Secondary Schools Completion documents from selected countries. All documents issued in any language other than English must be sent in the original language and also in an official English translation.
| Country | Educational System | Certificate/Diploma Awarded | Authority | FCE Required Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Primary School: 6 years Junior Secondary School: 4 years Senior Secondary School: 2 years | ACT (Australian Capital Territory): Senior School Certificate (since 2015) ACT: Year 12 Certificate (prior to 2015) NSW (New South Wales): Higher School Certificate Northern Territory: Northern Territory Certificate of Education Queensland: Queensland Senior Certificate South Australia: South Australian Certificate of Education Tasmania: Tasmanian Certificate of Education Victoria: Victorian Certificate of Education Western Australia: Western Australian Certificate of Education VOCATIONAL: Certificate of Competency / Certificate of Proficiency I through IV OR Statement of Vocational Education and Training (VET) issued by a TAFE | Government schools operate under responsibility of State or Territory Education Minister | Internal school marks (grades 9-12) and State/Territorial Year 12 certificate including external exam results. |
| Bangladesh | Primary School: 5 years Secondary School: 5 years Higher Secondary School: 2 years | Diploma awarded by a Polytechnic: 3 years beyond Secondary School Certificate/Diploma awarded: Secondary School Certificate: 10 years Higher Secondary Certificate: 12 years Polytechnic Diploma: 13 years | The Ministry of Education oversees all levels of education. | Attested copies of SSC and HSC (including marksheets) sent directly from the schools of attendance. Copies sent by any other method are not considered official. |
| Brazil | Fundamental Education (Ensino Fundamental): 8 years Middle Education (Ensino Médio): 3 years | Certificate/Diploma awarded: Certificado de Ensino Médio Middle Education – Technical (Ensino Técnico): 4 years Certificate/Diploma awarded: Certificado de Técnico de Nivel Médio | The Ministry of Education oversees all levels of education. | Certificado de Conclusão do Ensino Médio (certificate of secondary school completion/diploma) issued by the Colegio or Ministério da Educação and Histórico Escolar (academic transcripts) |
| Canada - Alberta | Primary School: 6 years Junior Secondary School: 3 years Senior Secondary School: 3 years | General High School Diploma or Advanced High School Diploma | The Ministry of Education of each province/ territory oversees education in that province/territory. | Provincial or territorial Ministry of Education (MOE) secondary school record and diploma. Internal school transcripts may be submitted until the MOE record is available. The MOE transcript must indicate that the provincial/territorial diploma was earned. |
| Canada - British Columbia | 12 years of primary and secondary education | Secondary School Graduation Diploma (“Dogwood Diploma”) | The Ministry of Education of each province/ territory oversees education in that province/territory. | Provincial or territorial Ministry of Education (MOE) secondary school record and diploma. Internal school transcripts may be submitted until the MOE record is available. The MOE transcript must indicate that the provincial/territorial diploma was earned. |
| Canada - Manitoba | Primary School: 4 years Middle School: 4 years Senior Secondary School: 4 years | Manitoba High School Diploma or Manitoba Senior Years Technology Education Program Diploma | The Ministry of Education of each province/ territory oversees education in that province/territory. | Provincial or territorial Ministry of Education (MOE) secondary school record and diploma. Internal school transcripts may be submitted until the MOE record is available. The MOE transcript must indicate that the provincial/territorial diploma was earned. |
| Canada - New Brunswick | Anglophone System: Primary 5 years; Middle 3 years, Secondary 4 Years Francophone System: Primary: 8 years; Secondary 4 years | New Brunswick High School Graduation Diploma | The Ministry of Education of each province/ territory oversees education in that province/territory. | Provincial or territorial Ministry of Education (MOE) secondary school record and diploma. Internal school transcripts may be submitted until the MOE record is available. The MOE transcript must indicate that the provincial/territorial diploma was earned. |
| Canada - Newfoundland and Labrador | 12 years of primary and secondary education | High School Graduation Diploma | The Ministry of Education of each province/ territory oversees education in that province/territory. | Provincial or territorial Ministry of Education (MOE) secondary school record and diploma. Internal school transcripts may be submitted until the MOE record is available. The MOE transcript must indicate that the provincial/territorial diploma was earned. |
