ISCED

Pre-primary education

Initial stage of organized instruction, designed primarily to introduce very young children to a school-type environment and to develop their cognitive, physical, social and emotional skills. Designed for children from age 3 to the start of primary education.

Primary education or first stage of basic education

Normally starting between the ages of 5 - 7, designed to give a sound basic education in reading, writing and mathematics along with an elementary understanding of other subjects.

Lower secondary education or second stage of basic education

Designed to complete basic education, usually on a more subject-oriented pattern. It builds upon the learning outcomes from primary education (ISCED level 1) and aims to lay the foundation for lifelong learning and human development.

Upper secondary education

More specialized education typically beginning at age 15 or 16 years and/or completes secondary education in preparation for tertiary education, or to provide skills relevant to employment, or both.

Post-secondary non-tertiary education

Programs that straddle the boundary between upper- and post-secondary education from an international point of view. ISCED level 4 programs, considering their content, cannot be regarded as tertiary programs. They are often not significantly more advanced than programs at ISCED level 3 but they serve to broaden the knowledge of participants who have already completed a program at level 3.

First state of tertiary education

Tertiary programs having an educational content more advanced than those offered at ISCED levels 3 and 4. These programs may be academically based or practically oriented / occupationally specific. Entry to these programs normally requires the successful completion of ISCED level 3A or 3B or a similar qualification at ISCED level 4A. All degrees and qualifications are cross-classified by type of programs, position in national degree or qualification structures and cumulative duration at tertiary.

Second stage of tertiary education

Tertiary programs leading to the award of an advanced research qualification, e.g. Ph.D. These programs are therefore devoted to advanced study and original research and are not based on course-work only. It typically requires the submission of a thesis or dissertation of publishable quality which is the product of original research and represents a significant contribution to knowledge.

Early childhood Education (01 Early childhood educational development)

Education designed to support early development in preparation for participation in school and society. Programmes designed for children below the age of 3.

Early childhood Education (02 Pre-primary education)

Education designed to support early development in preparation for participation in school and society. Programmes designed for children from age 3 to the start of primary education.

Primary education

Programmes typically designed to provide students with fundamental skills in reading, writing and mathematics and to establish a solid foundation for learning.

Lower secondary education

First stage of secondary education building on primary education, typically with a more subject-oriented curriculum.

Upper secondary education

Second/final stage of secondary education preparing for tertiary education and/or providing skills relevant to employment. Usually with an increased range of subject options and streams.

Post-secondary non-tertiary education

Programmes providing learning experiences that build on secondary education and prepare for labour market entry and/or tertiary education. The content is broader than secondary but not as complex as teriary education.

Short-cycle teriary education

Short first tertiary programmes that are typically practically-based, occupationally-specific and prepare for labour market entry. These programmes may also provide a pathway to other tertiary programmes.

Bachelor or equivalent

Programmes designed to provide intermediate academic and/or professional knowledge, skills and competencies leading to a first tertiary degree or equivalent qualification.

Master or equivalent

Programs designed to provide advanced academic and/or professional knowledge, skills and competencies leading to a second tertiary degree or equivalent qualification.

Doctoral or equivalent

Programs designed primarily to lead to an advanced research qualification, usually concluding with the submission and defense of a substantive dissertation of publishable quality based on original research.