Education in Syria
Syria runs an Arabic-language education system that, before 2011, provided widespread, free schooling with relatively high literacy. Fourteen years of civil war (2011–2024) devastated the system — destroying schools, displacing millions, and creating a "lost generation" of out-of-school children. Following the fall of the Assad government in late 2024, the country entered a transitional period, and the education system's future is being reshaped.
Structure & stages
The system is broadly organized as:
- Basic education (9 years)Compulsory, ages ~6–15
- Secondary (3 years)General (scientific or literary) or vocational, ending with the Baccalaureate
Compulsory education & enrolment
Basic education is compulsory and, in principle, free, beginning around age 6. In practice, access was severely disrupted by the war, and rebuilding is ongoing. The school year runs roughly September to June.
Public schools
Most children attended free public schools, with instruction in Arabic. The public system was heavily damaged by the conflict, and provision now varies widely by region.
Private & international schools
Syria has a private and international-school sector, historically concentrated in Damascus and other cities.
Curriculum & language of instruction
Instruction is in Arabic, covering academic subjects, with English (and sometimes French) taught as foreign languages. Curriculum content is among the areas expected to change during the transition.
Exams & qualifications
Students complete the Baccalaureate at the end of secondary school, which governs university admission — where and when examinations can be reliably held.
Higher education
Higher education has centered on the historic University of Damascus (founded 1923) and the University of Aleppo, among others — institutions affected by years of conflict and now operating amid a transitional period.
Studying in Syria from abroad
Syria is not currently a destination for international students, and the situation remains fragile.
- Travel advisoriesCheck your government's advisory before considering any travel
- LanguageArabic is the medium of instruction
- Syrians abroadVery large numbers of Syrian students have continued their education abroad or as refugees
Special education & support
Special-education provision is very limited and further strained by the years of conflict.
Homeschooling
Homeschooling is not a formalized route; the priority is restoring access to schooling.
Costs & funding
Public education is, in principle, free, though access has been severely constrained. Private and international schools charge fees. The currency is the Syrian Pound (SYP).
Key facts for families
- LanguageArabic
- StructureBasic education (9) + Secondary (3)
- CompulsoryBasic education in principle
- Higher edUniversity of Damascus, University of Aleppo
- ContextYears of war, and a transitional period since late 2024
Accreditation & quality assurance in Syria
Every country oversees its own schools and universities through its education ministry or a national quality-assurance agency. To confirm that a specific Syria institution is recognized — and to understand how a Syria qualification is recognized in the U.S. and worldwide — start with the resources below.
Where to verify the details
This guide is a general summary; conditions are fluid, especially during the transition. For context: