The structure of the Higher Education System
The Ministry of Higher and Secondary Specialised Education has 31 higher education institutions under its mandate. There is also a number of specialized HEIs coordinated by other sectoral ministries. For example, the Ministry of the Public Education is responsible for 4 pedagogical institutes,the Ministry of Health - 7 (and 7 more branches in regions),the Ministry of Culture and Sports affairs - 4 (and 1 branch in Nukus), the Ministry of Agriculture - 6 (and 2 branches in Bukhara and Nukus), the Cabinet of Ministers - 1, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - 1, the Ministry of Justice - 1, the Ministry for development of information technologies and communications - 1 (and 5 branches in regions), the Academy of Arts of Uzbekistan - 1, JSC "Uzbekiston temir yullari" (Uzbekistan railways) - 1 and the Navoi State Mining Combinat - 1.
According to the National Programme for Personnel Training, higher education is based on academic achievements of specialised secondary education (academic lyceum) and/or vocational education (vocational college) and includes two levels: Bachelor degree and Master degree.
The MHSSE's responsibility is to organize the academic year, including the length of the semesters, examination periods and academic holidays.
The academic year starts on September 2nd and lasts until the end of June. The academic year is divided into two semesters with holidays ranging from 10 to 12 weeks:
First level - Bachelor programme
This basic higher education provides fundamental knowledge in one of the branches of higher education for a minimum period of study of four years. Upon completion of the Bachelor programme graduates are awarded Bachelor degree and a state diploma (in Uzbek: Bakalavr), which entitles them to start professional activity or to continue studies at Master level.
Second level - Master programme
This level of higher education provides knowledge in specific areas and lasts for at least two years after the Bachelor degree. Master programme graduates are awarded a state diploma (in Uzbek: Magistr), which entitles them to work in the relevant professional areas or to continue education in postgraduate education establishments.
Second higher education
People with higher (specialised secondary, vocational) education may obtain second and subsequent higher (specialised secondary, vocational) education. Second and subsequent higher (specialised secondary, vocational) education is obtained on contract-paid basis.
In particular, second higher education may be obtained by:
The Ministry of Higher and Secondary Specialised Education issues a specific list of Master specialities, which are suitable for obtaining second and subsequent higher education.
The state Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan for admission to educational institutions determines those higher education institutions that have a right to offer second and subsequent higher educational courses. Currently, 45 higher education institutions offersecond higher education programmes, including 18 HEIs in Tashkent and 27 HEIs in regions.
Higher education institutions offering a second and subsequent higher education analyse previous educational experience (completed courses) of the students. Students have to take examinations in the relevant subjects in order to complete educational level in accordance with speciality requirements. Second higher education is offered based on the specialities and methods of teaching of a higher education institution. Upon completion of the second and subsequent higher education programme students are awarded diplomas depending on results of attestation. Academic performance of the students admitted to the second and subsequent higher (specialised secondary, vocational) education is evaluated based on a rating system for academic performance appraisal.
Tertiary education: postgraduate education
Coming soon.
Description of the system of higher education in Uzbekistan is available on the website of the Ministry of Higher and Secondary Specialised Education http://www.edu.uz/ru/pages/undergraduate-education
The National Erasmus+ Office in partnership with experts of the National Team prepared the overview of the higher education system of the Republic of Uzbekistan (download). This document was approved by the Ministry of Higher and Secondary Specialised Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan in February 2017. The English version is available on the main website: https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/sites/eacea-site/files/countryfiche_uzbekistan_2017.pdf