ADA University
ADA Universiteti
An English-taught state university in Baku that grew out of Azerbaijan's diplomatic academy.
- Students
- 4,340
- International
- 5%
- of students
- Tuition
- AZN 8,500
- 2025 fee table (latest published; ADA's tuition page still showed only the 2025 table on 30 Sep 2026, no 2026-27 table)
- Founded
- 2006
About ADA
ADA University was established on 13 January 2014 by presidential decree as a state higher education institution. It is the legal heir of the Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy, founded in 2006 to train diplomats and civil servants, and of the Information Technologies University, which merged into it. Bachelor's programmes began in 2011, and the campus sits in the Narimanov district of Baku next to Ganjlik metro station.
The university has about 4,340 students, 84% of them undergraduates, and 212 faculty members. English is the main language of instruction, which sets it apart from most universities in Azerbaijan. It is organised into seven schools: Public and International Affairs, Business, IT and Engineering, Education, Law, Agricultural and Food Sciences, and Design and Architecture. Its BBA and MBA programmes are accredited by ACBSP, and it was re-accredited nationally in 2023.
The student body is overwhelmingly Azerbaijani, with 219 international students. That makes ADA a realistic option for international applicants who want an English-language degree in the Caucasus with a small, interview-based admissions process, and for Azerbaijani students who want a liberal, credit-based programme with exchange options at 165 partner universities.
Why students choose ADA
Undergraduate programmes are taught in English, including International Studies, Computer Science, Architecture, Law and Business Administration.
International applicants are automatically considered for the Alimardan bay Topchubashov International Fellowship, with no separate application, if they apply by the early deadline.
The university lists 165 partner universities for exchange and 47 student clubs.
Its BBA and MBA programmes are accredited by ACBSP, and two dual master's degrees are offered with George Washington University.
Admissions
Entry in autumn 2026 (latest published cycle); 2027 dates not yet posted
Selectivity
ADA does not publish an acceptance rate. It describes itself as highly selective and reviews applications holistically. International applicants are interviewed in English if shortlisted, and final decisions rest largely on the interview.
Typical entry requirements
| International applicants (any school-leaving qualification) | High school diploma or a reference with expected graduation date, official transcript, CV, statement of purpose (300-500 words), passport, photo; notarised English translations where needed |
|---|---|
| IB Diploma (Azerbaijani-citizen route) | 25 points for all programmes except Law, which requires 30 |
| A-levels (Azerbaijani-citizen route) | Minimum grade C, with specific subjects for some programmes |
| SAT (Azerbaijani-citizen route) | Minimum 1200 overall, with 600 in Math for computing, engineering, business, economics and finance programmes |
| English language | IELTS 6 · TOEFL iBT 75 Applicants with IELTS Academic 6.0, TOEFL iBT 75 (or 4 on the new iBT scale for exams from 21 January 2026), PTE 50 or Duolingo 105 are exempt from the English for Academic and Professional Purposes (EAPP) programme; others may start in EAPP first. |
Deadlines
- International applicants: first round Non-bindingApril 8, 2026 (previous cycle)
Applying by this deadline is also how you are considered for the Topchubashov fellowship. Interviews with shortlisted candidates in May and June 2026.
- International applicants: late deadline Non-bindingJuly 1, 2026 (previous cycle)
Interviews with shortlisted candidates in July and August 2026.
- Citizens of Azerbaijan: SAT, IB/A-level/AP and ADA School routes Non-bindingJune 30, 2026 (previous cycle)
The State Examination Center route closed on September 10, 2026.
ADA had not posted 2027 entry deadlines when this was checked on 30 September 2026. The dates above are the 2026 entry deadlines and are labelled as the previous cycle; expect a similar spring and early-summer timetable and confirm on the admissions page.
How to apply
International applicants follow three steps: submit the ADA online application with attachments and pay the non-refundable 100 AZN fee; attend an online interview in English if shortlisted; then submit the Study in Azerbaijan CAS online application. Citizens of Azerbaijan apply through the State Examination Center (SEC) route, or the SAT, IB/A-level/AP, ADA School or olympiad routes.
What admissions looks for
- ADA says its admission policy is a holistic review of prior academic records, intellectual capacity, potential for growth, career focus and ability to succeed at the university.
- The English-language interview is the final step, and the university states that final decisions are made on interview results.
- A statement of purpose of 300 to 500 words on motivation, future goals and career aspirations.
Tips for applying to ADA
- 1 Apply by the early April deadline if you want to be considered for the Topchubashov International Fellowship; there is no separate scholarship application.
- 2 Send a strong English test score if you have one: IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 75 exempts you from the EAPP foundation programme.
- 3 Have your school documents translated into English by a notary before you upload them.
- 4 Plan your visa early: after admission you apply for an Azerbaijani student visa via the embassy or the e-visa portal (education purpose), and ADA can help with a permission letter.
