Education Systems

1. Canadian Education System

2. UK Education System

3. New Zealand Education System

4. Singapore Education System

5. Ireland Education System

6. Switzerland Education System

7. Malaysian Education System

9. Cyprus Education System

1.Canadian Education System

Education in Canada is under the complete jurisdiction of the provinces and territories and as such,
there is no federal education system in Canada. In keeping with the national commitment to education,
public education in Canada is free up to and including secondary school in all the provinces. However,
each provincial system, while similar to the others, reflects its specific regional concerns, and historical
and cultural heritage. At the post-secondary level, institutions are divided into community colleges and universities.

There are significant differences between the education systems of the different provinces of Canada.
Secondary schooling in Canada could go up to Grade 11, 12 or 13, depending on the province unlike in
India, where Grade 12 is standard all over the country.

Post secondary education is offered by four types of educational institutions:

Universities
University Colleges
Community Colleges/Technical Institutes
Career Colleges

Universities: Canadian universities are largely public funded, and, as a result, offer consistently high
quality education at lower tuition rates for international students than their counterparts in competing
countries. They offer a broad range of courses and degrees from undergraduate to doctorate and also
certificate and professional degrees.

University Colleges: As a component of the Canadian university system, university colleges offer students
a choice of either academic oriented university degree programmes or the more practical-oriented college diplomas and certificates.

Community colleges and technical institutes: They typically have more vocational-related curricula, with
small classes, off-campus course offerings, a greater ratio of laboratory space to class room space, and
an interactive teaching style.

Technical/ Career College: This is a privately owned and operated school with the main objective of
preparing students for the job market after a short period of instruction. The emphasis at career
colleges is on practical skills over a broad range of programmes.

The academic year usually starts in September and ends in May, and is normally divided into two
semesters. Some institutes operate on a semester or trimester system and admit students in January
and/or May as well as September. Many institutes offer a limited number of courses and special
programmes during the summer session.

Type of Certification:
Certificate is a qualification awarded upon successful completion of a programme which is usually
one year in length, and is offered at colleges.

Diploma is the qualification awarded on the basis of one or two year's successful study, and is
offered at colleges.

Undergraduate/bachelors degrees are awarded by a university after four years of full-time study,
and lead to graduate level studies.

Graduate/post graduate degrees lead to advanced degrees, diplomas and certificates. A pre-requisite
to participate in graduate studies is a bachelors/undergraduate degree (4 years).

M.B.A. programmes will typically require a minimum of two to three years of relevant work experience,
GMAT score of 580-600, TOEFL score of 560-600, and a 4 year degree, and are generally 2 years
in duration, though a few institutes offer a fast track option.

Pre-requisites to participating in a master's programme is a four year bachelor's degree with high
academic standing equivalent to a minimum mid-B grade in Canada (mid 70's); at least two academic
letters of reference; and other qualifications as specified, i.e., TOEFL, GRE general and/or subject test.
Master's programmes generally require two years to complete full time, and usually require a combination
of course work and thesis.

Doctorate or Ph.D. is a degree ranking above a master's degree, and generally requires four to seven
years to complete full time. A combination of course work, original research, and a thesis is required. Prerequisites are typically a master's degree, although direct entry from a bachelor's degree to a Ph.D. programme may be possible depending on the school and programme. Minimum high-B grade in Canada
(high 70's) is required; where relevant, demonstrated research competence equivalent to at least a
B+ grade; at least two academic letters of reference; and other qualifications as specified, i.e., TOEFL,
GRE general and or subject test.

Post-doctoral programmes are much more specialized, research oriented programmes. One of the most important factors in granting post-doctorate fellowships is the personal network established between the interested applicant and the faculty member within the institution.
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2. UK Education System

British Education has long attracted and welcomed high caliber students of different nationalities and backgrounds, and today builds on hundreds of years of experience in providing quality education to
international students. To ensure that the quality is maintained, Britain has implemented unrivalled quality assurance and academic audit systems. The university departments are obliged to meet stringent
standards by professional bodies. Standards are high not just in teaching but in other facilities as well
: Libraries, computers, research equipment and living accommodation.

British higher and further education provides value for money by offering shorter, more intensive courses
than are available in many other countries, thereby reducing living expenses and time spent away from
home. Closely supervised study in an intellectually and culturally stimulating environment, together with an
emphasis on student welfare and close contact between staff and students also ensures that individual
students get maximum support and, as a result, pass rates are high and the drop-out rate for international students is very low.