| Canada - Northwest Territories | Primary School: 6 years Junior Secondary School: 3 years Senior Secondary School: 3 years | High School Graduation Diploma issued by DOE and School Leaving Certificate issued by the school | The Ministry of Education of each province/ territory oversees education in that province/territory. | Provincial or territorial Ministry of Education (MOE) secondary school record and diploma. Internal school transcripts may be submitted until the MOE record is available. The MOE transcript must indicate that the provincial/territorial diploma was earned. |
| Canada - Nova Scotia | Primary School: 6 years Junior High School: 3 years High School: 3 years | Nova Scotia High School Graduation Diploma | The Ministry of Education of each province/ territory oversees education in that province/territory. | Provincial or territorial Ministry of Education (MOE) secondary school record and diploma. Internal school transcripts may be submitted until the MOE record is available. The MOE transcript must indicate that the provincial/territorial diploma was earned. |
| Canada - Nunavut | Primary School: 6 years Junior High School: 3 years Senior High School: 3 years | High School Graduation Diploma | The Ministry of Education of each province/ territory oversees education in that province/territory. | Provincial or territorial Ministry of Education (MOE) secondary school record and diploma. Internal school transcripts may be submitted until the MOE record is available. The MOE transcript must indicate that the provincial/territorial diploma was earned. |
| Canada - Ontario | Primary School: 8 years Secondary School: 4 years | Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) | The Ministry of Education of each province/ territory oversees education in that province/territory. | Provincial or territorial Ministry of Education (MOE) secondary school record and diploma. Internal school transcripts may be submitted until the MOE record is available. The MOE transcript must indicate that the provincial/territorial diploma was earned. |
| Canada - Prince Edward Island | Primary School: 6 years Lower (Junior) Secondary School: 3 years Higher Secondary School: 3 years | Senior Secondary School Diploma (High School Graduation Certificate) | The Ministry of Education of each province/ territory oversees education in that province/territory. | Provincial or territorial Ministry of Education (MOE) secondary school record and diploma. Internal school transcripts may be submitted until the MOE record is available. The MOE transcript must indicate that the provincial/territorial diploma was earned. |
| Canada - Quebec | Primary School: 6 years Secondary School (academic): 5 years | Secondary School Diploma / Diplôme d’Études Secondaires (SSD/DES)* *Gives access to college education (CEGEP) in Quebec: 2-year pre-university program Attestation of Vocational Specialization / Attestation de specialization professionnelle (AVS/ASP): 5 years* *Gives access to employment or further education in Quebec | The Ministry of Education of each province/ territory oversees education in that province/territory. | Provincial or territorial Ministry of Education (MOE) secondary school record and diploma. Internal school transcripts may be submitted until the MOE record is available. The MOE transcript must indicate that the provincial/territorial diploma was earned. |
| Canada - Saskatchewan | Primary School: 5 years Middle School: 4 years Senior Secondary Education: 3 years | Record of Secondary Level Standing (Secondary School Diploma) | The Ministry of Education of each province/ territory oversees education in that province/territory. | Provincial or territorial Ministry of Education (MOE) secondary school record and diploma. Internal school transcripts may be submitted until the MOE record is available. The MOE transcript must indicate that the provincial/territorial diploma was earned. |
| Canada - Yukon | Primary School: 7 years Secondary School: 5 years | High School Diploma (academic or vocational) | The Ministry of Education of each province/ territory oversees education in that province/territory. | Provincial or territorial Ministry of Education (MOE) secondary school record and diploma. Internal school transcripts may be submitted until the MOE record is available. The MOE transcript must indicate that the provincial/territorial diploma was earned. |
| Chile | Primary School: 8 years Secondary School: 4 years | Diploma: Licencia de Educación Media (academic) or Licencia de Educación Media (vocational) | The Minister of Public Education has authority over secondary education. | Certificado de Concentración de Calificaciones/Notas de Enseñanza Media (academic record) for each of the four years of upper secondary school and Licencia de Educación Media/Licencia de Enseñanza Media (certificate of secondary education) or Licencia de Educación Media Tecnico-Profesional (certificate of vocational secondary school) |
