Recognition of a foreign degree in Azerbaijan 2026: TKTA, documents, fee and time

Short answer: Bachelor's and master's degrees earned abroad are recognised in Azerbaijan by the Education Quality Assurance Agency (TKTA). You apply online only, at apply.enic.edu.az; the fee is 250 AZN and a decision is issued within 3 months at most. The diploma and transcript must carry an apostille, and at least half of each study year must have been spent in the country of study.

Recognition is decided the day you choose a university and programme, not after graduation. Below are the rules in force in 2026, based on official sources.

Recognition in 2026: key facts

Source: tkta.edu.az; Cabinet of Ministers Decision No. 34 of 03.02.2023 (clauses 3.1, 3.5) — checked 11/2026.

Documents for a master's degree

1. Original diploma with apostille (or consular legalisation).
2. Original transcript with apostille.
3. Notarised Azerbaijani translation — not needed for documents in Russian, English or Turkish.
4. A document showing the mode of study (on campus / online / blended).
5. Your bachelor's diploma; if it is foreign, it must be recognised first.

The UK and Azerbaijan are both parties to the Apostille Convention. In the UK a solicitor or notary certifies the degree first, then the Legalisation Office issues the apostille: £45 on paper or £35 as an e-Apostille.

Source: HCCH status table; gov.uk — Get your document legalised — checked 11/2026.

Where refusals happen

• Accreditation and licence (4.1.1): the institution must be accredited and licensed in its own country. See how to check accreditation.
• Presence (4.1.4): you must have been physically in the country of study for half or more of every academic year.
• Traditional teaching (4.1.5): two-thirds or more of the course must be classroom-based formal study.
• Professional recognition: for fields such as teaching, engineering and law, a DİM test exam is required.

This matters most for online formats; see our article on the University of Law online master's.

On air: recognition of foreign diplomas

On İctimai TV's "Sabaha saxlamayaq" (05.04.2023), Aysel Kərimli (TKTA) and Miryusif Javadzadeh discussed difficulties in recognising foreign diplomas. The topic was also covered in his Fins.az interview (2023).

İCTİMAİ TV · Watch on YouTube ↗

Common mistakes

• Trying to get the apostille in Azerbaijan — it is issued in the country that awarded the degree, so arrange it before you leave.
• Forgetting the transcript — the expert review is based on your courses and credits.
• Not proving the mode of study — if the diploma does not show it, ask the university for a letter confirming on-campus study.
• Waiting until a job or admission deadline — the 3-month limit can be too long; apply as soon as you graduate.

Frequently asked questions

How long does recognition take?

Up to 3 months after a complete submission, under clause 3.1 of the rules.

How much does it cost?

250 AZN for intake and expert review, according to TKTA.

Can I submit documents in person?

No. Applications are accepted only through apply.enic.edu.az.

Is an online degree recognised?

The rules require presence in the country of study and traditional teaching, so a fully online degree is hard to get recognised. Ask TKTA in writing about your case.

Do English-language documents need translating?

No. TKTA does not require a notarised translation for documents in Russian, English or Turkish.

How EDDE Global helps

We check a programme's accreditation, mode and recognition risks with you before you apply; the official decision is made only by TKTA. Book a free consultation.