ISCED11

ISCED11, also known as the International Standard Classification of Education, is an international standard for categorizing educational programmes and qualifications. It is maintained by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and is used to classify educational levels and function.

The classification system was developed to provide a common basis for the collection, analysis, and comparison of education data. It defines seven levels of education, ranging from early childhood education to higher education. ISCED11 also defines five levels of educational institutions, including primary education, lower secondary education, upper secondary education, post-secondary non-tertiary education, and advanced research programmes.

The classification system has undergone several revisions, with the most recent version, ISCED11, being introduced in 2011. It has been adopted by numerous countries and international organizations, including the OECD and the European Union. ISCED11 provides a framework for comparing educational systems across countries and regions, and its application enables the collection of comparable education statistics.

The classification system is based on the following principles: level, field and programme duration. The levels of education range from Level 0 to Level 7, with Level 0 being early childhood education and Level 7 being doctoral programmes. The levels are further divided into categories, such as primary education, secondary education and higher education.

ISced11 continues to play a critical role in providing a universal framework for education statistics and brings clarity to classification of education levels across the globe. Its widespread use contributes to evidence-based policy-making in education.