Levels of education
From : International Standard Classification of Education 2011, (UNESCO)
§ numbers are those used in the ISCED 2011 document; see ISCED
Contents |
Level 0 – Early childhood education
100. Programmes at ISCED level 0, or “early childhood education”, are typically designed with a holistic approach to support children’s early cognitive, physical, social and emotional development and introduce young children to organized instruction outside of the family context. ISCED level 0 refers to those early childhood programmes that have an intentional education component. These programmes aim to develop socio- emotional skills necessary for participation in school and society and to develop some of the skills needed for academic readiness and to prepare them for entry into primary education.
101. In this level, programmes are not necessarily highly structured but are designed to provide an organized and purposeful set of learning activities in a safe physical environment. They allow children to learn in interaction with other children under the guidance of staff/educators, typically through creative and play-based activities.
102. ISCED level 0 programmes target children below the age of entry into ISCED level 1. There are two categories of ISCED level 0 programmes: early childhood educational development and pre-primary education. The former has educational content designed for younger children (in the age range 0-2 years) whilst the latter is designed for children from age 3 years to the start of primary education.
Level 1 – Primary
120. Programmes at ISCED level 1, or “primary” education, are typically designed to provide students with fundamental skills in reading, writing and mathematics (i.e. literacy and numeracy), and to establish a sound foundation for learning and understanding of core areas of knowledge, personal and social development, preparing for lower secondary education. It focuses on learning at a basic level of complexity with little if any specialisation.
121. Educational activities at ISCED level 1 (particularly in the early grades) are often organized around units, projects or broad learning areas often with an integrated approach rather than providing instruction in specific subjects. Typically, there is one main teacher charge of a group of pupils who organizes the learning process, although a class may have more than one teacher, especially for certain subjects or units.
122. Age is typically the only entry requirement at this level. The customary or legal age of entry is usually neither younger than 5 years nor older than 7 years. Most programmes at this level last 6 years, although their duration ranges between four and seven years. Primary education typically lasts until age 10 to 12. Upon completion of primary education programmes, children may continue their education at ISCED level 2 (lower secondary education).
Level 2 – Lower secondary
139. Programmes at ISCED level 2, or “lower secondary” education, are typically designed to build upon the learning outcomes from ISCED level 1. Usually, the educational aim is to lay the foundation for lifelong learning and human development on which education systems may systematically expand further educational opportunities. Some education systems may already offer vocational education programmes at ISCED level 2 to provide individuals with skills relevant to employment.
140. Programmes at this level are usually organized around a more subject-oriented curriculum, introducing theoretical concepts across a broad range of subjects. Teachers typically have pedagogical training in specific subjects and, more often than at ISCED level 1, a class of students may have several teachers who have specialized knowledge of the subjects they teach.
141. ISCED level 2 begins after 4 to 7 years of ISCED level 1 education, with 6 years of ISCED level 1 being the most common duration. Students enter ISCED level 2 typically between age 10 and 13 (age 12 being the most common).
Level 3 – Upper secondary
162. Programmes at ISCED level 3, or “upper secondary” education, are typically designed to complete secondary education in preparation for tertiary education, or to provide skills relevant to employment, or both.
163. Programmes at this level offer students more varied, specialised and in-depth instruction than programmes at ISCED level 2. They are more differentiated, with an increased range of options and streams available. Teachers are often highly qualified in the subjects or fields of specialisation they teach, particularly in the higher grades.
164. ISCED level 3 begins after 8 to 11 years of education since the beginning of ISCED level 1. Pupils enter this level typically between age 14 and 16. ISCED level 3 programmes usually end 12 or 13 years after the beginning of ISCED level 1 (or around age 18), with 12 years being the most widespread cumulative duration. However, exit from upper secondary may range across education systems from usually 11 to 14 years of education since the beginning of ISCED level 1 (or around age 17 to 20).
Level 4 – Post-secondary non-tertiary
185. Post-secondary non-tertiary education provides learning experiences building on secondary education and preparing for labour market entry as well as tertiary education. It aims at the individual acquisition of knowledge, skills and competencies below the high level of complexity characteristic of tertiary education. Programmes at ISCED level 4, or “post-secondary non-tertiary” education, are typically designed to provide individuals who completed ISCED level 3 with non-tertiary qualifications that they require for progression to tertiary education or for employment when their ISCED level 3 qualification does not grant such access. For example, graduates from general ISCED level 3 programmes may choose to complete a non-tertiary vocational qualification; or graduates from vocational ISCED level 3 programmes may choose to increase their level of qualification or specialise further. Given the complexity of their content, ISCED level 4 programmes cannot be regarded as tertiary education programmes, although they are clearly post-secondary education.
186. The completion of an ISCED level 3 programme is required to enter ISCED level 4 programmes. However, these entry requirements may be lower than for tertiary programmes at ISCED levels 5, 6 or 7.
187. Usually, programmes at this level are designed for direct labour market entry. In some education systems, there are general programmes at this level. Such programmes typically target students who have completed ISCED level 3 but who want to increase their opportunities to enter tertiary education.
