The Mongolian education system consists of several components:

1. preschool and kindergarten;
2. 4 years of primary education, starting from the age of 8;
3. 4 years of incomplete secondary education with mandatory completion after the 8th grade;
4. 2 years of secondary education;
5. post-secondary and higher education;
6. technical education and professional training.

There is public (free) education in Mongolia, and there are also private schools, foreign-themed public schools, boarding schools for students from rural areas (up to 9th grade),

In cooperation with the Cambridge assessment of international education, the Ministry of Education carried out an educational reform that met international standards. As a result, numerous public and private schools offering the Cambridge Way (Primary, Checkpoint, IGCSE, AC and A Levels) have been established. Currently, three public schools with the Cambridge program provide students across the country with access to international education while experimenting and implementing reform.

Mongolia's higher education system is divided into colleges, universities and institutes. Colleges offer undergraduate degrees, while universities focus on undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate education.

The most popular university in Mongolia is the National University of Mongolia (which includes 12 faculties and technical/humanitarian specialties).

Among the largest higher educational institutions, the following are distinguished:

• Mongolian State University of Engineering and Technology. Now it belongs to independent institutions. Faculties include architecture, energy, geology, engineering, as well as other specialized specialties;
• The Medical University of Mongolia, which educates students in programs of traditional medicine, dentistry and social sciences, pharmacology and biology;
• Mongolian Institute of Production and Trade, which specializes in training specialists in the faculties of economics and entrepreneurship;
• Mongolian State University of Education mainly specializes in training specialists in educational activities.

Is there distance education in Mongolia?

Through its Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, and often in collaboration with NGOs and non-governmental organizations, the government implements non-formal distance education programs that promote the development of basic skills.

What documents are required for students to travel to study in Mongolia?

• valid passport, valid for six months;
• International driver's license (if available);
• passport photos;
• a copy of the certificate on planned and mandatory vaccination (yellow fever, tetanus, etc.);
• student visa;
• an invitation to study in Mongolia/a document confirming the admission to a university and the period of study in Mongolia/a contract concluded with an educational institution;
• medical insurance;
• confirmation of residence in Mongolia;
• proof of sufficient funding for the time of stay in Mongolia;
• HIV test certificates;
• certificate (2 copies);
• evidence of the candidate's clear intention to return to his country after the end of the study period;
• proof that the cost of the course has been paid

Copies of documents must be translated into English and notarized. The application must also contain contact information: phone number, e-mail address, and address of permanent residence.

What is the procedure for the stay of a foreign student/future student in Mongolia?

Under Mongolian law, full-time students may be allowed to study for up to 1 year and obtain a student visa and residence permit.

Students from countries without a Mongolian consulate or embassy will receive visas at the border entry point (airport or train station).

A student who plans to stay in Mongolia for more than 30 days must notify their arrival and register with the Department of Immigration, Naturalization and Citizenship. Registration must be done within the first seven days of arrival.

After entering Mongolia, students who have obtained an "S" visa must obtain a residence permit for six months and can then extend the permit every six months up to 1 year by paying a fee set by the immigration office each year.

Extension of residence permit for international students

A residence permit is issued to foreign students for one year. To renew a residence permit, the following documents should be submitted to the University Registrar's Office at least one month before the current permit expiration.

• Passport
• 1 photo
• HIV test for the last three months
• Reference from the district housing and communal services
• Extension fee
• Official transcript

What is the entry-exit procedure for foreign students from Mongolia?

1. "Exit-entry" visas

During the summer vacation, students have the opportunity to return to their home country or travel around the world. Suppose a student plans to continue his studies at a higher education institution in Mongolia next year or next semester. In that case, they should obtain an "exit-entry" visa before departure. The validity period of such a visa is 90 days;

2. "Exit visas".

If a student is working or has received a visa from an honorary consul, he is issued a one-time visa. In this case, another visa is required to leave the country. An exit visa is valid for ten days, meaning a student can stay ten days after their standard visa expires.

Note: Before departure, the student should deregister with the immigration service. Therefore, you should bring your passport to the university at least two weeks before departure. Also, if the student only has an entry visa, they must apply for an exit visa before departure.

Can students work?

Students can work during their studies, but in a limited manner and taking into account the specifics of the internal policy of each higher education institution.

Do university students in Mongolia receive scholarships?

Higher education institutions provide scholarships and other types of financial assistance to individual students, but their number is limited and awarded on a competitive basis. Therefore, requests for such scholarships should be sent directly to the Admissions Committee by the individual student.

More details about the possibility of receiving scholarships should be specified at each higher educational institution.