After the adoption of the Law “On Higher Education and Science”, Armenia moved to the active stage of implementing the reform. In May 2026, amendments and additions were made to the law. One of the key focuses of the reform is the financing of higher education and science. In particular, it is planned to make higher education more accessible to students regardless of their financial capabilities. We describe this and other innovations in detail in our article.
The Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Armenia, Zhanna Andreasyan, took part in the annual conference of the Armenian Society of Fellows (ASOF), which took place on 18-20 June at the Dilijan branch of the Central Bank. There, she noted that regulations and secondary legislation are currently being developed with the aim of ensuring the practical implementation of the processes laid down in the Law “On Higher Education and Science”.
The Minister emphasised that an important part of the reform is the financing of higher education and science, which should become more effective, transparent and high-quality. State policy is aimed at ensuring that no student is deprived of the opportunity to obtain higher education because of financial difficulties.
Main changes that were made to the Law “On Higher Education and Science”
1. The status of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia has been clarified
The document on amendments and additions to the Law “On Higher Education and Science” states that the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia is assigned a separate self-governing status within the science system. The composition of the Academy has also been clarified. According to the introduced provision, it includes:
- members of the Academy – academicians and associate members
- scientific divisions of the Academy
- the Academy’s administrative apparatus
- honorary and foreign members of the Academy
- honorary leading and honorary chief research staff of public scientific organisations
2. The rules on holding leadership positions in higher education institutions have been updated
The new wording of point 17 of Article 23 clarifies the rule concerning the heads of academic and administrative structural subdivisions of state universities. If such a person reaches the age of 65, their tenure in the relevant position is terminated by decision of the rector.
3. The procedure for approving specialities and state-funded places has been changed
The added provision provides for a transitional mechanism for bachelor’s, continuous and integrated educational programmes. Until the full launch of the new admission rules, the government will determine:
- the list of specialities and entrance examinations for bachelor’s, continuous and integrated educational programmes, including full-time and correspondence forms of study
- full-time places with full reimbursement of tuition fees by the state
It should be noted that the distribution will be carried out by levels of education, including clinical residency, specialities and institutions.
4. The transitional period for correspondence study has been regulated
Changes are envisaged for correspondence study. The Law “On Higher Education and Science” regulated the transitional period before the introduction of a new part-time workload learning model in universities. That is, admission to the correspondence form will continue to be regulated by the current legal acts adopted on the basis of the Law “On Education”.
The system of higher education and science in Armenia is undergoing a stage of updating and restructuring. The practical implementation of the provisions of the Law “On Higher Education and Science” is currently continuing. In particular, the innovations concern the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, persons holding leadership positions in higher education institutions, as well as the procedure for admission to the correspondence form of study. The purpose of these changes is to clarify certain legislative provisions and make them more effective for all participants in the educational and scientific process.
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