Education for foreigners in Azerbaijan

The Republic of Azerbaijan has provided foreign students with the opportunity to study at Azerbaijani universities since the late 60s of XX century. During this period, a lot of students from Asia, Africa and Latin America had studied at universities of Azerbaijan. Baku State University, Azerbaijan Medical University, Azerbaijan State Oil Academy, Azerbaijan Technical University, Azerbaijan University of Architecture and Construction, Azerbaijan State Culture and Art University and Baku Musical Academy are among these universities.

In 1961, the training courses for international students were established at Azerbaijan State Oil Chemistry Institute, which was the third among 55 other courses operating in the Soviet Union after Moscow State University named M. Lomonosov, and Leningrad Polytechnic Institute. More than 500 students, who could continue their study in the different faculties of universities, were enrolled to this course throughout the year. During this period thousands of students from more than 70 countries of the world studied at universities of Azerbaijan. Among graduates of these universities are presidents, ministers, politicians, scientists, doctors, engineers and teachers.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union the only country, which gave a chance to international students to complete their study, was Azerbaijan. Then this fact was highly appreciated by the international community.

Some international students are studying within the relevant intergovernmental agreements, and some of them on a fee-paying basis, within contracts signed between them and universities. Except students from neighbouring countries, citizens of European countries, USA, Japan, China, India, South Korea, Indonesia, and some Arabic countries are among students studied at universities of Azerbaijan. 

Currently, students from more than 50 countries of the world are studying at Baku State University, Azerbaijan State Oil Academy, Azerbaijan Technical University, Azerbaijan University of Architecture and Construction, Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Art, Baku Musical Academy, Azerbaijan State Economic University, Baku Slavic University, Azerbaijan University of Languages, Azerbaijan National Conservatory, Azerbaijan State Academy of Fine Art, Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University, Nakhchivan State University, Sumgait State University, Ganja State University, Azerbaijan State Agrarian University, including private universities such as Khazar University, Garb University, Gafgaz University, Azerbaijan International University, Tafakkur University and Odlar Yurdu University.

The potential of universities allows them to receive more international students. However, the existence of the hostel problem is an obstacle in this area. Thus, as a result of Armenian military aggression against Azerbaijan more than one million citizens of Azerbaijan have become refugees and internally displaced persons. A most of them were replaced at student hostels of the country. Therefore, the capability to provide hostel accommodation for international students is very limited.

Increasing the number of overseas students, universities and countries created the need to revise the normative base in this area. Cabinet of Ministries approved (order No. 56, 06.03.2001) new regulations on sending Azerbaijani students abroad to study and studying international students at universities of Azerbaijan, prepared by the Ministry of Education. The next document in this area is “Instructions on the main activities of the structures of international relations of universities subordinated to the Ministry of Education of Azerbaijan Republic” approved by the order of 27.03.2001, of the Ministry of Education.


- intergovernmental agreements, cultural and scientific cooperation plans of Azerbaijan with foreign countries;

- agreements signed between the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan and education establishments and public organizations of foreign countries;

- direct agreements signed between education establishments;

- scholarships established by non-governmental and charity organizations.

Study of international students at the state's expense could be implemented within the agreements on student exchange programs signed between relevant ministries, committees, or universities and educational establishments of foreign countries. The tuition fee of international students is being defined and approved by the Ministry of Education in accordance with proposals of universities.

The foreigners permanently living in Azerbaijan and stateless persons have the same right to the education afforded to Azerbaijani citizens. For others (foreigners and stateless persons) the study is on the fee-paying basis. Study for foreigners graduated from secondary schools of Azerbaijan and living in the country temporary is on the fee-paying basis as well. Students paid for their education studying within the contract signed between them and universities based on single rules.

Most of the international students studying at universities of Azerbaijan could not speak both Azeri and Russian languages, or their language knowledge is not on the academic level. Therefore, in accordance with Regulations, they are starting their main study after presenting the relevant state document on the completion of language courses at the university.

International students having the educational document accepted in Azerbaijan could be enrolled to the language courses. At the end of course, they are taking final examinations, and those who had successfully passed the exam are being received the certificate. Thereafter, international students could study on the fee-paying basis (within the individual contract), or in accordance with the notification of the Ministry of Education at the expense of the state.  
Currently, 14 universities have the following structures preparing international students to the higher education:

Azerbaijan State Oil Academy	1961
Azerbaijan Medical University (faculty)	1969
Azerbaijan University of Architecture and Construction (faculty)	1984
Nakhchivan State University (attached to the dean's office of international citizens)	1992
Baku State University (department)	1996
Azerbaijan Technical University (department)	1996
Baku Slavic University (department)	2000
Azerbaijan University of Languages (centre)	2002
Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Art (department)	2004
Baku Academy of Music (section)	2004
Gafgaz University (faculty)	2004
Azerbaijan State Economic University (section)	2005
Sumgait State University (department)	2006
Azerbaijan State Pedagocial University (faculty)	2008

In the Soviet Union overseas students, usually have studied in Russian language. However, after Azerbaijan has gained its independence, they have begun to choose Azeri language as a study language. Thereafter, universities started to organise preparatory courses in two languages.

Departments have prepared and approved new curriculums and programs. Lessons at preparatory courses are held in accordance with single curriculum prepared by the State Student Admission Committee. Universities have special audition funds for international students, as well as new textbooks were prepared and libraries provided by literatures for them. Moreover, experts were attracted to their preparation as well.  

International and stateless students studied for the bachelor’s degree are being received to the second (master’s degree) level in accordance with the observance of existing rules.

International students received bachelor’s degree in overseas universities could be accepted to the master’s degree by the externship way after taking exam on language knowledge.   

Admission to the post-graduate study is provided by universities in accordance with existing rules.