| China | Primary School: 6 years Lower Middle School: 3 years (初级中学 lower middle school) Upper Middle (Secondary or Senior) School: 3 years (高级中学 upper middle school) | Certificate/Diploma: Graduation Certificate(毕业证书 : 高级中学 (高中) [high school graduation certificate], the Upper Middle School Graduation Diploma (“red book” - 高级中学 (高中) 毕业证书) Various Technical School Completion Certificates: -Specialized Technical Middle School Graduation Certificate -Vocational Upper Middle School Graduation Certificate -Skilled-Workers School Graduation Certificate -Adult Secondary Specialized School Graduation Certificate -Adult Technical Training School Graduation Certificate | Original records in English from middle school and high school – grades 9-12. All grade 12 subjects must be completed and a Certificate of Graduation must be submitted. All transcripts must be sent directly from the school or via a CHESICC Verification Report. Notarized translation booklets are not acceptable. | |
| Colombia | Primary School: 5 years Lower Secondary School: 4 years Upper Secondary School: 2 years (academic track completed at colegio or liceo | Academic Diploma: Título de Bachiller Académico/Bachillerato Technical Diploma: Título de Bachiller Técnico/Comercial/Industrial | The Ministry of National Education oversees primary and secondary education. | Transcripts/academic records of grades from two years of upper secondary school and Título de Bachiller Académico/Bachillerato (high school diploma- academic), Título de Bachiller Técnico/Comercial/Industrial (high school diploma- technical/commercial) |
| Costa Rica | Primary School: 6 years High School: 5 (academic) – 6 (technical) years | Diploma/Certificate: Bachillerato; International Baccalaureate, and U.S. High School Diploma accredited by SACS | Graduation certificate or diploma issued by Ministerio de Educación Pública (Bachillerato or Diploma de Conclusión de Estudios de Educación Diversificada with or without the title Técnico Medio) and Certificado de Notas/Calificaciones (academic transcripts) issued by the institution attended. | |
| Ethiopia | Primary School: 8 years Lower Secondary School: 2 years (grades 9 and 10) Upper Secondary (preparatory) School: 2 years (grades 11 and 12) | Certificate upon completion of 10th grade: Ethiopian General Secondary Education Certificate Examination (EGSECE) Certificate upon completion of 12th grade: University Entrance Exam (a.k.a. Ethiopian Higher Education Entrance Examination – EHEEE) | The National Educational Assessment and Examination Agency (NEAEA) [formerly known as the National Agency for Examination] operates under the Ministry of Education in Ethiopia and administers the national exams. Brief timeline on Ethiopian high school credentials: 1989 up to 2002: The Ethiopian School Leaving Certificate Examination (ESLCE) was issued upon successful completion of grades 9 – 12. Since 2001: The Ethiopian General Secondary Education Certificate is awarded after completing the 10th grade and passing the Ethiopian General Secondary Leaving Certificate Examination (EGSLCE). Introduced in 2000: Upon completion of 2 years of university preparatory study (grades 11 and 12): students sit for the Ethiopian General Secondary Education Certificate Examination (EGSECE). From 2003 on: students wishing to enter university take the Ethiopian Higher Education Entrance Examination (EHEEE) and receive the Ethiopian Higher Education Entrance Qualification Certificate (EHEEQC). | Transcript from high school as well as results of Ethiopian Higher Education Entrance Examination (EHEEE). |
| France and French Patterned Systems | Primary School: 5 years Secondary Education: 7 years divided between College (4 years) and Lycee (3 years) | Diploma upon completion of College: Diplôme National du Brevet Diploma upon completion of Lycee: Baccalauréat de l’Enseignement du Second Degree or Baccalauréat Général (university prep), Baccalauréat Technologique, or Brevet de Technicien | Education is regulated by the Ministry of National Education, Higher Education, and Research (Ministere de l’éducation nationale, de l’enseignement superieur et de la recherché) | Diplôme du Baccalauréat and Relevé de Notes de l’Examen Final (academic transcript) issued in French showing all subjects taken and grades obtained certified by the French government, either by a local municipality or an overseas French Embassy/Consulate [photocopie certifiée conforme par le gouvernement Français (soit par votre Mairie soit par un Ambassade/Consulat)] plus academic transcript (livret scolaire) from last 3 years. |
