List of educational levels
ISCED
0 Pre-primary level of education
Initial stage of organised instruction, designed primarily to introduce very
young children to a school-type environment.
ISCED 1 Primary level of education
Programmes normally designed to give students a sound basic education in
reading, writing and mathematics.
ISCED 2 Lower secondary level of education (2A, 2B, 2C)
The lower secondary level of education generally continues the basic programmes
of the primary level, although teaching is typically more subject-focused,
often employing more specialised teachers who conduct classes in their field of
specialisation.
ISCED 2A Programmes designed to prepare
students for direct access to level 3 in a sequence which would ultimately lead
to tertiary education, that is, entrance to ISCED 3A or 3B.
ISCED 2B Programmes designed to prepare
students for direct access to programmes at level 3C.
ISCED 2C Programmes primarily designed for
direct access to the labour market at the end of this level (sometimes referred
to as 'terminal' programmes).
ISCED 3 Upper secondary level of education (3A, 3B, 3C)
The final stage of secondary education in most countries. Instruction is often
more organised along subject-matter lines than at ISCED level 2 and teachers
typically need to have a higher level, or more subject-specific, qualification
that at ISCED 2. There are substantial differences in the typical duration of
ISCED 3 programmes both across and between countries, typically ranging from 2
to 5 years of schooling.
ISCED 3A Programmes at level 3 designed to
provide direct access to ISCED 5A.
ISCED 3B Programmes at level 3 designed to
provide direct access to ISCED 5B.
ISCED 3C Programmes at level 3 not designed
to lead directly to ISCED 5A or 5B. Therefore, these programmes lead directly
to labour market, ISCED 4 programmes or other ISCED 3 programmes.
ISCED 4 Post-secondary, non-tertiary education (4A, 4B, 4C)
These programmes straddle the boundary between upper secondary and
post-secondary education from an international point of view, even though they
might clearly be considered as upper secondary or post-secondary programmes in
a national context. These programmes are often not significantly more advanced
than programmes at ISCED 3 but they serve to broaden the knowledge of
participants who have already completed a programme at level 3. The students
are typically older than those in ISCED 3 programmes. They typically have a
full-time equivalent duration of between 6 months and 2 years.
ISCED 4A Programmes at level 4, designed to
provide direct access to ISCED 5A.
ISCED 4B Programmes at level 4, designed to
provide direct access to ISCED 5B.
ISCED 4C Programmes at level 4 not designed
to lead directly to ISCED 5A or 5B. These programmes lead directly to labour
market or other ISCED 4 programmes.
ISCED 5 First stage of tertiary education (5A, 5B)
Programmes with an educational content more advanced than those offered at
levels 3 and 4.
ISCED 5A Programmes that are largely
theoretically based and are intended to provide sufficient qualifications for
gaining entry into advanced research programmes and professions with high
skills requirements. Duration categories: Medium: 3 to less than 5 years; Long:
5 to 6 years; Very long: More than 6 years.
ISCED 5B Programmes that are generally more
practical/technical/occupationally specific than ISCED 5A programmes. Duration
categories: Short: 2 to less than 3 years; 3 to less than 5 years; Long: 5 to 6
Years; Very long: More than 6 years.
ISCED 6 Second stage of tertiary education (leading to an
advanced research qualification)
This level is reserved for tertiary programmes that lead to the award of an
advanced research qualification. The programmes are devoted to advanced study
and original research.
Fields of study according to ISCED 97
Education (ISC 14)
Teacher training (ISC 141)
Education science (ISC 142)
Humanities and Arts
Arts (ISC 21)
Humanities (ISC 22)
Social sciences, business and law
Social and behavioural science (ISC 31)
Journalism and information (ISC 32)
Business and administration (ISC 34)
Law (ISC 38)
Science
Life sciences (ISC 42)
Physical sciences (ISC 44)
Mathematics and statistics (ISC 46)
Computing (ISC 48)
Engineering, manufacturing and construction
Engineering and engineering trades (ISC 52)
Manufacturing and processing (ISC 54)
Architecture and building (ISC 58)
Agriculture
Agriculture, forestry and fishery (ISC 62)
Veterinary (ISC 64)
Health and welfare
Health (ISC 72)
Social services (ISC 76)
Services
Personal services (ISC 81)
Transport services (ISC 84)
Environmental protection (ISC 85)
Security services (ISC 86)
Not known or unspecified