Baku State University
Bakı Dövlət Universiteti
Azerbaijan's oldest university, founded in 1919, with 16 faculties teaching in Azerbaijani, Russian and English.
- Students
- 20,000
- Tuition
- AZN 2,550
- From · 2023-24
- Founded
- 1919
- QS World Ranking
- #565
- 2027 edition
About BSU
Baku State University was founded by decision of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic's parliament on 1 September 1919, opening with faculties of philology and medicine and 1,094 students. It was closed in 1930 and restored in 1943, and several of Azerbaijan's other universities, including Azerbaijan Medical University and Azerbaijan State University of Economics, grew out of its faculties. It received autonomy in 2000.
Today BSU has 16 faculties, from mechanics and mathematics, applied mathematics and cybernetics, physics, chemistry and geology to law, international relations and economics, journalism, oriental studies, and social sciences and psychology, plus research institutes for physical problems and applied mathematics. The university says about 20,000 people study there each year, taught by around 1,500 professors in 127 academic departments, and that it has more than 1,000 students from abroad.
Teaching is in Azerbaijani, Russian and English, with English-language groups now available in 16 faculties. Domestic entry is competitive through the State Examination Centre's tests, while international students apply directly with their school documents. BSU suits students interested in the sciences, languages, regional studies or law who want a long-established public university in a capital city at modest fees.
Why students choose BSU
English-language groups in 16 faculties, alongside Azerbaijani- and Russian-language programmes.
Relatively low fees for international students: most full-time bachelor's programmes cost 2,550 AZN a year in the latest published schedule (2023-24).
Unusual regional studies options, including majors focused on the Arab countries, Turkey, Iran, Japan, China, Korea, Pakistan and the Caucasus.
Alumni include two presidents of Azerbaijan and Nobel physicist Lev Landau, who studied at BSU from 1922 to 1924.
Admissions
Latest published foreign admission details (2023 application window); the 2027 intake follows the same direct-application process
Selectivity
BSU does not publish an acceptance rate. It says domestic competition is about 3 applicants per place, reaching 10 per place in some faculties. Foreign citizens apply directly with their school documents; foreigners with Azerbaijani permanent residence, and dual citizens of Azerbaijan, must enter through the State Examination Centre's tests.
Typical entry requirements
| Foreign secondary school certificate | Apostilled or legalised school-leaving document listing subjects and grades, with a notarised Azerbaijani translation |
|---|---|
| Language of instruction | Certificate of passing an examination in the language of instruction if available; otherwise a one-year preparatory course or a one-semester language course |
| Azerbaijani citizens and permanent residents | Admission through State Examination Centre entrance tests |
| English language | No minimum score is published. Applicants may submit a certificate showing they passed an exam in the language of instruction (Azerbaijani, Russian or English), if they have one. |
Deadlines
- Foreign applicant window (most recent dates published by BSU) Non-binding Passed31 August 2023
Past cycle. Applications ran from 13 May to 31 August 2023. BSU had not published dates for 2026 or 2027 on its admission page.
- Preparatory department admissions Non-binding10 September
BSU lists preparatory department admissions as held from 26 August to 10 September (year not specified).
BSU's English admission page still shows the 2023 window (13 May to 31 August 2023). Expect a similar late-spring to late-summer window for 2027 entry, but confirm current dates with the university's foreign students office before applying.
How to apply
Submit a cover letter addressed to the rector naming your speciality, language of instruction and study mode (can be sent electronically), your apostilled school certificate and transcript with notarised Azerbaijani translation, a health certificate including HIV and hepatitis B and C tests, passport copy valid for at least 18 more months, photos, and any language certificate or awards. Online applications go through the portal.edu.az platform. Within 90 days of admission, foreign students must document their residence registration in Azerbaijan.
What admissions looks for
- A completed secondary education with a properly legalised or apostilled certificate and transcript.
- Ability to study in the chosen language of instruction, or willingness to complete the preparatory department first.
- A complete document set, including medical certificates and a passport valid well beyond the start of study.
- For Azerbaijani applicants, strong State Examination Centre test results.
Tips for applying to BSU
- 1 Choose your language of instruction carefully in your cover letter: English groups exist in 16 faculties, but not every speciality is offered in every language.
- 2 Get your school certificate apostilled and translated into Azerbaijani by a notary before you apply.
- 3 Make sure your passport is valid for at least 18 months after you submit your application, as BSU requires.
- 4 If you hold Azerbaijani citizenship or permanent residence, you cannot apply as a foreign student and must sit the SEC tests.
