In Panama, higher education is composed of two levels: undergraduate and graduate. Students can choose between a public or private university, and all are overseen by the Ministry of Education. Some universities are affiliated with other international universities or accreditation bodies.
Students can choose between a public or private university, and the Ministry of Education oversees all of them. Although there are many institutions throughout the country, most of them are located in Panama City.
Some universities are affiliated with other international universities or accreditation bodies, which could be a real plus since the standard of universities in Panama is not as high as in Europe, United States, Canada or Brazil.
To be able to attend university, students must obtain satisfactory grades in high school and fulfil the requirements of the university where they want to apply. This may sometimes include minimum grade requirements or entrance exams. The distribution of terms and holidays varies depending on the university.
At the undergraduate level, the Bachelor's degree is the most common and studies last four years. However, there are also technical degrees and certificates, which give students a specialization in a specific area. This kind of study program normally lasts three years.
Once the students obtain a Bachelor's degree, they may choose to continue on to graduate studies. Graduate education consists of Master's degrees and PhDs, these being the highest possible academic qualifications.
Among other courses offered in the Universities of Panama, there are: law, accountancy, finance, medicine, biology, biotechnology, environmental studies, fashion, film, journalism, architecture and engineering to name a few.