Yerevan State University


Yerevan State University, also simply University of Yerevan, is the oldest continuously operating public university in Armenia. Founded in 1919, it is the largest university in the country. It is thus informally known as Armenia's "mother university". Of its 3,150 employees, 1,190 comprise the teaching staff which includes 25 academicians, 130 professors, 700 docents, and 360 assistant lecturers. The university has 400 researchers, 1,350 post-graduate students, and 8,500 undergraduates, including 300 students from abroad.
Instruction is in Armenian, but instruction in Russian and English for foreign students is arranged according to need. The academic year is from September 1 through June 30.
In 2010, according to University Ranking by Academic Performance, it is the 1st-ranked university in Armenia and the 954th in the world, of total 20,000 institutions included in the list.

History

Foundation

By the decision of the government of the Republic of Armenia and the efforts of politician Sirakan Tigranyan, the "Yerevan State University" was established on May 16, 1919, and professor Yuri Ghambaryan was appointed as the first rector.
The university was officially inaugurated on January 31, 1920, in a grand ceremony held in Alexandropol, with the participation of Prime Minister Alexander Khatisian, many government officials, as well as the ambassadors of Great Britain, France and Iran to Armenia. At the beginning, the university was temporarily housed within the school of commerce building in Alexandropol. The first lecture took place on February 1, 1920, conducted by academician Stepan Malkhasyants.
During the it first academic year, the university had single faculty of history and linguistics, with 32 academic staff and 262 students. Historian Hakob Manandyan, linguist Manuk Abeghian, historian Ashkharbek Kalantar along with Stepan Malkhasyants were among the first lecturers of the university. Later during the same year, the university was relocated to Yerevan and housed within the former Yerevan teachers' seminary building built between 1900 and 1906 on Astafyan Street.

During the Soviet period

After the Sovietization of Armenia in December 1920, the university came to be known as the "People's University of Yerevan" starting from December 17 of the same year, with Hakob Manandyan as the new rector of the university.
In 1921, the university became home to 2 faculties: the faculty of physical sciences and the faculty of social sciences. In October 1921, 3 more faculties were opened: the faculty of oriental studies, the faculty of agriculture, and the faculty of technical studies. In March 1922, the faculties of medicine and pedagogy were opened, followed by the faculty of labor in 1923.
On October 20, 1923, the university was renamed as the "State University of Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic" to become the "mother university" of Soviet Armenia within the Transcaucasian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic.
In 1930, the university was restructured and many faculties were separated from the university to form an independent entity, including:
During the same year, the Armenian Agrarian University was also founded on the basis of the faculty of agriculture.
By 1935–36, the university was home to 8 faculties: history, linguistics, law, geology, geography, chemistry, biology, and physics-mathematics. In 1959, physics and mathematics were separated into 2 faculties.
During the Stalinization period, the university was named after Vyacheslav Molotov. However, during the de-Stalinization period, the university was renamed back as the "Yerevan State University".
The construction of the new headquarters of the university has been fulfilled during the 1950s, on the territory between Mravyan and Charents streets, to the northeast of the Circular Park. The building was designed by architect Edmond Tigranyan.
Between 1960 and 1990, many new faculties were founded, modern laboratories were opened, and the centre of Armenology was established. In 1991, there were 17 faculties in university.
Yerevan State University has been awarded with the Order of the Red Banner of Labour.

Post-independence

After the independence, the Ijevan campus of the Yerevan State University was opened in 1994.
The period of 1995–96 was crucial for the university with the beginning of new educational process, in order to meet the highest international standards. Thus, the faculties adopted two-grade system of education, providing Bachelor's and master's degrees. Doctoral degree is also provided by the faculties.
As of 2016–17, around 20,000 students study at 19 faculties of the university. The academic staff of the university is more than 1600 qualified specialists and experts, including 207 professors, 581 associate professors, 375 assistants, and 453 lecturers.
Doctor Professor of Historical Sciences Aram Simonyan is the rector of university since 2006.
On November 27, 2014, the Yerevan State University was restructured as Foundation by the government's decision. The first meeting of the new governing body of the university; the Board of Trustees with 32 members, was held on April 19, 2015. President of Armenian Serzh Sargsyan was elected as chairman of the board.

Governance

Board of Trustees

The Yerevan State University Board of Trustees is the collegial governing body composed of 32 members, summoned for five years.
In general, the board is in charge of approving of the working procedures and the regulations of the rector elections, making decisions on early termination of powers, evaluating rector's annual report, approval of the annual and strategic plans, approval and amendments to the YSU charter, structure, budget, staff list, etc.
The board members are representatives of the following bodies:
The Yerevan State University Rector is the executive director of the university. Based on the university charter, the Rector is the supreme ruling director of the university foundation, as well as the responsible for the results of all activities of the university. The YSU rector is elected for a term of five years by secret ballot.
Managing and controlling the university's academic, scientific, economic, financial, national and international activities, are within the range of the rector's responsibilities. The rector is also the chairperson of the YSU Academic Council.

