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Pre-higher Education
System
Duration of compulsory
education
Age of entry: 6
Age of exit: 14
Structure of school
system
Type/level of education:
Primary
Type of school:
ENSEIGNEMENT PRIMAIRE
Length of program (years):
6
Age level:
from 6 to 12
Type/level of education:
Secondary-Observation
Type of school:
ENSEIGNEMENT SECONDAIRE (TYPE I) - PREMIER DEGRE
Length of program (years):
2
Age level:
from 12 to 14
Type/level of education:
Secondary-Orientation/guidance
Type of school:
ENSEIGNEMENT SECONDAIRE (TYPE I) - 2E DEGRE
Length of program (years):
2
Age level:
from 14 to 16
Certificate awarded:
CERTIFICAT D'ETUDES DE BASE (CEB)-1ER ANNEE D'ETUDE; CERTIFICAT
D'ENSEIGNEMENT SECONDAIRE
INFERIEUR (CESI)-2E AN
Type/level of education:
Secondary-determination
Type of school:
ENSEIGNEMENT SECONDAIRE (TYPE I) - 3E DEGRE
Length of program (years):
2
Age level:
from 16 to 18
Certificate awarded:
CERTIFICAT DE L'ENSEIGNEMENT SECONDAIRE SUPERIEUR GENERAL,
TECHNIQUE, ARTISTIQUE (CESS)
Type/level of education:
Pre-university
Type of school:
PREPARATION AU SUPERIEUR
Length of program (years):
1
Age level:
from 18 to 19
Type/level of education:
Technical
Type of school:
ENSEIGNEMENT SPECIAL (TYPE II) - CYCLE INFERIEUR TECHNIQUE
Length of program (years):
3
Age level:
from 12 to 15
Certificate awarded:
DIPLOME OU CERTIFICAT D'ETUDES DE BASE (CEB); CERTIFICAT D'ENSEIGNEMENT
SECONDAIRE INFERIEUR
Type/level of education:
Technical
Type of school:
ENSEIGNEMENT SPECIAL (TYPE II) - CYCLE SUPERIEUR TECHNIQUE
Length of program (years):
3
Age level:
from 15 to 18
Certificate awarded:
CERTIFICAT DE QUALIFICATION/ATTESTATION D'ORIENTATION; DIPLOME
D'APTITUDE A ACCEDER A L'ENSEIGNEMENT
SUPERIEUR
Type/level of education:
Professional
Type of school:
ENSEIGNEMENT SPECIAL (TYPE II) - CYCLE INFERIEUR PROFESSIONNEL
Length of program (years):
3
Age level:
from 12 to 15
Certificate awarded:
CERTIFICAT COMPLEMENTAIRE DE CONNAISSANCE DE GESTION
Type/level of education:
Professional
Type of school:
ENSEIGNEMENT SPECIAL (TYPE II) - CYCLE SUPERIEUR PROFESSIONNEL
Length of program (years):
3
Age level:
from 15 to 19
Certificate awarded:
CERTIF. D'ENSEIGNEMENT SECONDAIRE SUPERIEUR PROFESSIONNEL; DIPLOME
D'ADMISSION A L'EXAMEN DE
CANDIDAT INGENIEUR
Description of secondary
school system
At present, secondary education is organized into
two different types: type 1: structured into three levels of two
years each, and type 2:
structured into two cycles of three years each. Secondary
schools of type 1 provide general education, technical education,
professional education and artistic education. The second type of
school provides technical education only.
Higher Education System
Structure of system
Both universities and non-university institutions
provide higher education: the long cycle, which enjoys full university
status, and the
short cycle. University studies are provided by the
universities or by institutions with the same legal status with
regard to the award of
academic qualifications. Article 17 of the Belgian
constitution lays down the principle of the freedom of teaching
and provides for the existence of state-organized teaching. Within
this constitutional framework, two networks of institutions of higher
education have developed extensively: public institutions set up
by the state and administered by the (linguistic) communities, or
by the provincial or municipal authorities, and private institutions
of which the majority are denominational (Roman Catholic). Private
higher education is of considerable importance: it takes place either
in religious institutions or in civic institutions. Free universities
come under a special regime which gives them greater autonomy. The
community is responsible for official education. Private institutions
of higher education receive financial aid from the state, subject
to certain conditions.
