Education system Cameroon described and compared with the Dutch system Education system | Evaluation chart Education system Cameroon This document contains information on the education system of Cameroon. We explain the Dutch equivalent of the most common qualifications from Cameroon for the purpose of admission to Dutch higher education. Disclaimer We assemble the information for these descriptions of education systems with the greatest care. However, we cannot be held responsible for the consequences of errors or incomplete information in this document. With the exception of images and illustrations, the content of this publication is subject to the Creative Commons Name NonCommercial 3.0 Unported licence. Visit www.nuffic.nl/en/home/copyright for more information on the reuse of this publication. Education system Cameroon | Nuffic | 1st edition, November 2008 | version 5, October 2016 2 Education system | Evaluation chart Education system Cameroon Education system Cameroon PhD/Doctorat du Troisième cycle L7 (PhD) 3 Diplôme d’Ingénieur L6 Maîtrise/Master L7 Postgraduate Diploma L7 (university education/higher (university education) (higher professional education) professionnel education) 1-2 1 postgraduate Licence/Bachelor of Arts/of Science L6 Brevet de Technicien SupérieurL5 (university education) (BTS)/Diplôme Universitaire de Technologie (DUT)/Higher 3-5 3 National Diploma(HND) (higher professional education) 2 undergraduate Entrance examinations L4 General Certificate of L4 Baccalauréat de L4 General Certificate of L4 Brevet de Technicien/ L4 Education – Advanced l’Enseignement Education – Advanced Brevet Professionnel/ Level Secondaire Level Technical/ Baccalauréat (senior secondary general (general senior secondary Commercial Technique education) education) (senior secondary vocational (senior secondary education) vocational education) 2 3 2 3 General Certificate of L2 Brevet d’Etudes du L2 General Certificate of L3 Certificat d’Aptitude L2 Education – Ordinary Level premier cycle du Second Education – Ordinary Level Professionnelle (senior secondary general Degré Technical/Commercial (junior secondary vocational education) (junior secondary general (junior secondary vocational education) education) education) 5 4 5 4 First Leaving School Certificate/Certificat d’Etudes Primaires Élémentaires L1 (primary education) 6-7 0 Duration of education Education system Cameroon | Nuffic | 1st edition, November 2008 | version 5, October 2016 3 Education system | Evaluation chart Education system Cameroon Evaluation chart The left-hand column in the table below lists the most common foreign qualifications applicable to admission to higher education. The other columns show the Dutch equivalent along with the comparable levels in the Dutch and European qualifications frameworks. Degree or qualification Dutch equivalent and NLQF level EQF level General Certificate of Education, At least VMBO-t diploma 2 2 Ordinary Level (at least 6 subjects with a final result of Grade A, B or C) General Certificate of Education, At least HAVO diploma 4 4 Ordinary Level (at least 4 subjects with a final result of Grade A, B or C) + General Certificate of Education, Advanced Level (at least 2 subjects) Brevet d’Études du premier Cycle du VMBO-T diploma or junior 2 2 Second Degré secondary education Baccalauréat de l’Enseignement At least HAVO diploma 4 4 Secondaire General Certificate of Education At least VMBO-t diploma for 3 3 (Technical/Commercial) Ordinary Level the general education component General Certificate of Education At least HAVO diploma for 4 4 (Technical/Commercial) Advanced the general education Level component Certificat d’Aptitude Professionnelle MBO diploma (qualification 1/2 1/2 level 1 or 2) Probatoire MBO diploma (qualification 2/3 2/3 level 2 or 3) Brevet de Technicien/Brevet MBO diploma (qualification 3/4 3/4 Professionnel/Baccalauréat Technique level 3 or 4) Diplôme de Technicien MBO diploma (qualification 3/4 3/4 level 3 or 4) Diplôme d’Etudes Universitaires 2 years of HBO 5 5 Générales/Associate Degree Education system Cameroon | Nuffic | 1st edition, November 2008 | version 5, October 2016 4 Education system | Evaluation chart Education system Cameroon Diplôme de Technicien Supérieur de la 1 year of HBO 5 5 Santé/Diplôme en Soins Infirmiers (2 years) Diplôme de Technicien Supérieur de la At most 2 years of HBO 5 5 Santé/Diplôme en Soins Infirmiers (3 years) Brevet de Technicien Supérieur/ 1 to at most 2 years of HBO 5 5 Diplôme Universitaire de Technologie/ Higher National Diploma Diplôme d’Ingénieur des Travaux At most 3 years of HBO 6 6 Diplôme d’Ingénieur de Conception 3 years of HBO 6 6 Licence/Bachelor of Arts/of Science Approximately HBO 6 6 (after 2007) bachelor’s degree or 2 years of WO Diplôme