Post-secondary qualifications in Mauritius

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Post-secondary qualifications are qualifications typically studied for after successful completion of secondary school. In Mauritius, this is usually after successful completion of the Higher School Certificate or its equivalent, although select qualifications may permit early school leaving or require additional study. A variety of different post-secondary qualifications are offered in Mauritius. [1]

Contents

Academic qualifications

Degree

The degree is the primary post-secondary academic qualification obtained, typically at a higher education institution. Academic degrees offered include the Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD. Entry requirements for the Bachelor's degree typically includes a Higher School Certificate [1] with GCE A Levels in appropriate subjects. Entry requirements for higher degrees typically include lower degrees. [1]

Qualifications may also be awarded in select programmes upon completion of a programme of study that covers part of a degree programme. A Diploma may be awarded after two years of undergraduate study; students may then progress onto a Top-up course, or be given advanced standing, to complete an undergraduate degree. A Postgraduate Certificate may be awarded after the first stage, and a Postgraduate Diploma may be awarded at the second stage, of postgraduate study; students may then be given advanced standing to complete a postgraduate degree.

University of Mauritius and University of Technology are the two main degree-granting institutions in Mauritius. Degrees may also be obtained from foreign institutions, either through study abroad, study at a local centre affiliated to a foreign institution, or distance learning; a number of education and training providers offer foreign academic qualifications to students in Mauritius.

License

A License is a three-year undergraduate degree, roughly equivalent to a Bachelor's degree. Types of License offered may include the License Professionelle (Professional Degree) and the License Technologie (Technical Degree). Select institutions of higher education, including the Université des Mascareignes, [2] offer the License qualification.

Professional qualifications

Nursing qualifications

Certificate in General Nursing

The Certificate in General Nursing is a post-graduate qualification that enables nursing practice. [3] The course typically takes three years to complete. The pre-requisite for entry into the course is a Higher School Certificate or its equivalent. [3]

Diploma in General Nursing

The Diploma in General Nursing & Midwifery is a post-graduate qualification that enables nursing practice. [1] [3] The course typically takes three years to be completed. [1] The pre-requisite for entry into the course is a Higher School Certificate or its equivalent. [1] [3]

Top-Up Diploma in General Nursing

The Top-Up Diploma in General Nursing allows holders of the Certificate in General Nursing qualification to progress to the Diploma qualification with recognition of prior learning at the Certificate level. [3] The course typically takes one year to complete.

Teaching qualifications

Teacher's Certificate

The Teacher's Certificate is a post-secondary qualification that enables teaching in primary schools. [1] The course typically takes two years to complete. [1] The pre-requisite for entry into the course is a Higher School Certificate or its equivalent. [1]

Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)

The Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)is a post-graduate qualification that enables teaching in primary or secondary schools. [1] The course typically takes one year to complete. [1] The pre-requisite for entry into the course is a Bachelor's degree. Upon completion of the course, further academic progression may be available to a Postgraduate Diploma or a Master's degree in Education. [1]

Vocational qualifications

Vocational qualifications are designed to provide career and technical education in specific fields. They may be studied independently or may be earned as part of an Apprenticeship Scheme (AS).

Brevet de Technicien (BT)

The Brevet de Technicien (BT), also called the Brevet Technician, is a vocational post-secondary qualification, typically offered in a technical subject. Entry requirements for the Brevet de Technicien are typically a Senior Certificate or its equivalent. [4] The course typically takes two years to complete. [1] [4] Subjects for which the Brevet de Technicien may be offered include Batiment (Building Construction), Electronique (Electronics), Electrotechnique (Electrotechnics), Frabication Mechanique (Maintenance and Production Mechanics), and Mecanique Automobile (Automobile Mechanics). [5] The Brevet de Technicien is the Diploma qualification [1] offered by the Lycée Polytechnique in Mauritius. [5]

National Certificate (NC)

The National Certificate (NC) is a vocational post-secondary qualification, providing training and education in a particular trade. National Certificate courses are offered at several levels mapped to the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). Entry requirements may vary based on the course. Entry requirements for a National Certificate at Level 3 (NC 3) are generally a Form III Certificate or completion of Form IV in secondary school, the National Trade Certificate Foundation, or the equivalent. [1] [4] Entry requirements for a National Certificate at Level 4 (NC 4) or Level 5 (NC 5) are generally a School Certificate (SC), a GCE O Level, a National Certificate at Level 3 in related trades, or the equivalent. [1] [4] The course generally lasts for one to two years, depending on the level and field of study. [4] Students may then progress onto a National Diploma, Diploma, or Higher National Diploma course. [4]

National Diploma (ND)

The National Diploma (ND) is a vocational post-secondary qualification, providing training and education in a particular trade. National Certificate courses are offered at several levels mapped to the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). Entry requirements may vary based on the course. Entry requirements may include a School Certificate (SC) or GCE O Levels, a Higher School Certificate (HSC) or GCE A Levels, a National Trade Certificate at a specified level, a National Certificate at a specified level, or the equivalent. Work experience may also be considered or required.