Academic Council

The Academic Council of Yerevan State University is responsible for planning and managing the educational-methodological and scientific issues of the university, for a 5-years cycle. The activities of the council are fulfilled through regular and extraordinary sessions. Regular sessions are held at least 8 times a year, while extraordinary sessions are called for upon necessity, at the written request of the chairman of the Academic Council, or at least 1/3rd of the council members.
The Academic Council verifies the regulations regarding graduation qualification conditions, postgraduate admission terms, making decisions on reorganize and annul faculties, scientific and research institutions, centers, colleges, high schools, as well as departments and other structural subdivisions. The council is also in charge of awarding honorary titles, medals, rewards, individual scholarships, as well as it is liable to nominate candidacies for state and international awards and titles.
The Academic Council consists of 88 members, of which 50% are elected. The YSU Rector is the chairperson of the Academic Council, while the vice-rectors are the heads of corresponding subdivisions. it is noteworthy that 25% of the members of the council are students.

Rectorate

The YSU Rectorate is the advisory body to the university rector. It is composed of the rector, vice-rectors, scientific secretary, head of the educational administration, chief accountant, president of trade union, heads of YSU branches, scientific institutes, directors of centres, and deans of the YSU faculties.

Faculties

As of 2016, the university has 19 faculties in Yerevan, as well as a Preparatory department for foreign citizens:

Faculty of Physics

The process of training specialists in the field of physics and mathematics began in 1922 in YSU. The establishment of an independent faculty of Physics and Mathematics with separate Chairs of Physics and Mathematics in 1933 was a significant step towards developing physics in Armenia.
To strengthen the development of physics, and in order to provide more new specialists in our republic, the Faculty of Physics was separated from the Physical and Mathematical Faculty in 1959. The first dean of the Faculty was NAS RA Academician Norayr Kocharyan.
The Faculty staff is composed of highly qualified specialists. Currently NAS RA three Academicians and NAS RA five Associate members, 36 Doctors of Sciences, and more than 80 Candidates of Sciences are involved in the tutoring process of this Faculty.
Since the 2006–2007 academic year, the Faculty has been offering the specialization of Pedagogue of Physics.
The scientific-research activities, which are conducted in the laboratories of the Faculty, correspond to the present demands of the field both scientifically and technically.
There is also an equipped computer room with modern technologies, which enables students to get acquainted with modern scientific experiments and automated systems of technology management.
Different international grants and many projects, financed by state budget, witness about the active scientific life at this Faculty.
Currently scientific-research activities are undertaken within the framework of 13 international grants and 15 projects on budgetary financing.

Faculty of Mathematics and Mechanics

The training of specialists in the area of mathematics was launched in YSU in 1924 at the Department of Physics and Mathematics of the Faculty of Social Sciences. In 1933 this department was transformed into Physico-mathematical Faculty. In 1959 the faculty was divided into two independent faculties: Mechanics and Mathematics and Physics. In 1963 a specialization Mathematical Cybernetics was offered at the Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics. The later served as a basis for the foundation of the Faculty of Informatics and Applied Mathematics in 1972.
In 1988 the Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics was divided into two faculties: Mechanics, Mathematics. And in 2007 those were again unified into one faculty of Mathematics and Mechanics.
Currently four Academicians, four NAS RA associate members, 17 doctors of sciences and 45 candidates of physico-mathematical sciences are involved in the tutoring process at this faculty. The faculty provides training in three specializations: mathematics, mechanics and actuarial mathematics. The educational system is three degrees system: bachelor, Master of Arts and postgraduate studies.
The faculty trains highly qualified specialists for different areas of modern mathematics.
The faculty's graduates get the bachelor's degree of a mathematician, master's degree in mathematics and also the qualification of teacher of mathematics. They can work in different scientific-research institutes, secondary schools and IHE.
The faculty management makes a focus on the development of branches of mathematics, which have great demand today. The launch of the specialization Actuarial Mathematics was a significant step regarding this issue. These specialists combine the specializations of mathematician, financial specialist, sociologist and investment manager.
A reading hall, which provides the access to the literature, corresponding to the educational program, is at the disposal of the students. The electronic library and internet access are available, too.
The faculty has developed active scientific cooperation with a number of famous mathematical centers, IHE and scientific-research centers all over the world, such as NAS RA Institute of Mathematics, Moscow State University after M. Lomonosov, NAN RF Institute of Mathematics after Steklov in Russia, Trier University, Stockholm Royal Technological University, TTU and University of Applied Sciences in Schmalkalden in Germany.

Faculty of Radiophysics

The date of this Faculty's foundation is June, 1975. It was founded on the basis of the Faculty of Physics. The graduates of this faculty have deep knowledge in Theoretical Physics and high engineering skills.
In 1975 four chairs of this faculty trained 371 students. But in the mid-1980s the total number of students reached 650.
During the 31 years of its existence, the faculty has trained more than 2500 specialists. 200 of them have different scientific degrees. Most of them have become outstanding scientists, managers of production, state officials. Part of them is involved in the academic process of the faculty.
Currently there are 4 chairs at this faculty; Ultra High Frequency Radiophysics and Telecommunications, Physics of Semiconductors and Microelectronics, Wave Process Theory and Physics, and Higher Mathematics as well as the Scientific-Research Center of Semiconductor Devices and Nanotechnologies.
Three specializations are available at this faculty: radiophysics and electronics, physics of semi-conductors and microelectronics, telecommunications and signal research.
The specialization Synopsis is also available at this faculty, which trains specialists in the area of design of ultrahigh integral schemes. 420 students, bachelors and masters, are currently trained at the faculty. Two academicians, 15 doctors and professors and 33 candidates of sciences are occupied in the educational process at this faculty.

