Education in Cambodia
Cambodia's education system has been rebuilt from near-total destruction under the Khmer Rouge (1975–79), which dismantled schooling and targeted educated people. Since then, the country has restored and expanded its system, with Khmer as the language of instruction and free public education. Literacy has risen substantially, though quality, teacher supply, and rural access remain challenges.
Structure & stages
The system follows a 6–3–3 structure:
- Primary (grades 1–6)Ages ~6–11
- Lower secondary (grades 7–9)Completing the compulsory cycle
- Upper secondary (grades 10–12)Ending with the national grade-12 examination and university entry
Compulsory education & enrolment
Education is compulsory from age 6 to 15 (grades 1–9) and free in public schools. The school year runs roughly November to August.
Public schools
Most Cambodian students attend free public schools. The system continues to develop teacher training, curriculum, and facilities after decades of rebuilding, with support from international partners.
Private & international schools
Cambodia has a growing private and international-school sector, concentrated in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, offering English-language and international curricula popular with expatriate and aspiring families.
Curriculum & language of instruction
Instruction is in Khmer, covering language, mathematics, sciences, and social studies, with English (and some French) taught as foreign languages and increasingly valued.
Exams & qualifications
Two key assessments mark the path: a grade-9 diploma examination at the end of lower secondary, and the grade-12 national examination (Baccalauréat) at the end of upper secondary — the basis for university admission.
Higher education
Higher education is led by the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP), the oldest and largest, alongside other public universities (such as the Royal University of Agriculture) and a rapidly expanded private sector. Admission generally follows grade-12 results.
Studying in Cambodia from abroad
Cambodia is a modest destination for international students, with growing English-language private universities.
- LanguagePublic higher education is in Khmer; a number of private universities offer English-medium programs
- Cambodians abroadMany students study abroad, especially within ASEAN and on scholarships
- PracticalitiesInternational students obtain a student visa; confirm program requirements directly
Special education & support
Special-education provision is developing, delivered through a mix of government initiatives and NGO programs; access is limited and concentrated in urban areas.
Homeschooling
Homeschooling is uncommon in Cambodia; education is school-based, with public, private, and international options.
Costs & funding
Public education is free, though families face indirect costs. Private and international schools and universities charge fees. The currency is the Cambodian Riel, though the US Dollar is widely used.
Key facts for families
- LanguageKhmer (English widely taught)
- Structure6 + 3 + 3
- CompulsoryAges 6–15
- University entryVia the grade-12 national exam
- Higher edRoyal University of Phnom Penh
- School yearNovember to August
Accreditation & quality assurance in Cambodia
Every country oversees its own schools and universities through its education ministry or a national quality-assurance agency. To confirm that a specific Cambodia institution is recognized — and to understand how a Cambodia qualification is recognized in the U.S. and worldwide — start with the resources below.
Where to verify the details
This guide is a starting point, not the final authority. For current, official details: