Online Degree, Online Courses and Distance Learning in Armenia

Online and distance learning in Armenia covers two different things: online courses offered by specialised providers, and degree programmes at licensed and accredited higher education institutions. For a student abroad, the most visible example is online study of the Armenian language, history and culture, which is the focus of the one Armenian provider in our directory, the AGBU Armenian Virtual College (AVC) in Yerevan.

AVC is run by AGBU and holds a licence from Armenia's Ministry of Education and Science. It was founded in 2004 and launched its first academic term in June 2009. According to its website, it has 50,615 e-learners, and the college states that it has served students from 140 countries.

How online study works

AVC teaches Armenian Studies in departments for Armenian language, Armenian history and Armenian culture, plus an online chess programme. The language department teaches Eastern or Western Armenian as a second language, from beginner to advanced levels, and its courses are available as an app for iOS and Android. Courses are taught in eight languages of instruction; the beginners' courses, for example, are available in English, French, Russian, Spanish, Turkish and Portuguese.

Students learn new material each week through multimedia lessons with text, audio and video, and work with an online instructor who leads discussion forums and grades assignments, midterms and finals. There are two main ways to study:

• Synchronous learning: regular students for credit receive four credits per course and should plan for 5 to 8 hours of work a week; auditors follow the same schedule and receive a pass/fail grade
• Asynchronous Self-Study Program: enrolment is open at all times, on a rolling basis; students who want credits take a midterm and a final exam

AVC also runs a hybrid programme in which a class follows lessons at its own school with a local teacher and takes part in online activities with an AVC instructor. Under AVC policy, students can take one course from each department at a time.

Admission and recognition

AVC has no prior requirements: anyone of any age who wants to study Armenian subjects can enrol online by creating an account, choosing a course, the language of instruction and the student type. AVC credits are the college's own; they are not a university degree. Some universities accept them: the Translation and Interpreting department of the Universidad de Granada, for example, offers AVC's online Armenian courses to its students as a third foreign language option, with credits that count towards their studies.

For a full degree, the rules for Armenian higher education apply. Institutions must be licensed by the Ministry of Education and Science to teach and accredited to be recognised, and only qualifications from licensed and accredited institutions are officially recognised for further study and employment. If you are considering an online degree from an Armenian institution, check its licence and accreditation first.

Costs

AVC publishes its course options and enrolment steps on its website; check the current price of the course and student type you choose before enrolling, as auditors, credit students and self-study students follow different programmes.

How to choose an online course in Armenia

• Goal: language skills, Armenian history and culture, or credits for your home university
• Format: weekly synchronous classes with an instructor, or flexible self-study
• Language of instruction: check that your course is offered in your language
• Recognition: ask your home university in advance whether it will accept the credits

Frequently asked questions

Can I learn Armenian online from abroad?

Yes. The AGBU Armenian Virtual College teaches Eastern and Western Armenian online from beginner to advanced levels, in several languages of instruction including English and Spanish.

Do online Armenian courses give credits?

At AVC, regular students receive four credits per course, and self-study students can earn credits by taking a midterm and a final exam. Whether your university accepts them is up to your university.

Are there entry requirements for AVC courses?

No. AVC states that there are no prior requirements: anyone of any age interested in Armenian education may enrol.