Higher Education System

Higher education is of public interest for North Macedonia as part of European Higher education and research area. (EHEA and ERA). The country has joined the Bologna process at the Berlin Ministerial meeting in 2003, committing to start the major systemic reforms in higher education- the introduction of ECTS, three cycles of study programs of easy readable and recognizable degrees, diploma supplement, effective quality assurance system, promotion of social dimension and European cooperation, international mobility of students and teaching staff.

Currently, higher education study programs in the country are offered at total of 28 (public and private) higher education institutions (universities, faculties, art academies, higher vocational schools, scientific institutes and single higher vocational schools).

According to the State Statistical Office, a total of 53 677 students (30 352 or 56.54% of them are females) enrolled at Macedonian higher education institutions in the academic year 2018/19. This is a decrease of 5.73% from the previous year and 15 % decrease from 9 years ago. There has been an increase in the gross enrolment rate in tertiary education from 29.9% in 2009 to 35.35% in 2017/18), which is measured as ratio between all students in tertiary education and the population aged18–23. 87 % of the enrolled students study at public, while 12.4% study at private higher education institutions. 95% of the Macedonian students are enrolled in first cycle of tertiary education (ISCED 6), 6% at in second (ISCED 7) and only 0.46% in the third cycle programs (ISCED 8).

The new Strategy for Development of Education 2018-2015 has been adopted by the Government in February 2018 with the following key priorities for higher education, research and innovation: Source: Adapted from State Statistical Office (2018)

• Ensure Quality and Effectiveness of Higher Education in accordance with European good practices;
• Improve the Content of Higher Education;
• Improve Availability and Enrolment System of Higher Education;
• Improve Management and Funding of Higher Education;
• Support Research and Innovation.

The new Law on Higher Education (Official Gazette 82/2018) stipulates the following 10 basic principles for higher education provision:

1. Autonomy and academic freedom;
2. Unity of the teaching, scientific and research activities;
3. Openness towards citizens and the public;
4. Respect for the humanistic and democratic values of the national and European tradition and values of cultural heritage;
5. Respect of the human rights and freedom, assuring equality and protection from discrimination;
6. Advancement of the academic mobility of the teaching staff and the students;
7. Participation of the students in the university governance and decision making, particularly on issues related to quality of teaching and learning and the student standard;
8. Strive for universal knowledge whose imperatives are science, freedom and truth
9. Assuring of a system of lifelong learning;
10. Quality assurance and efficiency of studying.

Types of Higher Education Institutions

• Macedonian higher education is provided by the following higher education institutions: 1) university, 2) faculty, art academy and higher vocational school as part of the university (university unit) and 3) single higher vocational school. These higher education institutions can be public, private, private-public non-for-profit institutions and private non-for-profit institutions.  The university can have associate members that are regulated with the Law and/or the university Statute. Scientific /research institutes can also be university units or university associate members. All of them must be accredited by the Agency for quality in Higher Education. 

  University is independent higher education institution that provides unity in the performance and development of higher education, science and art through its university units from different study areas and scientific disciplines that can organize studies from the first, second and third cycle (Article 18).

  Faculty is an independent higher education institution that provides higher education activity, research and applied science in one or more related and mutually connected scientific, art or vocational fields from the first, second and third cycle of studies (Article 20).

  Art academy is an independent higher education institution that like the faculty provides higher education and artistic activity in one or more related and mutually connected teaching and arts areas.

  Independent higher vocational school is an independent higher education institution that provides higher education or arts activity as undergraduate vocational studies, specialist’s vocational studies and applied activity in one or more related vocational areas. It can organize vocational studies from the first and second cycle. (article. 20)

  Higher vocational school as university unit is an independent higher education institution that provides higher education or arts activity as undergraduate vocational studies, specialist’s vocational studies and applied activity in one or more related vocational areas (Article 20)

  Scientific institute is an independent higher education institution or part (unit) of the university that can provide higher education activity for second and third cycle only in the realm of the scientific area for which has been established and after 5 years of its establishment under the condition of having the accreditation and a decision for approval for starting of work by the Accreditation Board. It can provide third cycle studies if part of the university that is among the first seven at the university rank list.

  Higher Education Institution of a Religious Community may become part of a university in the capacity of a university unit or as an accompanying member. Faculties or academies founded by religious communities have the rights and responsibilities of a higher education institution if they meet the law requirements for establishing a higher education institution and for performing of higher education activity. North Macedonia has 2 such institutions. The Faculty of Orthodox Theology and the Faculty of Islamic Theology are recognized as independent Higher Education Institutions established by the Macedonian Orthodox Church and by the Islamic Community in the country and are entitled to provide studies in the field of theology.

  Foreign higher education institution accredited in the country of its registered office may perform higher education activity on the territory of North Macedonia in any of the world languages, pursuant to approval by the Government and upon prior opinion of the Accreditation Board. A foreign higher education institution may also perform higher education activity in compliance with an international agreement, concluded between the North Macedonia and the country that has awarded accreditation for higher education activity.

  The Law on Higher Education (Official Gazette 82/2018 Article 61, 62 and 53) stipulates the conditions for establishing and terminating of work of an independent higher education institution, university and independent higher vocational school. About the procedure for accreditation of a project for establishing public and private higher education institution, please refer to chapter 11.2. (Quality assurance in higher education).

  A university can be established if there are minimum of 5 accredited units (3 of which must be faculties) and preconditions being fulfilled for higher education provision at least for the first cycle of studies. An independent higher education vocational school can be established if preconditions for provision of first cycle study programs with duration of 3 years is fulfilled. An independent higher education institution can be established if the study , research, and/or  art discipline area is clearly determined with/from the National Qualifications Framework and UNESCO ISCED classification, as well as if all conditions that are regulated with the norms and standards  for higher education provision (in terms of the adequate premises and equipment needed for higher education and research, the  number of employed teaching staff in relevant academic ranks, sustainable level for funding for at least one cycle of studies etc.) are met. The work of the public higher education institution terminates with a Law, whereas the work of a private, or private-public higher education institution terminates with a decision of the founder.

  Macedonian higher education is organized by a total of 28 higher education institutions. Six of them are public universities - the University Ss. Cyril and Melodious” in Skopje (1949), St.”Kliment Ohridski” in Bitola (1979), State University in Tetovo (2004) “Goce Delcev” in Stip (2007), University for Information Science and Technology “St Aposotol Pavle” in Ohrid (2009) and “Mother Theresa” in Skopje (2016), one private-public non for profit  higher education institution - the South East European University (SEEU) in Tetovo (2001); ten private universities; four scientific institutes that provide higher education studies at second cycle, as well as two faculties/higher education institutions of religious communities (the Orthodox Faculty of Theology “St. Kliment Ohridski”-Skopje and the Faculty of Islamic Sciences-Skopje). Higher education studies of the Military academy „General Mihailo Apostolski“ – Skopje produce staff for the Ministry of Defense, Army of the Republic of North Macedonia, System for Crisis Management and Rescue and Protection System.

• (Source: Eurydice, page updated 31 March, 2021)