Higher education is provided by universities, university colleges and specialized institutions. They are under the responsibility of the Ministry of Education. Junior colleges and colleges offering diploma programs are also under regional governments and private providers.
The main laws/ decrees governing higher education are

• Decree: Council of Ministers Regulation Year: 2003
  Concerns: Cost sharing in higher education universities
• Decree: Council of Ministers Regulation Year: 1999
  Concerns: Universities
• Decree: Council of Ministers Regulation N° 197/1994 Year: 1994
  Concerns: Administration of Higher Education Institutions in the regions.
• Decree: Council of Ministers Regulation No. 113/1993 Year: 1993
  Concerns: Addis Ababa University
• Decree: Proclamation No. 109 of 1977 Year: 1977
  Concerns: Higher Education Institutions
• Decree: Proclamation No. 351/2003 Year: 2003
  Concerns: All higher education issues

Academic year

Classes from: Sep to: Jul
Languages of instruction: English

Stages of studies

Non-university level higher vocational and technical education are offered by

• agricultural colleges,
• teacher training colleges,
• engineering and technological institutes,
• health and commercial institutions.

Courses last between two and three years and lead to diplomas.

University level studies

• University level first stage: Bachelor's Degree
  The first stage of university level education leads to the Bachelor's Degree after three to four years' study. Examinations are organized at the end of each semester. In Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, the professional qualification of Doctor is conferred after five years' study.
• University level second stage: Master's Degree; Specialization
  The second stage leads to a Master's Degree after a minimum of two years' further study. In Medicine and Veterinary Medicine the specialization degree is obtained after a minimum of three years' further study beyond the MD and DVM degrees.
• University level third stage: Doctor of Philosophy
  The Doctor of Philosophy is conferred after some three years' study beyond the Master's degree.

Teacher education

• Training of pre-primary and primary/basic school teachers:
  First Cycle primary school teachers follow a one-year course after grade 10 in regional Primary Teacher Training Institutes (TTI). A diploma awarded by Teacher Training Colleges (TTC) is required to teach in the second cycle of primary education.
• Training of secondary school teachers:
  Secondary school teachers must have at least a first degree. They are trained at the Faculties of Education of Addis Ababa University, Bahir Dar University, Alemaya University and Debub University (Dila), Jima University and Mekelle University which offer a three-year course leading to the degree of Bachelor of Education. Technical education teachers follow a three-year degree course at Nazreth Technical Teachers College.
• Training of higher education teachers:
  Masters and PhD level teacher/staff training is undertaken at Addis Abeba University Graduate School. Many teachers are also trained abroad. Debub University and Alameya Universities are currently training students at Master's level. Other higher education institutions (Jimma, Mekelle) are planning to do so shortly.

Admissions to Higher Education Institutions

Admission to non university higher education studies

Name of secondary school credential required: Ethiopian General Leaving Certificate Examination

Admission to university-level studies

• Name of secondary school credential required: Ethiopian Higher Education Entrance Examination
• Minimum score/requirement: Passes in 4 subjects at C-level
• Other admission requirements: Special privileges for female students and students from disadvantaged/remote regions.

Foreign students admission

• Definition of foreign student: A person enrolled at an institution of higher education in a country of which he/she is not permanently resident.
• Quotas: The School of Information Studies for Africa (SISA) admits students from the Eastern and Southern African Region on a quota basis.
• Admission requirements: Foreign students must provide the academic certificates required by the institution concerned. Foreign qualifications recognized as equivalent to the Ethiopian school-leaving certificate are: the General Certificate of Education of the University of London; the Cambridge Overseas Examination; the West African School Certificate and the Oxford Examination. The Higher Education Department may grant equivalence to other secondary school-leaving certificates in individual cases. All foreign students must cover their living expenses.
• Entry regulations: Visas; financial guarantee. In addition, all foreign students, including ECOWAS citizens, are required to secure resident permits for the period of their stay.
• Health requirements: Students must present a health certificate.
• Language requirements: Students must be proficient in English at TOEFL level.

Application procedures

Apply to individual institution for entry to: University/College.
Others, apply to:
Ministry of Education
PO Box 1367
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: +251(1) 553 133/ 560 063
Fax: +251(1) 565 565

Application closing dates:
For university level studies: 1 Jul
For advanced/doctoral studies: 1 Jul

Recognition of studies & qualifications

• Studies pursued in home country (System of recognition/accreditation): The University Senate awards credentials which are recognized by the country. The Ministry of Education is mandated to accredit private and public higher education institutions according to whether they fulfill the required standards.
• Studies pursued in foreign countries (bodies dealing with recognition of foreign credentials): Higher Education Sector, Ministry of Education
  Head: Dr Kaba Urgesa, State Minister for Higher Education
  PO Box 1367
  Addis Ababa
  Ethiopia
  Tel: +251(1) 553 133/ 560 063
  Fax: +251(1) 550 877/ 550 299
  Deals with credential recognition for entry to: University and Profession

Special provisions for recognition

• For access to non-university post-secondary studies: It applies to nationals.
• For access to university level studies: It applies to nationals who wish to enter medical schools
• References to further information on foreign student admissions and recognition of studies
  Title: Higher Education in Ethiopia: Facts and Figures 2001/2002
  Author: Ministry of Education