INSTITUTION TYPES & CREDENTIALS
Types of higher education institutions:
Universidad (University)
Universidad Abierta (Open University)
Instituto Universitario (University Institute)
Colegio Universitario (University College)
Instituto Universitario Tecnológico (Technological University Institute)
School leaving and higher education credentials:
Bachillerato
Técnico Superior
Licenciatura
Professional Title
Especialización
Maestría
Maestría en Administración
Magister Scientiarum
Doctorado
Philosophus Scientiarum
STRUCTURE OF EDUCATION SYSTEM
Pre-higher education:
Duration of compulsory education:
Age of entry: 5
Age of exit: 17
Structure of school system:
Pre-Primary
Type of school providing this education: Educación preescolar
Length of program in years: 3
Age level from: 3 to: 6
Basic
Type of school providing this education: Educación Básica
Length of program in years: 9
Age level from: 6 to: 15
Certificate/diploma awarded: Certificado de Educación Básica.
Diversified Secondary
Type of school providing this education: Educación Media Diversificada
Length of program in years: 2
Age level from: 15 to: 17
Certificate/diploma awarded: Título de Bachiller
Vocational Secondary
Type of school providing this education: Educación Media Profesional
Length of program in years: 3
Age level from: 15 to: 18
Certificate/diploma awarded: Técnico Medio
School education:
Pre-school education is the first compulsory stage of education. Basic education is the second and lasts for nine years, divided into three cycles and leading to the Certificado de Educación Básica. Secondary education (educación media) is divided into two options: 1. Diversified, to train "bachilleres" in Science, Art and/or Humanities (two years). 2. Professional, to train middle technicians "Técnicos medios" (three years). Studies are divided into industrial, agricultural, commercial and administrative, and health sectors.
Higher education:
Higher education is provided by public and private universities and public and private university institutes and colleges (providing pedagogical, polytechnic, technological, ecclesiastical or military instruction). Public universities (national) are of two types: a) autonomous institutions and b) experimental institutions. All these institutions are grouped in two sub-systems: 1) Institutes and University Colleges, mainly for short courses of study (two-and-a-half to three years) leading to the award of the title of "Técnico superior"; 2) Universities, mainly for long courses of study (five or six years), leading to the award of the "Licenciado" or an equivalent professional title (e.g. Ingeniero). Courses of study are in the following areas: Basic Sciences, Engineering and Technology, Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Health Sciences, Social Sciences, Educational Science, Humanities, Fine Arts and Letters and Military Sciences. Access to higher education is organized by the Oficina de Planificación del Sector Universitario (OPSU) and includes three stages: Prueba de Aptitud Académica; Preinscripción Nacional y Asignación de Aspirantes to higher education institutions. Most institutions submit candidates to their own selection procedures. In some institutions, preparatory, general or basic courses form part of the admission process.
Main laws/decrees governing higher education:
Decree: Ley de Universidades Year: 1970
Concerns: Universities
Decree: Ley Orgánica de Educación Year: 1980
Concerns: All
Decree: Reglamento de los Institutos y Colegios Universitarios Year: 1988
Academic year:
Classes from: Sep to: Jul
Long vacation from: 1 Aug to: 15 Sep
Languages of instruction: Spanish
Stages of studies:
Non-university level post-secondary studies (technical/vocational type):
Non-university level:
Studies at university institutes (pedagogical, polytechnical, technological, ecclesiastical or military) or university colleges lead to the diploma of Técnico Superior, or to an equivalent title, after two-and-a-half to three years.
University level studies:
University level first stage: Licenciatura or Título profesional:
The Licenciatura or Título profesional are usually awarded, according to the subject, at the end of long-term studies (four to five years - six in Medicine). The title of Técnico superior is awarded after three years.
University level second stage: Magister, Especialización:
The Magister is awarded after the Licenciatura or an equivalent qualification at the end of two to three years of specialization mainly devoted to the theoretical and methodological bases of research. Studies comprise courses followed by examinations and/or the submission of a thesis. Courses leading to the title of Especialista last for a minimum of two years.
University level third stage: Doctorado:
The Doctorado is the highest degree awarded by certain universities after the Magister or a specialization (higher professional level). It is conferred at the end of studies which lay emphasis on the theoretical and methodological bases of research and of continuing education. It requires a minimum of 45 créditos, the passing of examinations and the submission of a thesis. This course usually lasts for at least three years.
Teacher education:
Training of pre-primary and primary/basic school teachers
Since 1993, basic education teachers are trained in three years at teacher training schools, pedagogical institutes or universities. In-service training is provided through Centros regionales de Apoyo al Maestro (CRAM).
Training of secondary school teachers
Secondary school teachers are trained at the Universidad Pedagógica Experimental Libertador (including its teacher training institutes) as well as other universities, pedagodocal institutute and university colleges. Courses last for four to five years. The title awarded is Licenciado en Educación or Profesor de Educación Secundaria. In-service training for teachers is offered by special training centres.
Non-traditional studies:
Distance higher education
The Universidad Nacional Abierta offers courses leading to the Licenciatura after five years and to the Magister after a further two years.
Lifelong higher education
The Instituto Nacional de Cooperación Educativa (INCE) offers non formal vocational courses in industrial, commercial and service fields.