| Germany | Primary School: 4 years Lower Secondary School: 5 years (Hauptschule) or 6 years (Realschule, Gymnasium or Gesamtschule) Academic Upper Secondary School: 3 years (currently – may switch back to 4) | Diploma upon completion of academic upper secondary school: Zeugnis der allgemeinen Hochschulreife (Certificate of General University Maturity), aka das Abitur Diplomas upon completion of vocational/technical upper secondary school: Abschlusszeugnis der Berufschule (Certificate of Completion of Vocational School); Zeugnis der Fachhochschule (Certificate of Maturity for Universities of Applied Sciences) | Individual States have oversight over education, although the German Cultural Minister’s Conference (Kultusministerskonferenz) adopts resolutions which usually become law | Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife or Abitur sent directly from institution attended. |
| Greece | Primary School: 6 years Secondary School: -1st cycle (Gymnasio) 6 years -2nd cycle (Lykeio) 6 years of Technological Education | Diploma upon completion of Gymnasio: Apolytirio Eniaiou Lykeiou (Upper Secondary Certificate) Diploma upon completion of Technical/Vocational School: Technika Epangelmatika Ekpedeftiria (TEE) Level 3 Certificate | Education is overseen by the Ministry of National Education and Religious Affairs | Apolyti Lykeiou (School Leaving Certificate) indicating all exams taken and grades obtained sent directly from school attended. |
| Hong Kong SAR, China | Old system: HKCEE (11 years of primary and secondary education) HKALE (13 years of primary and secondary education) New system: 12 years of primary and secondary education. Replaced the HKCEE and the HKALE. | Old system: HKCEE (11 years of primary and secondary education) & HKALE (13 years of primary and secondary education) results sent directly from testing authority. Based on British system. Last administered in 2011. New system: Official HKDSE (Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education) Certificate and senior secondary academic transcripts issued by the school: 12 years of primary and secondary education. Replaced the HKCEE and the HKALE. | Educational system is governed by the Education and Manpower Bureau (EMB). | Official HKDSE (Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education) Certificate and senior secondary academic transcripts issued by the school |
| India | Primary School: 7 years Secondary School: 3 years Higher Secondary School: 2 years | Certificate awarded: Higher Secondary School Certificate, Senior Secondary Certificate, Pre-University Certificate, Pre-Degree Certificate, Intermediate Examination, All India and Delhi Senior School Certificate, or Indian School Certificate Examination. Examinations given after 10th and 12th years of schooling are administered by the state boards of education or by the Central Board of Secondary Education. Diploma awarded by a Polytechnic/Diploma in Nursing/Diploma in Teacher Training: 3 years beyond Secondary School | Education is a joint responsibility of the state and federal government. | Attested copies of the Statement of Marks for the STD X and XII Board exams (see list of Certificates Awarded) sent directly from the schools of attendance. Copies sent by any other method are not considered as official. |
| Indonesia | Primary Education: 6 years Lower Secondary Education: 3 years Upper Secondary Education: 3 years | Diploma/Certificate awarded: Surat Tanda Tamat Belajar- Sekolah Menengah Unum (Certificate of Completion of Upper Secondary [academic] School) Surat Tanda Tamat Belajar - Sekolah Teknik Menengah (Certificate of Completion of Vocational / Technical Upper Secondary School) | Surat Tanda Tamat Belajar (STTB) from Sekolah Menengah Unum Tingkat Atas (SMA) certified true/attested copy sent from school plus school transcript. | |
| Israel | Primary and Secondary Education: 12 years | Diploma/Certificate awarded: Teudat Bagrut (academic/university prep) Vocational/Technical certificates: Teudat Gemer Maslul Miktzoi/MASMAM; Teudat Gemer Maslul Miktzoi Raqil/MASMAR; Teudat Gemer Maslul Miktzoi Tichon/MASMAT | State and state-religious schools are under the authority of the Ministry of Education Culture and Sport. | Examination results for the Teudat Bagrut (matriculation certificates) issued by the institution attended and school transcript. |
| Italy | Primary School: 5 years Middle School: 3 years Secondary School: 5 years | Diploma/Certificate awarded: Diploma di Maturita or Diploma di Esame di Stato (Maturity Diploma/Diploma of State Examination/Teacher Training Maturity Diploma) | Regions, Provinces, Municipalities and the State share control over primary and secondary education. | Diploma di Maturita and Pagelle Scolastiche (academic transcripts) for all years of secondary study – issued by the institution attended. |
