Cambodia offers formal tertiary study through universities, institutes and colleges. In 2022, 132 higher education institutions enrolled 175,962 students: 48 public institutions enrolled 62,991 students and 84 private institutions enrolled 112,971. Some institutions also operate branch or offshore campuses, so the specific campus can affect the programme, fees and available services. The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport and its Directorate General of Higher Education oversee the sector. The Accreditation Committee of Cambodia is the national body for external quality assurance and accreditation. Degree-granting institutions must meet accreditation requirements. Check the accreditation status of both the institution and the specific programme before enrolling, especially when a qualification will later be used for employment or further study. The usual admission sequence starts with completion of Grade 12 or the Baccalaureate, Cambodia's upper-secondary completion credential, or an equivalent qualification. The applicant submits an application and may then complete an entrance examination, selection process or quota procedure set by the institution. Completing secondary education does not automatically guarantee admission to a particular programme or to the next qualification level. Grades, previous subjects, language ability and institution-specific criteria can affect the decision. Common documents include a verified Baccalaureate certificate or diploma, identification or birth certificate, photographs and the institution's application form. Applicants from outside Cambodia may also need a passport and language or selection evidence. The Cambodia Qualifications Framework, commonly called the CQF, describes several academic qualification levels. An Associate Degree is generally a two-year qualification at Level 5 with at least 60 credits. A Bachelor's Degree is generally Level 6 with at least 120 credits and usually takes four years, although some fields take five or six years. A Master's Degree is Level 7 with at least 45 credits and commonly takes two or three years. A Doctoral Degree is Level 8 with at least 54 credits and requires at least three years of full-time study. One credit represents 15 hours of taught instruction, 30 hours of laboratory work or 45 hours of fieldwork or internship. Actual duration and credit transfer depend on the programme and institution. A TVET Higher Diploma is a separate Level 5 qualification and does not automatically equal an academic tertiary qualification. There is no single national tuition fee for tertiary study. The total cost can include tuition, application and registration charges, learning materials, transport and housing. Scholarships may provide public or non-fee-paying places, and other awards may come from an institution, partner or specific field of study. Eligibility and deadlines follow each announcement. For example, the Royal University of Phnom Penh listed a Bachelor programme in the Faculty of Education at KHR 2,050,000 per year for 2026–2027. Its published example schedule opened applications from 17 August to 30 September 2026, held a general-knowledge examination on 19–20 October and began study on 26 November. These dates and fees describe that programme only, not a national calendar or fee level. During study, students attend classes, complete assessments and may undertake internships or fieldwork. Programmes use Khmer, English or both according to the institution and subject. Credit accumulation and transfer can support mobility between institutions, but the receiving programme decides which credits it accepts. Examples at the Royal University of Phnom Penh include 1+3 and 2+2 study arrangements. Students generally need to meet fee deadlines, examination rules, academic-integrity requirements and other study regulations. Published programme, admission, fee and accreditation information helps applicants compare providers. Completion produces the qualification and academic record only after the programme's requirements are met. Complaint, interruption and return procedures depend on the institution's rules. After graduation, a person may enter employment or apply for further study. Admission to a higher qualification is not automatic, and the receiving institution assesses the previous qualification and academic record. Professional licensing or employment in a regulated occupation can require additional conditions beyond the academic degree. Cambodia's tertiary sector continues to face differences in access linked to income, geography and gender, as well as a mismatch between some programmes and labour-market needs. The tertiary gross enrolment ratio was about 14.7% in 2019, while enrollment fell from about 183,000 students in 2015 to 175,962 in 2022. Many institutions remain teaching-focused, and research and technology-transfer capacity is limited. The 2025–2030 Higher Education Improvement Project focuses on quality, relevance, equity and governance across nine public institutions, particularly in STEM, agriculture and labour-market-oriented majors.
Study in Cambodia
Tertiary study in Cambodia is formal education at a university, institute or college that leads to a recognized academic or tertiary qualification. It commonly begins after Grade 12 or the Baccalaureate, but each institution and programme can set its own selection, language and subject requirements. Public and private providers differ in programmes, fees, accreditation status and study conditions, so those details need checking before enrollment.
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