Faculty of Informatics and Applied Mathematics

The Faculty of Informatics and Applied Mathematics of the Yerevan State University is a leading educational and scientific centre preparing fundamental research scientists as well as highly qualified programmers.
The Faculty was founded in 1971 on the base of the Chair of Computing Mathematics, which was established at the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics in 1957. A decisive role in Faculty's establishment, defining the roadmap of its scientific research and preparing human resources for the Faculty was played by such distinguished scientists as: A.A. Lyapunov, S.N. Mergelyan, Yu.I. Zhuravlev. S.N. Mergelyan was also the first Head of the Chair of Numerical Analysis – one of the three Chairs of the newly founded Faculty.
At present the Faculty of IAM consists of three chairs: the Chair of Programming and Information Technologies, the Chair of Discrete Mathematics and Theoretical Computer Science and the Chair of Numerical Analysis and Mathematical Modelling. The Staff of the Faculty includes more than 10 Doctors of Sciences and around 50 of the employees are Candidates of Science. Many of them are well-known not only in Armenia but also abroad. The Faculty prepares Bachelors specialized in "Informatics and Applied Mathematics". All three Chairs of the Faculty provide courses for this purpose. The Faculty provides master's degree in four different programmes. Three of them are carried out by the Faculty Chairs and one is being realized in collaboration with SYNOPSYS company. The study plan for the students of the Faculty provides a fundamental mathematical training and a wide spectrum of courses, related to computers and programming; a significant part of study is a practical work realized on computers.
Since its establishment the Faculty of IAM has been collaborating productively with the Yerevan Research Institute of Mathematical Machines and the Institute for Informatics and Automation Problems of NAS of Armenia, being the main provider of highly qualified specialists for these organizations. The Faculty has close scientific contacts with leading educational and scientific centres of Russia, such as M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Dorodnicyn Computing Centre and Steklov Mathematical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Employees and post-graduate students of the Faculty defend their dissertations in Armenia and also in mentioned above centres in Russia. The Faculty has scientific contacts with the Trier University, Germany.
Lots of the graduates are working in different countries in the fields, where computers are used, that is academic and research institutes, universities, state and government organizations, banks, companies with IT profile etc.

Faculty of Chemistry

Chemistry tutoring was launched at the university in 1921. It was realized owing to the newly opened Chair of Chemistry, where S. Ghambaryan, A. Hakobyan, L. Rotinyan and H. Akunyan started their activities, directed to the welfare of the Armenian nation.
Dean of the faculty, specialist of agro-chemistry P. Kalantaryan and the Rector of that time specialist of biochemistry H. Hovhannisyan have also made their significant contribution in this area.
The joint Chemistry department was managed by Professor S. Ghambaryan for many years. Being scientific since the inception of its existence, it became famous for its research in the field of organic chemistry, where the main scientific orientation was the research of the reaction of superoxide amines, which has continued successfully to this day.
Other research is realized at this faculty, such as on plants producing ether oils. In 1927 the joint chair was divided into two chairs – those of Organic and Physical Chemistry.
The Faculty of Chemistry was formed as a separate faculty in 1933. Professor Grigory Ter-Ghazaryan became the faculty Dean in 1934.
Since 1933 a new specialization has been offered on the basis of the Faculty of Chemistry – that of Chemistry and Environmental Protection, and since 1994 – a specialization in Pharmaceutics.
Criteria of school educational projects of Chemistry and manuals are discussed and worked out at this faculty.
This faculty is an internationally recognized scientific center.
The faculty has established strong relations with leading foreign scientific centers:
USA-Northwestern University, Arizona University, University of California, Germany-Rostock, Munster, Karlsruhe, Regensburg, Bochum universities, England-University of London, Birkbeck College, Italy-University of Bologna, France- Paris-Sud University, Montpelier University, Agrarian Institute of France, Poland-Silesian University, Maria Curie Sklodowska University, Russia-Moscow State University, RF Institute of Elementary Organic Chemistry, Institute of Organic Chemistry, Institute of Chemical Physics, Institute of Structural Macrokinetics, Institute of Human Brain.

Faculty of Biology

The Faculty of Biology was founded in 1933, but the process of its founding had started right from YSU foundation. Over different periods of time it used to exist as an Academic Division at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Pedagogical Faculty of YSU under following names: Sub department of Biology, Department of Biology and Cycle of Biology.
Currently the faculty is structured as eight chairs: Botany, Zoology, Human and Animal Physiology, Ecology and Nature Protection, Microbiology and Biotechnology of Plants and Microbes, Genetics and Cytology, Biochemistry and Biophysics. Scientific-research groups act at each of these chairs, included in five scientific-research laboratories: General Biology, Biochemistry of Nitrogen Compounds, Biology and Biotechnology of Fungi, Biophysics of Subcellular Structures and a joint laboratory with YSU Faculty of Physics on Structural Biophysics. At the same time state financed scientific-research groups develop their activities at different chairs. This faculty is one of the largest highly ranked scientific-research centers of YSU. We must underline that more than 100 researchers are involved in the scientific-research process here.
Currently 3 NAS RA Academicians, 3 NAS RA Associate members, 22 Doctors of Sciences and more than 100 Candidates are involved in the training process of the faculty. All this states about the high level and scientific potential of the faculty. General research directions of the faculty are in the area of Molecular and Cellular biology, Molecular Biophysics, Biophysics of Membranes, Comparative and Evolutionary Biochemistry, Biochemistry of Plants, Biology and Fungi Researches, Bacteriology, Biotechnology of Microbes and Plants, Molecular Genetics and Cell Genetics of Man, Genetic Engineering, Zoology and Histology, Physiology of Higher Nervous Activity of Humans and Animals, Psychophysiology, Ecology of Biocenosis and Nature Protection. Many of the graduates are worldwide known scientists. They develop scientific activities in scientific centers of former USSR and abroad. The outstanding specialists of the faculty have established relations with their colleagues from foreign scientific-research centers. They present numerous scientific reports and hold lectures there.
More than 500 students study at the faculty and about 40 students have chosen distance learning here. More than 30 students are working on their research papers to get the degree of a Candidate. The educational system is three degrees system: Bachelor, Master of Science and Ph.D.
"GeneClub" acts at the Chair of Genetics and Cytology.

