Myanmar

Change in Students Total Population

Studying in the U.S.
from 2018 to 2019
55,622,506
13.0 %
Population
Change in U.S. Study
Abroad Students from Aged 15-24
2017 to 2018
Source: 2018 Open Doors Report
-57.4% 17.51%
Source: The World Fact Book
Source: 2019 Open Doors

Source: 2019 Open Doors Report (published by IIE, funded by the U.S. Department of State)

Top 5 Receiving Change in Student

States Visas Issued from
California 2017 to 2018
New York
F 9.07 %
Massachusetts
J -13.74%
Washington
Florida
M -9.52%
*Based on fiscal year Oct 1 – Sept 30
Source: 2019 Open Doors Source: travel.state.gov

Source: 2019 Open Doors Report (published by IIE, funded by the U.S. Department of State)

Students in HIGHLIGHTS:
% Change
U.S.
% Number (2018 to
by Academic 2019) • The number of students from Myanmar studying
Level in the United States has increased by 13% to
1,773 students. The upward trend in student
Undergraduate 72 % 1,277 14.4 % mobility to the U.S. is expected to continue partly
Graduate 13.0% 231 -5.7% due to the growth of international and private
schools better preparing students in Myanmar for
Non-Degree 3.7 % 65 -9.7 % higher education abroad.
OPT 11.3 % 200 47.1%
• U.S. community college transfer programs (2+2
model) are gaining popularity in Myanmar as a
Students in U.S. by cost-effective option that allows students time to
%
U.S. Institution Type adjust in a very different academic system than
what is offered in-country. As a result, visits from
Associate’s (2-year) Colleges 24.77 %
U.S. community college representatives have
Baccalaureate (4-year) Colleges 6.93 % been increasing year after year for student
recruitment purposes.
Doctorate-granting Universities 47.37 %
Master’s Colleges and Universities 18.58 %
Special Focus Institutions 2.35 %
Public Institutions 64.21 %
Private Institutions 35.79%
Myanmar
• Pre-high school (# of years): 9 years
• High school (# of years): 2 years
• Academic year calendar:
o For secondary schools: June 1 - Mid February
o For universities: December - March; May - August
• Recommended times for U.S. institution visits: July, August, September, January and early February
o Holiday break for secondary schools: October, March - May
o Holiday break for universities: October, November, April
o Major exam period(s) for universities: March and September

Secondary Education (high school)

• Language of instruction: Burmese and English

• Years of mandatory English courses: 11 years
• Grading system and interpretation: Based on 100% scale
• Subjects required:
o Burmese (2 years); English (2 years); Mathematics (2 years); Chemistry (2 years); Physics (2 years)
o *for science combination, biology (2 years)
o *for arts combination, economics (2 years)
• Graduation requirements: 6 subjects, either arts or science combination with three compulsory subjects: Burmese, English and
Mathematics
• Name of school leaving exams: Matriculation Exam/10th Standard Exam
• How to verify school leaving exams or diploma/certificate/degree: Myanmar Matriculation Exam Board under Ministry of
Education
• Other credentials: Passing the matriculation exam
• Standardized undergraduate admissions testing availability in-country and adviser recommendations: SAT, ACT, TOEFL,
IELTS, GRE
• Standardized undergraduate admissions test mean scores (as of as of TOEFL iBT: January-December 2018): TOEFL iBT
Total Score: 81

Structure of University System

• Years of study required to earn a bachelor’s degree: The current education system requires 4 years of study, but those who
attended university between 2005 and 2014 only require 3 years to complete a bachelor's degree. Degrees obtained through
distance education only require 3 years for completion.
• Language of instruction in universities: Burmese and English
• Years of required English instruction in universities: 1 year except for those who study English
• Grading system and interpretation: Different systems are used but mostly Grade 3 to 5 based on 100.
o Distinction: 5 (75 and 75+ for arts and 80 and 80+ for science subjects.
o Credit - 4 (65 - 74)
o Passed - 3 (50 - 64)
• Degrees offered: Bachelors, Masters, Doctorate, Post - Graduate Diplomas
• Top fields of study/majors: Medicine, Engineering, IT, and Business

Educational Authorities and International Education Resources

• Organization: Ministry of Education

Website: http://www.moe.gov.mm/en/
Telephone: [+95] 1- 503141

• EducationUSA advising centers in Myanmar: Mandalay, Yangon

o Mandalay Center Email: Mandalay@educationusa.org

o Yangon Center Email: Rangoon@educationusa.org