1. What makes Nakhchivan State University unique?
+A: NSU is a public university in a small, Muslim-majority regional exclave of Azerbaijan, offering the lowest-cost WHO and ECFMG-listed MBBS/MD route in the country.
Nakhchivan State University (NSU) is a completely different path to pursue from that recommended by the majority of Indian consultancies. It is situated in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, an exclave of Azerbaijan surrounded by Armenia and bordering with Turkey and Iran. NSU is located in the Nakhchivan city, which is a rather tranquil place populated by about 100,000 people in comparison with the capital Baku.
NSU was founded as a branch of the Azerbaijan State Pedagogical Institute in 1967 and became an independent university in 1990. The development of its medical profile came later – medical courses started to be offered only since 1999. In 2000, the Department of Basic Medical Sciences was created, offering classes of anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and genetics. In 2020, the structure of the faculty of medicine was changed, dividing it into various departments dealing with General Medicine and Clinical Subjects, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Biochemistry, and Basic Medical Sciences.
First of all, NSU differs from other universities in its relatively low costs. The annual tuition fee for General Medicine at NSU is about USD 3,000-3,500 while at Azerbaijan Medical University (Baku) it equals around USD 6,500. Moreover, the monthly cost of living at NSU amounts to approximately USD 200-350 while in Baku – USD 350-500. Thus, over six years, there will be quite a significant difference.
Of course, one should understand that Nakhchivan will not provide an international atmosphere, a wide network of hospitals, and an urban environment as Baku will. It will be rather a regional city, and students seeking a metropolitan life will be disappointed.
Moreover, the programme of General Medicine at NSU is included in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS). It is an essential factor for Indian students, but it would be incorrect to describe NSU simply as an "NMC-approved university". First of all, the Indian eligibility depends on the current rules of the National Medical Commission (that apply to the year of graduation) and on the individual compliance with these rules. NSU is listed with the ECFMG, and the opportunity of passing USMLE is provided for the eligible graduates.
Currently, the university has over 7,000 students enrolled in more than 90 degree programmes with over 1,000 international students. Among them are students from India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Kenya, Turkey, and Egypt. All courses of medicine are conducted in English. It is a great advantage for the international students since Azerbaijani and Russian are usually spoken in everyday life.
Apart from regular facilities, the university has created facilities for practical and applied work. They include pharmaceutical simulation labs, Green Pharmacy cabins, and STEAM Centre. The university also has internet centers, publishing house, media facilities, and television studio. It shows that the university has built up decent academic infrastructure despite the small size of the city.
Admission process at NSU is rather simple in comparison with the admission processes at selective European universities. There are September and March admissions without requiring IELTS or TOEFL certificates, an English proficiency certificate from the previous school will be enough. Indian applicants should still meet the relevant NEET requirements since they originate from Indian laws rather than from the requirements of the university.
Therefore, for the Indian students, NSU can be considered the best budget-oriented variant among foreign universities. It provides medical education in English language, rather low tuition and living costs, international student community, WDOMS and ECFMG listings. The sacrifices are the relatively young age of the medical school, smaller city environment and less developed clinical and lifestyle ecosystem in comparison with Baku.
Overall, NSU should be regarded as an alternative to a budget-friendly university in Azerbaijan rather than a direct competitor to the country's flagship medical university. If the cost factor is important, Nakhchivan can be a great variant to study in a quiet regional city.
