Education in Mauritius
Mauritius, a multi-ethnic Indian Ocean island nation, runs a multilingual education system: English is the official medium of instruction, French is widely used, Mauritian Creole is the everyday language, and various Asian and ancestral languages are taught. The country uses Cambridge (British-based) examinations, provides free education through to university, and aspires to become a regional "knowledge hub."
Structure & stages
The system follows a British-influenced structure:
- Pre-primary + Primary (6 years)Ending with the PSAC
- Secondary (7 years)Lower secondary (ending with the NCE) and upper secondary, leading to Cambridge SC and HSC examinations
Compulsory education & enrolment
Education is compulsory and free from age 5 to 16, and Mauritius has extended free education to the tertiary level (public university tuition free for citizens since 2019). The school year runs roughly January to December.
Public schools
Most students attend free public schools, with instruction in English (and French widely used). The system reflects Mauritius's diversity, offering ancestral/Asian language options alongside the core curriculum.
Private & international schools
Mauritius has a private and confessional school sector, plus international schools, concentrated in and around Port Louis and the main towns.
Curriculum & language of instruction
The curriculum covers English, French, mathematics, the sciences, and social studies, with optional Asian and ancestral languages (Hindi, Urdu, Tamil, Mandarin, Arabic, and others), geared toward Cambridge examinations.
Exams & qualifications
Assessment uses local and Cambridge examinations: the PSAC (Primary School Achievement Certificate) at the end of primary, the NCE (National Certificate of Education) in lower secondary, and the Cambridge School Certificate (SC, ≈ O-Levels) and Higher School Certificate (HSC, ≈ A-Levels) in upper secondary — the basis for university entry.
Higher education
Higher education is led by the University of Mauritius (UoM), along with the University of Technology, the Open University, and a growing set of institutions — including international branch campuses — as Mauritius pursues its ambition to be a higher-education hub for the region and Africa.
Studying in Mauritius from abroad
Mauritius is positioning itself as a regional education hub:
- Branch campuses & English mediumInternational institutions and English-taught programs aim to attract students from Africa and beyond
- LanguageEnglish is the medium of instruction (with French widely used)
- PracticalitiesInternational students obtain a student visa; confirm program requirements directly
Special education & support
Mauritius supports inclusive education, integrating students with additional needs into mainstream schools with support, alongside special provision.
Homeschooling
Homeschooling is uncommon in Mauritius; most children attend public or private schools.
Costs & funding
Public education is free, including public-university tuition for citizens (since 2019). Private and international schools and programs charge fees. The currency is the Mauritian Rupee (MUR).
Key facts for families
- LanguagesEnglish (medium), French, Mauritian Creole, plus Asian/ancestral languages
- StructurePrimary (6) + Secondary (7)
- CompulsoryAges 5–16, free (free through university)
- ExamsPSAC, NCE, then Cambridge SC and HSC
- Higher edUniversity of Mauritius; education-hub ambitions
- School yearJanuary to December
Where to verify the details
This guide is a starting point, not the final authority. For current details: