Cambodia Education System & Credential Evaluation

A guide to the Cambodia education system and how your credentials compare to US standards for immigration, university admissions, and employment.

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Overview of the Cambodia Education System

Cambodia operates a 12-year system of general education. The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) oversees all levels of schooling. Khmer is the official language of instruction. The academic year runs from October to July. Cambodia's education system has been rebuilt following the devastation of the Khmer Rouge era (1975–1979) and has undergone significant reforms and expansion since the 1990s.

Structure of the Education System

Primary Education — 6 Years (Ages 6–12, Grades 1–6)

Compulsory. Covers Khmer language, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Moral Education, and Arts. No national examination at the end of this stage.

Lower Secondary Education — 3 Years (Ages 12–15, Grades 7–9)

Students sit the Grade 9 Lower Secondary School Completion Examination administered by MoEYS upon completion.

Upper Secondary Education — 3 Years (Ages 15–18, Grades 10–12)

Culminates in the Grade 12 National Baccalaureate Examination (Baccalaureat), administered by MoEYS. Passing this examination is required for university admission. Students choose between Science and Social Sciences streams.

University Education

Bachelor's degrees typically take 4 years. The Royal University of Phnom Penh is the flagship institution. Master's degrees are 2 years. Cambodia also has a growing private university sector.

Grade Conversion Scale for Cambodia

Grade Scale	Description	US Equivalent
A (90–100)	Excellent	A
B (80–89)	Very Good	B
C (70–79)	Good	C
D (50–69)	Pass	D
E/F (0–49)	Fail	F

Key Credentials

Lower Secondary School Completion Certificate — Grade 9
National Baccalaureate (Baccalaureat) — Grade 12; equivalent to a US high school diploma
Bachelor's Degree — 4 years

US Equivalency of Cambodia Credentials

The National Baccalaureate is equivalent to a US high school diploma
A Cambodian 4-year Bachelor's degree is equivalent to a US Bachelor's degree
A Cambodian Master's degree is equivalent to a US Master's degree

Why You Need a Credential Evaluation

A formal credential evaluation is required for US university admissions, employment-based immigration petitions (H-1B, EB-1A, EB2-NIW, O-1, L-1), and professional licensing.

If your documents are in Khmer

All Cambodia academic documents must be accompanied by certified English translations. Evaluation World offers Khmer-to-English translation services combined with your evaluation order.