How do international students apply to Azerbaijani universities?

Through the Ministry of Science and Education's SIACAS portal (portal.edu.az): register, pick an institution and specialty, upload documents; the university reviews, may interview, and then may ask for payment. The ministry says the portal is free and warns against brokers who promise admission for money. Some universities also accept emailed documents first but still require portal registration.

Do citizens of Turkiye, Russia, Kazakhstan or Ukraine need a visa to study?

They can enter visa-free for up to 90 days (Russia: 90 days per calendar year). For full-time study they still need a temporary residence permit from the State Migration Service before the visa-free period ends; universities usually file it. Kazakhstan citizens have 30 days (instead of 15) to register their place of stay according to the WCU page.

What does the student residence permit cost?

Law on State Fee as listed by the State Migration Service: AZN 60 for up to one year if processed in 15 working days, AZN 40 if 20 working days; extension to two years AZN 120 / 80. Place-of-stay registration has no state fee, but missing the 15-day deadline can bring a fine (a search summary mentions about AZN 400; not verified on an official page).

Is there a government scholarship for foreign students?

Yes - the Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant (about 100 awards per year): tuition, AZN 800 monthly allowance, yearly flight, insurance allowance, visa and residence permit. Candidates must be nominated by their own government and be citizens of eligible countries; it is not an open individual application. Check the current-year call.

How much does it cost to study in English?

Published examples: Baku Engineering University USD 2,000/yr (bachelor's), USD 2,300/yr (master's); Khazar University USD 5,000/yr (USD 6,000 veterinary medicine); ADA University AZN 8,500/yr (bachelor's, non-citizens) and AZN 10,500/yr (most master's). Other universities did not publish readable international fees.

Is e-visa possible for study?

Yes, for nationals of eligible countries: ADA says to choose the EDUCATION purpose on evisa.gov.az. BSU describes ASAN e-visa processing in 3 working days (3 hours urgent), USD 20, stay up to 30 days; you then convert to a residence permit through the university. Countries not on the e-visa list use an embassy visa (or visa-free entry if applicable).

Can I live on campus or in a dormitory?

Several universities have dormitories (BSU AZN 200/month; Khazar USD 90-140/month for internationals) and there are private student residences such as Univerium and New Zeon. Availability is first-come, first-served at Khazar; apply early.

Countries

Study in Azerbaijan: costs, visa, scholarships and universities

Q: Can international students work part-time?

The sources read give no student work exemption: foreigners need an employer-obtained work permit, the e-visa gives no work right, and Khazar University states that a student visa does not allow work. Confirm with the State Migration Service and your university.

Costs, visa process, work rights, scholarships and university options for studying in Azerbaijan.

Free consultation for Azerbaijan

Overview

Azerbaijan runs a state-coordinated system for international students: applications to universities go through the Ministry of Science and Education's Study in Azerbaijan Centralized Admission Service (SIACAS, portal.edu.az), which the ministry says is free and warns applicants to avoid brokers. The official Study in Azerbaijan site describes roughly 50 public and private higher-education institutions and about 9,500 international students from 110 countries (site figures, undated, 2025 copyright).

Tuition is set by each institution and varies widely. In the sources read, English-taught fees for foreign students ranged from USD 2,000 per year (Baku Engineering University, bachelor's) and USD 5,000 per year (Khazar University) to AZN 8,500-10,500 per year at ADA University. Several universities (Baku Higher Oil School, ASOIU, Baku State University) did not publish a readable international fee table.

Citizens of Turkiye, Russia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine may enter visa-free for up to 90 days under bilateral agreements (Russia: 90 days per calendar year), but anyone studying full time needs a temporary residence permit issued by the State Migration Service, which students typically obtain through their university. Citizens of other countries use an embassy study visa or, where eligible, an e-visa issued for the education purpose. Paid work requires an employer-obtained work permit; the e-visa gives no work right, and Khazar University states that a student visa does not permit work.

