Study in Albania
In the academic year 2010/2011, a total of 86 345 full-time students (excluding Ph.D. students) and 19 084 part-time and distance learning students were enrolled in public higher education institutions and 26 784 students in private institutions, with a full-time teaching staff of 4 053 persons and part-time teaching staff of 5 727.
Higher Education system in Albania is a binary system. There are three kind of higher institutions in Albania:
- Universities
- Academies
- Non-university high schools
If you're looking to study at a university in Albania, you will find various study options with a focus on modernisation and a welcoming environment. All universities and academies give diplomas of university level (bachelor degree). Only Nursing Higher School offer non-university level diplomas. Some non-university level studies offered from different universities will be reconstructed as non-university higher schools. Non-public higher education will be developed in the near future.
Structure of higher education degrees/qualifications
The following diplomas are awarded:
Graduate
- Non-university diploma 2 - 4 years
- ODL diploma 3 years
- University diploma (equivalent to Bachelor degree) 4 – 6 years
Post-graduate
- Post-university qualification up to 1 year
- ODL qualification up to 1 year
- Diploma of post-university specialisation up to 1 year
- Post-university deeper studies (equivalent to Master degree) 1- 2 years
- Doctor Diploma (Ph.D) 2 – 5 years
Universities award all these diplomas. Academies award only university diploma / post-university qualifications. Nursery schools award only non-university diplomas.
Courses are offered in English and French.
Find the best information about what it’s like to study in Tirana, including degree course offers, career opportunities, student life, living costs, and more.
Admission and access systems to higher education
Foreign students have the same procedures, like Albanian students. First, they must have an exam on Albanian language.
The admission of students to a first cycle study programme and second cycle integrated study programme is based on one of the following criteria: students must have finished successfully the state Matura or must have received a similar qualification for study abroad equivalent to Matura or a degree from a higher education institution. Through State Matura, Albania has established a so-called Merit and Preference system.
For admission to a second cycle study programme students must have a first cycle degree or another equivalent degree for study abroad.
The recognition for academic purposes, in order to study in different second or third study cycles, is completed by the higher education institutions in accordance with legislation and international agreements.
For more information visit: http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/tempus/participating_countries/overview/albania_tempus_country_fiche_final.pdf
English language preparation for studying in Albania
To study an English-taught programme in Albania, you will need to demonstrate your language skills. The following are some of the most popular English language tests recognised internationally:
- IELTS Academic
- TOEFL iBT
- Cambridge: C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency
Academic year
The academic year starts in October. The duration of academic year is from 38 - 42 weeks. The base unit of the academic year is the semester. One academic year has two semesters. There are three examination periods: the winter, summer and autumn sessions.
Living in Albania
- A meal in an inexpensive restaurant is about 5 EUR.
- Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area is 480 EUR.
- A one bedroom apartment outside the city centre is about 120 EUR.
- The minimum monthly living cost is 350 EUR.
- English, Italian and Greek (mostly in the south) are widely spoken in Albania.
- The currency of Albania is Lek. One Euro equals ~120 Lek.
- The capital of Albania is Tirana.
- The local name of Albania is ‘Shqiperia’, which can be translated to ‘Land of the Eagles’. The emblem on Albania’s flag comprises a two-headed eagle.
- Albania is one of the most ethnically homogeneous countries in the world.
- In Albania, nodding the head means no, and shaking the head means yes.
- Albania is a safe place for visitors. Its hospitality traditions mean that foreigners or guests are treated with high respect.
- The most important National parks in Albania are Theth (Thethi) National Park, Dajti (Daiti) National Park overlooking the capital, Tirana and Valbona National Park.
- Albania offers multiple diving opportunities; especially in the Ionian coast, where besides the rich submarine fauna you can see sank boats or archaeological rests.
- The Albanian language is one of the oldest living languages in the world. Throughout the country, there are newly discovered and exciting archaeological sites, preserved Illyrian and medieval castles, as well as Byzantine churches and monasteries which contain a rich collection of frescoes and icons.
- The most popular and traditional of Albanian beverages is Raki. It is usually made from grapes, though there are also other kinds of Raki made from plums, mulberries, and walnuts.