| Jamaica | Primary School: 6 years High School: 5 years Upper High School: 2 years | Diploma/Certificate awarded: Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (after grade 11) Diploma/Certificate awarded: Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination /CAPE (after grade 13) (Transfer credit may be awarded for academic subjects on a course-by-course basis.) | The Ministry of Education Youth and Culture oversees all aspects of primary and secondary education. | High School Transcript and Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) |
| Japan | Primary School: 6 years Lower Secondary School: 3 years Upper Secondary School: 3 years | Diploma/Certificate awarded: Kotogakko Sotsugyo Shosho (Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate) – academic or vocational | Education is overseen by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) | Kotogakko/Secondary School Leaving Certificate plus transcript from middle school and high school – grades 9-12. All transcripts must be sent directly from the school or via a vetting service such as Parchment. |
| Kenya | Primary School: 8 years (grades 1-8) Secondary School: 4 years ( grades 9-12) | Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education | The Ministry of Education oversees primary and secondary school. | Examination results from the Kenya National Examinations Council: www.knec.ac.ke |
| Korea, South | Primary School: 6 years Middle School (Junior High School): 3 years High School: 3 years | Diploma/Certificate: Academic High School: Immungye Kodung Hakkyo Technical High School: Silop Kodung Hakkyo | Inmungye Kodung Hakkyo/High School Certificate and school transcript for middle school and high school – grades 9-12. All transcripts must be sent directly from the school or via a vetting service such as Parchment. University entrance requires the Scholastic Achievement Examination for College Entrance (SAECE). | |
| Kuwait | Primary School: 4 years Intermediate School: 4 years General Secondary School: 4years | Diploma/Certificate: Secondary School Diploma (Shahadat Al-Thanawiya-Al-A’ama) | The Ministry of Education oversees secondary education. | Examination results for the General Secondary Education Certificate sent directly from the appropriate Regional Office of the Ministry of Education – not from a third-party agency or family member. |
| Malaysia | SPM: represents completion of 11 years of primary and secondary education (= U.S. hsd) STPM: represents completion of 13 years of primary and upper secondary education (= U.S. hsd + one year of university study); leads to university study in Malaysia UEC: (formerly Malaysian Independent Chinese Secondary Schools Unified Examination): 12 years of primary and secondary education (= U.S. hsd) | Vocational Certificate: Sijil Pelarajan Malaysia Vokesyenal (Open Certification Examination) | The Ministry of Education oversees secondary education. | All examination results issued by the appropriate examining body (e.g. Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM), Unified Examination Certificate (UEC)). Full completion of the entire 13 year secondary education program is required or comparable UK credential of at least 3 A Level exams. |
| Mexico | Primary School: 6 years Lower Secondary School: 3 years Upper Secondary School (educación media superior): 3 years | Lower Secondary School: Diploma: Certificado de Educación Secundaria Diploma/Certificate: *(See note below.) General Baccalaureate Certificate, if awarded (Certificado de Bachillerato General), Technical Baccalaureate (Bachillerato Tecnológico), or Professional Technical Education (Educación Técnica). These represent academic high school diplomas. * Upon graduation from academic preparatory schools, upper secondary students do not always receive a separate document (e.g., a diploma or degree certificate) indicating conferral of the title of bachiller; instead students’ transcripts will indicate that they have finished the study of the “bachillerato” or the “preparatoria.” This is true of students who complete BOTH academic university-preparatory programs AND those who complete (bivalent) technical programs that incorporate university preparatory studies. This situation is notable because it differs from that of most Latin American countries, where upper secondary students receive diplomas, rather than just transcripts. Vocational/Specialized high school Certificate: Title of Technician, Professional or Nurse (Título de Técnico, de Profesional, de Enfermera) | The Department of Public Education (Secretaría de Educación Pública/SEP) oversees primary and lower secondary schools. Public autonomous universities, the SEP, and states oversee upper secondary schools. | Official academic transcript (certificado de estudios) for grades 9-12 and Certificado de Educación Secundaria or Certificado de Bachillerato / Bachillerato Tecnológico (if awarded) sent directly from the school attended. |
