Study Abroad Programs in Yerevan, Armenia

Yerevan boasts some 56 universities, both public and private, within its growing metropolitan area. International students can look into enrolling full time at any one of these local institutions while they study abroad in Yerevan, though the language barrier can often prove a difficult boundary to students not adept in Armenian or Russian. Still, there remain a handful of private international schools in the city where English taught courses are commonly available as well.

If you enroll full-time at a local university while you study abroad in Yerevan, then you will usually have the benefit of choosing from a comprehensive course catalogue. While international students will thus largely have the liberty to design their own curriculum, some of the most popularly pursued subjects abroad in Yerevan tend to include history, geography, international relations, language studies, and Russian studies.

Some domestic universities and study abroad programs lay claim to their own satellite schools in Yerevan as well, giving international students the opportunity to enroll in introductory courses that are taught by local faculty and specifically tailored for study abroad. Study abroad programs in Yerevan are offered throughout the year, wherein students can choose to enroll for a summer session, fall or spring semester, or full academic year.

Yerevan’s continuous history dates back almost 3,000 years to its earliest known roots as an outpost under the Uartu kingdom (the Erebuni Fortress, still standing in the city, was built in 782 BC). Throughout history it has passed under many dozens of different regimes, most recently being established as the national capital in wake of the 1918 Armenian genocide, and then further achieving independence from Soviet jurisdiction in 1990.

Today roughly 1 million people live in Yerevan, constituting over one-third of Armenia’s total population. It is a major cultural center of the Caucasus, boasting some of the region’s most breathtaking architecture and a wide variety of museums, galleries, libraries, and theaters. The city was even named UNESCO’s ‘World Book Capital’ in 2012, a testament to its enriching cultural heritage.

Russian and Armenian are the most commonly spoken languages throughout Yerevan, although large portions of the young population are beginning to learn English as well. You should be able to get by fine while you study abroad in Yerevan even if you don’t speak either of these languages, but it will definitely pay off while communicating with locals if you make the effort to learn as much as possible!

Armenia’s economy is still building in wake of the collapse of the Soviet Union, meaning that local costs of living remain relatively affordable by international standards. There are also many scholarships available for students who want to study abroad in Yerevan, which can further help soften the blow on your wallet from living abroad. The national currency in Armenia is the Dram, which trades at roughly 480 AMD to $1 USD.

You will likely be able to choose from a variety of different accommodations while you study abroad in Yerevan. Homestays are one especially popular option for students who want a fully immersive experience living with a local Armenian family. Student dormitories and individual apartments are also often made available, depending on the structure of your program.

Although Armenia’s visa policy is fairly relaxed, you will generally have to apply for a student visa if you are planning to study abroad in Yerevan for longer than three months. Students from certain countries may also need to secure a visa upon arrival in order to enter the country; for more information regarding your individual circumstances, check out our Armenian Embassy Directory.

Eurasian History. Yerevan is situated in a dynamic regional context in midst of the Caucasus. Asian and European civilizations have collided repeatedly throughout history in this region, to create a very unique array of local cultures. 

Language Challenge. Do you have ambitions to learn either Armenian or Russian? Studying abroad in Yerevan will give you the opportunity to gain fluency in either or both.

Rising Prospects. Yerevan is very much a city on the rise, having instituted the plan for many infrastructural and economic reforms in the wake of separation from the Soviet Union. It certainly isn’t a bad place to establish a network!