In contrast to previous years, the number of international students and universities has been increased over the decade 1998-2008. Thus, in 1998/1999 the number of student studied in Azerbaijan were 1 470 people. In contrast to these figures their number has increased four times. It is worth being mentioned that at first the majority of students were from Turkey, but in the following years the geography of countries represented by international students have been expanded. In 1999/2000 about 1 580 international students from 18 countries studied at universities of Azerbaijan.

According to the data of 2008/2009 academic year, 7 150 students from 40 countries, including Turkey, Germany, Israel, Egypt, South Korea, Pakistan, India, Jordan, Iran, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Cyprus, Malawi, Morocco, Sudan, and other countries studying at universities of Azerbaijan. In 2009/2010 this figure decreased by 6795 people from 50 countries.

The vast majority of them studied in international relations subject, history, sociology, philosophy, journalism, Azeri language and literature, Russian language and literature, English language, mathematics, chemistry, physics, biology, computer engineering, international business, technology and design, etc. 

The increase in the number of overseas students mainly connected with a stable social-political environment in the country. Pursuant to proposal activity of national leader Heydar Aliyev the stability has influenced on the involvement of international students in universities of Azerbaijan. Due to the fruitful activity of President Ilham Aliyev, students coming to Azerbaijan have always expressed satisfaction with the environment and level of education in the country.

What is more, Azerbaijan has joined to three international conventions, including the Lisbon Convention. This is a very important legal basis for the recognition of diplomas issued by Azerbaijani universities. 

The European Neighbourhood Policy - Strategy Paper (UN), approved in 2004, purposes the participation of “new neighbours" including Azerbaijan to the education programs of the organization. The participation of Azerbaijan in the above-listed programs raises the bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and the EU to the new level.

In May 2005, Azerbaijan joined to the Bologna process, which aims to create a European Higher Education Area (EHEA). It gives great opportunities for effective integration of the Azerbaijan education system into the EHEA. The Bologna process aims to create the EHEA by 2010 and there the need arises for making fundamental changes of the Azerbaijan education system in forthcoming years. The Ministry of Education approved a special Action Plan, dated 16.01.2006, on closely and fruitfully integration into the process, which involves 45 European countries. Currently serious steps are taken to apply the Bologna principles in the education system of Azerbaijan, such as Presidential order “On some measures for the integration of Azerbaijan Republic into the European Higher Education Area,” issued on January 31, 2008. 

 The admission of students from Turkey is implemented by a different procedure comparatively with other countries. Therefore, they could study at universities, which are recognized by High Education Council (HEC) of Turkey. Students from Turkey could take part in the exams on specialities of universities listed on the booklet published by the HEC. It is worth being mentioned that the number of specialities of Azerbaijani universities has been recognized by the HEC. As for private universities, except for Gafgaz University other does not have the right for enrolment.

In accordance with relevant agreements signed between education ministries of two countries students who will study abroad, including Azerbaijan selected according to exams carried out by the Student Selection and Replacement Centre of HEC. Students, who will be studied on the unpaid basis, will be selected within this procedure as well. 

The majority of Turkish students mainly studied in specialties of pedagogy, including mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, geography, history, economy, oil and gas engineering, etc.

Iranian students in the second place among the international students studied in Azerbaijan. The vast majority of them are our compatriots lived in that country. Students from Iran give preference to Azerbaijani language, literature, music, as well as architecture, engineering and medical specialities. According to the statistical data for 2009/2010 academic year their number reached 1479 people. In the 2005-2006 academic year, their number was 400, in 2006-2007 -732, in 2007-2008 – 1 230, and in 2008-2009 – 1557. This figure has increased almost four times.

In recent years the number of students from other countries – China, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nigeria have increased as well. China is in the third place among these countries. The number of students from this country has dramatically increased over the last years.

In 2002 a few number of Chinese's students studied at Azerbaijani universities. In the 2004-2005 academic year, their number reached 143 people, in 2005-2006 – 164, in 2006-2007 – 219, and in 2007-2008 – 173 students. In the 2008-2009 academic year 228 students from China studied in Azerbaijan, in 2009/2010 their number is 246 people.

In recent years, the number of students from Turkmenistan, India, Iraq, Egypt, Pakistan, Sudan, Syria and Nigeria has risen. Among international students studying in Azerbaijan are students from Malawi, Republic of Cameroon, and island countries, such as Mauritius and Comoros.

The international relations' establishments, departments and relevant dean’s office of universities occupied with educational programs of overseas students. At the same time, these establishments organizing international and national events for the foreigners. At the end of the academic year they are organizing a musical event, which is motto is “Azerbaijan – my second homeland.”

The vast majority of students studying in the republic are students of universities located in Baku. The Ministry of Education is planning to increase the number of international students at regional universities. From this viewpoint, achievements of Nakhchivan State University are worth being mentioned.

From 2003/2004 academic year, the number of international students studied in Azerbaijan increased by 1000 people. Thus, in 2003-2004 study year their number was 1 471, in 2004-2005 – 3 442, in 2005-2006 – 4 425, in 2006-2007 – 5 437, in 2007-2008 – 6 358, in 2008-2009 – 7 150 people.

Today, the study of foreign students in Azerbaijan is the priority of international relations of the Ministry of Education. According to the international practice, a tough competitiveness is existed in this field. Universities all over the world are interested in the attraction of more international students.

The vast majority of international students (excluding those, who receive scholarships) are studying within the individual contract on a fee-paying basis. This fact has the positive influence on the budget of universities. Furthermore, the country is interested in the training of people, who are familiar with the culture, traditions and language of the country. Therefore, extending the number of students studying in Azerbaijan should be assessed as a commendable.


/The Ministry of Education of Azerbaijan Republic/