A guide to the Kuwaiti education system and how your credentials compare to US standards for immigration, university admissions, and employment.
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Apply Now →Kuwait operates a 12-year system of education with children starting school at age 6. Education is compulsory and free in public schools. The Ministry of Education (MOE) supervises all levels of elementary and secondary education. The academic year is divided into two terms of approximately three and a half months each, with 30 lessons per week. Arabic is the main language of instruction, with English introduced as a subject from the primary level.
Covers Arabic language, Islamic Education, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and English. 30 lessons per week. No national examination at this stage.
Extends primary subjects with increased depth. The academic year is divided into two terms of three and a half months each. 30 lessons per week. Students are assessed through school-based examinations.
The first two years follow a common curriculum; students then split into two streams: Science stream and Non-science (Literary/Humanities) stream. 30 lessons per week. Students who complete all graduation requirements earn the Secondary School Certificate (Shahadat al-Thanawiyya al-Amma), issued by the school and authenticated by the Ministry of Education. This is the primary qualification for university admission.
Kuwait University is the main public university. Bachelor's degrees typically take 4 years. Many Kuwaiti students pursue higher education abroad, particularly in the US and UK. The Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET) offers vocational and technical programs.
| Grade Scale (%) | Description | US Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 90 – 100 | Excellent (Mumtaz) | A |
| 80 – 89 | Very Good (Jayyid Jiddan) | B |
| 70 – 79 | Good (Jayyid) | C |
| 60 – 69 | Pass (Maqbool) | D |
| 0 – 59 | Fail (Rasib) | F |
A formal credential evaluation is required for US university admissions, employment-based immigration petitions (H-1B, EB-1A, EB2-NIW), and professional licensing.
All Kuwaiti academic documents must be accompanied by certified English translations. Evaluation World offers Arabic-to-English translation services combined with your evaluation order.