Faculty of Geography and Geology

In 1933–1934 in Geological and Geographical Faculty was opened in YSU. In 1935, departments of geography and geology separated from each other, and two separate faculties were formed: Faculties of Geology and Geography.
In June 2008, at the basis of Faculties of Geology and Geography Faculty the Faculty of Geography and Geology was founded.
In parallel with the process of training scientific-research activities are conducted at the Faculty of Geography and Geology in the following areas: cartography and geodesy, hydrology, study of water problems, the deep structure of the crust, formation of the mineral fields and develop methods of search and research, the study of the hydro-geological, geochemical phenomena, geophysical fields, the phenomena of landslides. Also activities on the seismic zoning of the territory, the emergence and predicting of earthquakes, the safe use of hydro-technical mechanisms are undertaken.
Eight chairs function in the structure of the faculty:
The following special programs, master programs, a corresponding practice is also available at this faculty.
Magistracy programmes:
Students take training and practical work at various enterprises, in the administrative institutions of Yerevan and the regions of Armenia, RA Ministry of Nature Protection, Department of Hydrometeorology, Institute of Geodesy, YSU educational-recreational centers "Byurakan" and "Marmarik" in Yerevan schools, in various parts of Armenia, at the Institute of Geology, National Service of Seismic Protection and the chairs of the faculty. Students of the Faculty are also involved in geological expeditions conducted in various parts of Armenia. The faculty conducts scientific-research activities in the following areas:
Studies of water resources of Armenia and evaluation of effective use
Research and development of effective methods to prevent the degradation of landscapes of the RA
Estimation of the risk of natural disasters of the RA
Study of sustainable development of the territory of Armenia and development projects
Studies and evaluation of the hydro-geological structure of the Sevan basin and anthropogenic influences,
Development of projects and geochemical methods to find oil and gas mines
The following investment projects, contributing to the economy, are leading at the Faculty of Geography and Geology:
the issue of new ways of introducing gas flammable substances and wastes in a super-adiabatic way
the use of Armenian natural zeolites, modified by a thermo-chemical method, the effective neutralization of radioactive waste liquids
The following shall be considered minor investment projects that promote economic development:
modeling, forecasting of water hazards, risk assessment and rapid response
establishment of a specialized company for the purpose of organizing and carrying out of geological works
mapping of palaeontological sites
the proposal of new antifiltration items in hydro-technmical engineering
atlas of geomorphologic danger and the risk of territory of Armenia
The number of students is 684. Bachelors are 595, masters – 89. 24 PHD students study at the faculty. 16 of them are foreign citizens.
The faculty offers distance learning for bachelors and masters.
The professorial staff of the faculty is: NAS RA 1 Academician, 7 professors, 32 assistant professors, 4 assistants, 16 lecturers.

Faculty of Philosophy and Psychology

The process of this faculty's foundation began in 1964. The Chair of Philosophy of YSU Faculty of History served as a basis to open the Department of Philosophy here. The first generation of graduates left the department in 1969.
Before 1970 the philosophy tutoring was implemented by the only Chair of Philosophy. In 1970 the Chair of Philosophy was divided into three different chairs, functioning up now.
In 1982 the Department was separated from the Faculty of History and a new Faculty of Philosophy and Sociology was founded. Before 1990 both the philosophers and sociologists used to apply together and from the 3rd Academic year to choose the specialization. After such preparation of required specialists in 1991 the section of Sociology was separated from the Philosophy section and became an independent department, and the department of Social work separated from this one in 1995 in its term.
In 1992 the Department of Psychology was opened at this faculty and it was renamed the Faculty of Philosophy, Sociology and Psychology. The Chair of Political Science was a part of this faculty till 1998, when it joined the newly formed Faculty of International Relations.
In 2004 the chairs of Sociology and Social Work also separated from this faculty and formed a new faculty. So, the faculty was renamed again-Faculty of Philosophy and Psychology.
Five chairs, the experimental psychology laboratory, scientific-research laboratories for experimental psychology and for personal and professional activities function in its structure, as well as Centre for Applied Psychology. One NAS RA Academician, 1 NAS RA associate member, 11 doctors of sciences and professors and 25 candidates of sciences and assistant professors are involved in the educational process of the faculty currently.
Center for Applied Psychology was opened at YSU Faculty of Philosophy and Psychology in 2008.
Goals of the department: The Chair is responsible for:
Conducting Courses in Psychology Fundamentals and Special Courses in Psychology at YSU departments;
Conducting a range of extensive and fundamental subjects at the Baccalaureate of Psychology Department;
Masters’ specializations in:
a) Organizational and Management Psychology;

b) Psychology of Emergency and Crisis Situations.
Under the auspices of the Chair a wide range of academic and social events are regularly organized:
a) Conferences and workshops ;