The government-funded Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant (about 100 awards a year in the 2025-2026 call) covers tuition, a monthly allowance of AZN 800, a yearly flight, insurance allowance and visa/residence costs, but it is open only to nominated citizens of eligible countries and is applied for through the home government first. This overview is based on official university and government pages read on 2026-10-25; several universities could not be fully verified and are marked partial.

Public university tuition: No single national tuition schedule; each institution sets fees. Published English-taught international fees among public institutions read: Baku Engineering University (public legal entity) foundation USD 1,000/yr, bachelor's USD 2,000/yr, master's USD 2,300/yr. Azerbaijan Medical University deck (undated, file modified 2025-11) lists General Medicine/Dentistry/Pharmacy basic education at USD 5,000 (period not specified), residency/master/PhD USD 7,000. ASOIU, BHOS and Baku State University: no readable international fee table. Heydar Aliyev grantees pay no tuition.Source
Monthly living cost: No official all-in monthly estimate found. Components stated by official pages: BHOS FAQ - food, transport and hygiene about USD 150 per month; Khazar dormitory USD 90-140 per month for international students (shared 2-4 person rooms); BSU dormitory AZN 200 per month; Baku metro/bus fare AZN 0.60 per ride (BSU page); airport taxi about AZN 20 (ADA); Heydar Aliyev grant allowance AZN 800 per month (10 months) intended for accommodation, daily expenses and materials (an indicator of the government's assumed budget, not a cost survey). Univerium private dorm price not published in sources read.Source
Visa processing time: E-visa 3 working days standard, 3 hours urgent (BSU page citing ASAN Visa). TRP 15 or 20 working days depending on the fee tier. Heydar Aliyev grantees receive a single-entry visa and a yearly TRP at government expense.Source
Work rights: No general student work right found. State Migration Service: foreigners aged 18+ may work only after the employer obtains a work permit (employer pays AZN 350-1,400 depending on duration and speed); the published exemption list does not mention students. The e-visa gives no right to paid work. Khazar University's FAQ states that a student visa lets you study full-time but not work. Heydar grantees receive an allowance and are not stated to have work rights. Verify with the university's international office and the State Migration Service before relying on part-time work.Source
Intakes and deadlines: Main intake is autumn; Heydar Aliyev call set the 2025-2026 academic year start at 15 September with last arrival 30 September. Application windows seen: ADA graduate - first deadline 8 April and late deadline 1 June (Fall 2026 cycle); ASOIU - bachelor/master/PhD 10 June-10 September, foundation 10 June-25 September and 10 December-30 January (February-June foundation track); BHOS - once a year May to August, year runs September-May; Khazar - applications January to 31 August 2026 in two cycles (early bird to 1 June 2026, second cycle 2 June-31 August 2026), classes start in September; Khazar tells accepted students to register on portal.edu.az by early September. 2027 windows were not published in the pages read.Source
Language requirement: Set by each university. ADA graduate programmes: IELTS Academic 6.5 / TOEFL iBT 83 (4.5 new format) / PTE 58 / Duolingo 120 (waivers for native speakers, English-language degree in an English-speaking country, ADA graduates); ADA undergraduate route described on its page (SAT-based): IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL iBT 75 / PTE 50 / Duolingo 105. BHOS bachelor's: IELTS 5.0 with at least 5.0 in every section or TOEFL iBT 45-54, plus a one-year English foundation course. Heydar Aliyev grant: IELTS 5 (TOEFL 40) undergraduate, IELTS 5.5 (TOEFL 50) postgraduate, or previous education in English. ASOIU: language-proficiency and academic interview for all applicants; foundation programme in English, Russian or Azerbaijani. Khazar: no entrance exam for international applicants; medium of instruction English; placement test on arrival (undergraduate page). Azerbaijani, Russian or Turkish proof is needed for programmes in those languages (Heydar call).Source

