In order to meet the requirements of staffing the educational institutions of the north-eastern region of RA with teachers, and at the same time with the aim to organize distance learning education of RA teachers in Kirovakan, Yerevan distance learning Pedagogical Institute was moved to Kirovakan and renamed Kirovakan State Pedagogical Institute, by the resolution № 455 of the Board of Ministers of Armenia, July 9, 1969. The following five faculties were moved to Kirovakan from Yerevan distance learning Pedagogical Institute: Armenian Language and Literature; Primary School Teaching Methodology, Physics and Mathematics, Biology and History. In the same year full-time education department opened with the abovementioned specialties. 4711 students moved to Kirovakan. In the primary stage of its formation the Institute overcame difficulties that had to do with the administrative, economic and daily matters. Despite a series of resolutions and orders adopted by the Republic and Local Governments in favor of the Institute, the self-affirmation of the Institute required persistent and hard work. It was rather difficult to recruit staff with high academic degrees and ranks, a staff who would have ample teaching experience in higher education institutions. The Institute lacked the skills and experience to organize full-time education. In addition, it didn’t have the necessary laboratories, technical means for teaching and appropriate equipment. The acquisition of desks, laboratory equipment and the establishment of solid basis for teaching was an urgent matter. The problem of the building for educational activities and that of the dormitory still remained unsolved. Nevertheless, due to the great efforts and persistence, the Institute was gradually formed with its full-time and distance learning departments.

Gradually the building conditions were improved, laboratories, studies and new rooms were established. Lecturers became engaged in scientific work. Year by year the Institute thrived, replenishing with new specialties and improving the educational process.

In 1982, the problems of the introduction of advanced technologies and the retraining of quality personnel in “Computer Science” in future perspectives were raised. The first graduates specialized in “Applied Mathematics” have their significant role in the introduction of modern technologies in the university.

Today the three-cycle educational system is introduced in the university (Bachelor’s Degree (first cycle), Master’s Degree (second cycle), Postgraduate Degree and PhD (third cycle). In the first and second cycles the first admission was organized in 2008, in the third cycle — in 2006.

Starting from 2007, a credit system has been introduced.

In the full-time education system, the educational process in Bachelor’s Degree is organized in 24 specialties, and in the distance learning system — for 21 specialties.

The educational process in the Master’s Degree is organized in the full-time education system for 13 specialties and in the distance learning system for 1 specialty.

The three Faculties of Natural Sciences, Humanities, and Social Sciences are the primary divisions for organizing the university’s educational process.

The educational process is organized through 8 Professional Chairs. The University prepares specialists mainly for the northern region of the Republic of Armenia, where about 70% of those working in the field of general education are graduates of the “Vanadzor State University” Foundation. The Diploma of the “VSU” Foundation is also accepted for recognition in other areas of work.

The university’s graduates also work in other fields, in state, private and public organizations. The university’s faculty is mainly staffed by its graduates: more than 60% are university graduates, most of whom have academic degrees.

One of the important achievements of the University after the accreditation of 2021 is being recognized as the winner of the Erasmus+ Capacity Building Project Competition in 2023 as the coordinating HEI (DeSIRe project). Since 2020, the University has had an Erasmus+ conference hall, which is equipped with new equipment and serves to organize both on-site and online events. In 2021, within the framework of the Erasmus+ SMARTI project, the EMI Center was established, which contributes to the development of English language skills of teaching staff and students through various courses. In 2022, within the framework of the Erasmus+ CONNECT project, the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Development Center (SMART CAFFE) has been launched with the co-financing of the University, and in the same year, within the framework of cooperation with the “Instigate Mobile” company (now “Zealous Tech”), the “Center of Excellence” has been launched, which provides an opportunity to connect with employers. In 2023, within the framework of the ERASMUS+ KA2 CBHE PRINTeL, ARMDOCT and CONNECT projects and with the co-financing of the University, the Medialab has been established, which contributes to the creation of video lessons and educational videos. The University is also a member of the Erasmus+ MEDIA project consortium. The project is aimed at strengthening the quality of online education.

Since 2022, the “Involved Citizen” supplementary course has been conducted at the University, with the mediation of the International Institute for Electoral Systems (IFES), contributing to the recognition of forms of civic participation among students. In 2023, the “Civic Education Center” was opened jointly with the “PH- International” organization, the goal of which is to create a favorable environment for the development of civic knowledge, social and technical skills for the youth of the region, as well as their involvement in public decisions. Since 2021, the University, with the recommendation of the Ministry of Education, Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Armenia, has been organizing training courses for teachers, teacher assistants, and pedagogical workers of higher education institutions meant to undergo the certification, for those wishing to obtain the right (certificate) to manage preschool and general education institutions. Every year, profession and job fairs are organized at the University, promoting the University-Applicant, University-Graduate-Employer ties.