Print

Kindergarten is optional for children aged four and five. Mandatory education begins at age six and ends at fourteen.

Mandatory education in Argentina is divided in three phases. The first comprises grades first to ninth, and is called Educación General Básica or EGB (Basic General Education). EGB is divided in three stages, called ciclos ("cycles"). EGB is mandatory for all students, although dropout rates are high in some parts of the country and the laws are rarely enforced. Education is funded by tax payers at all levels except for graduate studies.  Public primary schools are free, but there are no public school buses and students must buy their own books and uniforms. The EGB cycles are listed below:

• EGB I: 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade
• EGB II: 4th, 5th and 6th grade
• EGB III: 7th, 8th and 9th grade

Primary education runs from grades 1 through 6. Until 1995, primary schools also included grade 7.

Secondary education in Argentina is called Polimodal ("polymodal", which means multiple modes), because it allows the student to select his or her own program. Students were not obliged to complete secondary school, but it was a requirement for college admission. Polimodal is usually three years, although some schools have four years. Unlike many primary schools which dropped 7th grade, most secondary schools accepted students in 7th grade, allowing them to keep the same classmates for their entire school cycle.

For children with special needs, there are separate programs. There are also many private schools at every level of education. Private schools are often sponsored by churches or organizations and charge tuition fees.

In December 2006 the Chamber of Deputies of the Argentine Congress passed a new National Education Law restoring the old system of primary followed by secondary education, making secondary education obligatory and a right, and increasing the length of compulsory education to 13 years. The government began putting the law into effect in 2007. For students who wish to continue their education beyond secondary school, there are many state-run, taxpayer-funded universities in Argentina, as well as a number of private universities. Foreign students who wish to attend university in Argentina must obtain a student visa, and also ensure that their educational credentials will be accepted at the Argentinean university.

List of Universities in and around Buenos Aires:

• National Technological University (NTU):

Public

• University of Buenos Aires (U of BA)
• National University of General San Martín (NU of SAM)
• National University of General Sarmiento (NU of GS)
• National University of La Matanza (NU of LM)
• National University of La Plata (NU of LP)
• National University of the South (NU of the S)
• National University of Lanús (NU of L)
• National University of Lomas de Zamora (NU of LZ)
• National University of Luján (NU of Lu)
• National University of Mar del Plata (NU of MP)
• National University of Quilmes (NU of Q)
• National University of Tres de Febrero (NU of TREF)
• National University of the Center Buenos Aires (NU of the CEN)
• National University of the Northwest Buenos Aires (NU of the NW)
• Superior Teaching Institute of the Army
• National University Institute of Arts
• Jorge A. Sábato Institute

Private

• Instituto Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud Fundación H.A. Barceló
• Austral University
• University of the Argentine Social Museum
• Buenos Aires Institute of Technology
• University of CEMA
• Instituto Universitario de Estudios Navales y Marítimos
• Instituto Universitario del Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires
• IAE Austral University
• Maimónides University
• Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina
• Argentine University of Business)
• John F. Kennedy Argentine University
• Argentine Atlantis University
• CAECE University
• Open Interamerican University
• Catholic University of La Plata
• University of Belgrano (U of B)
• University of Enterprises and Socials Sciences
• University of Flores (U of F)
• National University of the Merchant Marine
• Fraternity and Group University of the Saint Tomás de Aquino
• Diocesan School of Social Service
• University of Morón (U of M)
• University of Palermo (U of P - Buenos Aires)
• University of San Andrés
• University of the Cinema
• Universidad del Salvador
• Torcuato di Tella University
• Favaloro University
• University Institute of the Argentine Federal Police
• University School of Theology
• Superior School of Economics and Enterprise Management

Useful addresses

• Ministerio de Education (in English)
• Cancillería Argentina. (Argentine Department of Foreign Affairs) (in Spanish)
• Ministerio de Educación, Ciencia y Tecnologí  (Department of Education, Science and Technology) Official Site of an Argentina's Government department, with jurisdiction over all-level educational matters
• Secretaría de Políticas Universitarias (Office of University Policies Planning)Official site of an Argentina's Government office, with jurisdiction over university higher education matters.
• Study in Argentina