Study in Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan has a tertiary higher education system with two main cycles, Bachelor and Master, alongside one-stage Specialist programs. The State Classifier organizes programs in areas such as mathematics and natural sciences, engineering and technology, medicine, agriculture, social sciences, education, languages and sector-specific fields. Examples of institutions include Magtymguly Turkmen State University, Myrat Garryev State Medical University, Yagshygeldi Kakaev International Oil and Gas University, Oguz Han Engineering and Technology University, the State Energy Institute and the Turkmen National Institute of World Languages. Universities, academies, conservatories and institutes may be state, private, foreign or joint institutions, although state institutions form the core of the system. Applicants for Bachelor or Specialist study generally need complete general secondary education. Applicants for a Master program generally need a higher education qualification. State institutions usually admit applicants through an application, entrance examinations and the state admission plan coordinated by the State Commission. Examinations normally relate to the chosen field and use the secondary-school curriculum. Some programs may also require creative or professional tests. A gold medal combined with a relevant olympiad result can allow admission without an entrance examination, while silver or bronze medals may reduce examination requirements. Other priority or special-access rules can apply to orphans, people with disabilities, children of fallen military or police personnel, members of large families and applicants with relevant service or competition achievements. The academic year begins on 1 September and has two semesters, examination sessions and two holiday periods totaling at least 40 days. Bachelor and Master programs use a credit system in which one credit represents 27 hours of student work. Study includes general education, professional subjects, electives, practical training, coursework or projects and a final thesis or state examination. Specialist programs use an hourly system. Teaching may include lectures, practical classes, seminars, independent work and internships. E-learning and distance learning are legally possible where the institution has the required electronic teaching materials, library access and information technology. Turkmen is the main language of instruction. A foreign language may be the main teaching language in a language-specific program, and foreign-language study is generally part of higher education. A one-year language preparation course may be available; continued study depends on a positive assessment. Institutional statutes regulate clothing and appearance. Higher education institutions provide access to food facilities and medical care through health institutions, while voluntary student associations are permitted. State-funded study is financed from the state budget, but fee-paying contracts may apply when applicants exceed the funded plan, choose certain evening, part-time or distance programs, seek a second higher education qualification or enter a non-budget-funded field. Seven state higher education institutions have operated on a self-supporting basis since 1 September 2021. Non-state institutions set fees by contract, and educational loans may cover study fees, books, accommodation and food for study in Turkmenistan or abroad. Scholarship amounts vary; state scholarships increased by 10% from 1 January 2025, but the absolute amount depends on the applicable rules. For the 2026/27 intake, the admission plan was approved on 10 July 2026. The campaign runs from 13 July to 24 August, document submission from 13 to 26 July and examinations from 29 July. More than 18,000 places are planned across Ashgabat, Arkadag and the five velayats, including 20 new fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, software, cybersecurity, agrigenetics, water-resource management, psychology and energy economics. Applicants can use dalasgar.bilim.tm for quota and document tracking and the MenTalyp application for program information, practice questions and study planning. Graduates receive Bachelor, Master or Specialist diplomas. State institutions and accredited non-state institutions issue state-standard education documents. A Bachelor qualification can lead to Master study, while a Master or Specialist qualification can lead to postgraduate professional education. Medical graduates may continue into internship or clinical residency. Some budget-funded students may have work-placement or employment obligations under a contract with a higher education institution, ministry, hakimlik or workplace. Foreign qualifications are recognized through the Ministry of Education and the National Information Centre under the applicable recognition rules.