As a result of the reforms carried out to develop the higher education system within the framework of the Strategy of Actions on Five Priority Areas of Development of the Republic of Uzbekistan in 2017–2021 and its logical continuation – the Development Strategy of New Uzbekistan for 2022–2026, the number of higher education institutions (HEIs) in the country increased from 77 in 2017 to 211 by the end of 2023.

Moreover, foreign HEIs grew from 5 to 30, the number of students in HEIs increased from 314.5 thousand to 1 million 200 thousand, and the number of PhD thesis defences rose from 343 to 1765.

In addition, 41 leading state HEIs were given independence in their financial, scientific and organizational matters. The correspondence education form was introduced in 71 HEIs, the distance education form in 15 HEIs and the evening education form – in 18 HEIs.

Starting from the 2022-2023 academic year, admission to the master’s degree programs of state HEIs is carried out based on the average score of the student’s bachelor’s degree mark sheet and the foreign language certificate (national or international) without any entrance exams on the speciality subject.