Types of Institutions 

Based on law on pre university education Upper secondary education is organized into gymnasium [gjimnaze], vocational education institutions [arsim professional]; and oriented education [arsim i orientuar]. General upper secondary education institution offer education for a duration of three years. The institutions for general upper secondary education are called [Gjimnaz] gymnasium. Gymnasium consists of three classes. Students who have reached the age of twenty-one and have not completed gymnasium are allowed to attend gymnasium part-time or at a distance. Vocational secondary education lasts two to four years and is structured into three qualification levels, in accordance with the levels of the Albanian Qualifications Framework. Oriented education schools are art schools, sports schools, foreign language schools and schools for other fields of learning. Admission to oriented education schools is carried out according to the criteria and procedures determined by the Minister.

Geographical accessibility

Schools distributed in 52 geographical regions represented by local regional offices. The highest number of schools is in Tirana with 121 schools followed by Elbasan (49 schools, Durres 46 schools, Fier 39 schools and other areas with almost uniform distribution. Local offices plan in their budgets the transportation service for students who live far from schools.

Admission criteria and choice of school 

In order to register to general upper secondary education students must have completed the integrated basic and lower secondary education and possess the relevant certification.

 Based on the law on pre-university education students who are twenty one year old or older and did not complete gymnasium can attend part time or in distance education at this level. This type of education is not obligatory and there is no criteria for choice of school so students can choose any school.

Age levels and grouping of students

Age levels for this type of education vary from 16 to 19 years old based on the law on pre-university education. This type of education is not obligatory. Students are grouped in respective classes (classes X-XIII). Usually a class is composed of no less than 10 students and of no more than 35 students. 

Organization of school year

Structure of the 2025–2026 school year for pre-university education: Classes began on September 8, 2025, and ended on June 12, 2026, with defined winter and spring breaks and clear exam dates for each cycle, including Matura and vocational education. Students will have two vacation periods during the year: winter breaks will be from December 22, 2025 to January 2, 2026, while spring breaks are set from March 30 to April 3, 2026. The joint order “On the approval of the structure of the 2025–2026 school year in the pre-university education system”, based on the Constitution and the legislation in force for pre-university and vocational education, precisely defines the teaching calendar, vacation periods and exam dates for students in basic, upper secondary and vocational education. The national exams for the completion of basic education will be held in the period 15–26 June 2026, marking an important stage for the further orientation of students in the secondary cycle. In upper secondary education, classes for all students also began on 8 September 2025 and end on 12 June 2026, with the exception of high school graduates, for whom classes end earlier, on 29 May 2026. Even at this level, winter breaks are unified from 22 December to 2 January. The State Matura exams, which mark the conclusion of the upper secondary cycle and open the way to higher education or the labor market, will be held throughout the month of June, from 1 to 26 June 2026. In vocational education, the structure is presented in more detail due to the variety of programs and modules followed. Meanwhile, for grades 11 and 12 in the 2+1+1 structure and grades 11 in the 2+2 structure, classes end on May 29, 2026. For high school graduates of this cycle, classes end on May 15, 2026, leaving room for exam preparations. The winter holidays in vocational education are the same as for other levels: from December 22, 2025 to January 2, 2026. The final exams for professional qualifications of levels II and III of the Albanian Qualifications Framework (AKF) will be held from June 1 to 12, 2026. As for the professional practice of level IV qualifications, the exams will be held from May 25 to 29, 2026. Graduates of this cycle will enter the State Vocational Matura exams on the same dates as high school students: from June 1 to 26. The envisaged structure aims to ensure efficient organization of the learning process, sustainable preparation for exams and a balanced distribution of vacation periods.

Organisation of school day and week

At all levels of basic and secondary education, classes are held from Monday to Saturday. In all public schools, daily classes begin at 8:00. In private schools, there are some schools that begin classes at 9:00 and this is regulated in their founding acts. The daily schedule, depending on the teaching schedule that public schools have, lasts from 8:00 to 14:00. There are also a few public schools that, due to the high number of students in environments and infrastructure that are still impossible, hold classes in the afternoon from 12:00 to 18:00. This is planned in the school regulations. These regulations also plan for consultations during the stages of the State Matura exams.