INSTITUTION TYPES & CREDENTIALS

Types of higher education institutions:

Hamalsaran (University)

Institut (Institute)

Conservatoria (Conservatoire)

Academia (Academy)

School leaving and higher education credentials:

Mijnakarg Yndhanur Krtoutian Attestat

Bakalavri Kochum

Specialist Diploma

Magistri Kochum

Candidate of Science

STRUCTURE OF EDUCATION SYSTEM

Pre-higher education:

Duration of compulsory education:

Age of entry: 7

Age of exit: 14

Structure of school system:

Primary

Type of school providing this education: Primary School

Length of program in years: 3

Age level from: 7 to: 9

Basic

Type of school providing this education: Intermediate School

Length of program in years: 5

Age level from: 10 to: 14

Certificate/diploma awarded: Himnakan yndhanur krtutyan atestat (Certificate of Basic Education)

Senior Secondary

Type of school providing this education: High (Senior) School

Length of program in years: 2

Age level from: 15 to: 16

Certificate/diploma awarded: Mijnakarg Yndhanur Krtoutian Attestat (Certificate of full Secondary Education)

School education:

General secondary education lasts for 2 years after completion of the first two stages: primary school (3 years) and intermediate school (5 years). Access is through the Certificate of Basic Education. The certificate awarded at the end of general secondary education is the Mijnakarg /Iriv/Yndhanur Krtutyan Attestat for full Secondary Education or the Mijin Masnagitakan Krtutyan Diplom for middle professional education.

Higher education:

The aim of higher professional education is to provide high quality professional education and re-qualification based on secondary general and intermediate professional education that meet educational development needs. Institutions of higher education comprise universities and institutes. At higher education level, junior specialists courses take 2 to 3 years, Bachelor's degrees take 4 years, and master's degrees another 2 years. Another 2 or 3 years at least are required for the degree of doctor.

Main laws/decrees governing higher education:

Decree: Law on Education Year: 1999

Concerns: Educational system

Academic year:

Classes from: Sep to: Jul

Languages of instruction: Armenian, Russian

Stages of studies:

University level studies:

University level first stage: Bachelor's Degree, Specialist Diploma:

The Bachelor's Degree is granted to those having completed secondary education and four years' higher education. The Specialist Diploma is conferred on those having completed secondary education and followed five years of higher education.

University level second stage: Master's Degree:

The Master's Degree is conferred on those who hold a Bachelor's Degree or a Specialist's Diploma and have completed two further years of higher education.

University level third stage: Postgraduate Education:

A Researcher's Degree or Doctor's Degree (PhD) is granted to those who hold a Master's Degree or a Specialist's Diploma upon completion and attestation of three years' postgraduate studies. A Clinical Ordinate and Pharmaceutist's Degree are granted to those having studied Medicine and completed at least one year's postgraduate study.

NATIONAL BODIES

Administration & co-ordination:

Responsible authorities:

Ministry of Education and Science

Head: Sergo Yeritsyan, Minister

Government Building 3, Republic Square
375010 Yerevan
Armenia

Tel: +374(10) 526602

Fax: +374(10) 526484

EMail: mines@edu.am

WWW: http://www.edu.am

Council of Rectors of Higher Educational Establishments in Armenia

c/o Yerevan State University, Alex Manoogian Street 1
375049 Yerevan
Armenia

Tel: +374(10) 554629

Fax: +374(10) 554641

EMail: rector@ysu.am

ADMISSIONS TO HIGHER EDUCATION

Admission to university-level studies

Name of secondary school credential required: Mijnakarg Yndhanur Krtoutian Attestat

Entrance exams required: Entrance Examination

Foreign students admission

Quotas: According to international agreements there are quotas.

Admission requirements: Foreign students must hold a secondary school leaving certificate and sit for an entrance examination.

Entry regulations: All foreign candidates must have a residence visa and be recommended by competent bodies in their countries.

Health requirements: Medical certificate

Language requirements: Armenian and Russian language tests.

Application procedures:

Apply to individual institution for entry to: All types of institutions

Apply to national body for entry to: Higher education

Apply to:

Ministry of Education and Science

Government Building 3, Republic Square
375010 Yerevan
Armenia

Tel: +374(1) 526602

Fax: +374(1) 524684

EMail: mines@edu.am

WWW: http://www.edu.am/mes

Recognition of studies & qualifications:

Studies pursued in foreign countries (bodies dealing with recognition of foreign credentials):

Ministry of Education and Science

Head: Georgi Kutoyan

Government  Building 3, Republic Square
375010 Yerevan
Armenia

Tel: +374(10) 526602

Fax: +374(10) 524684

EMail: mines@edu.am

WWW: http://www.edu.am

Deals with credential recognition for entry to: University

Multilateral agreements concerning recognition of foreign studies

Name of agreement: Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees in Higher Education in Asia and the Pacific

Year of signature: 1983

Name of agreement: Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees in Higher Education in States belonging to the Europe Region

References to further information on foreign student admissions and recognition of studies

Title: Handbook on Diplomas, Degrees and other Certificates in Higher Education in Asia and the Pacific

Publisher: UNESCO PROAP

Year of publication: 1998

STUDENT LIFE

Health/social provisions

Social security for home students: No

Student expenses and financial aid

Student costs:

Home students tuition fees: Minimum: 0 (US Dollar)

Maximum: 500 (US Dollar)

Foreign students tuition fees: Minimum: 600 (US Dollar)

Maximum: 1000 (US Dollar)

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION & EXCHANGES

Principal national bodies responsible for dealing with international cooperation and exchanges in higher education:

Ministry of Education and Science

Head: Arthur Mkrtchyan, Head, International Relations

Government  Building 3, Republic Square
375010 Yerevan
Armenia

Tel: +374(10) 526602

Fax: +374(10) 524684

EMail: mines@edu.am

WWW: http://www.edu.am

Participation of country in multilateral or bilateral higher education programmes

Name of exchange programme: TEMPUS

GRADING SYSTEM

Main grading system used by higher education institutions

Full Description: Soviet system: 2-5 (5:excellent/4:good/3:satisfactory/2:fail)parallel to the introduction of a 0-10 system.

Highest on scale: 5

Lowest on scale: 1

NOTES ON HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM

Data for academic year: 2005-2006

Source: IAU from Ministry of Education and Science, Armenia, December 2005