Faculty of Sociology

YSU Faculty of Sociology was opened in September 2004. The Chair of Social Work and Social Technologies was separated from the Chair of Applied Sociology in 2004, which was opened at YSU Faculty of Philosophy and Sociology in 1986. Currently the following specializations are available here: Sociology, Social Work, Conflict Resolution, Methodology of Social Researches and PR. Beginning with 2007–2008 Academic year distance learning in the area of Sociology and Social Work is available, too.
Laboratories for Applied Sociological Researches and Distance Learning function at this faculty. Courses with the duration of one year are available at the Distance Learning Laboratory in the area of Social Work and PR specializations. Preparatory courses for foreign students in the area of Sociology with the duration of one year are also available in this laboratory beginning with 2007–2008 Academic year.
Centre for Regional Integration and Conflict Resolution and Library act at this faculty. Professorial staff and studentship can find all necessary modern literature in English language in this library.
The great scientific-research potential of the faculty has helped to implement various projects in the area of studies of issues in many spheres of our life. Professorial staff of the faculty has published many scientific articles and manuals in our republic and abroad. The annual scientific conference of the faculty is organized in each November and the report is being published.
The lecturers, PHD students as well specialists from USA and Western Europe periodically participate in methodological seminars organized by chairs.
Professorial staff of the faculty periodically takes qualification courses in leading scientific-research centers of USA, FRG, France, Italy, Hungary, Great Britain, India, Sweden as well as leading universities of CIS.
YSU Faculty of Sociology has established cooperation with the RA Ministry of Labor and Social Issues. The cooperation on international level is established, too: Humboldt University of Berlin, Munster University, Ruhr University of Bochum, University of Potsdam, Swiss Institute of Peace, Uppsala University of Sweden, Saratov State University. Chair of Sociology is the member of International Sociological Association.

Faculty of Theology

The Faculty of Theology was founded on 1 September 1995. The founder-dean of the above-mentioned faculty was NAS RA and YSU Honorable Doctor of Philosophy and Philology, Professor Shahe Archbishop Ajamian.
Three chairs function at the faculty: Chair of Theology, Chair of History and Theory of Religion and Chair of History of Ecclesiology and Armenian Church. A specialized "Atchemyan library", a unique one in the country, makes the academic process more effective.
The educational process here is based on four principal directions: Introduction and Interpretation of the Bible,, Theoretical Theology, Historical Theology, and Practical Theology.
Since 2004 Dean of the faculty is the bishop Anoushavan Zhamkochyan. The best traditions were not only continued, but also new excellent initiatives were called to life.
Since 2006 scientific-educational publications "Annals" and "Armenian Theologist" are published here, where lecturers and PHD students of YSU faculties of History, Theology and Philology publish their articles. The edition of series "Atchemyan" was launched again.
Library-workroom of theology "Atchemyan" was completed with second reading-hall.
New computer and language tutoring special halls were opened.
It has become a tradition to organize the practice in various sacred places of Armenia, as well as the participation of students in a variety of festive ceremonies.
The relations and cooperation with the European universities, including the universities of Strasbourg and Aleppo, are developed. Not only theologians teach at the faculty periodically who have worldwide recognition, but also our best students continue their studies in these universities.
More specialists with various degrees are currently involved in the educational process here who have international recognition. Young specialists, the majority of whom are our graduates, have already received their degrees.
Two auditoriums of the faculty have been renovated and named after the names of perished soldiers of Karabakh war-Vardan Bakhshyan and Vardan Dallakyan, and one audience-after Catholicos of All Armenians Vazgen I Paltchyan.
SC and SSS of the faculty make the scientific life develop and students' everyday life more interesting and diverse.

Faculty of History

Historians have been trained in YSU since the day of its foundation.
Before it became a separate Faculty, it had functioned as a Department within the Historical-Linguistic Faculty in 1920, later as a subsection of the Division of Social Sciences, and then as a Department within the Pedagogical, Oriental and Historical-geographical Faculties from 1921 till 1930.
The Faculty of History began functioning as an independent faculty in 1936–1937 academic years. Deans of History Subsection, Section, and then of Faculty were H. Manandyan, H. Choryan, S. Poghosyan, N. Poghosyan, B. Harutyunyan, M. Nersisyan, H. Zhamkochyan, G. Sharoyan, H. Petrosyan, R. Movsisyan, H. Ghazaryan, M. Hovhannisyan, and B. Harutyunyan. H. Avetisyan was the dean of the faculty from 2004 to 2009. In 2009 Edik Minasyan was elected the faculty dean.
Outstanding scientists, academicians H.Manandyan, B.Piotrovsky M.Nersesyan, A.Novhannesyan, G.Sargsyan, G. Gharibjanyan, B.Arakelyan, H.Avetisyan, L.Khurshudyan, Vl. Barkhudaryan, H. Simonyan, associate members M. Hasratyan, V. Rshtuny, S. Harutyunyan, professors Leo, St. Lisitsyan, K.Ghafadaryan, Kh. Samvelyan, G. Mikayelyan, A. Abrahamyan, A. Kalantar and many other specialists have developed pedagogical activities at this faculty in different years.
Departments of Philosophy, Theory and History of the International relations used to function in the structure of this faculty in different times. The current departments available are History, History and Theory of Armenian art and Cultural Science.
Since the day of its foundation the Faculty has produced about 7000 graduate-historians, who are occupied in the spheres of pedagogy, science, state sector, public life, etc.
Currently 6 chairs and 2 research laboratories function in the structure of this faculty.

