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    Study in Armenia

    Higher Education Structure in Armenia

    Study In Armenia

    Armenia, a small country in the Caucasus region between Asia and Europe, is home to a highly developed tertiary education system, with 59 Universities spread across the major cities of the country. It is unique in that there is an approximately equal split between public and private HEIs in Armenia; in addition, several local branches of international Universities are present in the country, leading to a high quality of educational output. The Ministry of Education and Science oversees the University system of Armenia.

    Armenia is primarily a mountainous country with great natural beauty. It is home to 3 million people; Yerevan is the capital, largest city, and financial hub. Extensive migration and regional conflicts have reduced the population of Armenia in the past few years, but its University system is still recognized globally. It is ranked in the top 25% of countries on the Ease of Doing Business Index, and has an economy that is growing rapidly, attracting foreign students to study abroad in Armenia.

    The Perks of Studying in Armenia

    Armenia is ranked in the top 50% on several important indices for students and residents. Some highlights include:

    • The country is ranked #59 in the world in the WiseVoter Education rankings.
    • The country is ranked #79 in the world in the “Safest Countries in the World” ranking by WiseVoter.
    • The country is ranked #78 in the world by GDP per capita (PPP).
    • The country is ranked #47 in the world according to the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business report.

    Higher Education Framework in Armenia

    There are four main kinds of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Armenia:

    1. Public Universities: There are 26 State Owned Universities in Armenia. Four of them were set up with international support (two Russian, one French, and one American). The majority of these are located in the capital Yerevan, with a few in other major cities. Public Universities in Armenia offer undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral degree programs.

    2. Private Universities: Armenia is home to 33 Private Institutions of Higher Education, which must be licensed by the Ministry of Education and Science, but are funded by private Trusts. They usually have higher tuition fees than State Owned Universities, and are not ranked in the top tier of HEIs in the country.

    3. Institutes: These HEIs do not have the comprehensive curriculum and set of Departments that Universities have. Instead, they were set up for a specific purpose, to train students in skills required in different industrial sectors. Examples of these HEIs include the International Accountancy Training Center, the Armenian Institute for Tourism, and the Armenian Medical Institute.

    4. Academies and Conservatory: They are mainly focused on education and research in fine arts, dance, and music.

    Certificate Programs

    There are several kinds of certificate courses run by Armenian Universities and Institutes. For example, there are preparatory courses that allow students with different educational backgrounds to prepare themselves for undergraduate studies; these last eight months. There are also multiple certificate and diploma programs that fall under the heading of continuing education; they are used to ensure that adults can acquire skills during their professional career. There are also short term (3-6 months) language learning courses.

    Undergraduate Programs

    Undergraduate degree programs last 3-4 years in Armenian Universities, with integrated Medical, Dental, and Veterinary degrees taking up to six years to complete. Students will be taught the basics of several foundational topics within their department, and can begin to specialize in the final two years of their degree program.

    Postgraduate Programs

    Postgraduate Master's programs in Armenian Universities aim to provide students with an advanced understanding of academic and research topics in their chosen discipline. Applicants must have a Bachelor's degree in a related topic from a recognized University. There are usually multiple postgraduate specializations (e.g. candidates can choose to study MBA in Yerevan) within each School or Department, and students spend two years in coursework and introductory guided research. A detailed literature survey or research project is required to fulfill the Master's dissertation requirements of the program.

    Doctoral Programs

    Doctoral degree programs in Armenian Universities last 3-5 years. Candidates may have to appear for a qualifying examination, since there are limited PhD seats in the top ranked Armenian Universities. After passing the examination, students can start the main body of research work, until they have enough progress to publish a dissertation and defend their thesis in front of an external panel.

