- Population: 144,000,000
- Currency: Russian ruble (RUB)
- University Students: 4,399,500
- International Students: 244,000 (5%)
- English-taught Programs: 500
Russia is the world’s largest country, spanning over eleven times zones and it has a century-long history of developing world-class education, especially for international students. Russia’s universities lead the world in many of the hard sciences, especially physics and mathematics. Students studying in Russia can spend their entire time getting to know the vast Russian countryside, the deep Russian culture and the warm hospitality of Russian friends.
The modern cosmopolitan nation of Russia shares borders at either end with Norway and North Korea. There are 28 World Heritage sites in Russia, with another 24 under consideration by UNESCO. International students often live in and around the principal western cities in Russia, Moscow and St. Petersburg, though many more split their time with eastern cities such as Irkutsk and Vladivostok.
In the 2016/2017 academic year, Russia had nearly 4 million students, out of a total population of 144 million citizens, enrolled in higher education. At least 244,000 of these are international students who participate in at least 500 English-taught programs. Asian countries make up 17.6 percent of Russia’s foreign-born student body, most of them from China, India and Vietnam. Another 19 percent of international students come from Africa and the Middle East, where Iraq, Morocco, Syria, Egypt, Nigeria and Ghana made up the majority of donor nations in those regions. Latin America is the fastest-growing contributor of students to Russian universities, with over 4,000 new students enrolling in the 2018-2019 academic year, mostly from Ecuador, Colombia and Brazil.
Universities in Russia
There are over 800 Universities in Russia, of which around 500 are public state Universities and 300 private. Many higher education institutions are renowned for top quality education, including:
- Lomonosov Moscow State University
- Novosibirsk State University
- Saint-Petersburg State University
- Tomsk State University (TSU)
- Tomsk Polytechnic University (TPU)
- MGIMO University
- Higher School of Economics (HSE)
- Tomsk Polytechnic University
Business Schools in Russia
- Vlerick Business School
- Graduate School of International Business (GSIB)
- IBS-Plekhanov (International Business School)
- International Management Institute St. Petersburg
- Institute of Business Studies (IBS)
- International Institute of Management LINK
- Moscow International Higher Business School (MIRBIS)
Study in Russia in English
Even if you do not speak Russian or only very basic, you can still study in Russia as there are several English-taught programs at all levels. There are also programs taught in Chinese, French, Spanish and German. You can search for programs at Russian Universities that are taught in English on the official Study in Russia website.
Tuition Fees in Russia
Average tuition fees in Russia, range from 2,000 EUR to 5,000 EUR per academic year. Every year, the Russian government also funds tuition fees for 15,000 students, allowing them to study for free. Students can apply via the state agency Rossotrudnichestvo.
Scholarships to Study in Russia
The Russian government offers state-funded spots specifically for international students to study at Universities across the country. Around 15,000 such spots were granted to international students in 2018. These government scholarships cover tuition fees for the duration of studies as well as a maintenance allowance of around 20 Euros per month and if available even accommodation in a dormitory. The official government website Studyinrussia.ru provides instructions on applying for such scholarship places.
Costs of Living in Russia
The cost of living in Russia is relatively cheap. An average of 250 – 350 Euros per month should be enough to cover basic accommodation in a small apartment or dormitory, medical insurance and books. It is important to note that accommodation in cities like Moscow and Saint-Petersburg have the highest prices. Around 100 – 150 Euros per month should also cover your basic shopping for groceries and a student card for transport costs less than 5 Euros per month.
Internships & Company Placements in Russia
Most internships in Russia are unpaid with only very few offering a base salary. The most popular internships tend to be in international companies covering files such as marketing, accounting and finance. The hospitality industry is also a popular one when it comes to internships.
Working in Russia
If you are a full-time international student at a state-accredited University in Russia, you will be able to apply for a work permit in order to work in the region (city) where your University is located. You can apply for a work permit at the General Administration for Migration Issues of the Interior Ministry of Russia.
Applying for a Student Visa to Study in Russia
In order to study in Russia, you will need to apply for a student visa, which can take around 3 to 5 weeks. You will need to prove acceptance at a University, have a certificate to show negative HIV, proof of funds to cover the period of your studies.