Access to higher education is open to holders of the General Secondary Education Certificate, or its equivalence from abroad, who can then choose between public and private universities and community colleges depending on their grades. The universities implement the credit-hour system which entitles students to select courses according to a study plan.

Applicants for Master’s degrees must hold an undergraduate (bachelor's) degree. The master's degree is required if they are applying for a Doctorate degree. Furthermore, students applying for higher studies are required to demonstrate their level of command in English through certain scores obtained via the TOEFL-iBT/IELTS or the National exam of the English language.

The score requirements vary depending on the course/programme desired.

Universities in Jordan offer a wide range of study programmes. Classes in Arabic as well as English are offered in many universities in Jordan. There are 3 types of higher education institution (HEIs):

• Public: they depend on tuition fees and receive partial government funding.
• Private: these institutions are run and financed by several parties (individuals and companies).
• Other Institutions with special nature features such as The World Islamic Sciences & Education University, Arab Open University-Jordan branch (where the main branch is in Kuwait).

All of these universities are subject to the international standards of accreditation in terms of licensing and monitoring administered by the Higher Education Council, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission for Higher Education Institutions.

Prospective students must apply directly to the higher education institution of they choose. Some of the higher education institutions in Jordan have an online application system or allow application through university service offices. Others accept applications by mail. Each higher education institution sets its own entry requirements. Students can contact the respective higher education institution to know the exact admission requirements and process. Noteworthy, a specialized unit in charge of facilitating and following-up the affairs of foreign students with the relevant entities they need during their time of study in Jordan has been established in the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

Many higher education institutions in Jordan offer accommodation facilities for female students. The costs vary from one institution to another. Students can also rent a flat apartment. They can stay alone or share it with other people. The cost varies depending on the location, number of people and rooms, and the facilities.

The academic year is divided into two compulsory academic semesters, the first, (Fall) semester, and the second, (Spring) semester. The duration of each semester is sixteen weeks. There is also an optional summer semester with duration of eight weeks. (The summer semester is optional for both the academic staff and the students).

There are several types of curricula in Jordan:

1. The most common requirements at all HEIs are the following:
   • University requirements: basic undergraduate courses, Arabic, English, and others.
   • Faculty requirements: introductory courses in the respective disciplines.
   • Department requirements: introductory, advanced and specialized courses.
   • A certain number of elective courses.
2. The community college curriculum (in community colleges-diploma program-2 years) is set by the college itself, and is approved by Higher Education Accreditation Commission if it meets the accreditation requirements. All diploma programs that are offered by colleges are under the supervision of Al-Balqa Applied University, which also sets the comprehensive exams for the community college students.

The university curricula are defined at the institution level in line with the national standards set by the Higher Education Accreditation Commission.

The majority of teaching staff in Higher Education Institutions are Ph.D holders and graduates of prestigious European and American universities. They enjoy high qualifications and expertise in their respective fields. Currently, there are approximately 11,000 faculty members, of whom about 8,000 are PhD holders at different academic ranks (Professor/ Associate Professor/Assistant Professor).

Universities have centers for academic developments of the staff, in-service and out-service training, in skills and pedagogy, particularly in e-learning and blended learning. Ph.D holders can be appointed or contracted by the university as assistant professors. They can be promoted after five years to associate professor according to authorized terms set by universities (such as publishing researches in refereed journals).

An associate professor can also be promoted to professor after spending five years at associate level (if he also meets the promotion requirements). As for Master holders, they can be appointed as university teachers, assistant teachers, or lecturers according to the university rules.