Britain has long been a popular destination for Indian students. With more than 150 institutes of higher
education to choose from, all equipped with extensive facilities, Britain is able to offer a broad spectrum of subjects from the highly academic to the purely practical in anything from architecture to zoology.

Details about various Qualifications offered by UK Colleges and Universities:

First Degree Courses in Arts and Sciences (Bachelor's degree) are normally of three or four years'
duration and are largely taught courses, sometimes including the preparation of a short written thesis.

Sandwich Courses are where the coursework is accompanied by practical work. A student could either
complete 2 years of college, then a year of commercial training before returning for a final year in college.
Or, he/she could do a 4-year course with 3-6 months' training interspersed each year. The main advantage
is that the student gets real experience while in the learning mode. Most universities offer this type of
education.

Higher National Diploma (HND) is awarded by Vocational and Technical Educational Councils. They
offer a 2-year course in a vocational subject like scientific and technical business subjects. Great
emphasis is placed on work experience. It is often seen as the first step towards a degree course as
the credits can be transferred.

Vocational Courses offer an opportunity to enter the university system slowly. Business and Technology
Education Council (BTEC), General Vocational Qualifications (GNVQ), General Scottish Vocational
Qualifications (GSVQ) offer recognized courses in a range of disciplines. Most students opt to take
1-2 years of, for example, BTEC courses before being transferred to a degree programme. BTEC national certificates/diplomas are usually accepted as an alternative to A-Levels.

Postgraduate study may take the form of an independent piece of research under supervision or a taught
course, and leads to a variety of degrees and awards. The taught courses normally last for one or
sometimes two years. Completion of a doctorate normally takes a minimum of three years. Many
post-experience courses are also available, either leading to a qualification or providing a refresher
course for graduates wishing to update or extend their knowledge. Occasional students are admitted
by some institutions in limited numbers. They attend courses or undertake research, possibly for a
period of one or two years. These courses do not lead to any formal qualification or 'credit' although
certificate of satisfactory attendance may be given.
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                                                   3. New Zealand Education System

New Zealand has a superb education system and qualifications gained here are accepted as equal to the best in the world. For more than one hundred years it has had a state system which is 'free, secular and compulsory'. At the same time there is a strong degree of tolerance which enables communities to build and operate private schools along religious or cultural lines.

Universities: There are 8 government -funded universities in New Zealand and all have internationally respected academic and research standards. A university education is open to anyone who meets the common entrance qualification prescribed by the New Zealand Qualification Authority (NZQA) and the NewZealand Vice-Chancellors Committee (NZVCC) of a three C Universities Bursary Examination grades.

Polytechnics and Institutes of Technology: There are 21 polytechnics, many of which are called institute of technology. They provide a wide range of courses, up to and including degree-level.

College of Education: These train teachers as well as other occupational groups such as social workers.

Private Training Establishments: There are over 800 private education providers, many offering short-term English language courses for international students.

Distance Education: Distance education is one offer on a full-fee basis in New Zealand to international and New Zealand students from the Correspondence School, the Open Polytechnic and Massey University. Other tertiary providers offer some of their courses by distance also.
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                                                      4. Singapore Education System

Education has always been key in the growth and development of Singapore society, particularly in the years following 1965 when it became an independent republic. Now in the 21st century, where the knowledge-based economy is the driver in the global community, education has become even more critical in shaping
our country’s future. At the same time, through education, every individual can realise his/her full potential to benefit the community, nation, and lead a personally fulfilling life.

By being in Singapore, you will get a chance to be plugged into an education system that promotes
excellence and be part of a progressive, cosmopolitan community.

                       


Junior Colleges
Upon completion of the GCE 'O' Level examination, students may apply for entry to a junior college
for a two-year pre-university course or a centralised institute for a three-year pre-university course. Junior colleges and centralised institues prepare students for their entry to the university and lay the foundation
for tertiary education. The curriculum comprises two compulsory subjects, namely General Paper and the Mother Tongue, and a maximum of four Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education 'Advanced' GCE 'A' Level subjects from the Arts, Science or Commerce Courses. At the end of the pre-university
course, students sit for the GCE 'A' Level examination.
Foreign students are accepted at Junior Colleges and Pre-Universities subject to the availability of
vacancies.