NATIONAL BODIES
Administration & co-ordination:
Responsible authorities:
Ministerio de Educación Superior (Ministry of Higher Education)
Head: Samuel Moncada, Minister
International relations: Tanía Delgado
Av. Universidad, Esquina el Chorro
Torre Ministerial
Caracas 1010
Venezuela
Tel: +58(0212) 596 5270
Fax: +58(0212) 596 5263
EMail: enlacesmes@mes.gov.ve
WWW: http://www.mes.gov.ve
Consejo Nacional de Universidades (National Council of Universities)
Head: Samuel Moncada, Minister of Higher Education
Administrative officer: Rosa Mireya Zambrano de Gugig, Permanent Secretary (Executive)
Ave La Salle
Centro Capriles P.B.
Caracas 1052-A
Venezuela
Tel: +58(212) 782 3750/ 782 3963
Fax: +58(212) 793 2380
EMail: webmaster@cnu.gov.ve
WWW: http://www.cnu.gov.ve
Role of governing body: The National Council of Universities overviews the compliance of the law governing all universities in the country, coordinates interelations amongst them and all other entities of the educational system, harmonizes their teaching, cultural and scientific plans and harmonizes their teaching plans all in accordance with the country requirements
Asociación Venezolana de Rectores Universitarios - AVERU (Venezuelian Association of University Rectors)
Head: Rita Añez, President
Av. Santa Fe Sur
Edif. "ARAUCARIA"
Piso 4°-43
Urb. Santa Fe
Caracas
Venezuela
Tel: +58(212) 975 1462
Fax: +58(212) 979 9263
ADMISSIONS TO HIGHER EDUCATION
Admission to non university higher education studies
Name of secondary school credential required: Bachillerato
Minimum score/requirement: 10
For entry to: All
Entrance exams required:
Students must obtain a minimum mark of 10. They must sit for the Prueba de Aptitud Académica.
Admission to university-level studies
Name of secondary school credential required: Bachillerato
Minimum score/requirement: 10
For entry to: All
Entrance exams required: Students must obtain a minimum mark of 10. They must sit for the Prueba de Aptitud Académica
Other admission requirements: In addition to the Prueba de Aptitud Académica, Preinscripción Nacional y Asignación de Aspirantes to institutions.
Foreign students admission
Admission requirements: In order to have their studies, degrees and diplomas recognized, foreign students must address an application to the Minister of Education together with documents duly authenticated by the educational authorities of the home country and by the Venezuelan Consulate. Information concerning the presentation of documents may be obtained from the Ministerio de Educación Superior.
Language requirements: Students must have a good knowledge of Spanish.
Application procedures:
Apply to:
Ministerio de Educación Superior
Av.
Universidad, Esquina el Chorro
Torre Ministerial
Caracas 1010
Venezuela
Tel: +58(212) 596-52-70
Fax: +58(212) 596-52-63
Telex: 21943 min ed
EMail: enlacesmes@mes.gov.ve
WWW: http://www.mes.gov.ve
Multilateral agreements concerning recognition of foreign studies
Name of agreement: Convenio Andres Bello de Integración Educativa, Cientifica y Cultural de Los Paises de la Region Andina
Year of signature: 1970
Name of agreement: Convention of the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees in Higher Education
Year of signature: 1974
Name of agreement: Reglamento de Reválida de Títulos y Equivalencias de Estudios (países latinoamericanos)
Year of signature: 1969
References to further information on foreign student admissions and recognition of studies
Title: Directorio nacional de cursos de postgrado
Publisher: Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas
Title: Oportunidades de estudios en los institutos de educación superior de Venezuela (Annual)
Publisher: Consejo Nacional de Universidades; Oficina de Planificación Sector Universitario
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION & EXCHANGES
Principal national bodies responsible for dealing with international cooperation and exchanges in higher education:
Ministry of Higher Education (Ministerio de Educación Superior)
Head: Tanía Delgado, Director General, Conventions and Cooperation
Av. Universidad, Esquina el Chorro
Torre Ministerial
Caracas 1010
Venezuela
Tel: +58(212) 794-26-83 +58(212) 596-52-70
Fax: +58(212) 794-00-65 +58(212) 596-52-63
EMail: nbarrios@cnu.gov.ve;enlacesmes@mes.gov.ve
WWW: http://www.mes.gov.ve
GRADING SYSTEM
Usual grading system in secondary school
Full Description: Is on scale of 20-0, with 10 as the minimum pass mark. Each academic year is divided into 3 or more periods. A grade is given for each period. At the end of the year the grades for each period are averaged to form a previa grade (60% of the final mark).
Highest on scale: 20
Pass/fail level: 10
Lowest on scale: 0
Main grading system used by higher education institutions
Full Description: Examinations are graded on a 20 maximum with 10 as the minimum pass mark. Two or more partial examinations are taken during each period. The average of all yields 40% of the final grade and must be 10 or above to take the final examination.
Highest on scale: 20
Pass/fail level: 10
Lowest on scale: 0
Other main grading systems
9-1 scale. 9: excellent; 8: outstanding;7: very good; 6: good; 5: average; 4-0: failure.
NOTES ON HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM
Data for academic year: 2004-2005
Source: International Association of Universities (IAU), updated from Venezuela Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, 2005
Note on Higher Education Institutions: Also military higher education institutions