| Nepal | Primary School: 5 years Academic Track: Lower Secondary School: 3 years Upper Secondary School: 2 years Higher Secondary School: 2 years Vocational/Technical Track: Basic Technical School: 3 years Middle Level Technical School: 4 years Higher Technical School: 2 years after grade 10 | Diploma/Certificate: School Leaving Certificate (after grade 10) Higher Secondary Certificate (after grade 12) Proficiency Cert. (Tribhuvan Univ.), Intermediate Cert. (Kathmandu Univ.) or Uttar Madhyama Exam Cert. (Mahendra Sanskrit Univ.): after grade 12 Diploma/Certificate: Training Level Certificate (after grade 8) Craftsman Certificate (after grade 12) Technical School Leaving Certificate (after grade 12) | The Ministry of Education (MOE) oversees primary and secondary education. | Transcripts/records from upper secondary and higher secondary school, School Leaving Certificate with exam results, Higher Secondary Education Certificate with exam results or equivalent |
| New Zealand | Prior to 2004: Primary School: 6 years Intermediate School: 2 years Secondary School: 5 years Current: National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA): Level 1 (year 11 or Form 5) Level 2 (year 12 or Form 6) Level 3 (year 13 or Form 7) | Certificate: School Certificate (after year 11/Form 5) Sixth Form Certificate (after year 12/Form 6) Higher School Certificate (after year 13/Form 7): gave admission to University entrance, Bursaries and Scholarships Examination Vocational/Specialized: Three-stage Technicians Certificate equivalent to Forms 5, 6, 7 | The Ministry of Education oversees secondary education. | External examination results for the University Entrance, Bursaries and Scholarships Examination or National Certificate sent directly by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority. |
| Nigeria | Primary School: 6 years Junior High School: 3 years High School (Senior Secondary Education): 3 years | Certificate/Diploma: West African Examinations Council Senior School Certificate (vocational or academic) or National Examinations Council Senior School Certificate | Senior School Certificate issued by the National Examinations Council (NECO) or West African Senior School Certificate issued by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), together with a scratch card used to verify examination results. | |
| Norway | Primary School: 7 years Lower Secondary School: 3 years Upper Secondary School: 3 years | Diploma/Certificate: Upper Secondary School Certificate (Vitnemål Fra Videregående Skole) Vocational: Craft/Journeyman Certificate; Trade Certificate | The Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training (Utdanningsdirektoratet) is responsible for primary and secondary education. | Graduation certificate (Vitnemål fra den Videregående Skole), indicating all exams taken and grades obtained sent directly by the school. |
| Pakistan | Primary School: 5 years Middle School: 3 years Secondary School: 2 years Higher Secondary School: 2 years | Diploma/Certificate: Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) or Intermediate Examination Certificate Vocational/Technical: Diploma (2 – 3 years) from Board of Technical Education | The Ministry of Education oversees the entire system of education, but each province has its own department of education and is responsible for education within the province. | Certificate of Examination (SSC & HSSC) issued by the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education and the corresponding Mark sheet/result card sent directly from the Board and verified by the Controller of Examinations. |
| Philippines | Prior to 2013: Primary School: 6 years Secondary School: 4 years 2013-2017 transition years: -2011-12: Universal Kindergarten implemented -2012-13: Enhanced curriculum for Grades 1-7 implemented -2013: K to 12 enacted into law -2014: Curriculum for Grades 11 – 12 finished 2015: Ready for implementation of Senior High School in 2016-17 Beginning in 2017: Early Elementary School: 3 years (K – 3rd grade) Elementary School: 3 years (4th – 6th grade) Junior High School: 4 years (7th – 10th grade) Senior High School: 2 years (11th – 12th grade) | Prior to 2013: Diploma/Certificate: High School Diploma Beginning in 2017: Diploma/Certificate: High School Diploma | The Department of Education oversees grades K to 12. (5,965 public schools offered grade 11 in 2016 and Grade 12 in 2017. 4,895 private high school schools, private and public universities and colleges, technical-vocational schools and Philippine schools overseas were approved to offer the new Senior High School Program as of 8/15/17.) The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) overseas vocational/technical education at this level. | High School Diploma and Transcript sent directly from school attended. |
