The International University for the Humanities and Development (IUHD) is a university in Ashgabat, established by decree of the President of Turkmenistan on 16 May 2014 and opened on 1 September 2014.[1] It teaches in English, on a paying basis, and was the first Turkmen institution to use a two-tier bachelor’s and master’s system.[1] IAU WHED lists 1,584 students for 2019–2020.[2]
We could not confirm a place in the QS World University Rankings 2027. No current tuition figure is published in the sources we could read. The university’s own website could not be opened when we checked (certificate error), so this page relies on IAU WHED, Wikipedia and state media. Sources on this country are thin, so we state what is documented and mark the gaps.
Key facts
| Official name | International University for the Humanities and Development (IUHD); Halkara ynsanperwer ylymlary we ösüş uniwersiteti[2] |
| Location | Ashgabat, Turkmenistan (1958 (Andalyp) Street 169, 744000)[2] |
| Type | IAU WHED lists it as public; uniRank lists it as private non-profit (sources differ)[2] |
| Founded | Established by presidential decree of 16 May 2014; opened on 1 September 2014[1] |
| Students | 1,584 (2019–2020, IAU WHED); Wikipedia: 1,627, capacity 2,000[2] |
| Staff | 132 full-time (2019–2020), of whom 6 hold a doctorate[2] |
| Faculties | Five faculties with 13 departments at opening in 2014 (state media); IAU WHED lists four faculties; Wikipedia lists six colleges[1] |
| Degrees | Bachelor’s (14 fields listed) and master’s (business administration; educational administration)[2] |
| Language of instruction | English; a one-year advanced language course comes first[1] |
| Tuition | Paid; no official amount found (uniRank gives an unofficial band, see below)[1] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | Not confirmed (no position found in a source we could read) |
| Times Higher Education 2026 | One of 13 Turkmen universities listed with “reporter” status[3] |
| Accreditation | Ministry of Education (IAU WHED)[2] |
| Official website | iuhd.edu.tm (could not be opened when we checked) |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 7 November 2026.
About the International University of Humanities and Development
The university was established by the decree of the President of Turkmenistan of 16 May 2014. State media reported its opening on 1 September 2014 (Knowledge and Students Day), with the President present. It stands on Andalyp Street, near the Institute of International Relations and Magtymguly Turkmen State University.[1] Wikipedia calls it an English-medium institution of higher education and says it planned to follow the Bologna Process, with four-year bachelor’s and two-year master’s degrees.[4]
The state-media report of 2014 says the main building can train 2,000 students at once and that about 300 students were to be admitted each year. The first students were admitted to the Department of Foreign Languages.[1] Wikipedia lists a main building, three dormitories, a cafeteria and sports facilities.[4]
How is the International University of Humanities and Development ranked?
We could not confirm a position in the QS World University Rankings 2027 (published 18 June 2026): none of the sources we could read names this university in the ranking. We therefore give no QS figure.
A Turkmen embassy news item lists the university among 13 Turkmen institutions included in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026 with “reporter” status; it gives no rank. It is a state source.[3] The aggregator uniRank places it first among Turkmen universities in its own listing; that listing is not an academic ranking.[5] Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat any single position as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at the International University of Humanities and Development?
IAU WHED lists these faculties and fields (record updated October 2020):[2]
- Information Technologies: computer engineering, computer science, information technology, mathematics.
- International Economics and Management: economics, finance, insurance, international business, international economics, management.
- International Law and International Relations: international law, international relations and diplomacy, modern languages, private and public law.
- Social Sciences: educational administration, journalism, philosophy, sociology.
It records bachelor’s degrees in 14 fields and master’s degrees in business administration and educational administration.[2] State media in 2014 spoke of 14 specialities and a first-year language course in English.[1] Wikipedia lists six colleges (social sciences; English language learning; international economy and management; international law and international relations; international technologies; international advancement) with 13 departments.[4] The faculty count differs by source and year; check the current structure with the university.
How much does the International University of Humanities and Development cost?
We found no official tuition amount. State media reported in 2014 that instruction is on a paying basis.[1] Wikipedia also says tuition fees are charged.[4]
The aggregator uniRank gives an indicative, unofficial band without a year: US$1,000–2,499 per year for local undergraduates and US$2,500–4,999 per year for international undergraduates.[5] We cannot verify this band, so do not use it for budgeting. Ask the university for the current fee and the currency it is charged in.
How do you apply to the International University of Humanities and Development?
We did not find a published admission procedure on a source we could read. The aggregator uniRank describes admission as selective and based on entrance examinations, and says international students are accepted; it reports no requirements.[5] IAU WHED lists no admission requirements.[2]
State media reported in 2014 that the President said children of ambassadors accredited to Turkmenistan could study at the university.[1] That is the only statement about foreign students we could read from an institutional or state source. We give no deadlines. Contact the university and the education authorities of your own country for the current route.
Which language do you need?
English is the language of instruction.[2] State media reported in 2014 that students first complete a one-year advanced language course before the main studies.[1] We found no published English test requirement (for example IELTS or TOEFL level). Ask the university which proof of English it accepts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the International University of Humanities and Development taught in English?
What is the QS ranking of IUHD?
We could not confirm one. No source we could read gives a QS 2027 position. Times Higher Education lists it with “reporter” status in its 2026 edition.[3]
When was IUHD founded?
It was established by presidential decree on 16 May 2014 and opened on 1 September 2014.[1]
Is IUHD a public or a private university?
More about studying in Turkmenistan
- Turkmenistan: best universities
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in Turkmenistan
- Magtymguly Turkmen State University
- Turkmen State Institute of Architecture and Construction
- Turkmen State Medical University
Sources
[1] Turkmenistan.gov.tm (state media): President attends the opening ceremony of a new university (state media, 1 Sep 2014)
[2] IAU World Higher Education Database: International University for the Humanities and Development (page updated 9 Oct 2020; student and staff figures 2019–2020)
[3] Embassy of Turkmenistan: Thirteen Turkmen universities included in the world university rankings (state source, dated 15 Oct (year not shown on the page; Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026))
[4] Wikipedia: International University of Humanities and Development (page without a date; secondary source)
[5] uniRank: International University of Humanities and Development (aggregator, page without a date; fee band is indicative and unofficial)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.