Education in Mongolia

The educational system of Mongolia is composed of nursery, kindergarten, primary school, secondary school, and university study. Every sum (administrative district of Mongolia) has more than one nursery school and kindergarten. There are also privately run nursery and kindergarten schools. Primary and secondary used to last for 10 years then extended to 11. The school year of 2008-2009 marks the beginning of the 12-year system. School year in Mongolia begins every September.

The National University of Mongolia is the oldest university in the country and hosts 12 schools and faculties in Ulan Bator. It is the most recognized university and offers more then 800 undergraduate and graduate programs. In 2006 it has a total of roughly 12,000 enrollees. Other universities in Mongolia include the Mongolian University of Science and Technology (a multileveled and multidisciplinary hub for education, scientific study, research, and training), Mongolian Academy of Sciences (established in 1921 and Mongolia’s first center for modern sciences), Mongolian Technical University, and Mongolian Business Institute.

There was a time when education in Mongolia was managed by Buddhist monasteries and only monks can avail it. As of 1985, the country had roughly 900 general education schools, 40 vocational schools, 28 specialized, and very few universities. Liberalization and advancement in private institutions and higher education occurred in the 1990s.