top of page

STUDY

EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM

Asset 4.png

 

The Uruguayan education system is free, secular and with free access to education for all citizens. 

 
Uruguay was the first country in the world to implement One Laptop Per Child through the Ceibal Plan, ensuring connectivity and access to content for all children in the country’s public system.

Education is compulsory for 11 years (between the ages of 4 and 15) and is divided into at least four levels: Pre-school, Primary Education (six years), Secondary Education (six years) and University.

​

sistema educativo_EN@2x.png

​

Uruguay was the first country in the world to implement one laptop per child through the Ceibal Plan, ensuring connectivity and content access for all children in the country's public system. 
Education is compulsory for 11 years (between 4 and 15) and is divided into at least four levels: Initial, Primary (six years), Secondary (six years) and Tertiary.


 Uruguay facilitates the processes of recognition and revalidation of studies achieved at all levels, both in the public and private systems. For specific queries, you can access the Center for Advice to Migrants on educational issues of the Ministry of Education and Culture of Uruguay, where you can get information on how the entire educational system works, what it offers and where the enrollment and revalidation procedures can be carried out.

​

PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION 

 

Early childhood education covers the life cycle from birth to 3 years of age and is not compulsory in Uruguay. 

The purpose of pre-school education is to stimulate the emotional, social, motor, and intellectual development of children, and it is compulsory for children between 4 and 5 years of age. There are many public and private options.

​

To enroll children, you must go to any education center, bringing any identity document of the child (identity card, birth certificate or passport) and the health and vaccination card.

 

PRIMARY EDUCATION

 

Primary Education is a 6-grade cycle organized in common and special education modalities and serves children from 6 years of age.​

To enroll children, you must go to the school of your choice with the identity document (identity card, birth certificate or passport) and the health and vaccination card.

​

Access here to the list of public schools throughout the country and here to the list of private schools throughout the country and the Montevideo School Network.


In the following link you can access the pre-school and primary education programs in force in the country.

​

SECONDARY EDUCATION

 

Secondary Education is organized in two levels: 

  • Basic Secondary Education (1st to 3rd year), which is taught in the modalities of General Education, Technological Education and Rural Basic Cycle (7th, 8th and 9th grade).

  • Higher Secondary Education (4th to 6th year), which has a higher degree of orientation or specialization and is taught in the modalities of General Education and Technical-Professional Education, aimed at labor market insertion.

 

There is also a tertiary level education option and professional training courses in different areas of work activities carried out at the Universidad del Trabajo de Uruguay.

To learn more about the secondary school revalidation system, click here. In general terms, the following is required to start the process:

  • Uruguayan identity card or identity card of MERCOSUR member countries or, otherwise, passport (original and copy).

  • Certificate of studies duly legalized and translated.

​

TERTIARY EDUCATION 

​

Tertiary Education offers a wide range of educational options and is organized into three different levels:

  • Non-University Tertiary Education, which deepens and broadens training in some branch of knowledge.

  • Training in Education, which is aimed at training teachers, technical teachers, professors, physical education teachers and social educators.

  • University Tertiary Education, which is aimed at providing undergraduate, postgraduate and master’s degree training in different areas of knowledge. 

 

The Council of Technical Professional Education (CETP/UTU) concentrates the largest offer of public tertiary education at the level of technical degrees.

 

In all cases, for the revalidation of studies, the following will be required: degrees, certificates and certified grades apostilled for use abroad. More information here.

​

Click here to learn more about university education in Uruguay

​

​

Get acquainted with the universities in Uruguay and other tertiary institutes 

​

Asset 1.png

Enjoy a language immersion experience in Uruguay. 

Asset 2.png

Check the process for recognition of studies

revalida.png
bottom of page