Armenia (AM)

Affordable Caucasus base with a fast-growing tech scene, rich culture, straightforward residency options, low flat income tax, strong diaspora links and increasingly international Yerevan.

Capital: Yerevan

Region: Europe

Language: Armenian

Currency: AMD (֏)

Cost of living: Very affordable (index 30)

Emergency: 911

Education & Schools

Schools, universities, and language courses in Armenia.

👶 Childcare & Kindergarten

State kindergarten Often low or subsidised, with meal or activity fees varying by municipality

Age: Typically 3-6

Subsidy available

Municipal kindergartens are usually the budget option, but places in central Yerevan can be competitive.

Apply through the municipality or kindergarten administration with child documents, parent passport/residence documents, address, and health/vaccination paperwork.

⏱️ Register early with the local municipality and ask neighbours about realistic wait times by district.

Private kindergarten / nursery AMD 80,000-250,000+ depending on language, hours, meals, and transport

Age: Often 1.5-6

Tour facilities, sign a private contract, provide medical forms and vaccination records, and pay deposit or first month.

⏱️ English, French, Russian, and bilingual places fill fastest before September.

🏫 Schools

Public primary school Free

Դպրոց (Dprot' — school; primary is grades 1–4)

Ages: 6–10 (grades 1–4) · Language: Primarily Armenian; Russian-language track schools exist in Yerevan; private schools offer English, French, and Russian curricula

Enroll through the local school or the local education authority (marz/community) with child birth certificate, passport/residence documents, health and vaccination records, and prior school records (translated and apostilled if needed).

Compulsory education runs from age 6 to 16. Public schools are free. Families planning long-term integration should budget for Armenian-language tutoring during the first year, as classroom instruction is in Armenian.

Middle school and high school Free

Հիմնական դպրոց / Ավագ դպրոց (Middle / High school; grades 5–9 and 10–12)

Ages: 10–18 (grades 5–12) · Language: Armenian in public schools; Russian, French, English, and bilingual curricula in some private and international schools

Submit prior school transcripts, translated and apostilled records where requested, health records, and any placement assessment documents required by the school.

Private and international schools are common among expat families who need continuity with IB, US, British, French, or Russian curricula. The national secondary leaving exam is the Unified State Exam (USE/Hamakerag qanut), required for public university entry.

International Schools

Yerevan and Dilijan have international options such as QSI International School of Yerevan, CIS Armenia, Ayb School, French-oriented options, and UWC Dilijan. Fees are substantial, admissions calendars start early, and transport can dominate daily logistics.

University

Tuition fee

Public universities (Yerevan State University, State Engineering University of Armenia/Polytechnic): AMD 400,000–1,500,000/year for Armenian-medium programmes. English-language and international-track programmes at public universities: AMD 1,000,000–3,000,000/year. American University of Armenia (AUA — private): approximately AMD 4,250,000–4,750,000/year (undergraduate), with ethnic Armenian/RA citizen subsidy reducing net cost. Private universities range AMD 400,000–4,100,000/year.

Semester fee

No sector-wide standard semester contribution. Each institution sets its own administrative and student-service fees; confirm at enrolment. Public universities charge minimal per-semester registration fees in addition to annual tuition.

Student visa

Foreign students typically enter on a visa and apply for a temporary residence permit based on study once enrolled. Armenia has simplified entry for many nationalities (90-day visa-free for EU, US, and others). Confirm the current residence permit process at the Department of Passport and Visa (OVIR equivalent) or through the university's international student office.

Health insurance

Private international health insurance is strongly recommended. No comprehensive public scheme covers international students. University clinics provide limited cover.

Application process

Apply directly to each university with secondary school diploma (apostilled and translated), entrance exam results (Unified State Exam for public universities), passport, photographs, and language proficiency proof for English-medium programmes. No central national application portal — each institution has its own process.

🗣️ Language Courses

Armenian language courses

Provider: Private language schools, tutors, universities, and community organisations · Duration: Ongoing; basic survival Armenian can be built in 2-3 months with consistent study · Levels: Beginner to advanced

AMD 4,000-12,000 per private lesson or lower per hour in groups

Eastern Armenian is the daily language in Armenia. Russian helps in many settings, but Armenian unlocks administration and community life.

Russian and English support tutoring

Provider: Private tutors and school support centres · Duration: As needed · Levels: School support to professional

AMD 5,000-15,000 per session

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