State university admission quotas approved

The document defines the distribution of state-funded admissions to public higher education institutions by field and specialization, outlining a four-year quota plan for both bachelor’s and master’s degrees. In contrast to previous years, when quotas were set annually, this decree provides a long-term framework.

The quotas specified so far are exclusively for full-time programs. The breakdown of admission numbers by year is as follows:

Undergraduate admissions:

• 2025–2026: 35,500 students
• 2026–2027: 36,023 students
• 2027–2028: 36,460 students
• 2028–2029: 36,761 students

Graduate admissions:

• 2025–2026: 9,922 students
• 2026–2027: 10,191 students
• 2027–2028: 10,477 students
• 2028–2029: 10,784 students

The decree also outlines the allocation of state-funded grants to non-state and foreign universities operating in Uzbekistan. A total of 1,320 state grants will be offered to students enrolling in such institutions, including their local branches.

Additionally, quotas have been designated for joint degree programs offered in partnership with foreign universities that are ranked in the top 300 globally by internationally recognized organizations.

Uzbek citizens living abroad who wish to study at public universities in Uzbekistan will be offered 30 state grants. Proposals are expected soon regarding the distribution of these grants by field of study. This year, 4,000 state grants will be reserved specifically for female applicants.

The decree does not yet specify how many of the approved quotas will be offered as state-funded grants and how many will require tuition payment. Final details on the division between grant-based and tuition-based placements for the upcoming academic year are expected to be approved by the State Commission within a week.

In the same period, the commission is expected to finalize additional details regarding undergraduate admissions, including:

• The list of universities participating in the quota distribution, along with parameters for study formats and languages of instruction
• Additional admission parameters for applicants eligible for benefits or preferences
• The minimum passing scores required for grant and tuition-based admissions, based on the previous year’s average scores for each major
• The territorial allocation of targeted grants by district or city, based on the workforce needs of regions, sectors, and industries, and in accordance with the requests of government bodies and enterprises with more than 50% state ownership
• The ratio of state grants to total admissions for each undergraduate program at each public university
• Special admission parameters for specific fields such as languages, special pedagogy, sports, and the arts, reflecting their unique characteristics
• Detailed admission parameters for master’s programs by university and language, including distinctions between grant-based and tuition-based options

It is also stated that for the 2025–2026 academic year, applicants eligible for benefits will be recommended for admission to their chosen bachelor’s program under a state grant or tuition basis, provided they meet or exceed the minimum required score for that program.

For reference, entrance exams for universities in Uzbekistan are currently underway and are scheduled to continue until July 24.