| Poland | Primary School: 6 years Gymnasium: 3 years Upper Secondary: 2 (vocational), 3 (general or specialized lyceums), or 4 (technical) years | Diploma/Certificate: Certificate of Completion of Education in the Basic Vocational School (świadectwo ukon’czenia zasadniczej szkoly azwodowej) – 2 years Certificate of Completion of Education in the Technical Secondary School (świadectwo ukoń’czenia technikum) – 4 years Maturity Examination (egzamin dojrzalości/matura) and Certificate of Completion of Upper Secondary School (świadectwo d’ojrzalości) - General Lyceums (Liceum Ogólnoksztalcacego) and Specialized Lyceums (Liceum Profilowanego) – 2 years | The Minister of National Education is responsible for administration of the school system, but the regional authorities oversee the primary and secondary schools. | Graduation Certificate (Swiadectwo Ukon’czenia) indicating all exams taken and grades obtained sent directly from school attended. |
| Saudi Arabia | Primary School: 6 years Intermediate Education: 3 years Upper Secondary/Vocational Education: 3 years | Diploma/Certificate: General Secondary Education Certificate (Shahadat Al-Marhalat Al-Thanawiyyat) | The Ministry of Education oversees secondary education. | Intermediate School Certificate + General Secondary Education Certificate (Tawjihiyah) sent directly from the appropriate Regional Office of the Ministry of Education – not from a third-party agency, school or family. |
| Singapore | Primary School: 6 years Lower Secondary School: 4 years Higher Secondary School: 2 – 3 years | Diploma/Certificate: O Level (after grade 10) A Level (after grade 12 or 13) | The Ministry of Education of Singapore oversees secondary education. | Singapore /Cambridge GCE O level and A level Certificates sent directly by Singapore MOE. |
| Spain | Primary School: 6 years Compulsory Secondary Education (Educación Secundaria Obligatoria – ESO): 4 years Upper Secondary Education AND Intermediate vocational Training: 2 years | Diploma/Certificate: Bachillerato (5 types leading to university study) Certificado de Técnico (for completion of technical training) | The Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports overseas secondary education. | Graduation certificate (Título de Bachiller) showing all exams taken and grades obtained, sent directly from school attended. |
| Sri Lanka | Primary School: 5 years (Grade 1 is comparable to Kindergarten in the U.S.) Junior Secondary School: 4 years Senior Secondary School: 2 years Higher Senior Secondary School: 2 years | Senior Secondary School: Sri Lankan General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level (GCE “O” Level) examinations Higher Senior Secondary School: Sri Lankan General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (GCE “A”: Level) Diploma/Certificate: Sri Lankan General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level (GCE “O” Level) examinations Sri Lankan General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (GCE “A” Level) examinations | External examination results for the General Certificate of Education, O-Level and A-Level sent directly from the department of examinations. No advanced standing credit is allowed for Sri Lankan A Level exams. | |
| Sweden | Compulsory Education: 9 years Upper Secondary School: 3 years | Diploma/Certificate: Leaving Certificate (Avgångsbetyg från Gymnasieskole or Slutbetyg från Gymnasieskole) Since 2011: Higher Education Preparatory Diploma (Högskoleförberedande Examen) | The National Agency for Education (Skolverket) has oversight of secondary education. | Graduation certificate or diploma issued in English (Avgångbetyg från Gymnasiet, Slutbetyg från Gymnasiet, Teknikerexamen) showing all exams taken and grades obtained, sent directly from school attended. |
| Switzerland | Primary and Secondary School: 13 years | Certificate/Diploma: Federal Maturity Certificate: Eidgenössisches Maturität, Maturité Fédérale, Baccalauréat or Matur Federally Recognized Cantonal High School Certificate: Eidgenössische anerkannte Kantonale Maturität or Maturité cantonal reconnu par la Confédération Commercial Maturity Certificate: Handelsmaturität, Maturité commerciale, Maturità commercio Vocational/professional High School Certificate: Berufsmaturität, Maturité professionelle, Attestato di Maturità, Professional Baccalaureate Vocational/Specialized Certificates: Commercial Diploma (Diplom/Handelsdiplom or Diplôme des écoles supérieures de cadres pour l’économie et l’administration or Diploma commerciale) | There is no official Ministry of Education. The cantons have responsibility for education. | Graduation certificate (Maturitätszeugnis/Certificat de Maturité/Attestato di Maturita) showing all exams taken and grades obtained sent directly from school attended. |
