Bachelor

The Bachelor’s degree is awarded after the successful completion of at least three years of study, corresponding to 180 ECTS credits.

To obtain a Bachelor’s degree, a student must accumulate a minimum of 180 ECTS.
First-cycle higher education studies in Albania correspond to level 6 of the Albanian Qualifications Framework (AQF), and their normal duration is three academic years.
A Bachelor’s degree entitles its holder to enter the labour market and/or to continue further academic studies in second-cycle programmes.

Branches of Study

The most common fields of study at the first cycle of higher education are Business Administration, Law, Arts, and Human and Social Sciences. In general, the most preferred fields are Business Administration and Law, attracting more than one-quarter of all students. These are followed by Health and Welfare, and Arts and Humanities, each representing around 10% of newly enrolled students. This pattern is also reflected in public higher education institutions, with the exception that nearly one-fifth of Bachelor students are enrolled in Arts and Humanities, and about one-tenth in Engineering, Mathematics, and Statistics. Recent trends indicate an increasing interest in Information Technology (IT) and IT-related disciplines. 

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to first-cycle study programmes, whether in public or non-public higher education institutions, candidates must hold a State Matura Diploma or a State Vocational Matura Diploma, meet the minimum national quality threshold established by the Council of Ministers, and fulfil the specific admission criteria set by each institution of higher education.

Curriculum

The curriculum content is designed by the departments and academic staff of each institution. The academic responsible for a subject or module determines the number of hours dedicated to lectures, seminars, exercises, and laboratory work, based on the assigned ECTS credits.

Each curriculum is based on national standards, which include learning objectives and competencies that students must acquire by the end of the programme.
General objectives in terms of knowledge and competencies are the same for comparable programmes offered by different higher education institutions, while each institution defines its specific objectives.

Students may also choose optional courses and interdisciplinary activities organized by various departments (for example, courses in law, economics, foreign languages, IT, or telematics). Under the new law on higher education, study programmes will be codified at the national level, and similar programmes must have at least 70% identical content across all institutions (80% for Teacher Education programmes).

Teaching Methods

Teaching staff must organize their lectures in accordance with the approved curriculum. However, teaching methods are not prescribed by law and are left to the academic freedom of the instructor.

Progression of Students

Students may advance to the next academic year after fulfilling their obligations regarding the required number of ECTS credits, as stipulated in the regulations of each institution.
To obtain a Bachelor’s degree, the student must accumulate at least 180 ECTS.
This degree corresponds to level 6 of the AQF, and its standard duration is three academic years.

It grants the holder the right to enter the labour market and/or to pursue further academic studies in second-cycle programmes.

Students may take examinations at any time within the periods set by their institution.
Institutional regulations provide further specifications for student progression.

Employability

Cooperation between universities and enterprises has started only recently.
Many universities use such partnerships to place students in companies—particularly in the fields of engineering, medicine, and agriculture.

Some universities also organize training courses for updating the knowledge of company employees, such as teacher training, nursing, or economics courses.
Certain training activities are conducted within the framework of Tempus projects or other bilateral cooperation programmes.Under the new law on higher education, student employment will be considered both a ranking parameter for universities and a performance indicator for evaluating funding for Albanian higher education institutions.

Student Assessment

Student performance in examinations is expressed on a numeric scale from 4 (fail) to 10 (excellent).
Higher education institutions may also establish other non-numerical grading systems, linking them proportionally to the numeric grades (e.g. percentage equivalents).
This information is included in the Diploma Supplement.
Statutes and institutional regulations define further details on student assessment procedures.

Certification

The respective higher education institution is the competent certification authority.
Upon completion of each level of higher education, students receive the corresponding diploma and a Diploma Supplement, which provides information about the level, type, and content of the completed studies, in accordance with the European Diploma Supplement format.

Diplomas and supplements for each study programme must be registered in the State Register of Diplomas and Certificates for Higher Education and Scientific Research, administered by the Educational Services Centre.The Bachelor’s diploma entitles the holder to enter the labour market and/or to continue academic studies in second-cycle programmes.