Higher Education System of Belize
The Ministry of Education is responsible for the education sector in the country. Higher education includes post-secondary institutions, such as sixth-form establishments-junior colleges, professional training institutions and the University of Belize. Belize also comprises of many community colleges and junior colleges etc.
Community colleges: These are the higher level institutions associated with the high schools. The courses of study include secondary school programmes and higher education programmes. The Community colleges provide associate or 2-year degrees. Following are the community colleges in Belize- Sacred Heart College in El Cayo, Corozal Community College, and the Toledo Community College.
Junior Colleges: These institutions provide programmes that last for 2 years and an associate degree is awarded after the successful completion of the course. Some of the junior colleges in Belize are: St. John’s Junior Coed College in Belize City, Muffles College in Orange Walk Town, Corozal Junior College in Corozal, and the Associate Program at the University of Belize in the City of Belmopan.
Universities: In the year 2000 was developed the first university- the University of Belize. A new private college, known as the Galen University in Cayo near San Ignacio is also there in Belize. The University of the West Indies (UWI) also provides study programmes at its campus in Belize City. Additionally, there are many small offshore medical schools that have been established in Belize.
Institutions of professional training: In Bezlie, there are several professional training institutions been developed that offers courses in the fields of teaching, nursing and agriculture.
University of Belize: The University of Belize (UB) is an English-speaking higher education institution, and the national university of the Central American country of Belize. The UB provides study courses that lead to the certificates, diplomas, associate degrees and bachelor’s degree. The University of Belize comprises of 4 faculties with several different departments. Faculties at the UB are:
- Science and Technology
- Management and Social Sciences
- Nursing, Allied Health, and Social Work
- Education and Arts
Each department provides different degrees-
Undergraduate degrees: Includes associate degree and bachelor degree
Graduate degree: Includes master’s degree. The UB offers master’s degree programme in biodiversity, conservation & sustainable development in collaboration with the University of the West Indies (UWI), Saint Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago, the University of Guyana and Anton de Kom University of Suriname.
Higher Education Qualifications
Following are the higher education qualifications in Belize:
Associate degree: This qualification is awarded by university or other higher education institution after the successful completion of 2 years of study. To gain admittance into this degree programme, students must hold a Caribbean secondary education certificate (CSEC) or equivalent
Certificate in teaching level One: This qualification is awarded by university or other postsecondary institution after the successful completion of a 1 year of teacher training programme. To gain admittance into this qualification studies, students must hold a Caribbean secondary education certificate (CSEC) or equivalent.
Certificate in teaching level Two: This qualification is awarded by university or other postsecondary institutions after the completion of a 2-year of teacher-training programme, or 1-year programme if you have achieve a “Certificate in teaching level one”. To gain admittance into this qualification studies, students must hold a Caribbean secondary education certificate (CSEC) or equivalent.
Bachelor degree in arts, science or business: This degree is awarded by university in Belize. To gain admittance, students must hold an “associate degree” or equivalent in the related area.
Bachelor degree in education: This degree is awarded by university and requires an “associate degree”, or “certificate in teaching level two”, or equivalent for admission.
Bachelor degree in nursing: This degree is awarded by university and requires the completion of 4 years of study that need credential ‘Caribbean secondary education certificate (CSEC)” or equivalent for admission
Admission Requirements
The admission requirements vary depending upon the study programme, level of education and institution. Students must have completed secondary education and hold Caribbean examinations council certificate (CXC) level equivalents, or a General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced 'A' Level to gain admittance into the post-secondary institutions in Belize.
Tuition Fees
The cost of education varies depending upon the nationality of the student. The developed country pupils have to pay more, then the developing country students, and then the local students-Belizeans.
Grading System
| Grade | Scale | US Grade |
| A | 95.00-100.00 | A |
| A-minus- | 90.00-94.99 | A-minus- |
| B+ | 85.00-89.99 | B+ |
| B | 80.00-84.99 | B |
| B-minus- | 75.00-79.99 | B-minus- |
| C+ | 70.00-74.99 | C+ |
| C | 65.00-69.99 | C |
| C-minus- | 60.00-64.99 | C-minus- |
| D+ | 55.00-59.99 | D+ |
| D | 50.00-54.99 | D |
| F | 0.00-49.99 | F |
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