The latter began to appear after 1990. A private school of higher education must receive permission to operate from the Ministry of National Education. It acquires a legal status when registered by the Minister of National Education. In 1998 the first state and private vocational schools of higher education began to appear. Study programmes can take the form of daily, evening or extramural studies and distant learning courses.
Daily studies are the prevalent form.
The rules of enrolment in the first year of study are determined autonomously by each institution. Some organize competitive entrance examinations, others use ranking procedures based on the final marks listed in the secondary school certificate, still others enrol all who apply. To be awarded any of the above titles the student must complete all subjects and internships or practice included in the curriculum, submit and defend a diploma project or thesis and pass a diploma examination. Upon graduation, each student receives a diploma in a specific discipline, three copies of the diploma and, upon request, a diploma in a foreign language.