Education in Sudan
Sudan runs an Arabic-language education system (with English taught and local languages spoken). Once home to some of the region's most respected institutions, Sudanese education has been devastated by the war that erupted in 2023, which closed schools and displaced millions. This guide describes the system's structure while being clear about the current crisis.
Structure & stages
The system is broadly organized as:
- Basic education (8 years)Compulsory, ages ~6–13
- Secondary (3 years)Academic or technical, ending with the Sudan School Certificate
Compulsory education & enrolment
Basic education is compulsory and intended to be free, beginning around age 6. Access — already uneven — has been catastrophically disrupted by the war.
Public schools
Most children attended public schools, with instruction in Arabic, alongside Quranic schooling. The public system is now largely non-functional in conflict-affected areas.
Private & international schools
Sudan has a private and religious school sector, concentrated in Khartoum and larger cities — also heavily affected by the conflict.
Curriculum & language of instruction
Instruction is in Arabic, covering academic subjects and Islamic education, with English taught as a foreign language.
Exams & qualifications
Students complete the Sudan School Certificate at the end of secondary education, which governs university admission — where and when examinations can be held.
Higher education
Higher education has centered on the historic University of Khartoum (founded 1902) and other universities — all severely affected by the conflict, with campuses damaged and operations disrupted.
Studying in Sudan from abroad
Sudan is not a destination for international students, and the security situation makes travel inadvisable.
- Travel advisoriesCheck your government's advisory before considering any travel
- LanguageArabic is the medium of instruction
- Sudanese abroadMany students have been forced to continue their education abroad or through alternative means
Special education & support
Special-education provision is very limited and further strained by the crisis.
Homeschooling
Homeschooling is not a formalized route; the priority is protecting and restoring access to basic schooling.
Costs & funding
Public basic education is, in principle, free, though access is severely constrained. The currency is the Sudanese Pound (SDG).
Key facts for families
- LanguageArabic
- StructureBasic education (8) + Secondary (3)
- CompulsoryBasic education in principle
- Higher edUniversity of Khartoum
- ContextThe 2023 war has devastated the education system
Where to verify the details
This guide is a general summary; conditions are severe and fluid. For context: