High School diploma Equivalents LIST

Before we will accept you as an international student at Pelican Flight Training, we need to be sure that candidate to be F-1 student has  reached the required academic levels in his/her home countries. To do it we ask student to provide us with the proof of a secondary school graduation or, that is the equivalent of a U.S. high school diploma.

Education standards are different from one country to another and we know that it may be difficult for you to find out what is the equivalent of graduation high school is in your country. That is why we suggest the following list of equivalents for your better and easier understanding.

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In the following table the left column lists the countries in alphabetical order and the right column shows the local high school diploma that is equivalent to U.S. high school graduation level.

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | M | N | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | Z 


COUNTRYCERTIFICATE
A
Afghanistan Baccalauria
Albania Deftese Pjekurie
Argentina Bachillerato
Armenia Mijnakarg Krtutyan Attestat
Australia by State/Territory
  -Australian Capital Territory Year 12 Certificate/ACT
  -New South Wales NSW Higher School Certificate
  -Northern Territory Certificate of Education
  -Queensland Senior Certificate
  -South Australia Certificate of Education
  -Tasmania Certificate of Education
  -Victoria Higher School Certificate/VCE
  -Western Australia Western Australia Certificate of Education
Azerbaijan Svidetel´stvo o Srednem Obrazovanii
B
Bahamas Bahamas General Certificate of Secondary Education
Bahrain Tawjahiya Secondary School Leaving Certificate
Bangladesh Higher Secondary Certificate
Belgium Certificat d’Enseignement Secondaire Superiéur/Getuigschrift van Hoger Secundair Onderwijs
Belize Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate or Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination
Bolivia Bachiller en Humanidades
Brazil Certificado de Conclusao de Segundo grau or Certificado de Ensino Médio
Bulgaria Diploma za Zavurcheno Sredno Obrazovanie
C
Cameroon Baccalaureat de L’Enseignement Secondaire du Deuxième Cycle
Canada by Province
  -Alberta -Advanced High School Diploma
  -British Columbia - Secondary School Graduation Diploma (Dogwood Diploma)
  -Manitoba - Manitoba High School Diploma
  -New Brunswick- New Brunswick High School Graduation Diploma
  -Newfoundland and Labrador - Provincial High School Graduation Diploma
  -Northwest Territories - High School Graduation Diploma
  -Nova Scotia - Nova Scotia High School Graduation Diploma
  -Ontario - Ontario Secondary School Diploma
  -Prince Edward Island - Senior Secondary School Diploma
  -Quebec - Diplome d'etudes secondaire (DES) and Diplome d'etudes collegiales (DEC) or Certificate of Graduation (DES plus Grade 12)
  -Saskatchewan - Secondary School Diploma
  -Yukon - Yukon High School Diploma
Chile Bachillerato en Ciencias/Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales
China, People's Republic Senior (Upper / High) Middle School Graduation Certificate
Colombia Bachillerato
Costa Rica Diploma de Conclusion de estudios de educacion diversificado o Bachillerato
Cyprus Apolyterion or Lise Diplomasi
Czech Republic VysvÄ›dčeni o maturitní zkoušce
D
Denmark Bevis for Studentereksamen, Hojere Forberedelseseksamen or Hojere Handelseksamen
E
Ecuador Bachillerato en Humanidades/Ciencias
Egypt General Secondary Education Certificate
El Salvador Bachiller Academico/General
Ethiopia General Secondary School Certificate
F
Finland Ylioppilastutkintotodistus or Studentbexamensbetyg
France Baccalaurèat
G
Germany Abitur, Fachhochschulreife or Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife
Ghana Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE)
Greece Apolyterion Eniaiou Lykeiou
Guatemala Bachiller en Ciencias y Letras
H
Honduras Bachiller en Ciencias y Letras
Hong Kong Hong Kong Certificate of Education + Hong Kong Advanced Level Certificate or Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education
Hungary Érettségi Bizonyítvány
I
Iceland Studentspróf
India Senior School Certificate, Pre-University Certificate or Pre-Degree Certificate
Indonesia Surat Tanda Tamat Belajar or Sekolah Menengah Unum Tingkat Atas
Iran Diplom Metevaseth or Diplom and Peesh-daneshgahii
Iraq Baccalaureate
Ireland Ardteistiméireacht (Leaving Certificate)
Israel Te'udat Bagrut
Italy Diploma di Maturita / Diploma di Esame di Stato
J
Jamaica Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination
Japan Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate
Jordan Tawjihi (General Secondary Education Certificate)
K
Kenya Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education
Korea Kodung Hakkyo (Korean Senior Secondary School Certificate of Graduation)
Kuwait Shahadat Al-Thanawia Al A'ama (General Secondary School Certificate)
M
Malaysia STPM (Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia)/Advanced Level Exams
México Bachillerato
Moldova Diploma de absolvire a invatamintuni mediu general (Diploma of Completion of General Secondary Education)
Mongolia Buren Dund Bolovsroliin Ynemlekh, Gerchilgee
N
Nepal Proficiency Certificate
Netherlands Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs Certificate or Hoger Algemeen Voortgezet Onderwijs
New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement Level 3
Nicaragua Bachillerato en (specialization)
Nigeria WAEC Senior School Certificate
Norway Vitnemål fra Videregående Skole
P
Pakistan Higher Secondary Certificate
Panamá Diploma de Educación Media / Bachiller
Paraguay Bachillerato (Bachiller en Humanidades y Ciencias)
Péru Certificado de Educación Secundaria Común Completa / Bachillerato Academico
Philippines 12 Year Secondary School Graduation
Poland Swiadectwo Dojrzalosci
Portugal Certificado de Fim de Estudos Secundarios/Diploma de Ensino Secundario
Q
Qatar Certificate of General Secondary Education
R
Romania Maturity Certificate or Diploma de Bacalaureat
Russian Federation Attestat/Certificate of (complete) General Secondary Education
S
Saudi Arabia General Certificate of Secondary Education (Tawjihiyah)
Scotland Scottish Qualifications Authority Certificate (SQA) or Scottish Certificate of Education at the Higher Level
Singapore Advanced Level Exams
South Africa National Senior Certificate
Spain Bachillerato/Titulo de Bachiller
Sri Lanka Advanced Level Exam
Suriname Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs
Sweden Avgangsbetyg fran Gymnasieskola
Switzerland Maturity Certificate
Syria Secondary School Leaving Certificate
T
Taiwan (Rep. of China) Senior High School Leaving Diploma
Thailand Certificate of Secondary Education (Matayom VI)
Turkey Lise Diplomasi
U
United Arab Emirates Secondary School Certificate
United Kingdom Advanced Level Exams
Uruguay Bachiller Diversificado de Enseñanza Secundaria
V
Venezuela Bachillerato en Ciencias, Humanidades o Artes
Vietnam Senior High School Certificate
Z
Zimbabwe Cambridge Overseas School Certificate

Frequently Asked Questions

No, you do NOT need a 4-year degree to become a commercial pilot — and most airlines today do not require one at all.

While some major airlines used to prefer candidates with a college degree, the industry has shifted. What airlines really care about now is flight time, safety, and skill.

If you meet the hour requirements (like 1,500 hours for the ATP in the U.S.), have strong training, and demonstrate professionalism, you’re already on the right path.

In fact, many pilots today are getting hired without any college degree — especially with the ongoing demand for pilots worldwide.

At Pelican Flight Training, we believe that there isn't a specific age that is universally "best" for becoming a pilot. Many factors, such as personal motivation, maturity, and the time available for training, play significant roles in determining when someone is ready to start their flight training.

Generally, individuals can begin training for a private pilot license at 17 years old, but there are many successful pilots who start their training at various ages.

If you have specific questions or need further information about age requirements or recommendations for pilot training, we encourage you to submit your inquiry through our website.

Yes, Florida is an excellent location for flight training. The state has a favorable climate with plenty of sunshine and relatively mild weather throughout the year, which allows for more consistent flying conditions.

Additionally, Florida offers a variety of airspace and terrains, giving students diverse training experiences.

If you have specific questions or would like more detailed information about our programs at Pelican Flight Training, please feel free to submit an inquiry through our website.

At Pelican Flight Training, we believe that there's no age limit for pursuing your dream of becoming a pilot. Many successful pilots have started their training later in life, and 30 is still quite young.

What matters most is your dedication, passion, and willingness to learn. If you have any specific concerns or questions, feel free to reach out through our website, and we'll be happy to assist you!