Polytechnics
Polytechnics were established in Singapore to offer students practice-oriented studies at the diploma
level. There are currently five polytechnics in Singapore :
Nanyang Polytechnic
Ngee Ann Polytechnic
Republic Polytechnic
Singapore Polytechnic
Temasek Polytechnic
They offer a wide range of courses such as Engineering, Business Studies, Mass Communication,
Design and Info-Communications. Specialised courses such as Optometry, Marine Engineering,
Nautical Studies, Nursing, Early Childhood Education and Film are also available for those who
wish to forge a specific career path.

Polytechnic graduates have proven to be popular with employers as they emerge into the working
world fully equipped with hands-on skills and experience relevant to the New Economy

Institute of Technical Education
ITE is an alternative post-secondary institution for those opting to develop their technical skills and
knowledge in various industry sectors. Besides providing full-time institutional training and traineeship programmes for secondary school leavers, ITE also provides continuing education programmes
for working adults.

Universities
They mould outstanding graduates with internationally recognized degrees. Research and scholarship opportunities are also available to post-graduate students.

Since its founding in 1905, NUS has since evolved into a comprehensive university offering courses
in major disciplines such as the Sciences, Engineering, Technology, Law, Arts & Social Sciences and Medicine.

NTU was set up in 1981 to provide facilities for tertiary education and research in engineering and
technology. It has since incorporated the National Institute of Education (NIE) – the teachers' college
– and expanded to include Accountancy, Business and Communication Studies.

SMU was established in 2000 as the first publicly-funded private university with a focus on business and management programmes.

Foreign System Schools/International Schools

Foreign System Schools, or International Schools, offer you the opportunity to pursue an education
similar to the one in your country of origin. Registered with the Ministry of Education, they follow
guidelines and curriculum identical to those in their home country.
Singapore has a number of International Schools granting admission to foreign students and
permanent residents. Some International Schools impose minimum requirements for admission,
such as language proficiency or nationality. The criteria vary with each school.
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5. Ireland Education System

Ireland's long and honorable tradition in educational excellence is recognized the world over. Dating
back to the Middle Ages, Ireland held the position of one of the principal education to the western world.

       

Types of Programs

The Irish Education System was traditionally divided into three basic levels: Primary (8 years); Secondary
(5 or 6 years) and Third level which offers a wide range of opportunities from post-Secondary courses, to vocational and technical training, to full degree and the highest post-graduate level.

Primary Education:
The primary education system emphasizes a child-centered approach and is founded on the belief that
high quality education enables children to realize their potential as individual and to live their lives to the
fullest capacity appropriate to their particular stage of development.

Second Level Education:
The second-level education sector in Ireland comprises secondary, Vocational, Community and Comprehensive Schools. The types of schools mainly differ on the basis of administration and sources funding.

Higher Education:
Third Level Education System in Ireland is broad in scope and encompasses the university sector, the technological sector, the college of education and private, independent colleges. The first three grouping which comprise 34 institutions are autonomous and self governing, but are substantially state funded.

Programmes available at Third Level Institutions are as follows:

One-Year Certificate: 1 year full-time course
National Certificate : 2 years full-time course
National Diploma : 1 year after National Certificate
Bachelor's Degree : Normally 3 or 4 year course
Graduate Diploma : Usually 1 year
Masters Degree: Either by research or through a taught programme-1 or 2 years duration.
Doctorate (PhD): Usually takes a minimum of 3 years of original research.

Universities:
Universities offer degrees at Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate levels and undergraduate and
postgraduate diplomas over a full range of disciplines. Teaching at undergraduate level is normally
by way of a programme of lectures supplemented by tutorials and, where appropriate, practical demonstrations and laboratory work. Masters degrees can be taken by coursework and research or by research alone. Doctoral degrees are awarded on the basis of research.
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6. Switzerland Education System

Educational system in Switzerland

Switzerland's educational system can be subdivided into the nursery school stage, the stage of
compulsory schooling, the period after compulsory schooling (secondary level II), vocational education,
higher education and further and continuing education for adults.
Nursery school age (4-6 years of age)
Before starting compulsory schooling, every child can attend kindergarten for one or two years.
Compulsory schooling (6-15 years of age)
Attendance at primary and secondary school is mandatory and free of charge for the whole population (including foreign nationals). Compulsory schooling lasts for nine years, and children undertake it
between the ages of 6/7 and 15/16 years.