Main types of
higher education institutions in country
Type of institution:
ECOLE DES HAUTES ETUDES
Type of institution:
UNIVERSITE
Type of institution:
INSTITUT SUPERIEUR
Main laws/decrees
governing higher education
Name of law/decree:
Article 17 of the Belgian Constitution
Institution type: all
higher education institutions.
Administrative structure
of higher education
Name of body:
Ministere de l'Education, Direction de l'Enseignement superieur
Role:
Governing and decision-making role for higher education
Address:
P.O. Box: Boite 0
Street: Cite administrative de l'Etat, Boulevard Pacheco, 19
City: Bruxelles
Postal code: 1010
Telephone: 32-2-2105511
Fax: 32-2-2105517
Name of body:
Conseil Interuniversitaire de la Communaute francaise
Address:
Street: rue Egmont 5
City: Bruxelles
Postal code: 1000
Telephone: 32-2-5049211
Fax: 32-2-5022768
Academic year
Classes start:
October
Classes end:
July
Languages of instruction
French
Stages and Organization of
Higher Education Studies
Higher
vocational/technical studies
Non-university level higher education is offered
in the following seven fields: technology, economics, agriculture,
paramedical fields, social
studies, arts, and pedagogy. There is a short type
of non-university education (one cycle of three years), and a long
type (two cycles of two
years each). Graduates receive titles such as: architect,
industrial engineer, primary-school teacher, lower-secondary school
teacher, social
worker, and educator. Short-cycle higher-education
programmes, which last about three years (four in nursing), are
also available.
University
level studies
Stage 1:
Candidature
Description: The first stage of higher education
covers a period of two to three years devoted to broad, multidisciplinary
studies. It leads to
the first university degree, the candidature.
Stage 2:
Licenciature
Description: The second stage, consisting of a period
of at least two years of in-depth study following the award of the
candidature, leads to the licence; however, in certain subjects
three and sometimes four years of study are necessary. For teachers
in upper-secondary education, the agregation de l'enseignement secondaire
superieur is taken at this stage.
Stage 3:
Doctorat
Description: The third stage, corresponds to a second
or third phase of specialization, or to an initiation into scientific
research which leads
to a doctorat after a minimum of a further year of
theoretically-oriented study. In practice, the duration of studies
leading to the doctorat is
five or six years beyond the licence, sometimes more.
Stage 4:
Doctorat special
Description: The fourth phase leads to the degree
of agregation de l'enseignement superieur or to a doctorat special
after a variable number
of years (but not less than two years) in specialized
in-depth research after obtaining a doctorat.
Teacher education
Training of primary/basic
school teachers
Pre-primary, primary and lower-secondary education
teachers are trained in institutions of higher-teacher training
which offer course programmes leading to the diplome d'instituteur
prescolaire, the diplome d'instituteur primaire, the diplome d'agrege(e)
de l'enseignement secondaire inferieur (AESI), and the diplome d'educateur
specialise.
Training of secondary school
teachers
Upper-secondary education teachers receive training
in universities, leading to the degree of licencie in a particular
discipline, awarded
after four or five years of study. The teaching qualification
of agrege de l'enseignement secondaire superieur requires one year
of teacher
training, which may take place concurrently with study
for a licence.
Training of higher education
teachers
Higher-education teachers must hold the degree of
agregation de l'enseignement superieur, which may be obtained after
a minimum of two
years of research following the award of a doctorat
in philosophy and humanities, law, science, medicine, surgery and
obstetrics, or veterinary medicine, or a licence or corresponding
qualification in notarial studies, dentistry, pharmacy, civil engineering,
and agriculture.
Non-formal
studies
Lifelong higher education
There are a number of open universities (universites
ouvertes) offering working adults university education which leads
to the award of a higher education diploma.
Grading system
Usual grading system
in (upper) secondary school
Marking systems are various
but most often on a scale of 1 to 10 (maximum).
Highest on scale:
10
Pass/fail level:
5/4
Lowest on scale:
1
Main grading system generally
used by higher education institutions
A numerical grading system is used for higher education:
90% avec la plus grande distinction; 80% avec grande distinction;
70% avec distinction; 60% avec mention.