Tuition and living costs

Public university tuition: No single national tuition schedule; each institution sets fees. Published English-taught international fees among public institutions read: Baku Engineering University (public legal entity) foundation USD 1,000/yr, bachelor's USD 2,000/yr, master's USD 2,300/yr. Azerbaijan Medical University deck (undated, file modified 2025-11) lists General Medicine/Dentistry/Pharmacy basic education at USD 5,000 (period not specified), residency/master/PhD USD 7,000. ASOIU, BHOS and Baku State University: no readable international fee table. Heydar Aliyev grantees pay no tuition.Source
Private university tuition: Khazar University (private): USD 5,000 per year across all programmes, BS Veterinary Medicine USD 6,000; early-bird cycle 2026 USD 3,750 (USD 4,500 vet) per the FAQ's second statement, while the same FAQ also states USD 4,500 (USD 5,400 vet) for early bird - the page is internally inconsistent. ADA University (flat fee incl. student fee, non-citizens, AZN per year, 2025 table): undergraduate 8,500; MPA/MADIA 10,500; MBA 10,500; LL.M. 10,500; MSc IT/Engineering dual-degree programmes 36,200 USD (period not stated).Source
Monthly living cost: No official all-in monthly estimate found. Components stated by official pages: BHOS FAQ - food, transport and hygiene about USD 150 per month; Khazar dormitory USD 90-140 per month for international students (shared 2-4 person rooms); BSU dormitory AZN 200 per month; Baku metro/bus fare AZN 0.60 per ride (BSU page); airport taxi about AZN 20 (ADA); Heydar Aliyev grant allowance AZN 800 per month (10 months) intended for accommodation, daily expenses and materials (an indicator of the government's assumed budget, not a cost survey). Univerium private dorm price not published in sources read.Source

Accommodation

University dormitories exist (BSU AZN 200/month; Khazar USD 90-140/month for international students; AMU says 6 hostels with USD 700 hostel fee, period unspecified) plus private student residences (Univerium, New Zeon) and private rentals. BHOS lists free student housing for its grant/intergovernmental scholarship holders. Study in Azerbaijan promotes a package with Innab Inn Hotel (price not stated).

When planning the total budget, separate one-off and monthly items. Budget planning guide

Visa and residence permit

Two situations. (1) Visa-free nationals (Turkiye, Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and others on the MFA list) may enter without a visa for up to 90 days (Russia: 90 days per calendar year) and must then obtain a temporary residence permit (TRP) for full-time study before the stay period ends. (2) Other nationals: study visa from an Azerbaijani embassy/consulate (visa for scientific or educational purposes, Migration Code art. 27.1, issued on request of a registered educational institution), or, if the country is on the e-visa list, an e-visa with the EDUCATION purpose (ADA). Where there is no embassy and the country is not e-visa eligible, ADA says a visa on arrival may be possible with a special permission letter arranged by the university. After arrival: register place of stay (free), then TRP through the university and the Ministry of Science and Education request to the State Migration Service; TRP is renewed yearly.

Visa processing time: E-visa 3 working days standard, 3 hours urgent (BSU page citing ASAN Visa). TRP 15 or 20 working days depending on the fee tier. Heydar Aliyev grantees receive a single-entry visa and a yearly TRP at government expense.Source
Proof of funds: Not verified yetSource
Health insurance: Heydar Aliyev grant includes AZN 200 per year for medical care. ASOIU states that international students with a TRP can use Azersigorta (State Insurance Company) medical insurance services. BHOS says health insurance cost is paid by the student. No universal mandatory insurance rule found.Source

Application steps

Create a personal account and apply to the chosen university on portal.edu.az (SIACAS, free; no application fee on the portal). Some universities also take applications by email (Khazar, WCU, BHOS FAQ) but still require portal registration after the offer.
University review, possible online/offline interview, possible payment (tuition) - then offer/admission letter.
Get the entry document: embassy study visa, e-visa (education purpose) on evisa.gov.az if eligible, or nothing if you are a visa-free national (stay limit 90 days).
Arrive; foreigners staying more than 15 days must be registered at the place of stay (apply via State Migration Service e-services, email or ASAN centre; no state fee). WCU page notes 30 days for citizens of Kazakhstan. Re-register within 5 working days when changing address.
University submits migration documents; apply for the student TRP at least about one month (BHOS) / 30 days (Migration Service) before visa or stay expiry (ASOIU asks for documents at least 40 days before). Medical certificate (HIV, hepatitis B/C) is part of the file.
Renew the TRP yearly after successful completion of the academic year.

