Universities and schools
Since the 2012-2013 academic year, admission to Journalism faculties in private universities in Azerbaijan has been suspended. In the opinion of the Education Commission attached to the President, the main reasons are the lack of potential personnel and technicalities.
The course is currently active in public universities, namely Azerbaijan University of Languages, Baku Slavic University and Baku State University. Apart from that, there are private schools/organizations where anyone interested in journalism can get trainings and specific media courses per charge. These include, but not limited to, Baku School of Journalism, Institution of Democratic Initiatives and Internews Azerbaijan.
In 2014, the National Examination Centre and the Press Council reinstated the Soviet tradition of admission exams, which consist solely of a written essay with no required knowledge of international standards, codes of ethics, verification of facts, etc. Furthermore, more than 80 percent of the curriculum in journalism relies on theory and students have very limited opportunities of exposure to practical skills, since 90 percent of professors in journalism faculties in Azerbaijan have very little or no professional experience.
Students in journalism are still exposed to Soviet-era lectures, which is causing justified protests. As a consequence most students are learning journalism practices at external trainings and not in the faculties, where up to 2-3 years of the bachelor curriculum are dedicated to media history.