Secondary

Secondary schools in the Western Balkans last for 3 or 4 years.

Two basic types of secondary schools are:

1. Gymnasium
2. Professional School

There are also special secondary school types, which are different in structure from the upper two types. Only a few of them are there in the countries:

• Gymnasium of Philology
• Gymnasium of Mathematics
• Secondary School of Art
• Music school
• Ballet school

Course System

All secondary schools in the Western Balkans have courses. A course is a class of students. Students choose their course before the 1st year of secondary school. They can only choose one course and it remains unchanged until they graduate.

They cannot choose just any course they like. Each course accepts a limited number of students. The minimum course size is 15 students. As the maximum class size is 30 students, and some courses accept 60 students or more, such courses are usually separated into two or more classes.

Prior to the Final Graduation Exam, students make a wish list consisted of their desired courses. They get accepted into the first course they have enough points for (criteria taken into account is their grades in the last four years of primary school and the graduation exam score).

There is no minimum number of points for a course; instead, there is a ranking list calculated mathematically using a special system. There are more competitive and less competitive courses.

Gymnasium Courses

All gymnasium courses last for four years. The most common ones are:

1. General Course
2. Science and Mathematics Course
3. Humanities and Languages Course
4. Information Technology Course

Gymnasium courses are generally considered to be more competitive. Not all gymnasiums have all four of the courses; some may only have two or three of them.

The subjects are usually the same in all four courses. However, the difference lies in the number of certain subject periods per week; for example, students in the Science and Mathematics course will have Math five times a week but English only two times, while those in the Humanities and Languages course will have the opposite.

General course students have an equal distribution of subjects.

Professional School Types and Courses

Professional school courses are divided into professional and craft courses. Professional courses last for four years, while craft courses last for three years.

There are many types of professional schools, some of them more and others less competitive.

Most common types of professional schools include:

• Medical School
• Economy School
• Technical School
• Graphics School
• Chemistry School

Each course belongs to a Field of Study. However, there can be courses from different fields in one school. For example, in an economy school, there are usually not only economy-related courses, but also some courses in the law or tourism field – and even unrelated craft courses in some cases.

Fields of Study

The fields of study and their courses are as follows:

Geodesy and Construction

• Architectural Technician
• Geodetic Technician
• Construction Technician
• Construction Laboratory Technician
• Wall Decorator – Craft course
• Mason – Plasterer – Craft course
• Ceramic – Craft course
• Carpenter – Craft course
• Concrete Finisher – Craft course 

Geodesy and Construction courses are generally found in Technical schools or Construction schools. Professional diploma received in these courses allows students to either work as technicians or assistants in a construction-related company, or to proceed to higher education.

Geology, Mining and Metallurgy

• Geological Technician for Geotechnics and Hydrogeology
• Geological Technician for Mineral Raw Material Research
• Mining Technician
• Mining Technician for Raw Material Preparation
• Recycling Technician
• Goldsmith – Craft course
• Smelter – Craft course
• Iron and Steel Metallurgist – Craft course

Geology, Mining and Metallurgy courses are usually found in Technical schools. There are also Geology schools, though they are rare.

Economy, Law and Administration

• Economics Technician
• Business Administrator
• Financial Administrator
• Financial Technician
• Legal Technician
• Security Technician
• Fire Safety Technician
• Customs Technician

Economy, Law and Administration courses are generally considered to be on a more competitive level. With a professional diploma in one of these courses, students can easily get positions such as a bank or post office clerk, secretarian, bookkeeper, accountant, and others, or they can proceed to higher education.

Electrical Engineering

• Electrical Technician of Computer Science
• Electrical Technician of Electronics
• Electrical Technician of Energetics
• Electrical Technician of Information Technologies
• Electrical Technician of Multimedia
• Electrical Technician of Telecommunication
• Network Administrator
• Electrical Installer – craft course
• Electrical Mechanic – craft course
• Electrician – craft course

Healthcare and Social Protection

• Cosmetic Technician
• Dental Technician
• Dental Nurse – Technician
• Medical Nurse – Technician
• Obstetrics and Gynecology Nurse
• Pediatric Nurse – Technician
• Pharmacy Technician
• Physical Therapy Technician
• Sanitation and Ecology Technician
• Health Caregiver – craft course
• Massagist – craft course

Healthcare and Social Protection courses are among the most competitive ones. With a professional diploma in one of the courses, students can work as nurses, assistants or technicians in the medical field, or they can proceed to higher education.

