Higher education is of two main types:

Firstly—Study by Teaching (where teaching is greater than research): This is organised/formal teaching offered by faculties and universities via courses (manaahij), lectures and educational time tables.

The student attains the “First Degree” certificate known today as a diploma if this education was technical or vocational; or a second academic certificate (ijaaza) known today as a “licence” or “baccalaureate” in a specific subject in one of the university faculties.

Secondly-Study by Research: This is study that follows study by teaching where research is greater than teaching. The student learns to innovate in scientific research, and specialises in a specific cultural or scientific option. He undertakes precise and specialised research in order to discover a novel idea or unprecedented new invention. The student attains the “First International Degree (Ijaza)” known today as a “Masters” degree. Thereafter he attains the “Second International Degree”, known today as a “Doctorate”, in a cultural or scientific research field.