Peru Education System & Credential Evaluation

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

Need your Peru credentials evaluated? Fast, USCIS-accepted reports from $85.

Apply Now →

Overview of the Peru Education System

Peru follows an 11-year system of basic education regulated by the Ministry of Education (MINEDU). Spanish is the official language of instruction, though Quechua and Aymara are also recognized official languages and used in some bilingual intercultural education programs. The academic year runs from March to December in most of the country (April to January on the coast). Peru has been expanding access to education significantly in recent decades.

Structure of the Education System

Primary Education — Educación Primaria (6 Years, Ages 6–11, Grades 1–6)

Compulsory. Covers Spanish, Mathematics, Science and Technology, Social Studies, Personal Social Development, Arts and Culture, and Physical Education.

Secondary Education — Educación Secundaria (5 Years, Ages 12–16, Grades 1–5)

Compulsory. Students study a broad curriculum. Upon completing Grade 5 (the final year), students receive the Certificate of Secondary Education Completion (Certificado de Educación Secundaria Completa). University admission is through individual university entrance examinations or pre-university academies.

University Education

Pontificia Universidad Católica del Peru (PUCP) and Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos are flagship institutions. Under Peru's 2014 University Law, Bachelor's degrees require a minimum of 5 years and a thesis or professional work. Master's degrees are 2 years.

Grade Conversion Scale for Peru

Grade Scale	Description	US Equivalent
18–20	Excellent (Excelente)	A
15–17	Good (Bueno)	B
11–14	Pass (Aprobado)	C
0–10	Fail (Reprobado)	F

Key Credentials

Certificado de Educación Secundaria Completa — Grade 5 secondary completion; equivalent to a US high school diploma
Bachiller Universitario — university Bachelor's degree (5 years minimum)
Título Profesional — professional degree awarded after Bachelor's plus thesis/exam
Maestría — Master's degree (2 years)

US Equivalency of Peru Credentials

The Certificado de Educación Secundaria is equivalent to a US high school diploma
A Peruvian Bachiller/Título Profesional is equivalent to a US Bachelor's degree
A Peruvian Maestría 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 Spanish

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