Diploma

The Diploma is a post-secondary qualification. [6] Entry requirements for the Diploma typically include a Higher School Certificate (HSC), two GCE A Levels, a National Certificate at Level 4 (NC 4) or Level 5 (NC 5) in related trades, or the equivalent. [1] [4] The course typically takes two years to complete. [1] [4] Successful completion of the Diploma allows for progression onto the Higher National Diploma. [1]

Higher National Diploma (HND)

The Higher National Diploma (HND) is a post-secondary qualification. Entry requirements for the Higher National Diploma typically include a Higher School Certificate (HSC), two GCE A Levels, a National Certificate at Level 4 (NC 4) or Level 5 (NC 5) in related trades, a Diploma in a related subject, or the equivalent. [1] [4] The course typically takes two to three years to complete. [1] [4]

Higher National Diploma courses offered in Mauritius educational institutions are typically awarded by Edexcel BTEC with accreditation in the United Kingdom. A BTEC Higher National Diploma is roughly equivalent to two years of undergraduate degree-level study at a university. Upon successful completion, students may gain admission to Bachelor's degree programmes, typically with two years of advanced standing. This enables those who entered the vocational stream to re-enter the academic stream and progress further in higher education.

Related Research Articles

An associate degree or associate's degree is an undergraduate degree awarded after a course of post-secondary study lasting two to three years. It is a level of academic qualification above a high school diploma and below a bachelor's degree.

The General Certificate of Education (GCE) is a subject-specific family of academic qualifications used in awarding bodies in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Crown dependencies and a few Commonwealth countries. For some time, the Scottish education system has been different from those in the other countries of the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diploma</span> Educational document

A diploma is a document awarded by an educational institution testifying the recipient has graduated by successfully completing their courses of studies. Historically, it has also referred to a charter or official document of diplomacy.

A graduate diploma is generally a qualification taken after completion of a first degree, although the level of study varies in different countries from being at the same level as the final year of a bachelor's degree to being at a level between a master's degree and a doctorate. In some countries the graduate diploma and postgraduate diploma are synonymous, while in others the postgraduate diploma is a higher qualification.

Higher education in Mauritius includes colleges, universities and other technical institutions. Public university education has been free to students since 2019. The sector is managed by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) which has the responsibility for allocating public funds, and fostering, planning and coordinating the development of post-secondary education and training. Formerly the Tertiary Education Commission, in 2020 it was reformed into the HEC and a separate Quality Assurance Authority (QAA) for auditing of qualifications.

A postgraduate diploma is a postgraduate qualification awarded after a university degree, which supplements the original degree and awards them with a graduate diploma. Countries that award postgraduate diplomas include but are not limited to Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Germany, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Spain, Kenya, South Africa, Sudan, India, Israel, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Republic of Panama the Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Pakistan, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago and Zimbabwe. Level of education and recognition differ per issuing country.

The Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE/PGCertEd) is a one- or two-year higher education course in England, Wales and Northern Ireland which provides training in order to allow graduates to become teachers within maintained schools. In England, there are two routes available to gaining a PGCE – either on a traditional university-led teacher training course or school-led teacher training.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australian Qualifications Framework</span> Educational standards organization

The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) specifies the standards for educational qualifications in Australia. It is administered nationally by the Australian Government's Department of Industry, with oversight from the States and Territories, through the Standing Council of Tertiary Education Skills and Employment. While the AQF specifies the standards, education and training organisations are authorised by accrediting authorities to issue a qualification.

A school leaving qualification is an academic qualification awarded for the completion of secondary education. Depending on the country or region, it may alternatively be known as a high school diploma, senior secondary leaving certificate, high school general certificate or school certificate.

The BTECLevel 3 diploma is a Further Education qualification and vocational qualification taken in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The qualification is organised and awarded by Pearson within the BTEC brand and it is equivalent to A-Levels. It is equivalent to the GCE A Levels, more specifically to three A2 awards and the AVCE.

A postgraduate certificate (abbreviated as PGCert, PG Cert or PGC is a postgraduate qualification at the level of a master's degree.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A-level</span> British educational certification

The A-level is a subject-based qualification conferred as part of the General Certificate of Education, as well as a school leaving qualification offered by the educational bodies in the United Kingdom and the educational authorities of British Crown dependencies to students completing secondary or pre-university education. They were introduced in England and Wales in 1951 to replace the Higher School Certificate. The A-level permits students to have potential access to university if their grade is of satisfactory quality.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Academic certificate</span> Document that certifies having received specific education

An academic certificate is a document that certifies that a person has received specific education or has passed a test or series of tests.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GCE Ordinary Level</span> British educational certification

The O-Level is a subject-based qualification conferred as part of the General Certificate of Education. It began in the United Kingdom and has been adopted, often with modifications, in several other countries.

A graduate certificate is an educational credential representing completion of specialized training at the college or university level. A graduate certificate can be awarded by universities upon completion of certain coursework indicating mastering of a specific subject area. Graduate certificates represent training at different levels in different countries, for example a graduate certificate is at master's degree level in Ireland, but is at a bachelor's degree level in the United Kingdom. In both cases, the graduate certificate represents less work than a degree at the same level.

Alternative pathways in education are alternative means of obtaining educational qualifications, other than the traditional means of gaining access to or completing the required study to obtain the educational qualifications.

Technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in Mauritius provides technical and practical training for employment to students. Pre-vocational education in Mauritius provides preparation for technical and vocational education and training. Vocational education streams provide options for study and career development for school leavers as well as professionals.

A high school diploma is a diploma awarded upon graduation of high school. A high school diploma is awarded after completion of courses of studies lasting four years, typically from grade 9 to grade 12. It is the school leaving qualification in the United States and Canada.

Post-secondary qualifications are qualifications typically studied for after successful completion of secondary school. In Sri Lanka, this is usually after successful completion of the General Certificate of Education. A variety of different post-secondary qualifications are offered in Sri Lanka.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 "Mauritius 2007 ISCED".
  2. "Université des Mascareignes Courses".
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Nursing Council of Mauritius".
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Mauritius Institute of Training and Development FAQs".
  5. 1 2 "Lycée Polytechnique Sir Guy Forget".
  6. "Polytechnic Education in Mauritius".