Culture, Art and Public Relations

• Arranger
• Art Conservator
• Art Conservator – Gilder
• Art Tools Engraver
• Art Tools Jeweler
• Calligrapher
• Graphic Design Technician
• Grinder
• Interior Design and Industrial Products Technician
• Packaging Design Technician
• Style Dressmaker
• Textile Design Technician
• Wood Engraver

All art-related courses can be found in special Art schools. While most of the courses are in theory crafts, they last for four years like the professional ones and give the students an opportunity to proceed to higher education of their preferrence after graduating.

Mechanical Engineering and Metalworking

• Aero Technician
• Computer Control Technician
• Heating and Air Conditioning Technician
• Marine Emgineering Technician
• Mechanical Engineering Technician
• Mechanical Technician for Computer Construction
• Mechanical Technician of Motor Vehicles
• Mechatronics Technician for Airport Transport Systems
• Mechatronics Technician for Missile Systems
• Mechatronics Technician for Radar Systems
• Optical Technician
• Robotics Technician
• Auto Mechanic – craft course
• Car Tinsmith – craft course
• Heating and Cooling Technology Mechanic – craft course
• Hydraulics and Pneumatics Mechanic – craft course
• Industrial Mechanic – craft course
• Installer – craft course
• Locksmith – craft course
• Locksmith – Welder – craft course
• Mechanical Processing Operator – craft course
• Metal Turner – craft course
• Motor Vehicle Mechanic – craft course
• Optical Mechanic – craft course
• Welder – craft course

Mechanical Engineering and Metalworking courses are generally found in Technical schools, Aviation schools or Marine schools. Some courses, specifically the aviation and marine ones, are more competitive. Others belong to the less competitive courses.

Agriculture and Food Processing and Production

• Agricultural Technician
• Agricultural Technology Technician
• Biotechnology Technician
• Food Technician
• Horticultural Technician
• Veterinary Technician
• Zootechnician
• Baker – craft course
• Butcher – craft course
• Florist – Gardener – craft course
• Food Industry Operator – craft course
• Food Products Manufacturer – craft course
• Winegrower – Vintner – craft course

Transportation

• Air Transport Technician
• Air Transport Technician for Safety
• Communication and Transport Technician
• Domestic Transport Technician
• Logistics and Shipping Technician
• Nautical Technician – Rivers
• Road Transport Technician
• Train Engineering Technician
• Boatswain – craft course
• Railroad Conductor – craft course

Textile and Tanning

• Clothing Design Technician
• Leather Products Design Technician
• Textile Fibres Design Technician
• Textile Technician
• Fashion Tailor – craft course
• Haberdasher – craft course
• Leather and Fur Confectioner – craft course
• Clothing Patternmaker – craft course
• Shoemaker – craft course
• Textile Machinery Mechanic – craft course

Trade, Hospitality and Tourism

• Culinary Technician
• Hospitality Technician
• Tourism Technician
• Trade Technician
• Merchant – craft course
• Pastry Chef – craft course
• Waiter – craft course

Chemistry, Nonmetals and the Graphic Arts

• Chemical Laboratory Technician
• Environmental Protection Technician
• Graphic Finishing Technician
• Graphic Preparation Technician
• Graphic Products Shaping Technician
• Industrial Pharmaceutical Technology Technician
• Oil and Gas Refining Technician
• Polymer Technician
• Printing Technician
• Chemical Products Maker – craft course
• Photographer – craft course
• Silk Screen Printing Operator – craft course

Hydrometeorology

• Meteorological Technician
• Hydrologic Technician

Forestry and Wood Processing

• Forestry Technician
• Furniture and Enterior Design Technician
• Furniture Production Operator
• Hunting and Fishing Technician
• Landscape Architecture Technician
• Carpenter – craft course
• Forester – craft course
• Upholsterer – Decorator – craft course