About Albania
Albania is a small country with a landmass of 28.748 sq km (about 11.000 sq miles). It is situated in the western part of the Balkan Peninsula in the southeastern part of Europe. It shares borders with Montenegro and Kosovo to the North and Northeast, Macedonia to the East and Greece to the South. To the West, Albania has a coast that adjoins the Adriatic and Ionian Seas.
The Adriatic Sea separates it from Italy via the Strait of Otranto (72 km/45 mi). Much of Albania’s surface is mountainous – the average height above sea level is 708 m, (2,336 ft) and its highest peak, Mount Korab on the Macedonian border, is 2.753 m (9,085 ft). Most of the population lives in the south-central lowlands and on the coastal plain.
Over a third of the territory of Albania – about a million hectares (2.5 million acres) – is forested and the country is very rich in flora.
In antiquity, present-day Albania was settled by the Illyrians. The Greeks arrived in the 5th century B.C. to establish self-governing colonies. After its collapse in the year 30 B.C., Illyria came under the control of the Roman Empire. Upon the division of the Roman Empire in 395 A.D., Illyria became a part of the Byzantine Empire. Three early Byzantine Emperors were Illyrian in origin. Ongoing invasions by Visigoths, Huns, Ostrogoths, and Slavs continued through the 5th and 6th centuries.
In 1344, Albania was annexed by Serbia. Their control of the area was brief, though, as the Turks defeated the Serbians in 1389. At this point, the Venetians controlled some coastal towns but with the Serbian defeat, the entire region became vulnerable to Ottoman attack. The Ottomans overwhelmed Albanian resistance and took control of the country in 1479.
For more than 400 years, Albania was under Ottoman rule. The subsequent insurrection efforts eventually brought about the proclamation of the independence of Albania in 1912. King Zog I ruled for nearly fourteen years until the country was invaded by Italy in 1939. In November of 1944, the Communist Party assumed power. For nearly fifty years, the regime enforced a policy of strict isolationism. The Democratic Party assumed control and led the country from 1991 until 1997.
Looking to the future, Albania’s leaders hope to integrate the country into the European Union (EU). Albania is now a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and part of many other international organizations.
Since the fall of Communism, the development of the Albanian economy has been fuelled primarily by the service and construction industries, though tourism has recently played an increasing role in the economy and is growing rapidly.
Many people are curious to explore a country whose borders were closed to travel for many years. Given the continued development of both summer and winter resorts, people all over the world have begun to think of Albania as a tourist destination.
Universities, colleges and schools in Albania
Tirana
- University of New York Tirana (3 Masters)
Interested in scholarships for Albania? Check out our scholarship search page.
How to Apply to a Master's in Albania
If you've decided to study a Master's degree at a university in Albania, you will have to gather the right documents to prove that you fit the university requirements. Provide complete personal information, previous qualifications, financial information, and a personal statement.
What documents do I need to provide to apply in Albania?
To apply to a university in Albania you will likely be asked to provide some of the following documents:
- birth certificate;
- recent photos;
- your passport or national identity card;
- one or more reference letters from past employers or teachers;
- copies of past diplomas or certificates, including your graduated Bachelor's degree;
- academic transcripts;
- letter of intent;
- Curriculum Vitae;
- Some form of proof that you can support your stay in the country during your studies.
Depending on the subject or specialization of your chosen Master's, you might also be asked to provide scores for additional tests like the GRE, GMAT or LSAT. Check if your programme requires any of these, or others.
The list of documents depends on the specific requirements of universities in Albania so you might be asked to include additional documents. It’s also likely you’ll have to provide official English translations of your documents, or translations in the local language.
Prove your English skills
Because you’ll study an international degree in English, you'll have to present a language certificate. Some popular options for international students are IELTS, TOEFL or C1 Advanced language certificates. You’ll have to meet a minimum language score set by the university, and your test scores shouldn’t be older than 1-2 years. If you don’t meet the minimum language requirements, you will have to improve your skills and scores by taking an English preparation course.
Application deadlines for Albania
The deadlines for applying to a Master's in Albania are usually during summer (June-July), or in winter (January-February). Keep in mind that some universities don’t have application deadlines, which means you can apply whenever you are ready.
To avoid delays or missed deadlines send your required documents with plenty of time in advance.
