The short answer
They are not the same.
- The Egyptian Bachaloria: a free state secondary system, created by Law 169 of 2025, taught in Egyptian schools, in Arabic, with four tracks.
- The International Baccalaureate (IB): an international programme offered by schools authorised by the organisation, for a fee, with a different subject structure.
Why are the names so similar?
In many countries "baccalaureate" means the certificate at the end of secondary school, like the French baccalauréat. Egypt chose the name for its new system. It is also not a university bachelor's degree. Is the Bachaloria a bachelor's degree?
What is the link between them?
On 2 February 2026 the Ministry of Education signed a memorandum of understanding with the International Baccalaureate Organization to align the Egyptian Bachaloria with international standards, on the way to international accreditation. Recognition outside Egypt
A quick comparison
- Cost: the Egyptian one is free; the IB carries international-school fees.
- Schools: the Egyptian one is in Egyptian schools; the IB only in schools the organisation authorises.
- Egyptian universities: the Egyptian one goes through coordination like Thanaweya Amma; the IB follows the rules for foreign certificates.
- Tracks: the Egyptian one has four tracks chosen in the second year.
- Exams: the Egyptian one has two sittings a year, and the best mark counts.
Which should you choose?
If you are at an Egyptian school, the real choice is the Egyptian Bachaloria or Thanaweya Amma. Read the comparison