Faculty of Armenian Philology

The Faculty of Armenian Philology is one of the pioneers among YSU faculties. The now independent faculties of Oriental Studies, Russian Philology, Romance-Germanic Philology, and Journalism were formed from its basis.
The first tutors of this faculty were highly merited persons of Armenian studies Hakob Manandyan and Manouk Abeghyan, Hrachya Atcharyan and Grigor Ghapantsyan, Simon Hakobyan and Arsen Terteryan. Famous armenologists M. Mkryan, S. Ghazaryan, G Sevak, H. Barseghyan, Ed. Aghayan, Hr. Tamrazyan, G. Jahoukyan, Al. Margaryan, H. Mamikonyan, S. Soghomonyan and others have been their disciples, as well as well-known lecturers scientists such as Doctors A. Souqiasyan, S. Galstyan, A. Sharuryan, H. Makhchanyan, V. Gabrielyan, L. Yezekyan, Kh. Badikyan, S. Mouradyan, Henrik Edoyan, L. Hovsepyan, L. Mnatsakanyan, Zh. Kalantaryan, R. Ghazaryan, A. Avagyan, R. Sakapetoyan, K. Aghabekyan and others.
In parallel with the organization of educational process scientific researches which have significantly promoted the development almost in all areas of Armenian studies are undertaken at this faculty.
The faculty's graduates are occupied in different educational and cultural institutions of the RA and Diaspora, promoting the further development of scientific life.
Many tutors of Native Language and Literature have studied at this faculty in different times, literature specialists and linguists and others.
President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, worldwide known wrestler David Torosyan, hero of Artsakh Liberation Movement Samvel Gevorgyan and many other outstanding personalities are the graduates of this faculty. There are also ministers of the Third Republic among the graduates of this faculty.

Faculty of Russian Philology

Translation work: Russian and Armenian Languages
Linguistics and Intercultural Communication: Russian Language
Russian Language and Literature for Foreign Citizens
The faculty trains specialists in the area of Russian Language and Philology. The educational system is the two-level one: Bachelors and Masters of Arts. The graduates of this faculty become lecturers of Russian Language and Literature. They can also be occupied in the area of translational skills. Many of them are scientific employees as well as specialists in the area of intercultural communication.
Currently 4 chairs function in the structure of this faculty:
Chair of Russian Literature
Chair of Russian Linguistics, Typology, and Theory of Communication
Chair of Russian Language
Chair of Russian Language
Studentship is provided with an opportunity to study Greek, Polish, Bulgarian and Ukrainian languages along with other necessary subjects at this faculty.
The scientific-research activities of the faculty include researches in the theory and methodology of teaching Russian language, comparative grammar, Russian literature history, Russian-Armenian literary relations, theory and practice of translation. Lecturers of the faculty have issued a series of monographs on Russian language and Russian literature, a large number of manuals and teaching materials on Russian language, where the foreign language teaching specifications are considered.
Specialists of the faculty take an active participation in international scientific forums, annual republican and university scientific conferences, in the result of which a series of anthologies and monographs are always published.
The faculty has established relations and cooperation with universities and research institutions of Russian Federation, as well as centers of Russian Studies in a number of foreign countries.
In recent years are provided with summer language courses in Greece and Bulgaria. Such an agreement is also signed with Poland.
The scientific-research activities of the Chair of Russian Literature are generally occupied in the area of history of Russian Literature, Armenian- Russian literary relations, historical-cultural communications and theory of literature. These researches are published in annual compilation "The December readings".
Scientific-methodical directions of the Chair of Russian Linguistics, Typology and Theory of Communication are:
1) urgent issues of modern Russian language,
2) issues of language typology,
3) theory of communication, including the issues of intercultural communication and translation.
Four equipped special auditoriums and a library are available at this faculty.
Currently more than 80 lecturers are involved in the educational process at this faculty with doctors and candidates of sciences among them.

Faculty of Oriental Studies

The courses on Oriental Studies were conducted in YSU from its very foundation. The first lecturer of oriental studies was Gevorg Asatour, who was invited to YSU in 1921 as a specialist of Georgian language and Oriental literature. In 1923 an outstanding philologist Hrachya Acharyan was invited from Tabriz. He tutored various disciplines such as Persian Language, Sanskrit, History of Persian language etc.
In September 1940 Professor Hrachya Acharyan initiated the foundation of a Department of Oriental Philology. This was followed by the successful establishment of the Department of Oriental Languages and Literature with its 2 branches: Persian and Arabic.
In 1968 the Faculty of Oriental Studies was introduced as a separate body. Professor Georgy Nalbandyan was appointed the dean of the faculty.
Initially 2 specialized chairs, Oriental Philology and Oriental History, were available only. Currently this faculty offers studies at three chairs – Persian Studies, Arabic Studies and Turkish Studies. According to the modern demands in the area of Oriental Studies Hindi, Afghani, Sanskrit, Belujian, Kurdish and Hebrew languages are currently taught at this faculty.
Currently 525 students study at three chairs of the faculty. The faculty has established relations with the leading centers of Oriental Studies abroad. It successfully realizes plans directed to the development of scientific cooperation with the chairs of universities and scientists in Iran, Egypt, Syria, UAE, Lebanon and other countries. The Faculty also cooperates with Matenadaran, Center of Persian Studies of Caucasus, "Iran-Name" oriental periodical and other institutions.