Yes, now is one of the ideal times in history to become a pilot. The global aviation industry is experiencing a significant pilot shortage, with airlines urgently seeking well-trained, qualified professionals to meet growing travel demand.

This shortage has created exceptional opportunities for aspiring pilots, including faster career progression, higher salaries, and increased job security. In the United States, airlines are offering competitive pay packages, signing bonuses.

Beyond financial rewards, becoming a pilot offers a dynamic, respected career filled with travel, personal growth, and adventure. With the right training program and support, your path to the cockpit can begin today — and the demand for skilled pilots means your future in aviation has never looked brighter.

FAA Flight training programs

Pilot's cap and epaulets from Pelican Flight School

FROM ZERO TO AIRLINE PILOT Commercial Pilot License in 10-15 months / Price $83,950 – Pay after visa approval

  • FAA 141 approved & ACCSC accredited
  • 35+ years of experience

Get Commercial Pilot License based on 2 types of training visas M1/F1:

  • M1 Visa programs – Flexible course combinations
  • F1 Visa program – Train, work, and build hours in the USA
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Foreign Pilot Conversion build 1500 hours of flight experience

Convert your ICAO / EASA license to FAA and take CFIs courses.

  • Get paid to fly and earn back up $54,000 as a certified flight instructor, , and continue building the required hours for airline pilot training at our FAA approved pilot training school.
  • Join US regional airline for 1 year and be sponsored for the Type Rating
Learn more Start Flying
Cockpit instrument panel of an airplane

Become a CFI and build your flight expirience

Build 1500 hours airline hiring minimums.

  • Get paid to fly and earn back up $54,000
  • Join US regional airline for 1 year and be sponsored for the Type Rating
  • FAA 141 approved & ACCSC accredited

Visa option: F1 – train, work, and gain experience in the USA

Learn more Start Flying
Pelican Flight School airplane against the backdrop of a sunset

FROM PPL HOLDERS Commercial Pilot License in 10-15 months / Price $58,207 – pay after visa approval

Get Commercial Pilot License based on F1 Visa

  • FAA 141 approved & ACCSC accredited
  • F1 Visa – Train, work, and build 1,500 hours in the USA
  • M1 Visa – Flexible training, return home after completion
  • Multi-Engine Add-on and Instructor Ratings available
Learn more Start Flying
View of the instrument panel from inside a flying airplane

All Programs airlane and helicopter programs

  • FAA part 141 & ACCSC accredited
  • Since 1985 – 35+ years of excellence
  • From zero experience to airline career
  • airplane & helicopter courses for all Levels
  • International student visa options (M1/F1)
Learn more Start Flying
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Need help?

Get free consultation with our school officer about your aviation career and find the best path to your goals.

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Explore Our Flight School – Watch the Video

Welcome to Pelican Flight Training, Florida's premier flight school offering one of the best training programs for pilots from around the world. We offer a structured program that will take you all the way from private pilot rank to ATP and airline readiness.

In this video, you'll learn what makes our flight school so special — the passion, the professionalism, and the world-class fleet of aircraft used for training. From your first flight to becoming a professional pilot, we will be with you every step of the way.

Take a look right now and see why training at Pelican isn't just about learning — it's about transformation.

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What Our Students Say

★★★★★
Louis
Louis
Student
I attended Pelican Flight Training at North Perry Airport in Pembroke Pines, Florida, starting in November 2021, and I also worked at the school afterward as a Flight Instructor. Throughout my training and teaching, the school played a crucial role in helping me achieve my goals. The instructors and the training standards they uphold their students to are very professional. I met fantastic people and learned a lot from the experience as well as my peers.
Camilo
Camilo
Student
I attended PFT as an international student F-1, and everything was pretty quick and easy. The staff from this school is beyond outstanding. I’m very thankful to Oleksandra and Anna, they’re very clear and extremely helpful at anytime. Instructors are very cool and good, facilities are fine, they provide you with advices and choices to do everything right. Overall very nice environment.
Robert
Robert
Student
Pelican Flight Training is the best school around. I’ve tried other schools but Pelican is the most Professional my personal opinion. The atmosphere is so positive, the instructors are all so nice and friendly and I just passed my instrument Rating at Pelican and my instructor Adrian was TERRIFIC! And I am so looking forward to going back to start my commercial with them.
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Pelican students life

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