Education in Monaco
Monaco — a tiny, wealthy principality on the French Riviera — runs an education system that closely follows the French curriculum, taught in French, with distinctive Monégasque additions such as the history and language of Monaco. Public education is free and well-resourced, and literacy is universal.
Structure & stages
The system mirrors the French model:
- École maternelleNursery/pre-school
- École élémentairePrimary
- CollègeLower secondary
- LycéeUpper secondary, leading to the Baccalauréat
Compulsory education & enrolment
Education is compulsory from age 6 to 16, closely aligned with France. Public schooling is free, and the school year runs roughly September to July.
Public schools
Most students attend free public schools, following the French national curriculum with added teaching of Monégasque history, culture, and language. Schools are well-funded, reflecting the principality's resources.
Private & international schools
Monaco has a small number of private and religious schools alongside the public system.
Curriculum & language of instruction
The curriculum is essentially the French national curriculum — French, mathematics, the sciences, history-geography, and languages — supplemented with Monégasque history and the Monégasque language, and strong provision for English and other languages.
Exams & qualifications
Students earn the French Baccalauréat (with Monaco-specific arrangements) at the end of the lycée, which qualifies them for university.
Higher education
Monaco hosts the private, business-focused International University of Monaco (IUM), but because of its size, most students pursue higher education abroad — typically in France, using the Baccalauréat.
Studying in Monaco from abroad
Monaco is a very small higher-education setting; its main institution is the international, English-language IUM.
- IUMOffers business-focused programs (in English) to an international student body
- LanguageSchooling is in French; IUM programs are in English
- PracticalitiesConfirm program and residence requirements directly
Special education & support
Monaco provides inclusive education and support within its small, well-resourced system, coordinated with French provision.
Homeschooling
Homeschooling is uncommon and regulated; education is school-based.
Costs & funding
Public education is free. Private schools and the International University of Monaco charge tuition. The currency is the Euro (EUR).
Key facts for families
- LanguageFrench (plus Monégasque language and history)
- StructureFrench model (maternelle → lycée)
- CompulsoryAges 6–16
- University entryVia the French Baccalauréat
- Higher edInternational University of Monaco; most students study abroad in France
Where to verify the details
This guide is a starting point, not the final authority. For current details: