Baku State University

Established: 1919
Location: Baku, Azerbaijan
Faculties: 16
Staff: Over 3,000 personnel, with professors and teaching staff comprising more than half
Student Enrollment: Over 26,000 students, including Branch, College, and Lyceum

Baku State University is the oldest and largest university in Azerbaijan, renowned as the premier educational institution in the country. It has been the academic home to many of Azerbaijan's most influential figures. BSU continues to grow as a leading university in the region, fostering innovative ideas in education, enhancing capabilities for future generations, striving for excellence in science and research, promoting intercultural dialogue for knowledge exchange, and setting new educational standards in Azerbaijan. The university collaborates with over 120 partner universities worldwide and welcomes students from more than 40 countries.

Academic and Research Excellence

BSU actively participates in international exchange programs such as Erasmus+ KA 107 and Mevlana, facilitating the exchange of students and staff. The university offers 12 double degree programs with institutions from the USA, Germany, France, Israel, Switzerland, and Kazakhstan. Notably, the UNESCO Chair on Human Rights and Information Law was established at BSU in 2015, followed by the ICESCO Chair on Biomedical Materials in 2022.

Membership:

• European Universities Association (EUA)
• Eurasian Universities Union (EURAS)
• Eurasian Universities Association (EAU)
• Network of Universities from the Capitals of Europe (UNICA)
• Association of State Universities of Caspian Region Countries
• Black Sea Universities Network (BSUN)
• CIS International Innovation Centre for Nanotechnology
• International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW)
• EIFL (Electronic Information for Libraries)
• Federation of Universities of the Islamic World (under ICESCO)

BSU also hosts five international centers or institutes, such as the Confucius Institute, Baku King Sejong Institute, Korean Information Technology Centre, and Kazakh Centre named after Abay Kunanbayev.

Research and Innovation

Scientific research is integral to BSU's educational mission. The university boasts two research institutes: the Institute of Physical Problems and the Institute of Applied Mathematics, alongside the Excellence Centre for Research, Development, and Innovation. Additionally, BSU operates two education internship and recreational centers in Altygach and Guba districts, and a Kazakh branch in the region. The Young Talents Lyceum and the College of Economics and Humanities also fall under BSU's supervision.

Accreditation and Rankings

In June 2023, BSU received institutional accreditation for five years from the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Independent Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (IQAA) accredited six of BSU's graduate programs in various chemistry disciplines, with these international program accreditations being officially recognized for state accreditation.

BSU is the sole Azerbaijani higher education institution represented in the "Times Higher Education" World University Rankings and the "Times Higher Education Subject Rankings" for physical and engineering sciences. The university is also ranked by several other prestigious ranking organizations, including:

• QS Ranking (WUR, Europe, Sustainability)
• Round University Ranking
• Scimago Institution Ranking
• University Ranking by Academic Performance
• Webometrics

In the "QS World University Rankings 2025," BSU climbed 179 positions, placing in the 951-1000 range and securing the top spot in Azerbaijan. The university also achieved a global rank of 373rd in faculty-to-student ratio and 271st in employability metrics.

Commitment to Excellence

Baku State University remains committed to fostering academic excellence, advancing scientific research, and contributing to the global academic community. Through continuous innovation and strategic partnerships, BSU aims to enhance its educational offerings and maintain its position as a leading university in the region.

Commitment to Sustainability

BSU is actively committed to fostering sustainable development both directly and indirectly by shaping SDG policies and facilitating their implementation. The university collaborates with governmental and international institutions, as well as non-governmental organizations (NGOs), to organize events focused on SDGs and their elements. The Department of Gender and Applied Psychology plays a vital role in international conferences, such as the Worldwide Feminine International Conference in 2020, along with other relevant engagements in association with UNDP Azerbaijan.

In line with its commitment to addressing climate change and its impact on water resources, BSU collaborates closely with the Water Experts Union, UNDP, and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. Moreover, BSU actively participates in the Youth Ambassadors Program, which aims to promote SDG goals through various media channels, training sessions, presentations in diverse institutions, and engagement in regional, national, and international events and activities.