Faculty of European Languages and Communication

The Faculty of Romance and Germanic Philology was founded in 1991 on the basis of Romance and Germanic department of the philological faculty.
To comply with the requirements of science, economy and culture new educational projects and teaching programmes were developed implementing modern and effective methods of language studies.
Within a short period the newly organized faculty managed to offer all necessary facilities for high standards of knowledge.
There are English and German language laboratories, Foreign literature and Translation Studies Rooms, French and Italian Studies Centres in the faculty.
At present 1700 students study at the faculty. In the academic year of 2007–2008 the Italian language department was founded to replenish the already existing departments of English, French, German, Spanish and Translation studies.
About 200 lecturers comprise the staff of the Faculty. Six of them are professors and more forty of them are candidates of sciences.
The main fields of the scientific investigations of the chairs are: Semantics, Text Linguistics, Lexicology, Pragmatics, Problems of Foreign Literature, Modern Methods of Teaching, Foreign languages, Translation Studies as well as other aspects of language studies.
The alumni of the faculty of Romance and Germanic Philology are successfully involved in the highest spheres of state and governmental structures, many different institutions and companies of the republic as well as in the embassies of foreign countries and international organizations functioning in the RA.

Faculty of Journalism

YSU Department of Journalism was founded in 1949 as a part of the Faculty of Philology, but did not function permanently.
As a separate faculty YSU Faculty of Journalism was founded on 1 October 1991 by YSU Rectorate decision. First dean of the faculty, NAS RA Associate member Garnik Ananyan has got a great contribution in the process of foundation.
Being one of the youngest structures of YSU, Faculty of Journalism has got some significant advantages owing to its policy in the area of training process. All this states about that this faculty is the leading one in the area of training journalists among our HEI.
Three-level educational system is available here: Bachelors, Masters of Arts and PHD studies. The skills, obtained by students during the first four years satisfy the demands of this specialization and they can start their professional way.
As for the magistracy, the duration of education here is two years. Here the studentship is provided with deeper level of knowledge.
Best masters continue their studies taking PHD courses. Later more specialists start to work as lecturers.
Two chairs function in the structure of the faculty: Chair of the History and Theory of Press and Chair of Radio and TV Journalism. The training process at these chairs is provided by highly qualified and skillful specialists. There are graduates of the faculty among them.
All necessary conditions for the educational process are available at this faculty to provide the theoretical and practical processes. Here we must underline the role of Multimedia Centre "Garnik Ananyan". Here modern radio and TV studios, equipped with all the required equipment for audio-video recording and editing are available, as well as a Computer Hall with Internet access and the editorial house of student newspaper "Journalist".
The Council of Ethics functions in the structure of the faculty, which has established the Code of Ethics of the faculty.
The application of new technologies is signified at the faculty. Greater part of the educational process is realized virtually via electronic communication between students and professorial staff. The "Event" is an electronic periodical. It is the only electronic periodical in Armenia, where students are journalists and lecturers are editors.
Cooperation is established with the UN PIA in Armenia, OSCE Yerevan Office, EC Information Office in Armenia, European Commission Delegation and NATO IC.
Cooperation with leading foreign HEI is being developed permanently.
The professorial staff of the faculty is: 3 doctors, professors, 3 assistant professors, 8 candidates of philological sciences. The number of students is 334: Bachelors are 222 and Masters-62, from whom 50 prefer the distance learning. PHD students are 3.
The distance learning, available at this faculty beginning with 2007 will help many journalists who have experience in this field, but do not have corresponding education in the area.
The specialization available at the faculty is Journalism.

Faculty of Economics and Management

The training of economists with higher education began at YSU in 1921 at the Faculty of Soviet Construction.
In 1975 this Faculty served as a basis for founding Yerevan Institute of National Economy. In 1984 the Faculty of Economics was reopened in YSU with a specialization in Economic Cybernetics. Nowadays the Faculty of Economics offers undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate degrees. The educational system is three-level system here: Bachelor, Master of Arts and PHD.
More than 80 lecturers are involved in the educational process of this faculty at 6 chairs. Master's programs of this faculty are:
  1. Theory of Economics
  2. Modeling of Economics
  3. Information Systems of Management
  4. International Economics
  5. Business Management
  6. Finances, Crediting and Monetary Circulation
Higher education in the area of second specialization is available at YSU Faculty of Economics, too.
Magistracy Programmes:
and others