| Taiwan | Primary School: 6 years Junior High School: 3 years Senior High School/Senior Vocational High School: 3 years | Diploma/Certificate: Senior High School Diploma or Senior Vocational High school Diploma Note: Students entering junior college after junior high school study for 5 additional years Credential: Junior College Diploma | Both the Ministry of Education and Bureaus of Education in the municipal governments oversee secondary education. | Original records from middle school and high school – grades 9-12 including date of graduation. All transcripts must be sent directly from the school. |
| Turkey | Primary School: 8 years Secondary School: 3 – 4 years | Diploma/Certificate: General Secondary School (Lyceum) Diploma (Lise Diplomasi): 3 years Vocational Secondary School (Lyceum) Diploma (Meskek Lise Diplomasi): 3 years Technical Secondary School (Lyceum) Diploma (Teknik Lise Diplomasi): 4 years | The Ministry of National Education oversees primary and secondary education. | Graduation certificate issued by the Ministry of National Education (e.g. Lise Diplomasi, Meslek Lise Diplomasi) and academic transcript issued by the school. |
| Ukraine | Primary and Lower Secondary (middle) School: 9 years (Certificate of Incomplete General Secondary Education) Academic: Upper Secondary School: 2 years Technical: Upper Secondary School: 3 years (usually) | Academic: Certificate of Complete General Secondary Education (Attestat) Technical: Attestat or Matriculation School Certificate, Swidoctwo Pro Zakinchennia Uchylyshcha Vocational School Leaving Certificate (usually 5 years combined secondary and post-secondary), or Diplom Technika (2-3 years) or Professional Secondary School Leaving Certificate | Education at all levels is overseen by the Ministry of Education and Science. | Transcripts/records from secondary school and Certificate of Completion of General Secondary Education (academic), Vocational School Leaving Certificate, or Professional Secondary School Leaving Certificate |
| United Arab Emirates | Primary School: 6 years Preparatory School (academic): 3 years Secondary School (academic): 3 years Technical Secondary School: 6 years (after primary) | Secondary School Leaving Certificate – Shahadat Al-Thanawiya Al-Amma (academic) Secondary School Leaving Certificate - Technical | The Ministry of Education oversees secondary education. | Examination results for the General Certificate of Secondary Education – sent directly from the appropriate Regional Office of the Ministry of Education – not from a third-party agency or family. |
| United Kingdom | Primary School: 6 years Secondary School: 5 years (Forms IV and V) Sixth Form: 2 years | General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) after 11th grade General Certificate of Education Advanced Subsidiary Level (GCE ‘AS’ Level) after 12th grade General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (GCE ‘A’ Level) after 13 years Vocational Certificate of Education (VCSE) after 11th grade Advanced Vocational Certificate of Education (AVCE) after 13 years Vocational Advanced Level Examination (VALE) after 13 years | The Department of Education, Training and Skills overseas education in the UK. | Authentic GCSE/IGCSE certificate and all internal marks (forms 4,5,6). Official A Level results must be sent directly from examining authority (England: OCR, RSA, AQA, Pearson/Edexcel, BTEC) in the form of the “Certifying Statement of Results.” ( Wales: WJEC; Northern Ireland: CCEA) |
| Vietnam | Primary School: 5 years Junior High School: 4 years Senior High School: 3 years | Senior High School Certificate (Bằng Tốt Nghiệp Trung Học Phố Thông) Technical and Vocational High School Certificate (Bằng Tốt Nghiệp Trung Học Day Nghe) | The Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) is responsible for all education. | Academic transcripts (years 9-12) issued in English or exact word for word official translations and Examination Results (Ðiểm Kỳ Thi Tốt Nghiệp THPT) for the High School Graduation Examination (Kỳ thi tốt nghiệp trung học phổ thông THPT) sent directly from the school attended. |
| Zimbabwe | Primary School: 7 years Secondary School: 4 years (Forms I – IV) Upper Secondary School: 2 years (Forms V and VI) | Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level (O-Level) after 11th grade Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education Advanced Ordinary Level (AO-Level) after 12th grade (Form V) Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (A-Level) after Form VI Cambridge Higher School Certificate (HSC) / Cambridge GCE Advanced Subsidiary Level (AS-Level) after Form V Cambridge General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (A-Level) after Form VI | The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education oversees primary and secondary education. | Academic transcripts sent directly by secondary school attended plus O-Level, Advanced O-Level and A-Level examination results issued by the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council OR IGCSE O-Level, GCE AS-Level and GCE A-Level General Certificate of Education results administered by University of Cambridge. |