d’Ingénieur Agronome (at least) WO bachelor’s 6/7 6/7 degree or HBO master’s degree Postgraduate Diploma/Maîtrise At least HBO bachelor’s 6 6 professionnelle degree Maîtrise/Master (until 2007) WO bachelor’s degree or 6/7 6/7 HBO master’s degree Maîtrise (without final paper) (after WO bachelor’s degree or 6/7 6/7 2007) HBO master’s degree Master (with final paper) (after 2007) 4 years of WO 7 7 Diplôme de Docteur en Médecine 4 years of WO 7 7 Diplôme d’Études Approfondies/ At least HBO master’s degree 7 7 Diplôme d’Études Supérieures or WO master’s degree Spécialisées NB • The information provided in the table is a general recommendation from which no rights may be derived. • NLQF = Dutch Qualifications Framework. EQF = European Qualifications Framework. • The EQF/NLQF level is not so much a reflection of study load or content; rather, it is an indication of a person’s knowledge and skills after having completed a certain programme of study. • Information about Dutch equivalent qualifications can be found on our website: the Dutch education system. Education system Cameroon | Nuffic | 1st edition, November 2008 | version 5, October 2016 5 Education system | Evaluation chart Education system Cameroon • The Cooperation Organisation for Vocational Education, Training and the Labour Market (SBB), evaluates statements on foreign qualifications and training at VMBO and MBO level. The evaluation may vary if SBB evaluates the diploma for admission to VET schools or the labour market in the Netherlands. Education system Cameroon | Nuffic | 1st edition, November 2008 | version 5, October 2016 6 Education system | Evaluation chart Education system Cameroon Introduction The Republic of Cameroon is a country in West Africa. What used to be East Cameroon was ruled by France from 1916 to 1959. The territory gained its independence in 1960 and was renamed the Republic of Cameroon. The British administered provinces of South Cameroon joined the republic in October 1960, after which the country was renamed the Federal Republic of Cameroon before its name reverted to the Republic of Cameroon in 1984. Political responsibility for education rests with the Anglophone and Francophone Ministries of Education. Secondary education is the responsibility of the Ministry of Secondary Education/Ministère Enseignements Secondaires, while the Ministry of Higher Education/Ministère de l’Enseignement Supérieure bears responsibility for higher education. The Republic of Cameroon has 2 education systems, the British system (in the southwestern and northwestern provinces) and the French system (in the former French provinces), and the languages of instruction are accordingly English and French. The academic year runs from September to June. Education system Cameroon | Nuffic | 1st edition, November 2008 | version 5, October 2016 7 Education system | Evaluation chart Education system Cameroon Primary and secondary education Primary education Education is compulsory for children aged 6 to 12. Primary education in the Anglophone system lasts for 7 years (age group of 6-12) and culminates in a First School Leaving Certificate. In the Francophone system it lasts for 6 years (age group of 5-12) and culminates in a Certificat d’Etudes Primaires Elémentaires. Secondary education Secondary education can be divided into general secondary education and secondary vocational education. General secondary education – British system The secondary education qualifications of the British system (General Certificate of Education, Ordinary and Advanced Level) are awarded by the General Certificate of Education Board (GCE Board). Lower secondary education Diploma : General Certificate of Education, Ordinary Level Age group : 12 – 17 Duration of programme : 5 years In terms of level, the General Certificate of Education, Ordinary Level awarded with Grade A, B or C in at least 6 subjects is comparable to at least a VMBO-T diploma. Upper secondary education Diploma : General Certificate of Education, Advanced Level Age group : 17 – 19 Duration of programme : 2 years In terms of level, the General Certificate of Education, Ordinary Level awarded with Grade A, B or C in at least 4 subjects, together with the Advanced Level in at least 2 subjects, is comparable to at least a HAVO diploma. General secondary education – French system The secondary education qualification of the French system (Baccalauréat de l’Enseignement Secondaire) is awarded by the Office du Baccalauréat du Cameroun. Education system Cameroon | Nuffic | 1st edition, November 2008 | version 5, October 2016 8 Education system | Evaluation chart Education system Cameroon General secondary education Diploma : Brevet d’Etudes du premier Cycle du Second Degré Age group : 12 – 16 Duration of programme : 4 years