Documents required

Passport valid at least 3 months beyond the TRP validity (WCU asks 1 year at application)
Educational certificate/diploma and transcript, apostilled or legalized, with notarized English/Russian (or Azerbaijani) translation
Medical certificate incl. HIV and hepatitis B and C tests (not older than 3 months in the Heydar call)
Photos (3x4 / 3.5x4.5 cm; counts differ by university)
Language proof where required (see languageRequirements)
Criminal record clearance (BHOS)
TRP file: application form, passport copy, 2 photos 3.5x4.5, proof of residential address/landlord statement, medical reference, state-fee receipt

Fees: Student TRP state fee (Law on State Fee, listed by the State Migration Service): AZN 60 for up to 1 year if processed within 15 working days, AZN 40 if within 20 working days; AZN 120 / 80 for up to two years on extension. Place-of-stay registration: no state fee. E-visa: USD 20 standard (3 working days, stay up to 30 days) per a BSU page; urgent e-visa in 3 hours (higher fee, amount not read). Extension of temporary stay: AZN 30-100 depending on speed and days.Source

Nationality-specific notes: turkish: Visa-free for up to 90 days with ordinary passport (MFA list). A separate arrangement reported in search results allows travel on the biometric ID card since 2021-04 (not verified on an official page). A study TRP is still needed for full-time study. Eligible for the Heydar Aliyev grant only if Turkiye is in the call's Annex 2 (not read).; russian: Visa-free: 90 days for each calendar year (MFA list). Full-time study requires a TRP. Instruction in Russian is available at several universities (ASOIU, AMU, WCU per their pages).; kazakh: Visa-free 90 days (MFA list). WCU's page states place-of-stay registration within 30 days for Kazakhstan citizens (15 days for others). BHOS lists Kazakhstan among eligible countries of the Intergovernmental Scholarship (bilateral agreements; undated page).; ukrainian: Visa-free 90 days (MFA list). No Ukraine-specific study rule found. Full-time study requires a TRP.; azerbaijani: Citizens of Azerbaijan, and foreigners holding a permanent residence permit, are not international applicants: they use the State Examination Center route like citizens. Dual citizens with Azerbaijani citizenship are treated as citizens (BSU FAQ citing Citizenship Law art. 10). Foreign-only nationals apply as international students.

Our visa consulting

Work rights and after graduation

No general student work right found. State Migration Service: foreigners aged 18+ may work only after the employer obtains a work permit (employer pays AZN 350-1,400 depending on duration and speed); the published exemption list does not mention students. The e-visa gives no right to paid work. Khazar University's FAQ states that a student visa lets you study full-time but not work. Heydar grantees receive an allowance and are not stated to have work rights. Verify with the university's international office and the State Migration Service before relying on part-time work.

After graduation: Not verified yet

Source

Language requirements and intakes

Language requirement: Set by each university. ADA graduate programmes: IELTS Academic 6.5 / TOEFL iBT 83 (4.5 new format) / PTE 58 / Duolingo 120 (waivers for native speakers, English-language degree in an English-speaking country, ADA graduates); ADA undergraduate route described on its page (SAT-based): IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL iBT 75 / PTE 50 / Duolingo 105. BHOS bachelor's: IELTS 5.0 with at least 5.0 in every section or TOEFL iBT 45-54, plus a one-year English foundation course. Heydar Aliyev grant: IELTS 5 (TOEFL 40) undergraduate, IELTS 5.5 (TOEFL 50) postgraduate, or previous education in English. ASOIU: language-proficiency and academic interview for all applicants; foundation programme in English, Russian or Azerbaijani. Khazar: no entrance exam for international applicants; medium of instruction English; placement test on arrival (undergraduate page). Azerbaijani, Russian or Turkish proof is needed for programmes in those languages (Heydar call).Source
Intakes and deadlines: Main intake is autumn; Heydar Aliyev call set the 2025-2026 academic year start at 15 September with last arrival 30 September. Application windows seen: ADA graduate - first deadline 8 April and late deadline 1 June (Fall 2026 cycle); ASOIU - bachelor/master/PhD 10 June-10 September, foundation 10 June-25 September and 10 December-30 January (February-June foundation track); BHOS - once a year May to August, year runs September-May; Khazar - applications January to 31 August 2026 in two cycles (early bird to 1 June 2026, second cycle 2 June-31 August 2026), classes start in September; Khazar tells accepted students to register on portal.edu.az by early September. 2027 windows were not published in the pages read.Source

