Education in Libya
The education system in the country is about average for the region. Children begin studying at age six and continue to do so through age 15. This is a primary school and compulsory under federal law. Most students continue on to secondary school. This type of schooling spans three years. By the time a student is 18, he or she is likely to become working in his or her selected vocational area.
The country spends about 2.7 percent of its GDP on education. However, the country has developed various agencies to promote education within the country. The General People's Committee for Higher Education is the educational body in the country charged with managing the school systems. Literacy rates are not good here, compared to other areas of the world. About 70 percent of men and only 35 percent of women are literate. However, improved female schools are now helping to improve this ratio significantly. This has been done through the United Nations Development Program.
Higher Education in Libya
The country has technical and vocational schools as a primary option for students who do not plan to enroll in a university. These are some of the most popular options for students because it provides an opportunity for the student to learn important skills quickly. However, the country also has numerous universities from which individuals can enroll.
The following is a list of some of the universities located in the country:
- Academy of Graduate Studies
- Benghazi University
- Sabha University
- University of Tripoli
- The Higher Institute of Computer Technology
- Al Zawiya University
- Omar Al Mukhtar University
- Misrata University
- Libyan International Medical University
- Open University of Libya
Each of these schools sets its own rules about foreign student enrollment. These schools are very much independent. Some are private schools, which are often religious-based or sponsored by international universities or programs. Most international students studying in the area come through boarding programs and overseas educational programs. It is not uncommon to see international students enrolled in these schools, but it is far from a common sight either.
It is important to note that many locals will go overseas for their education at this level. This type of educational opportunity provides locals with an opportunity to get a higher quality of education than what is available in Libya directly. While the schools are working to improve, the political unrest in the region has made that hard to do. Nevertheless, students are welcome from nearly all parts of the world.
Tuition and Health Insurance
Tuition costs are set by the schools themselves. These range widely based on program of study. Some students will find that the individual universities provide tuition packages for international enrollment, but since it is not very common this type of service is not readily available. Tuition does not usually include costs for accommodations, books, or other fees. Students are required to pay for their own food and other needs as well.
In most cases, students will not have access to free healthcare and must pay for this type of healthcare upfront in order to obtain service. For this reason, many students purchase a student health insurance plan to cover the costs of medical needs if they have them while in the country. In some cases, the universities may require this.
Student Visas
Students who are traveling to the country may need to obtain a student visa. To obtain it, you will need to have an acceptance letter from the university you are enrolled in. You then will need to locate a local embassy to apply for the visa through. This process can take some time, but the schools themselves can help to reduce this time by helping students to file their visa requirements.