Costs & financial aid
2025 fee table (latest published; ADA's tuition page still showed only the 2025 table on 30 Sep 2026, no 2026-27 table) · figures in AZN
International fellows admitted through the Alimardan bay Topchubashov International Fellowship receive a 100% tuition waiver for their first semester, plus a dorm housing fee and yearly medical insurance, and the fellowship is renewable with a term GPA of 2.5 or higher. ADA also has merit scholarships, student loans, tuition waivers for students with special status, and 30 fully state-funded seats in each of six programmes for SEC applicants.
- First-semester 100% tuition waiver, housing fee and medical insurance; renewable at GPA 2.5
- Topchubashov fellowship
- 30 seats each in Computer Science, Information Technology, Computer Engineering, Mathematics, Economics and Finance
- State-funded seats (Azerbaijani citizens)
Academics
Academic calendar: Two semesters (fall from early September, spring from mid-January) plus a summer term
International Studies (BA)
The undergraduate degree closest to ADA's origins as a diplomatic academy, offered by the School of Public and International Affairs.
Computer Science (BSc)
One of five undergraduate programmes in the School of IT and Engineering, alongside a dual master's in Computer Science and Data Analytics with George Washington University.
Business Administration (BBA)
The BBA and MBA are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
Architecture (BArch)
Part of the School of Design and Architecture, which also offers Interior Design, Urban Planning and Communication Design.
Laws (LLB)
The School of Law's undergraduate degree; the SAT route is not available for Law.
Agricultural Technologies (BSc)
The School of Agricultural and Food Sciences also offers Food Technologies and Animal Science.
Research
- ADA publishes Baku Dialogues, an English-language quarterly peer-reviewed journal on the Silk Road region, established in 2014.
- The university runs dual master's degrees with George Washington University in Computer Science and Data Analytics and in Electrical and Power Engineering, accredited nationally for five years.
Schools & faculties
- School of Public and International Affairs
- School of Business
- School of IT and Engineering
- School of Education
- School of Law
- School of Agricultural and Food Sciences
- School of Design and Architecture
ADA says it has about 2,500 alumni in 48 countries. It does not publish a graduate employment rate on the pages checked.
Student life
ADA is a compact campus in Baku with a library, student centre, art and music studios, a green theatre and gardens. The university lists 47 student clubs, from chess and debate to cloud computing and architecture, and an Undergraduate Student Government. Traditions include the International Festival, where each nationality on campus runs a food and culture booth, the Bahar Youth Festival in mid-March with a bonfire on Flag Square, and the Citizenship and Social Responsibility Day awards each May. English is the main language on campus.
- 47 student clubs and an Undergraduate Student Government.
- The annual International Festival, organised by the Office of Global Outreach and Partners with support from diplomatic missions in Baku.
- The Bahar Youth Festival each March, with tree planting in the neighbouring Dede Gorgud Park.
- HZT Awards for social responsibility and start-up projects, held on the Great Lawn in May.
Housing. International students can use Univerium, a furnished student dormitory a few blocks from campus.
Location
The campus is in Baku's Narimanov district, a short walk from Ganjlik metro station and served by frequent buses. ADA describes Baku as a crossroads of East and West with a sizeable expat community, from the walled medieval Icheri Sheher to the Heydar Aliyev Center. A taxi from the airport costs about 20 AZN, or you can take the Airport Express bus to 28 May metro station and change to the metro.
Nearest airport: Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD)
Notable alumni
- BI Bakhtiyar IslamovChairperson of the YAP Youth Union (as featured on ADA's alumni page); Bachelor of Business Administration, 2017
- FD Fatima DavudluBachelor of Science in Economics, 2023; described by ADA as a graduate student at Yale University
- FE Fidan EminliBachelor of Business Administration, 2018; described by ADA as a specialist at Amazon
- MJ Mimina JavadovaBachelor of Business Administration, 2016; described by ADA as an Associate Account Strategist at Google
- NT Narmin TaghiyevaBachelor of Arts in International Studies, 2022; described by ADA as a student at the London School of Economics and Political Science
- MH Maya HajizadaSchool of Information Technologies and Engineering graduate, 2018; described by ADA as working at Tickmill
Frequently asked questions
Is ADA University taught in English?
Yes. ADA says English is the primary language of instruction. Applicants without a qualifying English test may start in the English for Academic and Professional Purposes programme.
How much does ADA University cost for international students?
In the latest published fee table, non-citizen undergraduates pay a flat 8,500 AZN a year (7,750 AZN tuition plus a 750 AZN student fee) for every undergraduate programme.
Is there a scholarship for international students at ADA?
Yes. Admitted international undergraduates can receive the Alimardan bay Topchubashov International Fellowship, which covers first-semester tuition, housing and medical insurance and is renewable at a GPA of 2.5. You need to apply by the early deadline; there is no separate form.
How do international students apply to ADA?
Submit the online application and documents with a 100 AZN fee, attend an English-language interview if shortlisted, then complete the Study in Azerbaijan CAS application.
What is ADA University's acceptance rate?
ADA does not publish one. It says it is highly selective and uses a holistic review with an interview.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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