Faculty of Law

The Faculty of Law of the Yerevan State University is one of the oldest faculties of Alma Mater with rich educational and scientific traditions formed during 75 years of its history.
Now the YSU Faculty of Law is truly the leader in the field of higher legal education and the main institution preparing the legal cadres in the Republic of Armenia. Within the last 75 years more than 12 000 students graduated from the Faculty being employed by the government agencies, law-enforcing and judicial bodies, as well as banks, international organizations and private business.
The educational process in the YSU Faculty of Law, as in the whole University, consists of three levels: Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree and Post – Graduate Degree.
There is also a five-year programme for those who have already diploma of higher education in other fields, as well as extension programme started in 2007.
The Faculty of Law has the following Chairs:
  1. Chair of Theory and History of State and Law,
  2. Chair of Constitutional Law,
  3. Chair of Civil Law,
  4. Chair of Civil Procedure,
  5. Chair of Criminal Law,
  6. Chair of Criminal Procedure and Criminalistics,
  7. Chair of European and International Law.
The Faculty has 1 Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of the RA, 10 Doctors of Law and 50 Candidates of Law.
With a view to organizing effective educational process the Laboratory of Criminalistics, Moot Court Room, as well as the Legal Clinic were established at the Faculty of Law within the last years.
There are also scientific centers functioning at the Faculty: the Center of European Law and Integration, the Center of Criminal-Legal and Criminological Studies, the Center of Environmental Law and the Center of Forensic Expertise.
The Faculty has computer center and electronic law library with 20 computers, as well as a reading room with new publication on different legal topics. The web address of the Faculty is www.law.ysu.am.
Textbooks, manuals, course materials are published in the small printing-house of the Faculty. The Faculty also issues "The Problems of Jurisprudence" quarterly where the scientific articles of law professors and post-graduate students are published.
In addition to research and teaching the Faculty members actively participated and still participate in the constitutional and judicial reforms carried out in the Republic of Armenia.
The YSU Faculty of Law, as an educational and scientific institution, effectively co-operates both with local and foreign scientific centers and institutions, in particular, with the Institute of Philosophy, Sociology and Law of the National Academy of Sciences of the RA, the Center of Constitutional Law, the Scientific and Educational Center of the General Prosecutor's Office of RA, a number of leading law schools of Russian Federation, Europe and the US, as well as with some authoritative international organizations, including UN Representative Office in RA, United States Agency of International Development, American Bar Association, Open Society Institute, etc.
The student life at the Faculty is also very active. The Student Council and the Student Scientific Association organize various scientific-educational and cultural events.
The administration of the Faculty took concrete steps to solve employment issues of the alumni. The Career Center, established and functioning with the active assistance of ABA, provides a permanent link "student-alumnus-employer" and supports them to find an appropriate job.

Faculty of International Relations

The Chair of International Relations was founded in 1990 and preserved this status till 1998. In 1993 Chair of Theory and History of International Relations was opened to form educational projects and organize the process, which was later renamed a Chair of International Relations and Diplomacy.
According to the decision of YSU Academic Council a new Faculty of International Relations was formed on the 16th of September 1998 based on the Chair of International Relations. The Chair of Political Science, which functioned in the structure of the Faculty of Philosophy that time, joined the Faculty of International Relations Currently three departments function in the structure of this faculty: International Relations, Political Science and Public Management.
This faculty trains highly qualified specialists for diplomatic service, international organizations, and governmental bodies of the republic, as well as for the analytical and research departments of non-governmental organizations.
The faculty comprises three chairs – those of Chair of International Relations and Diplomacy, Political Science and Public Management.
Seven doctors and 23 candidates of sciences, five professors and 14 assistant professors develop the educational process at YSU Faculty of International Relations.

Preparatory department for foreign citizens

The Preparatory Faculty for Foreign Students was opened in 1961 within the frames of International education of the YSU. The faculty is located in the Avan District of Yerevan.

Branches

YSU Ijevan Branch

The YSU Ijevan branch is operating since the 1994–1995 academic year. As of 2016, the Ijevan branch has 4 faculties:
The Yerevan State University Library named after Sarkis and Mary Izmirlian is operating since its inauguration on 28 February 1920.
Since 12 October 1994, the library is housed in a new building within the university complex on the Charents Street, opened on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the university.
On 7 October 1997, the library was named after Sarkis and Mary Izmirlian.
In 2015, the "alley of gratitude" was opened at the entrance of the library, in memory of all the great people who have expressed the pro-Armenia positions during and after the Armenian Genocide, including European and American intellectuals, political and cultural figures, etc.

Other activities

YSU publishing house

Upon its inauguration on January 31, 1920, the university published the first issue of its newspaper called the "University of Armenia", laying the foundation for the establishment of the publishing house of the university. During the same year, the university published its first book in Alexandrapol, which was The Principles of Psychology of William James.
Throughout the 9 decades of its existence, YSU Publishing House has published more than 5,500 books.
Currently, the publishing house is headed by Candidate of Philological Sciences Karen Grigoryan.

Monthly newspaper

The university publishes its newspaper "University of Yerevan" on a monthly basis.

[Armenian Egyptology Centre]

Since 2006 there is an institute focusing on Egyptology with 3 full-time members.

Diaspora Summer School

The "Diaspora Summer School" is a joint project launched in 2016, initiated by the Ministry of Diaspora of Armenia, in association with the Yerevan State University. The programme is designated towards the preservation and reinforcement of the Armenian identity within communities of the Armenian Diaspora, as well as to raise the proficiency level of the Armenian language among the young generation of Armenians abroad. The school programme also includes the re-qualification of teachers of Armenian community schools, directors of cultural groups, the activities of Armenian multimedia and youth organizations of the Armenian Diaspora.

Alumni

Yerevan State University has produced many notable alumni.