Education System in Azerbaijan
| Education | School/Level | Grade From | Grade To | Age From | Age To | Years | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary | Primary school | 1 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 4 | Education is compulsory for all children between the ages of 6 and 15 | |
| Middle | Basic Education | 5 | 9 | 10 | 15 | 5 | Certificate/Degree awarded: Certificate of Basic General Education | |
| Secondary | Secondary Education | 10 | 11 | 15 | 17 | 2 | Certificate/diploma awarded: Certificate of Complete Secondary Education | |
| Secondary | Vocational/Technical Secondary Education | 15 | 18 | 3 | Certificate/diploma awarded: Certificate of Complete Secondary Specialized Education | |||
| Tertiary | University level first stage | 4 | Certificate/diploma awarded: Bachelor's Degree or Bakalavr. The Diploma of Specialist which used to be awarded after five years is being phased out. | |||||
| Tertiary | Teacher education | 4 | Teachers are university graduates | |||||
| Tertiary | University level second stage | 2 | Certificate/diploma awarded: Master's Degree or Magistr (1.5 - 2 years od study). The Kandidat Nauk (aspirantura) which used to be awarded after three years' postgraduate study is being phased out. | |||||
| Tertiary | University level third stage | 3 | Certificate/Degree awarded: Doctoral degree (Ph.D.). The Doktor Nauk, which used to be awarded by thesis after the Kandidat Nauk, is being phased out. |
Primary Education
School education in Azerbaijan is fairly elementary by western standards and is still struggling to come to terms with a combination of religious influence and the ashes of the old Soviet order. It is compulsory between ages 6 and 15, and begins with 4 years of primary school through to age 10.
Middle Education
Five years of basic education follow through to age 15 when the compulsory period ends. A person fortunate to have that level of schooling would have to go straight on to work.
Secondary Education
There are 2 choices open to secondary school students. They may study for 2 more years at general secondary school and obtain their certificates of complete secondary education. Or they may go on technical secondary school instead, specialize, and be awarded a certificate of complete secondary specialized education.
Vocational Education
The Education Ministry oversees a network of vocational schools and lyceums. Several vocational institutes train engineers and scientists for the geological and petrochemical sectors.
Tertiary Education
There are several types of state and private tertiary institutions in Azerbaijan, namely universities, academies, institutes, colleges and conservatoires. Their right of autonomy is protected, however the standards that they must meet are prescribed.
The oldest establishment is Baku State University created in 1919. Today it has 16 faculties, and has produced several of the nation’s leaders. Notwithstanding this, it is only ranked 1,961st best in the world.