    Disciplines Available in Armenia

    The country has various universities that offer approximately all the disciplines of study. Some of the popular disciplines available in Armenia are-

    Armenian PhilologyInformation TechnologyChemical Engineering
    MicrobiologyRomano-Germanic LanguagesRadio Physics
    Mining and MetallurgyCyberneticsIntercultural Communication
    Marketing and Business OrganizationPhilologyPolitical Science
    Applied MathematicsPsychologyRussian Philology

    Popular Cities with Most number of Universities in Armenia

    Here are some popular cities that have the most universities in Armenia.

    The name of the city No. of Universities 
    Yerevan49
    Gyumri2
    Vanadzor2
    Goris1
    Gavar1

    Average Monthly Expenses in Armenia for International Students

    The tuition fee in Armenian Higher Education Institutions is much lower than in Western Europe. For example, the tuition fee for Postgraduate Programs (e.g. MBA) in the American University of Armenia does not exceed 3.8 million Armenian Dram (AMD) per year, with most undergraduate programs having lower course fees.

    Student Housing options are low cost, as well. For example, a double occupancy dormitory room in the American University of Armenia has a rent of 75,000 AMD per month, while the rent for a single room in a private apartment in Yerevan might exceed 400,000 AMB per month. Students should also plan to spend a similar amount on food, travel, and entertainment.

    Students Visa Requirements

    Here is the list of documents students need to have to apply for a student visa in Armenia.

    Applicants for a long term Armenian Student Visa must complete the steps listed below, and submit the following documents:

    • A Letter of Admission from a University located in Armenia.
    • A copy of a valid passport, issued in the country of origin of the applicant.
    • Filled up visa application form.
    • Proof of payment of the visa application fee.
    • Proof of payment of the first year's tuition fee.
    • Details of accommodation in Armenia; this will usually be an email from the University with information about the dormitory which has been assigned to the student.
    • Financial statements showing that the student has access to sufficient funds throughout the expected duration of his/her stay in Armenia.
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    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    The Consular Fee to be paid during Armenian student visa application is 5,000 AMD. International students must pay this fee on an annual basis when they renew their residence permit every year.

    The photographs submitted with the Armenian student visa application must have dimensions of 35 by 45 mm. They must show only the face of the applicant clearly, with a white background. No other people or objects can be present in the photograph.

    If a student’s Armenian student visa application is rejected, he/she should first visit the nearest Embassy to find the reason for rejection. If the reason is minor (missing documents or incorrect details in the application form), the student should immediately file a new application, after paying the Consular fees again. If the reason is more serious, it is unlikely that a new application will be successful.

    International students in Armenian Universities can work part time alongside their studies, up to 20 hours per week. They should make sure to register their work details with the University, so that it is according to regulations. They can also work full time during the vacations, by taking up paid internships with local companies in Armenia.

    Yerevan State University is the highest ranked Higher Education Institution in Armenia, and is ranked in the top 1,200 in the world in the latest QS Rankings. Other prominent HEIs in the country are the Armenian State University of Economics and the Russian Armenian University. These are popular destinations for foreigners who choose to study abroad in Armenia.

    Armenia has always set up partnerships with powerful HEIs from other countries. In the past three decades alone, Armenian Universities have been set up with Russian, French, and American support, where prominent HEIs in those countries provided funding and logistical curriculum support. They are among the highest ranked Universities in Armenia today.

    Thousands of international students are enrolled in Armenian Universities. By and large, the country is safe; even though there are international tensions with Azerbaijan and Turkey, the conflict is not expected to spill over to the main cities in Armenia e.g. Yerevan. Students should abide by their University travel advisories to ensure that they do not travel to conflict zones.

    Armenian Medical degrees are recognized across the world. There are several highly ranked Medical Departments and Schools in the country, including the Yerevan State Medical University and the HEIs set up with French, American, and Russian support.

    Armenia’s 59 Higher Education Institutions are home to thousands of foreign students, primarily from multiple countries in Eastern Europe and Asia. The campuses are multicultural, with several languages spoken, primarily Armenian, Russian, and English.