Post-compulsory schooling (15 years of age and older)
In compulsory schooling, the pupil must choose between various different educational options.
Vocational education enables the student to acquire practical knowledge and skills that allow him/her to proceed directly to a vocational activity. The various educational routes at secondary level II - (colleges of further education (Mittelschulen) - prepare the student to proceed to specific courses of training (nursing, social work, the arts, the services sector, etc.) or to a cantonal university or a university of applied sciences.

Adult education and further education
Today the opportunities in the field of adult education and further education are many and diverse: federal certificate of aptitude, federal specialist qualifications and master craftsman diplomas. Such education can likewise be continued at the cantonal universities or a university of applied sciences.
The strong federal tradition of Switzerland is reflected in its educational system. Primary and secondary education are essentially the responsibility of each canton (State), while responsibility for higher
education is shared between the cantons and the Confederation. This has resulted in pronounced
diversity in the higher education system characterized by 12 traditional Universities , plus seven regional Universities of Applied Sciences a new type of specialized university, whose focus is on education for professional practice.

The twelve Universities
Switzerland today has the following universities:
2 Federal Institutes of Technology (EPF Lausanne and ETH Zurich) with four associated research
institutes 7 fully fledged Cantonal Universities Basel, Berne, Fribourg, Geneva, Lausanne,
Neuchâtel, and Zurich and the University of St. Gallen that concentrates on training of managers
in business, public administration and law.
2 small cantonal university-level institutions: the University College of Lucerne, and the Università della Svizzera italiana (University of Lugano) founded in Ticino in 1996.
In German-speaking Switzerland there are the Universities of Basel, Berne, Lucerne, St. Gallen and
Zurich as well as the ETH Zurich. The French-speaking region has the Universities of Geneva,
Lausanne and Neuchâtel, plus the EPF Lausanne. The University of Fribourg is bilingual (French and German). The University of Lugano lies in the Italian-speaking region.
The process of building up the new Universities of Applied Sciences is at present in full swing.

As a result, Switzerland, as other European countries, will have a fully up-to-date dual higher education system.

The seven regional Universities of Applied Sciences
The seven regional Universities of Applied Sciences are:

Canton of Berne: Berner Fachhochschule/Haute école spécialisée bernoise (German/French)
Northwestern Switzerland: Fachhochschulregion Nordwestschweiz (German)
Eastern Switzerland: Fachhochschule Ostschweiz (German)
Central Switzerland: Fachhochschule Zentralschweiz (German)
Western Switzerland: Haute école spécialisée de Suisse occidentale (French)
Southern Switzerland: Scuola universitaria professionale della Svizzera italiana (Italian)
Canton of Zurich: Zürcher Fachhochschule (German)
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7. The Malaysian Education System

Malaysia provides 11 years of free schooling and officially Malaysian children begin primary school education at age 7 with over 95% of them being enrolled in public funded schools for free education. While the student enrolment rate in the secondary schools recorded more than 85%, Malaysia’s 93% literacy rate is one of the highest in the world, which is a reflection of the enormous importance the Government places in the pursuit of knowledge and education.

Beginning the year 2003, primary schooling is mandatory for all children. Thus, children between the ages of seven and 12 have to register and enrol in primary schools. Home schooling or home-based teaching, i.e., teaching children at home, is allowed but permission must be sought from the Ministry of Education.

The national education system conducts education from pre-school to higher education and are grouped as below:
Pre-school education from age 5 (for 2 years)
Primary education from age 7 (for 5 to 7 years)
Lower secondary education from age 13 (for 3 years)
Upper secondary education from age 16 (for 2 years)
Post-secondary (Form Six/Matriculation) education from age 18 (for 1 to 2 years)
Tertiary education: Undergraduate studies from age 20 (for 3 to 5 years); Master degree or Ph.D studies, after acquiring the first bachelor degree (for 1 to 5 years)
Both public and private funded educational institutions at all levels of education exist in the national education system. There is free primary and secondary school education in the public sector but not in the private schools. Over 95% of primary and secondary school education for Malaysian children is provided by Government public schools and the private sector plays a more significant role in pre-school level and tertiary education.

