Macedonia

Higher education study lasts from two to six years. Courses for vocational training on a college level (vi&NA;he obrazovanie) are provided and last for two years, whereas courses offered at schools ranging between four and six years are in the domain of higher education (visoko obrazovanie.

There are two major universities in the Republic of Macedonia: Sts. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje and the St. Clement of Ohrid University in Bitola. The Sts. Cyril and Methodius University consists of 23 schools, whereas the St. Clement of Ohrid University has 4 constituent schools and 2 colleges of further education. The third, and newest institution of higher learning, the controversial University of Tetovo, will educate students in two general branches—teacher education and public administration.

Three institutions in the Republic of Macedonia are devoted to scientific work: the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, the Sts. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, and St. Clement of Ohrid University in Bitola. The Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, established in 1967, is the highest scholarly institution in the country. The scientific work of the Academy is done in its two departments: the Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Center and the Energy and Computer Studies Research Center. The institutes of the university are engaged in various scholarly and research activities in the fields of the humanities, sciences, medicine, technical engineering, and agriculture. There are, in addition, 14 independent scientific and research institutions employing 207 specialists and researchers.

Higher education is provided by colleges and pedagogical academies offering two-year courses, whereas university faculties (univerzitet) and institutes offer four to six-year courses in a range of disciplines. Upon successful completion of higher education courses at faculties/institutes, students are awarded a diploma with professional titles (e.g., engineer, lawyer, or teacher at the lower (college) level; graduate engineer, graduate lawyer, or graduate teacher at the higher (faculty/institute) level). The exact duration of studies leading to higher level diplomas depends on the type of faculty. The financing mechanisms of higher education are under revision.

The Ministry of Education and Physical Culture (MEPC) is responsible for formal recognition of studies completed and credentials awarded in foreign countries. At MEPC questions relating to the recognition of foreign credentials and studies in higher education are addressed.

A university represents the ultimate autonomous higher education, scientific and artistic institution. It is composed of schools, art schools, colleges of further education, and scientific institutes. A school represents a higher education institution conducting higher education activities, scientific research, and highly skilled labor in one or several related branches of study or expertise. Schools and art schools also engage in higher education activities in the shape of primary degree courses lasting between 4 to 6 years and postgraduate courses up to the doctorate level, as well as in scientific research and artistic work.

A college of further education represents a higher education institution conducting higher education in specific branches of study and highly skilled activity in one or several branches of expertise. Colleges of further education are engaged in providing primary degree courses lasting between two and four years, with study courses leading to higher/graduate diplomas and applied studies.

In addition to the elements of its admission policy, each university relies on provisions contained within the Directed Education Act. There are standards and criteria related to the admission of students, in coordination with its constituent schools. This also applies to preparing and publicizing the Advertised Announcement on the Admission of Students (AAAS) and other acts regulating this issue. The number of new students is determined by the MEPC through its own act, based on proposals submitted by schools and the university. Since the late 1990s, the number of students has been divided into two categories: students financed by the state and students who pay part of their tuition fee. The scope of both categories is limited with regards to every constituent school or department. These limits are also publicized within the AAAS.

The basic requirements for the admission of candidates to the schools of the university are results obtained at the entrance examination and academic achievements (covering secondary education). The ratio between these two factors amounts to 70 percent (entrance examination results) against 30 percent (marks obtained during secondary education).

As far as academic achievement throughout secondary education is concerned (carrying a maximum of 30 points), they represent the arithmetic mean of grade results obtained during all four years of education. Due to the specific natures of study courses offered by a higher education institution, it is possible to establish a separate evaluation procedure in case of relevant subjects. In order to increase quality standards related to studying, the minimum threshold of 60 obtained points has been introduced to ensure admission to higher education institutions.

Foreign students are not required to complete the entrance examination in order to be admitted to universities (except in case of the School of Architecture, the Colleges of Education, the School of Physical Culture, and the Art Schools). There are no quotas restricting their admission, and their application must be submitted during the sessions outlined within the Advertised Announcement on the Admission of Students into the first year of studies.

There are mechanisms in the higher education system to monitor and evaluate the knowledge of students through internal assessment conducted by a teacher or an examination commission. This assessment of students is based on their overall performance throughout the year and on results achieved at the examinations. Students achieving higher results in their studies are enabled to complete their education in a shorter period of time than the scheduled duration of a full-time study course and to obtain higher education for another professional profile through parallel studies.

The entrance examination consists of two components, one of them being a subject-based examination corresponding to the selected course of studies. Depending on the latter, the candidate may be given the right to choose out of two or more subjects while the other represents an examination of general education contents, including questions related to Macedonian language, literature, history, the social system, and music. These components are compulsory for each school and are based on the same program.

Postgraduate study courses are organized as specialist studies in the field of medicine, which may last up to 4 years, and as Master's degree study programs, which last 2 years. The duration of postgraduate study courses varies from one year of studies leading to a higher/graduate diploma to two years for a Master's degree.

A doctorate degree is granted upon successful defense of a scientific work. After a Master's degree has been obtained, the law on higher education sets forth the introduction of Doctorate studies, in addition to primary degree courses and postgraduate programs, as a way to obtain a Doctoral degree. The right to admission, (i.e., the registering of a Doctoral dissertation), may be granted to an individual in possession of a Master's degree or a higher/graduate diploma in medicine, provided the Doctoral candidate has publicly defended a thesis at the Master's level.