Level 5 – Short-cycle tertiary
207. Programmes at ISCED level 5, or “short-cycle tertiary” education, are often designed to provide participants with professional knowledge, skills and competencies. Typically, they are practically based, occupationally specific and prepare students to enter the labour market. However, programmes may also provide a pathway to other tertiary education programmes. Academic tertiary education programmes below the level of a bachelor programme or equivalent are also classified as ISCED level 5.
208. Entry to ISCED level 5 programmes requires the successful completion of ISCED level 3 or 4 with access to tertiary education. Programmes at ISCED level 5 have more complex content than programmes in ISCED levels 3 and 4, but they are shorter and usually less theoretically oriented than ISCED level 6 programmes.
209. Although ISCED level 5 programmes are usually designed to prepare for employment, they may give credit for transfer into ISCED level 6 or 7 programmes. Upon completion of these ISCED level 5 programmes, individuals may in some education systems continue their education at ISCED level 6 (bachelor or equivalent) or long first degree level 7 (Master or equivalent) programmes.
Level 6 – Bachelor or equivalent
224. Programmes at ISCED level 6, or “bachelor or equivalent”, are often designed to provide participants with intermediate academic and/or professional knowledge, skills and competencies, leading to a first degree or equivalent qualification. Programmes at this level are typically theoretically based but may include practical components and are informed by state of the art research and/or best professional practice. They are traditionally offered by universities and equivalent tertiary educational institutions.
225. Instruction at this level often takes the form of lectures by staff who are typically required to have attained ISCED levels 7 or 8 or have achieved experience as a senior professional in the field of work. Programmes at this level do not necessarily involve the completion of a research project or thesis, but if they do, it is less advanced or less independent or is undertaken with more guidance than those at ISCED levels 7 or 8.
226. Entry to these programmes normally requires the successful completion of an ISCED level 3 or 4 programme with access to tertiary education. Entry to educational programmes at this level may depend on subject choice and/or grades achieved at ISCED levels 3 and/or 4. Additionally, it may be required to take and succeed in entry examinations. Entry or transfer into ISCED level 6 is also sometimes possible after the successful completion of ISCED level 5. Upon completion of ISCED level 6 programmes, individuals may continue their education at ISCED level 7 (master level education or equivalent) although not all ISCED level 6 programmes provide access to ISCED level 7. ISCED level 6 programmes do not usually give direct access to programmes at ISCED level 8 (doctoral or equivalent).
Level 7 – Master or equivalent
241. Programmes at ISCED level 7, or “master or equivalent”, are often designed to provide participants with advanced academic and/or professional knowledge, skills and competencies, leading to a second degree or equivalent qualification. Programmes at this level may have a substantial research component, but do not yet lead to the award of a doctoral qualification. Typically, programmes at this level are theoretically based but may include practical components and are informed by state of the art research and/or best professional practice. They are traditionally offered by universities and other tertiary educational institutions.
242. Instruction at this level often takes the form of lectures by staff who are typically required to have attained ISCED levels 7 or 8. Programmes at this level may involve the completion of a research project or thesis that is more advanced than those expected in ISCED level 6 and less advanced than those expected in ISCED level 8.
243. Entry to ISCED level 7 programmes preparing for a second or further degree normally requires the successful completion of an ISCED level 6 or 7 programme. In the case of long programmes that prepare for a first degree equivalent to a master degree, entry requires the successful completion of an ISCED level 3 or 4 programme with access to tertiary education. Entry to such programmes may depend on subject choice and/or grades achieved at ISCED levels 3 and/or 4. Additionally, it may be required to take and succeed in entry examinations. ISCED level 7 programmes have a significantly more complex content than programmes at ISCED level 6 and are usually more specialised. Upon completion, individuals may usually continue their education at ISCED level 8 (doctoral level education) although not all ISCED level 7 programmes give direct access to ISCED level 8.
Level 8 – Doctoral or equivalent
259. Programmes at ISCED level 8, or “doctoral or equivalent”, are designed primarily to lead to an advanced research qualification. Programmes at this ISCED level are devoted to advanced study and original research and typically offered only by research-oriented tertiary educational institutions such as universities. Doctoral programmes exist in both academic and professional fields.
260. ISCED level 8 usually concludes with the submission and defence of a thesis, dissertation or equivalent written work of publishable quality representing a significant contribution to knowledge in the respective field of study. These programmes therefore are typically based on research and not only on course-work. In some education systems, ISCED level 8 programmes contain very limited course-work, or none at all, and individuals working towards a doctoral degree engage in research mostly independently or in small groups with varying degrees of supervision. In some education systems, doctoral research is undertaken by individuals employed by the university as junior researchers or research assistants in addition to their being enrolled as doctoral students.
261. Entry to ISCED level 8 programmes or junior research positions normally requires the successful completion of specific ISCED level 7 programmes. ISCED level 8 qualifications give access to professions with high academic skill requirements and research posts in government and industry as well as research and teaching positions in educational institutions offering education at ISCED levels 6, 7 and 8.
