Study in Armenia
Presently, there are 26 state universities (4 of which internationally managed), and more than 42 private higher education institutions operating in the Republic of Armenia. Many types of institutions provide quality higher education: universities, institutes, academies and conservatories.
More than 7 thousand foreign students and fellows study in the higher education institutions of Armenia.
Types of higher education institutions
- Universities provide higher, postgraduate and supplementary education in different branches of natural and sociological fields, science, technology, and culture. Opportunities are also provided for scientific research and studies.
- Higher Education Institutes conduct specialized and postgraduate academic programs and scientific research in a number of scientific, economic and cultural branches.
- Educational Academies are aimed at the development of education, science, technology and culture in an individual field. Programs prepare and re-train highly qualified specialists in an individual field and also offer postgraduate academic programs.
- Conservatories prepare specialists in the field of music, providing qualification development and postgraduate academic programs.
- State Higher Education Institutions are autonomous, not-for-profit legal state entities, which possess, utilize and manage the property allocated to them according to their mission and policies developed by the government.
General application requirements
Foreigners are eligible to apply for bachelor’s degree if they have at least a secondary school education and corresponding certificate.
All or part of the following documents will be required for the application process:
- Application for admission addressed to the Minister of Education and Science
- Application form provided by the Ministry of Education and Science
- Health certificate
- Passport or birth certificate copy
- Secondary school graduation diploma
- 4 passport type photographs
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
When applying for a graduate study programme a bachelor diploma will be required.
Each higher education institution may have specific application requirements. Make sure to ask the department of international student relations for detailed information before applying.
For more information visit: http://studyinarmenia.org/faq
English language preparation for studying in Armenia
To study an English-taught programme in Armenia, you will need to demonstrate your language skills. The following are some of the most popular English language tests recognised internationally:
- IELTS Academic
- TOEFL iBT
- Cambridge: C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency
Higher education degrees
The main education programme that prepares specialists for a Bachelor’s degree includes required courses and practice of general humanities and social-economics, mathematics, natural sciences and special professional disciplines, many of which contain elective and optional courses. To acquire the first degree, i.e. Bachelor’s degree, at one of the institutions of higher education, applicants should complete 4 years of study, or 5 years for a medical specialization.
Specialist Diploma studies provides graduates with various types of professional skills and specialized theoretical and practical courses in addition to general education studies. The duration of study is at least 5 years. For education in arts and physical education students must complete 4 years of study. The programme ends with an assessment and a diploma thesis.
The Master’s qualification is awarded Bachelor’s or Specialist Diploma graduates. Graduates completing the Master’s programme have the knowledge, competence and skills necessary for scientific research, scientific-pedagogical activity, management and independent professional development.
A PhD student (researcher) is a person holding a higher education qualification (master’s or Diploma Specialist’s degree), who carries out Doctoral research to expand his/her theoretical knowledge and to prepare a scientific thesis. Upon completion of at least a 3-year postgraduate study and a successful defence of a thesis, the PhD student (researcher) is awarded a PhD (Candidate of Science).
Study workload
The formal weekly workload (contact hours) that students are expected to carry out depends on the type of programmes and differ considerably from institution to institution within the country, but common practices are as follows: for Bachelor programmes 28-32 hours per week (sometimes up to 36), for Master programmes 16- 18 hours and for postgraduate (Doctorate) programmes 4-8.
Evaluation
Students’ learning outcomes are assessed by a series of oral and written examinations and tests. The results of examinations are assessed by grading systems varying considerably among institutions. State examination committees conduct the final evaluation of graduates.
Living in Armenia
- Architecture is one of the most interesting art forms in Armenia, as, for example, churches bear artistic illustrations in frescoes and reliefs. Sculpting is everywhere - in nearly every city, town, and village in Armenia.
- Armenians love music, and they have been creating exquisite compositions for centuries. Sharakans are traditional Armenian liturgical songs, which are presently experiencing a revival.
- The Armenian Theatre has history of more than 2000 years.
- Armenia has hundreds of unique Christian monuments, amazing sites, waterfalls, Skyscraping Mountains and wonderful people with rich heritage and warm hospitality.
- The beautiful Armenian Plateau ( the chain of mountains in Armenia) features hidden lakes, waterfalls, torrents, rivers, springs, valleys, highlands and rich forests.
- The people take great pride in their traditions, culture, religion, arts and crafts, delicious cuisine and sincere hospitality.
