Sprawling across two continents and spanning an incredible nine time zones (having cut down from 11 in 2010), Russia is the largest country in the world by far. Within its vast boundaries lie some of the planet’s most luxurious palaces, extensive plateaus, highest mountains, coldest cities, strongest spirits, best ballet companies, and largest collections of stacking dolls. In terms of culture, literature is one of the country’s most notable displays; Russian authors such as Tolstoy, Bulgakov, Dostoyevsky and Nabokov are celebrated worldwide for creating some of the greatest works of the 19th and 20th centuries.
One of the fast-growing economies in the world, alongside the other BRICS countries, Russia is keen to internationalize its higher education system, and is investing in developing its universities and extending support for international applicants. Considering whether to study in Russia? Read on for our guide to Russian universities, cities, applications and study costs…
Russian university requirements
The majority of courses at Russian universities are taught in Russian. So if you plan to study in Russia, it’s likely that you’ll need to master the language first, and provide proof of language proficiency as part of your application.
If you don’t feel confident with your Russian language skills just yet, some Russian universities offer one-year preparatory courses for international students, designed to help you to get up to the required standard quickly. For those who have only a very limited knowledge of Russian, there’s also the option to undertake a program taught in the English language, which are offered at some Russian universities. Although some English-taught options do exist at undergraduate level, English-language master’s programs are much more common.
Depending on the university and your academic background, Russian university requirements may also include an entrance exam and/or an interview. The Russian academic year runs from September to June, split into two semesters.
Russian student visas, scholarships and costs
Once you’ve been offered a place to study in Russia, the university’s international department will file an application for a Russian student visa on your behalf. This should take between three and five weeks and costs about US$40. This visa will cover your stay for three months only, so if you’re planning to study in Russia for more than 90 days you’ll need to apply for an extension once in the country. For a longer stay you’ll also be asked to provide the results of a medical examination and HIV test.
A set number of state scholarships are available for foreign students each year, covering tuition fees, accommodation and medical insurance – but not travel or personal expenses.
Those without scholarships are advised to allow anywhere between US$3,000 and US$10,000 per year for fees and living costs, depending on the course and location. Students are also eligible to obtain part-time work, with a work permit, either on-campus or elsewhere. Some students may be able to gain exemption from having to apply for a work permit, but this is not automatic.
You should also consider gaining health insurance before arriving in Russia, to ensure you’ll be able to access healthcare if necessary.