Language and exam preparation

Scholarships

preparatory courses, bachelor's (4-5 y), general medicine (5-6 y), master's (1.5-2 y), medical residency (2-5 y), PhD (3 y)By nomination

Heydar Aliyev - International Education Grant Program (Azerbaijan Government scholarship for foreigners)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Science and Education of Azerbaijan

Coverage: Tuition and language preparatory courses; one economy flight per year to/from Baku; monthly allowance AZN 800 (about USD 470) for 10 months a year (not July/August); medical allowance AZN 200 per year; single-entry visa and temporary residence permit for each academic year. About 100 students per year; programme runs for 5 years from the 2023 decree.
Deadline: 2025-2026 call: nomination to home authorities 15 Mar-15 May 2025; SIACAS registration 1-15 June 2025; results 16-31 July 2025. Dates for the following call not read; yearly cycle follows the same pattern per the call and a search result mentioning a 2026-2027 call.
Eligibility: Citizens of OIC member states, Non-Aligned Movement members, Small Island Developing States, and countries with cultural/ethnic/historical ties to Azerbaijan (Annex 2 country list not read). Age limits on 15.09.2025: under 35 (bachelor/medicine), under 40 (master/residency), under 45 (PhD). GPA at least 70/100 in previous study. Candidates first nominated by their government (ministry/embassy), then register on portal.edu.az and choose up to 3 specialties. Nomination does not guarantee an award. Not open to Azerbaijani citizens.

Source

as per agreementBy nomination

Bilateral/intergovernmental scholarships

Government of Azerbaijan under bilateral agreements

Coverage: BHOS lists for this route: free student housing, no application fee, free academic materials and sports facilities, free documentation support, internship opportunities (amounts not stated).
Eligibility: BHOS page (undated) lists eligible countries: China, Somalia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Romania, Uzbekistan. Applies via the SIACAS bilateral-agreement channel; the studyinazerbaijan.edu.az how-to page was not reached.

Source

undergraduate and graduateVia the university

Alimardan bay Topchubashov International Fellowship

ADA University

Coverage: Not specified on the page (details in a linked policy document not opened). Renewable subject to criteria and availability of funds.
Eligibility: International (non-Azerbaijani) applicants admitted to a degree-granting ADA school. A separate fellowship for School of Education Azerbaijani-language programmes is open to citizens of Georgia.

Source

bachelor's, master's, PhDVia the university

Khazar University merit scholarships for international students

Khazar University

Coverage: 25%, 50% or 75% of tuition; an Excellence Scholarship covering a full academic year for master's/PhD (not guaranteed).
Eligibility: Applicants are considered automatically per a search summary of the university's international pages; the FAQ itself says merit scholarships are limited in number.

Source

full-time undergraduate and graduateVia the university

AzTU semester tuition waiver for top international students

Azerbaijan Technical University

Coverage: Tuition-free following semester for top performers; 5 students received it for Spring 2025-2026.
Eligibility: Highest academic performance in previous semester.

Source

Cities

Baku

Khirdalan

Universities

ADA University

Baku · Public

Flat fee (tuition + student fee), non-citizen, 2025 table: undergraduate AZN 8,500 per year (BAIS/BAPA/BACDM, BBA/BSE/BSF, IT/engineering, law, agriculture, design); graduate AZN 10,500 (MADIA, MPA, MBA, MBA Finance, GMAP, HRM, MAEM, MATL, agri-food, LL.M.); dual-degree MSc CS/EE/CE 36.200 USD. Currency AZN unless stated.

Baku Higher Oil School (BHOS)

Baku · Public

Tuition & Costs page loads empty. FAQ: fee covers annual tuition / foundation programme fee, main materials and sports facilities; migration and health insurance costs extra. Amount not published in sources read.

Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University (ASOIU / ADNSU)

Baku · Public

Khazar University

Baku · Private

USD 5,000 per year across all programmes; BS Veterinary Medicine USD 6,000. Early-bird (to 1 June 2026): the FAQ gives both USD 4,500 (vet 5,400) and USD 3,750 (vet 4,500) - inconsistent. Dormitory extra (USD 90-140/month).

Baku Engineering University (BEU)

Baku (campus in Khirdalan) · Public

English-taught programmes: foundation USD 1,000/yr; bachelor's USD 2,000/yr; master's USD 2,300/yr

Azerbaijan Medical University (AMU)

Baku · Public

General Medicine 6 yrs USD 5,000; Dentistry 5 yrs USD 5,000; Pharmacy 4 yrs USD 5,000; residency (2-5 yrs) USD 7,000; pharmacy master (2 yrs) USD 7,000; PhD (3 yrs) USD 7,000. The deck does not say whether amounts are per year or total.

Baku State University (BSU)

Baku · Public

UNEC - Azerbaijan State University of Economics

Baku · Public

Western Caspian University (WCU)

Baku · Private

Single figure seen in a search summary: USD 2,000 for a bachelor's in Water bioresources and aquatic plants (page not opened). Tuition must be paid in full before arrival in Azerbaijan.

Baku Academy of Music

Baku · Public

Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University

Baku · Public

Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts

Baku · Public

Azerbaijan State Agricultural University

Ganja · Public

Azerbaijan State Physical Culture and Sports Academy

Baku · Public

Ganja State University

Ganja · Public

Baku Slavic University

Baku · Public

Azerbaijan Technical University

Baku · Public

Sumgait State University

Sumgait · Public

Nakhchivan State University

Nakhchivan · Public

Azerbaijan University of Languages

Baku · Public

Azerbaijan University of Architecture and Construction

Baku · Public

Azerbaijan Technological University

Ganja · Public

Lankaran State University

Lankaran · Public

National Aviation Academy

Baku · Public

Azerbaijan State Marine Academy

Baku · Public

Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Baku · Public

Azerbaijan State Academy of Fine Arts

Baku · Public

Azerbaijan National Conservatory

Baku · Public

Azerbaijan Tourism and Management University

Baku · Public

Baku Choreography Academy

Baku · Public

Mingachevir State University

Mingachevir · Public

Azerbaijan Institute of Theology

Baku · Public

Karabakh University

Khankendi · Public

Türkiye-Azerbaijan University

Baku · Public

Heydar Aliyev Azerbaijan Higher Military School

Baku · State (other ministry)

Police Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs

Baku · State (other ministry)

Higher Military School of the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs

Baku · State (other ministry)

Academy of the Ministry of Emergency Situations

Baku · State (other ministry)

Academy of the State Customs Committee

Baku · State (other ministry)

Western Caspian University

Baku · Private

Azerbaijan University

Baku · Private

Baku Eurasian University

Baku · Private

Foreign students on a fee-paying basis, 2026/2027: USD 1,500 per year for bachelor, master and doctoral levels (USD 1,000 for the preparatory course).

Azerbaijan Cooperation University

Baku · Private

Baku Business University

Baku · Private

Odlar Yurdu University

Baku · Private

Azerbaijan Academy of Labor and Social Relations

Baku · Private

Academy of the State Security Service

Baku · State (other ministry)

Academy of the State Border Service

Baku · State (other ministry)

Nakhchivan Teachers Institute

Nakhchivan · Public

All universities

Official resources

Frequently asked questions

Information on this page is compiled from official sources and was verified on the date shown. Fees, dates and visa rules change often; check official sources before applying. Empty fields have not been verified yet; ask our advisor for the current information.

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