Education Structure of Tunisia
School Education in Tunisia
School education in Tunisia starts with preschool which is optional, then basic education that lasts for 9 years and is compulsory to attend. This level of education ends with the Diplome de Fin d'Etudes de l'Enseignement de Base. After completion of basic education, students can go for secondary education that lasts for 4 years. Upper secondary education is divided into 2 stages, of 2 years each- general academic and specialized. Students undertake the general education at the general academic secondary education level, and after completion of this level students are given the option to choose their specialization area at the specialized secondary education level.
The general academic secondary educational level leads to the Baccalaureate in economics and management, arts, technology, mathematics and experimental sciences. Vocational and technical educational track lead to technical or vocational qualification.
At the end of secondary education, students must sit for the
Examen National du Baccalaureat. Students who pass this exam are eligible for tertiary education in Tunisia.
Tertiary Education in Tunisia
The Ministry of Education, Scientific Research and Technology is responsible for tertiary education in Tunisia.
Tertiary education in Tunisia is offered by universities and higher institutes/schools. Universities offer study programmes at following levels of tertiary education-bachelor, master and doctorate.
Tunisian Education Structure
Pre-tertiary Education
Period of Compulsory Education
Preschool Education
Basic Education (Enseignement de base)
- Duration: 9 years
- Grade: 1 to 9
- Ages: 6 to 15
Basic education is divided into two stages:
- Primary education
- Lower secondary education
Primary Education
- Grades: 1 to 6
- Ages: 6 to 12
- Duration: 6 years
Preparatory Education/Lower Secondary Education
- Ages: 12 to 15
- Duration: 3 years
- Grades: 7 to 9
Certificate awarded: Upon successful completion of the basic education, students are awarded the Diplome de Fin d’Etudes de l’Enseignement.
Secondary Education
- School type: Secondary school (Ecole secondaire)
- Duration: 4 years
- Ages: 15 to 19
- Certificate awarded: Tunisian Baccalaureate (Baccalaureat)/ Professional technician certificate (Brevet de Technicien Professionnelle)
Tertiary Education
- Type: Universities, higher institutes/schools/colleges
- Ages: 19 and above
Bachelor Degree
Master’s Degree
Doctorate Degree
- Duration: 3-5 years (Depending on the field of study; generally 3 years after Master's degree)