreign student is a person enrolled at an institution of higher education in a country of which he/she is not a permanent resident.

Admission requirements: Foreign students must present a Secondary School Leaving Certificate. For access to doctoral studies, they must pass a competitive entrance examination.

Entry regulations: Visas may be obtained at the Moldovan Embassies or at border check points.

Health requirements: Medical certificate.

Language requirements: Students must have a good knowledge of Romanian or Russian.

Application procedures:

Apply to national body for entry to: All types of institutions and programmes.

Apply to:

Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports

1, Piaţa Marii Adunări Naţionale
MD-2033 Chişinău
Moldova

Tel: +373(22) 233348

Fax: +373(22) 233515

WWW: http://www.edu.md/

Recognition of studies & qualifications:

Studies pursued in home country (System of recognition/accreditation): Recognition of studies, diplomas, and academic degrees as well as the confirmation of doctoral or academic degrees fall under the responsibility of the Higher Commission for Diplomas and Degrees (Comisia Superioară de Atestare).

Studies pursued in foreign countries (bodies dealing with recognition of foreign credentials):

Department of International Relations, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports

Head: Liudnila Pavlov

Piaţa Marii Adunări Naţionale 1
2033 Chişinău
Moldova

Tel: +373(22) 238 061

EMail: international@edu.md

Deals with credential recognition for entry to: University and Profession

Services provided & students dealt with: Recognition of studies and diplomas awarded in foreign countries.

Division for European Integration, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports

Head: Sofia Cusnir

Piaţa Marii Adunări Naţionale 1
MD-2033 Chisinau
Moldova

Tel: +373(22) 232415

Fax: +373(22) 232680

EMail: integrareue@edu.md

STUDENT LIFE

Student expenses and financial aid

Student costs:

Home students tuition fees: Minimum: 3000 (Moldovian Leu)

Maximum: 7000 (Moldovian Leu)

Foreign students tuition fees: Minimum: 1500 (US Dollar)

Maximum: 2500 (US Dollar)

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION & EXCHANGES

Principal national bodies responsible for dealing with international cooperation and exchanges in higher education:

Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports

International relations: Sofia Cusnir, Head, Division for European Integration

Piaţa Marii Adunări Naţionale 1
MD-2033 Chişinău
Moldova

Tel: +373(22) 232415 / 238061

Fax: +373(22) 233515

Participation of country in multilateral or bilateral higher education programmes

Name of exchange programme: PHARE

Name of exchange programme: TEMPUS

GRADING SYSTEM

Usual grading system in secondary school

Full Description: Numerical grading system from 1 to 10.

Highest on scale: 10

Pass/fail level: 5/4

Lowest on scale: 1

Main grading system used by higher education institutions

Full Description: Numerical grading system from 1 to 10.

Highest on scale: 10

Pass/fail level: 5/4

Lowest on scale: 1

NOTES ON HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM

Data for academic year: 2005-2006

Source: IAU from Division for European Integration, Ministry of Education, 2005, updated by AUF-Chisinau, 2006

Note on Higher Education Institutions: Also Institutul Militar "Alexandru cel Bun"/Military Institute "Alexandru cel Bun"