Admission rules for doctoral studies were changed

The Cabinet of Ministers has made changes to the “Rules for the establishment and admission to doctoral programs”.

Prime Minister Ali Asadov signed a resolution in this regard. According to the decision, citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan who have completed a master’s degree (defending a master’s thesis) or who are pursuing a doctoral degree in medical education (doctor-specialist in medical education) are admitted to the doctoral program. Those who wish to enter the doctoral program are required to take entrance exams in foreign languages (except for Russian, the choice must be freely or in accordance with their specialty), and the existing curricula for undergraduate and graduate programs in philosophy and specialty. Those who do not participate in the foreign language exam are not allowed to take a philosophy exam, while those who do not take the exam on a philosophy are not allowed to take the exam in the subject.

The foreign language exam is conducted by the State Examination Center (SEC). The content, timing, procedure for evaluating the results of exams and passing score on the foreign language exam are determined by the SECCRA in consultation with ANAS and the Ministry. Persons who earn a pass grade in a foreign language exam are allowed to pass the philosophy test. Those who have a valid foreign language certificate (IELTS, TOEFL, TestDaF, DELF, DALF) are exempt from the foreign language admission test. The equivalent of an international language certificate to the passing score is determined by the SEC, in consultation with the ANAS and the Ministry.

Examination in the Philosophy is carried out in higher education institutions, scientific institutions and organizations determined by the relevant institutions, which are subordinated to the scientific institutions and organizations. The results of the exam are evaluated as “acceptable” or “unacceptable”. The content of the examination is determined jointly by the ANAS and the Ministry.

Entrance examinations are conducted by a commission created by the head of a doctoral degree, an institution of higher education, a scientific institution, or an organization, and only those who are “qualified” in the subject are allowed to take the exam. The Commission must have at least two doctors or professors in the relevant field. The supervisors may also be members of the commission. The chairman of the commission shall be the head of a higher educational institution, a scientific institution and an organization, or his deputy. In the absence of doctors and professors in some specialties, the committee includes doctors of philosophy and associate professors, respectively.

Admission committees established in higher educational institutions, scientific institutions and organizations makes the appropriate decisions based on the results of examinations. Information on the decision will be sent to email address specified in the application.

Persons, who do not agree with the decision of the Commission may apply to the head of the higher education institution, scientific institution and organization within 3 (three) working days after making the decision and receiving the information. Head of the organization is obliged to consider the application within 5 (five) working days and make an informed decision. The decision can be appealed to the administrative or court order.

The right to obtain a Ph.D degree by defending a dissertation is possessed by scientific and scientific-pedagogical personnel who have received higher education in a master’s degree (defending a master’s thesis) or according to a degree equivalent to it (specialist in medical education), as well as having certain achievements in the relevant field of research and working in universities, research institutions and organizations. The right to obtain a “Doctor of Science” degree is possessed by scientific and scientific-pedagogical personnel who have a Ph.D degree and work in universities, research institutions and organizations.

Persons wishing to obtain a “PhD” degree must pass the exam on foreign language (except for Russian, choice is free or must correspond to the specialty), in the manner specified in paragraph 3.10-1 of these Rules.

Persons studying for “PhD”, also in the prescribed manner pass a doctoral exam on their specialty and foreign language and philosophy.

14 October 2019

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