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Universities in Cote D'Ivoire

Universities in Cote D'Ivoire by City:

Abidjan

About universities in Cote D'Ivoire

Higher Education infrastructure

The education system of Cote d’Ivoire or Ivory Coast follows the French national design of education, mainly comprising three stages – the primary stage, secondary stage, and the University Stage. The Education system of this French speaking country is managed by Three Ministries –
  • Ministčre de l'Education Nationale (MEN) (Ministry of Education)
  • Ministčre de l’Enseignement Technique et de la Formation Professionelle (METFP)
  • (Ministry of Technical Education & Professional Training)
  • Ministčre de l’Enseignement Supérieur et de la Recherche Scientifique (MESRS)
  • (Ministry of Higher Education and Research)
There are 3 autonomous Universities in Cote d’Ivoire and two University Colleges Cote d'Ivoire in the country. Apart from these, the country also has another 4 institutions that offer higher education to the students.

The Grade System

In Universities Cote D'Ivoire and the other Colleges Cote D'Ivoire, the grading system is strictly based on a 20/20 scaling system, with the passing grade being 12 out of 20 in the institutions offering higher education. Although the population primarily speaks French, courses taught in English are also offered at all the Universities in Cote d’Ivoire, especially in disciplines such as Economics, History, Law, Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and so on.

Structure of Higher Education

The system of tertiary education is well developed in Cote d’Ivoire, with universities and research centers that are highly recognized in Africa. The framework is based on the French national model.

Students possessing the selective baccalauréat follow a two year curriculum that leads to them obtaining a DUEL (Diplôme Universitaire d'Etudes Littéraires), the DUES (Diplôme Universitaire d'Etudes Scientifiques), or the DEUG (Diplôme Universitaire d'Etudes Générales).

One more year of study following this leads to the students being awarded a Licence, which is the equivalent of a bachelor’s in Cote D’Ivoire. 

An additional year of study in the field of specialization, leads to a Maîtrise, which is the equivalent of a master’s in Cote D’Ivoire.

Students wishing to pursue further studies can enroll into the postgraduate specialized study programs that lead to a DEA (Diplôme d'Etudes Approfondies). After successfully defending a doctoral dissertation, students can enroll into the Doctorat de Spécialité de Troisième Cycle, which is the same as a Ph.D. Universities in Cote D’Ivoire also award specialized degrees like M.D of Doctor of Engineering.

The system of higher education in universities in Cote d’Ivoire has grown at impressive rates following the student demonstrations in 1990’s against the crowded facilities then. In response, the government started two new campuses. Universities and colleges in Cote d’Ivoire have managed to earn distinct identities. A majority of professors and teachers at universities n Cote d’Ivoire were generally expatriates from France or other French speaking countries. However, in 2000 expats constituted less than five percent of the total faculty strength.