Highest on scale:
90%
Pass/fail level:
60%
Admissions to Higher Education
Admission
to Vocational/Technical Studies
Admission to higher vocational/technical
or other professionally oriented non-university level studies
Secondary school credential/certificate/diploma(s)
required for entry
Name of sec. school credential:
CERTIFICAT DE L'ENSEIGNEMENT
SECONDAIRE SUPERIEUR
For: All non-university institutions.
Total number of years of
primary and secondary school study: 12
Numerus clausus established
in the country for students entering higher vocational/technical
education
At level of institutions:
N
Admissions
to university level
Secondary school credential/certificate/diploma(s)
required for entry
Name of sec. school credential:
CERTIFICAT DE L'ENSEIGNEMENT
SECONDAIRE SUPERIEUR
For: All higher educations
institutions.
Total number of years of
primary and secondary school study: 12
Numerus clausus established
in the country for students entering university level education
At level of institutions:
N
Admission
for foreign students
Special admission requirements
for foreign students at national level:
Definition of a "foreign"
student:
A foreign student is a person enrolled at an institution
of higher education in Belgium (Wallonia) who is not a permanent
resident.
Quotas established for
foreign students:
At institution level: N
Special entry regulations
for foreign students in country/state:
study visa, residence permit,
financial guarantee
Health requirements:
health certificate
Language proficiency
requirements for foreign applicants whose first language is not
the language of instruction
Are there examinations at
institution level? Y
Authority to whom foreign
student applications should be addressed:
Application to individual
institutions: Y
For entry to: All higher
education institutions.
Reference to further
information materials on foreign students admissions
Title:
Liste des etablissements d'enseignement superieur
Author:
Ministere de l'Education Nationale
Publisher: MEN
Title:
Etudes universitaires dans la Communaute de Belgique
Author:
Conseil Interuniversitaire de la Communaute Francaise de Belgique
Publisher: CICFB
Recognition of studies
and qualifications
Recognition
of studies completed and credentials awarded in foreign countries
Bodies primarily addressing
questions relating to the recognition of foreign credentials and
studies in higher education
Name of body: NARIC,
Ministere de l'Education
Address:
P.O. Box: B-1010
Street: 204 Rue Royale
City: Bruxelles
Telephone: 32-2-2105577
Telex: 64556 edunat b
Fax: 32-2-2105992
Principal multilateral agreements adopted by the
country relating to recognition of studies, degrees and diplomas
Name of agreement: CONVENTION ON THE RECOGNITION
OF STUDIES, DIPLOMAS AND DEGREES CONCERNING HIGHER EUCATION IN THE
STATES BELONGING TO THE EUROPEAN REGION
Year of signature: 1986
Name of agreement: CONVENTION ON THE RECOGNITION
OF STUDIES, DIPLOMAS AND DEGREES CONCERNING HIGHER EDUCATION IN
THE STATES BELONGING TO THE EUROPEAN REGION
Year of signature: 1986
Student services
Main student services
at national level
Is there a national social
security system health insurance for home students? Y
Is it available for foreign
students? Y
Special travel concessions
for students:
By road: Y
By rail: Y
Student expenses and financial
aid
| Tuition and fees for national students |
Tuition and fees for foreign students |
| Minimum: Belgian Franc 3000 |
Minimum: |
| Maximum: Belgian Franc 25000 |
Maximum: Belgian Franc 325000 |
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Publication(s)
listing scholarships/grants/loans available
Title:
Politique d'accueil des etudiants etrangers au sein des inst. univ.
de la Comm. francaise
Author:
Conseil interuniversitaire de la Communaute francaise (CIUF)
Publisher: Conseil interuniversitaire
de la Communaute francaise (CIUF)
International Cooperation
Principal national bodies responsible for facilitating international
cooperation and exchanges in higher education
Name: Ministere de l'Education,
Direction de l'Enseignement superieur
Address:
Street: Cite administrative de l'Etat, Boulevard Pacheco, 19
City: Bruxelles
Postal code: 1010
Telephone: 32-2-210-55-11
Telex: 64556 edunat b
Fax: 32-2-210-55-17
Participation of country in multilateral
or major bilateral higher education exchange programmes
Name of programme: PETRA
Name of programme: LINGUA
Name of programme: SOCRATES
Name of programme: LEONARDO
|