Jordan Universities and Colleges

Overview

Overview of Higher Education in Jordan

Jordan has a reputable and fast-growing higher education system consisting of public and private universities and community colleges. Attendance at universities has risen by double-digits annually in recent years. Higher education at public institutions is subsidized by the government and tuition is very low compared with many western countries. Tuition at private institutions varies by school.

Any student who follows the academic stream in secondary school and obtains the general secondary education certificate is eligible to enter a university although admissions to public universities is very competitive. Students may choose to submit results of other standardized exams such as the IGCSE, SAT or International Baccalaureate.

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research determines policies that guide public and private higher education. The Accreditation Council is responsible for accrediting higher education institutions.

Types of Schools and Degrees

As of 2010, there were 10 public and 16 relatively new private universities along with 14 public community colleges and 24 private ones. Community Colleges offer two and three year programs leading to an associate's degree or diploma. Some universities offer a wide range of subjects while others specialize in a limited number of subject areas.

Bachelor's degrees can usually be earned at Jordanian universities in four years and a master's degree in another one or two years. An undergraduate degree in Dentistry, Pharmacy or Engineering can be obtained in five years. A doctoral degree takes an additional three to five years after obtaining a master's degree.

International Students

In recent years, about 28,000 students from abroad have studied in Jordan each year, with over 2000 of those coming from North American and Western Europe. International students can study as full-degree students at many universities or attend an independent study abroad program or Arabic language and culture program.

The University of Jordan, which is the largest university in the country, has a student population of about 38,000 of which about 12 percent are foreigners. Tuition for international students at public universities is higher than for local students but is still very reasonable. Degrees earned in Jordan are often considered equivalent to degrees earned elsewhere.

About Jordan

Jordan is a modern country located in the Middle East with borders shared by Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Israel, West Bank and Syria. It is ruled by a constitutional monarch with democratically elected representatives making up a portion of the legislative branch. Jordan is often cited as the country with the best human rights record in the region and is ranked highly in the region for democratic freedoms.

Jordan's economy is driven by exports of light manufacturing in areas such as textiles, garments, aerospace and defense industries and has a strong service sector and growing tourism industry. Jordan has been ranked the third most industrialized nation in the Middle East and North Africa. It is known for its highly educated population, its very strong showing on math and science exams and high proportion of university graduates in technological fields.

Resources

Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research

Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities