Universities in Yerevan, Armenia

Yerevan is the capital of Armenia and, with a population of 1,075,100 according to the city administration, its main university city. The universities here teach in several languages: Armenian at the large state universities, English at the American University of Armenia, Russian at the Russian-Armenian University and French at the French University in Armenia. This makes Yerevan an option for students from many countries, not only from the Armenian diaspora.

The universities

• Yerevan State University (YSU), founded in 1919, has 14,333 students, 2,037 lecturers and 312 educational programmes, according to its website.
• Yerevan State Medical University after Mkhitar Heratsi (YSMU) trains more than 8,000 future doctors; 24% are international students from 33 countries. Its admission exams for foreign citizens in chemistry, biology and physics are offered in English.
• The American University of Armenia (AUA), founded in 1991, is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) in the United States. Its courses are taught in English.
• The Russian-Armenian University (RAU) is an interstate university with 8 institutes and 6,039 students. It also runs a Russian as a foreign language programme.
• The French University in Armenia (UFAR) has more than 2,500 students, according to its website. The university states that more than 90% of its 2025 entrants did not know French and that they will reach level B2 in French after four years.

Admission

Foreign citizens apply to Armenian state universities through a procedure set by the government, in which the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports receives the documents; YSMU, for example, takes applications through the fs.emis.am platform. At YSU, undergraduate admission requires fluency in Armenian and the faculty's entrance exams. Students without enough Armenian can first join YSU's preparatory department, where they strengthen general subjects and learn Armenian before entering a faculty. Private and international universities such as AUA run their own admissions.

Costs

Costs depend on the university and are published in Armenian drams (AMD). At AUA, full-time study abroad tuition is 2,700,000 AMD per semester, and medical insurance costs 50,000 AMD per semester. AUA housing, at rates effective from 1 July 2025, ranges from 85,000 AMD per month for a double room to 170,000 AMD for a single room with a balcony. International students at AUA can receive merit-based scholarships of up to 50% of tuition.

Visas

Citizens of countries with a visa-free agreement can stay in Armenia for up to 180 days a year; all other passport holders need an entry visa, which can be requested online through the e-visa system. Armenian visas are issued for up to 120 days and can be extended for 60 days. Students staying longer should ask their university about residence status.

Frequently asked questions

Can I study in English in Yerevan?

Yes. The American University of Armenia teaches all its courses in English, and Yerevan State Medical University holds its entrance exams for foreign citizens in English.

Do I need to speak Armenian to study at Yerevan State University?

Undergraduate admission requires fluency in Armenian. Students without enough Armenian can first take YSU's preparatory courses, which include Armenian language.

How much does a semester at the American University of Armenia cost?

Full-time study abroad tuition is 2,700,000 AMD per semester, plus 50,000 AMD for medical insurance. A room in AUA housing costs from 85,000 AMD per month.