International schools and expatriate schools are also readily available. They cater to the academic needs of international students or children of expatriates in Malaysia, at the primary and secondary level of education. These schools are designed with an international curriculum structure and use foreign languages as their medium of instruction

Education Legislations Assuring Quality Education for All Levels of Education
Education Structure (Levels of Education)
Pre-school education
Primary education
Secondary education
Lower secondary academic education
Upper secondary academic education
Technical or Vocational education
Religious education
Post-secondary education / Pre-university
Form Sixth (Malaysian qualification)
Matriculation (Malaysian qualification)
GCE A-level, Australian Matriculation, Canadian Pre-U, etc
Tertiary education
Polytechnics / College education
Undergraduate studies
Postgraduate studies

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8.Australian Education System

Type of Institutes:

1. Primary and secondary schools: This is equivalent to 10+2 education in Pakistan. Certification at the end of schooling is by continuous assessment within the schools or by a combination of internal assessment and public examinations. These procedures form the basis for qualification for entry to universities or other tertiary institutions.

2. Foundation Studies: Foundation studies give international students the knowledge and skills for a smooth transition from learning in their home country to undergraduate studies in Australian universities. Foundation Studies are usually one year in duration and students are assessed and examined by their lecturers. Foundation studies are divided into various streams like arts and science studies. The common feature of foundation studies is that a university allocates a provisional place in an undergraduate course for a student who achieves the prescribed grades

3. English Language Schools (ELICOS): These are specifically for people who come to Australia to study English either for educational purposes or for other reasons. The Australian system of English language training is known as English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS). There are a range of courses including General English; English for Special Purposes; Vacation Courses; and Examination Preparation. The starting dates of courses are fairly frequent and they generally run from 4 to 10 weeks. Many universities and TAFE institutes have ELICOS centers attached to their campuses.

4. Vocational Education and Training Institutes: Vocational education and training (VET) gives students practical skills for their careers. The VET sector is divided into two sections: a nationally recognized government system of Technical and Further Education (TAFE); and private providers. TAFE is the largest provider of tertiary education courses in Australia with about 250 institutes and over a million students including about 41,000 international students. The awards in VET sector are: certificates, advanced certificates, associate diplomas, and diplomas. Studying at TAFE level is also a way of gaining entry - termed a pathway - to Australia's universities. Most TAFE institutes have arrangements with specific universities, enabling students to gain credit for a portion of their study undertaken at TAFE. The VET courses include computing, design, pilot training, business management, hospitality and tourism and many other courses.


5. Universities (higher education): There are 37 public universities and two private universities in Australia which offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The most popular courses of study for international students have been in the fields of Business, Administration and Economics, followed by Science, then Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. University study can lead to the following awards: Undergraduate - Bachelor Degrees, Bachelor Degrees (with Honors), Undergraduate Diplomas, Associate Diplomas; Postgraduate - Doctoral Degrees, Masters Degrees, Graduate Diplomas, and Graduate Certificates.

Type of Programs & Qualifications:

Undergraduate

Bachelor Degree
Bachelor Degree (with Honors)
Undergraduate Diplomas
Associate Diplomas

Postgraduate

Masters Degrees
Doctoral Degrees
Graduate Diplomas
Graduate Certificates

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9. Cyprus Education System

Undergraduate Degrees: The normal undergraduate degree is, generally three to four years in duration. A few universities also offer Honours degrees.

Entry Requirements: Year 12 or equivalent from a recognized board. However, in some cases additional requirements in a respective field might be valid. For most courses good knowledge of English is a must and has to be proven by tests like the TOEFL or the IELTS. The necessary score required is 550 for a paper based test or 213 for a computer-based test in TOEFL or a minimum of band 6.5 in IELTS.

Postgraduate Degrees: The Masters degrees usually take 1.5 to 2 years of study. Taught masters' courses allow graduates to specialize in their subject - by way of lectures, seminars, practical training, and tutorials. Many universities also offer research Degrees; where the students are expected to carry out original research and produce a thesis.

Entry Requirements: An undergraduate degree from a recognized university in the relevant subject is generally required. Students are normally expected to have a postgraduate degree for research program. The students are also required to take English proficiency test like TOEFL with a minimum score of 550 for a paper based test or 213 for a computer based test in TOEFL or a minimum of band 6.5 in IELTS.

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