Costs & financial aid
2023-24 · figures in AZN
BSU offers named scholarships for high-achieving students, including awards named after Heydar Aliyev, Aziz Aliyev, Zarifa Aliyeva, Ziya Bunyadov, Mammad Amin Rasulzadeh and Nizami Ganjavi. Each year 40 of Azerbaijan's top 100 entrants, by the university's account, choose BSU and receive the Presidential grant. No specific aid for international fee-paying students is listed on the admission pages.
- 40 of the country's top 100 entrants (university figure)
- Presidential grant recipients choosing BSU each year
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters (bachelor's, master's and PhD under the European credit transfer system)
Regional studies (Arab countries, Turkey, Iran, Japan, China, Korea and more)
BSU lists region-specific bachelor's majors covering the Arab countries, Turkey, Iran, Japan, Israel, China, Pakistan, Korea, America and the Caucasus.
International Relations
Taught in the Faculty of International Relations and Economics, one of the first faculties to open English-language groups in 2011-12.
Law
One of BSU's established faculties, with English-language groups available.
Applied Mathematics and Cybernetics / Computer Science
Linked to BSU's Scientific Research Institute of Applied Mathematics.
Physics
Backed by the Institute for Physical Problems; Lev Landau studied at BSU in the 1920s.
Geology and Geophysical Engineering
One of several earth-science specialities alongside Geology, Hydrometeorology and Geomatics and Geodetic Engineering.
Research
- BSU hosts the Scientific Research Institutes of Applied Mathematics and of Physical Problems, with more than 200 employees.
- The university runs 37 scientific research and teaching laboratories, including work in genetics and nanotechnology.
- BSU's library holds more than 2.5 million books across 12 reading rooms.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics
- Faculty of Applied Mathematics and Cybernetics
- Faculty of Physics
- Faculty of Chemistry
- Faculty of Biology
- Faculty of Ecology and Soil Sciences
- Faculty of Geography
- Faculty of Geology
- Faculty of Philology
- Faculty of History
- Faculty of International Relations and Economics
- Faculty of Law
Student life
BSU is a city university in Baku with a student residence, a sport and health complex, a university polyclinic, museums and a large scientific library. Student bodies include a union of independent students, a students' youth organisation and a students' trade union committee, and the university has a psychological counselling service. International students are supported by a dedicated foreign students office created in 2019, and the university offers language training for those who need to study Azerbaijani, Russian or English first.
- Scientific library with more than 2.5 million books.
- Sport and health centre and a university polyclinic.
- University museums and a BSU TV channel.
- Dedicated office for work with foreign students, set up in 2019.
Housing. BSU has a student residence (Tələbə evi) in Baku; availability and costs for international students are not published on the admission pages.
Location
Baku, Azerbaijan's capital, sits on the Caspian Sea and is the country's political, economic and cultural centre. BSU's main address is on Academician Zahid Khalilov Street in the city. The university's international links include exchange agreements with Lomonosov Moscow State University, Middle East Technical University, Nice Sophia Antipolis University, Indiana University and the University of Vienna.
Nearest airport: Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD)
Notable alumni
- HA Heydar AliyevThird President of Azerbaijan; graduated from the Faculty of History
- AE Abulfaz ElchibeySecond President of Azerbaijan; graduated in Arabic language and literature
- LL Lev LandauNobel Prize-winning theoretical physicist; studied at BSU from 1922 to 1924
- MJ Mikayil JabbarovMinister of Economy of Azerbaijan; graduated in international law from BSU (1997)
- AI Alik Ismail-ZadehMathematical geophysicist; BSc in mathematics from BSU
- ES Elmira SuleymanovaChemist and Azerbaijan's first Human Rights Commissioner (Ombudsman), 2002-2019; chemistry graduate
Frequently asked questions
How do international students apply to Baku State University?
Apply directly with a cover letter to the rector, your apostilled school certificate and transcript with Azerbaijani translation, medical certificates, passport copy and photos; online applications go through portal.edu.az. There is no national entrance test for foreign citizens.
How much does Baku State University cost for international students?
The latest published schedule (2023-24) lists 2,550 AZN a year for most full-time bachelor's programmes, and up to 5,950 AZN for some. Check with BSU for current fees.
Can I study in English at Baku State University?
Yes. BSU teaches in Azerbaijani, Russian and English, and English-language groups are available in 16 faculties.
When is the application deadline for foreign students?
BSU's most recently published window ran from 13 May to 31 August 2023; confirm current dates with the university before applying.
Is there a preparatory year for international students?
Yes. BSU runs a preparatory department where foreign applicants study language and specialist subjects for a year before entering the first year of a bachelor's degree.
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.
- Baku State University: Admission of foreign citizens
- Baku State University: Tuition fees for foreign students 2023/2024 (PDF)
- Baku State University: About (history)
- Baku State University: Education at BSU
- Baku State University: Preparatory department
- Baku State University: Office for work with foreign students
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