City · Tiranë
Tirana
The capital: a fast-changing city of painted blocks, Ottoman survivals and new towers, under Mount Dajti.
- Compulsory schooling
- Nine years of basic education from about age six
- Language of instruction
- Albanian
- Largest university
- University of Tirana
- International schools
- Concentrated in Tirana
In plain language
Albanian children go to school from age six for nine years, then to secondary school. There are public and private universities, most of them in Tirana, and a few international schools for children who need to study in English.
Simple explanation
Albanian children go to school from age six for nine years, then to secondary school. There are public and private universities, most of them in Tirana, and a few international schools for children who need to study in English.
On this page
The school system
Compulsory education covers nine years of basic schooling from about age six, followed by upper secondary — general (gymnasium) or vocational. Instruction is in Albanian, with provision for recognised minority languages in some areas.
International schools
A small number of international and bilingual schools operate, almost all in Tirana, offering English-medium curricula. Fees are high relative to Albanian incomes and are the single largest cost most relocating families face.
Higher education
The University of Tirana is the oldest and largest institution. The Polytechnic University, the Agricultural University and the medical university were all originally its faculties. Regional public universities operate in Shkodër, Elbasan, Korçë, Vlorë, Gjirokastër and Durrës, and there is a substantial private sector.
Emigration of graduates is a persistent and openly discussed problem.
Recognition of qualifications
Foreign qualifications need recognition through the responsible national agency for use in Albania, and Albanian qualifications need equivalent recognition abroad. Start this early; it is slower than people expect.
Connected subjects
Related subjects
University · Tiranë
University of Tirana
Albania's oldest and largest university, formed from the merger of the country's first higher institutes.
Guide
Moving to Albania
What the move actually involves: entry, residence, registration, banking, housing and the things people underestimate.
University · Elbasan
University of Elbasan 'Aleksandër Xhuvani'
A central-Albania university built on the country's oldest teacher-training tradition.
University · Vlorë
University of Vlora 'Ismail Qemali'
A coastal university with a marine, maritime and technical focus.
University · Tiranë
Polytechnic University of Tirana
Albania's principal engineering and applied-science university, formerly the engineering faculties of the University of Tirana.
University · Tiranë
Agricultural University of Tirana
The national centre for agronomy, veterinary medicine, forestry and food science.
University · Korçë
University of Korça 'Fan S. Noli'
The public university of the south-eastern highlands.
Sources
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