INSTITUTION TYPES & CREDENTIALS

Types of higher education institutions:

University

Academy

Institute

College

Conservatoire

School leaving and higher education credentials:

Certificate of General Education

Bakalavr

Specialist Diploma (old system)

Magistr

Kandidat Nauk

Doktor Nauk

STRUCTURE OF EDUCATION SYSTEM

Pre-higher education:

Duration of compulsory education:

Age of entry: 6

Age of exit: 15

Structure of school system:

Primary

Length of program in years: 4

Age level from: 6 to: 10

Basic

Length of program in years: 5

Age level from: 10 to: 15

Secondary

Length of program in years: 2

Age level from: 15 to: 17

Certificate/diploma awarded: Certificate of Complete Secondary Education

Technical Secondary

Length of program in years: 3

Age level from: 15 to: 18

Certificate/diploma awarded: Certificate of Complete Secondary Specialized Education

Higher education:

The higher education system in the Azerbaijan Republic consists of the following types of state or private institutions: universities, academies, institutes, colleges and conservatoires. One of the most important reforms is the transition to a multi-level system of  higher professional education in compliance with the Law on Education. This reform began in 1993. Institutions have the right to choose their approach to the multi-level education of specialists, determine the contents of this education, and draw up academic plans for these disciplines. Several institutions have started to offer the Master as from 1997. The only restrictions are those imposed by the requirements of state educational standards to maintain a minimum of knowledge. The institutions' right to autonomy is guaranteed by the Law on Education. They have acquired independence in financial and management matters. They can therefore obtain their own financial resources.

Main laws/decrees governing higher education:

Decree: Law on Education Year: 1992

Concerns: All higher education institutions.

Academic year:

Classes from: Sep to: May

Long vacation from: 10 Jun to: 15 Sep

Languages of instruction: Azerbaijani, Russian, English, Turkish

Stages of studies:

University level studies:

University level first stage: Bakalavr (Bachelor):

This stage lasts for four years and leads to the Bachelor's Degree or Bakalavr. During this period, students may study the Humanities and Natural Sciences as well as the basis of the chosen speciality. The Diploma of Specialist which used to be awarded after five years is being phased out.

University level second stage: Magistr (Master):

During the second stage, which lasts between one-and-a-half and  two years and leads to the Master's Degree or Magistr, students acquire in-depth knowledge and professional training in the  Humanities and in Natural Sciences. The Kandidat Nauk (aspirantura) which used to be awarded after three years' postgraduate study is being phased out.

University level third stage: Doctor:

The best graduates of the Master stage are admitted to the doctoral stage. After successful completion of their studies (two or three years), they obtain the Doctoral degree (PhD). The Doktor Nauk, which used to be awarded by thesis after the Kandidat Nauk, is being phased out.

Teacher education:

Training of secondary school teachers

Teachers are university graduates. They are mostly trained at the Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University and the Ganja State Pedagogical University.

NATIONAL BODIES

Administration & co-ordination:

Responsible authorities:

Ministry of Education

Head: Misir Mardanov, Minister

Khatai av. 49
Baku 370008
Azerbaijan

Tel: +994(12) 4963488

Fax: +994(12) 4963492

EMail: office@edu.gov.az

WWW: http://www.edu.gov.az

Council of University Presidents

Head: Hamlet Isaxanli, President and Founder

Administrative officer: Isaxan Isayev, Assistant to the Chancellor

International relations: Afgan Abdullayev, Head of International Relations Office

11 Mehseti St
Baku 370096
Azerbaijan

Tel: +994(12) 4217916

Fax: +994(12) 4989379

EMail: hamlet@khazar.org;contact@khazar.org

ADMISSIONS TO HIGHER EDUCATION

Admission to university-level studies

Name of secondary school credential required: Certificate of General Education

For entry to: All higher education institutions

Entrance exams required: Students must sit for an National Entrance examination

Foreign students admission

Admission requirements: For admission to higher education institutions, foreign students must submit a document proving they have completed secondary education.

Entry regulations: Visas are not required for students from Turkey and CIS (the Commonwealth of Independent States) countries.

Health requirements: Foreign students must submit a health certificate.

Language requirements: One-year preparatory language courses are organized for those students who have no knowledge one of the three languages of instruction (Azerbaijani, Russian or English)

Recognition of studies & qualifications:

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

ENIC, Ministry of Education

Head: Mahir Aliyev, Expert in Charge of ENIC

49 Khatai Avenue
Baku 370008
Azerbaijan

Tel: +994 (12) 4963414

Fax: +994 (12) 4963414

EMail: mahir_aliyev@yahoo.com

WWW: http://www.edu.gov.az

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

Student expenses and financial aid

Student costs:

Home students tuition fees: Minimum: 312 (US Dollar)

Maximum: 1318 (US Dollar)

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION & EXCHANGES

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

International Relations Department, Ministry of Education

Head: Mahir Aliyev, Head, International Relations Dpt

Administrative officer: Azad Akhundov, Senior Expert, International Relations Dpt

Khatai av. 49
Baku
Azerbaijan

Tel: +994 (12) 496 3414

Fax: +994 (12) 496 3414

EMail: a_akhundov@yahoo.com

Participation of country in multilateral or bilateral higher education programmes

Name of exchange programme: TACIS-TEMPUS

GRADING SYSTEM

Usual grading system in secondary school

Full Description: 1-5: 5: excellent; 4: good; 3: pass; 2: unsatisfactory; 1: totally unsatisfactory

Highest on scale: 5

Pass/fail level: 3

Lowest on scale: 1

Main grading system used by higher education institutions

Full Description: 1-5: 5: excellent; 4: good; 3: pass; 2: unsatisfactory; 1: totally unsatisfactory

Highest on scale: 5

Pass/fail level: 3

Lowest on scale: 1

NOTES ON HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM

Data for academic year: 2005-2006

Source: IAU from Ministry of Education, 2006