- A meal in an inexpensive restaurant costs about 6 EUR.
- Renting a 1 room apartment outside the city centre is about 130 EUR/month.
- Renting a 3 room apartment outside the city centre is about 230 EUR/month.
- The minimum overall living cost in Armenia is 300 EUR/month.
- The Cross-stone (khachkar) is virtually the most famous design of Medieval Armenian culture. They are the synthesis of traditional art, philosophical and spiritual apprehension.
- Armenia is home to the longest cableway in the world, which spans 5.7km.
- Yerevan, one of the most ancient cities in the world, celebrates its 2796-th anniversary in 2014. The capital of Armenia has all the advantages of a modern capital city and boasts numerous historical attractions, together with a friendly atmosphere.
- Tours of the wineries and tasting of wine and cognac are very popular in Armenia.
- There is a variety of events for any taste in Armenia: folk festivals, art exhibitions, chamber music, opera, modern and ballet dance, light music and jazz.
About Armenia
The Republic of Armenia is located in the southern Caucasus and is the smallest of the former Soviet republics. The country neighbours Georgia in the North, Azerbaijan in the East, Iran in the South, Azerbaijan in the South-West and Turkey in the West.
The capital city of Armenia is Yerevan.
One of the world's oldest civilizations, Armenia once included Mount Ararat, which biblical tradition identifies as the mountain that Noah's ark rested on after the flood. It was the first country in the world to officially embrace Christianity as its religion (c. A.D. 300).
In the 6th century B.C., Armenians settled in the kingdom of Urartu. The Armenian empire reached its height and became one of the most powerful in Asia, stretching from the Caspian to the Mediterranean seas. Throughout most of its long history, however, Armenia has been invaded by a succession of empires. Under constant threat of domination by foreign forces, Armenians became both cosmopolitan as well as fierce protectors of their culture and tradition.
Over the centuries, Armenia was conquered by Greeks, Romans, Persians, Byzantines, Mongols, Arabs, Ottoman Turks, and Russians. From the 16th century through World War I, the Ottoman Turks controlled major portions of Armenia.
After the Turkish defeat in World War I, the independent Republic of Armenia was established in 1918, but survived only until 1920, when it was annexed by the Soviet army. On 1922, the Soviets joined Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan to form the Trans-Caucasian Soviet Socialist Republic, which became part of the USSR. In 1936, after a reorganization, Armenia became a separate constituent republic of the USSR. Armenia declared its independence from the collapsing Soviet Union in 1991.
Armenia has a developed industry, supplying tools, textiles, and other manufactured goods to neighbour countries. Recently, there has been a growth in the technology industry of the country.
Universities, colleges and schools in Armenia
Yerevan
- American University of Armenia (1 Short course)
How to Apply to a Master's in Armenia
If you've decided to study a Master's degree at a university in Armenia, you will have to gather the right documents to prove that you fit the university requirements. Provide complete personal information, previous qualifications, financial information, and a personal statement.
What documents do I need to provide to apply in Armenia?
To apply to a university in Armenia you will likely be asked to provide some of the following documents:
- birth certificate;
- recent photos;
- your passport or national identity card;
- one or more reference letters from past employers or teachers;
- copies of past diplomas or certificates, including your graduated Bachelor's degree;
- academic transcripts;
- letter of intent;
- Curriculum Vitae;
- Some form of proof that you can support your stay in the country during your studies.
Depending on the subject or specialization of your chosen Master's, you might also be asked to provide scores for additional tests like the GRE, GMAT or LSAT. Check if your programme requires any of these, or others.
The list of documents depends on the specific requirements of universities in Armenia so you might be asked to include additional documents. It’s also likely you’ll have to provide official English translations of your documents, or translations in the local language.
Prove your English skills
Because you’ll study an international degree in English, you'll have to present a language certificate. Some popular options for international students are IELTS, TOEFL or C1 Advanced language certificates. You’ll have to meet a minimum language score set by the university, and your test scores shouldn’t be older than 1-2 years. If you don’t meet the minimum language requirements, you will have to improve your skills and scores by taking an English preparation course.
Application deadlines for Armenia
The deadlines for applying to a Master's in Armenia are usually during summer (June-July), or in winter (January-February). Keep in mind that some universities don’t have application deadlines, which means you can apply whenever you are ready.
To avoid delays or missed deadlines send your required documents with plenty of time in advance.
