Are you considering to Study in Russia? With its rich cultural heritage, world-class education system, and affordable tuition fees, Russia is becoming an increasingly popular destination for international students. Whether you’re interested in pursuing a degree in engineering, medicine, or the arts, Russian universities offer a wide range of programs taught in English. Not only will you receive a quality education, but you’ll also have the opportunity to immerse yourself in Russian culture, explore breathtaking landscapes, and make lifelong connections. Don’t miss out on the chance to broaden your horizons and experience the wonders of studying in Russia!

So, if you are planning to pursue higher education in a land which has produced leaders like Leo Tolstoy, Maria Sharapova, and Yuri Gagarin, then here is a blog that will shed light on the important details regarding the application process for universities in Russia!

Reasons to Study in Russia

Here are the key reasons to pursue higher education in Russia:

• Tuition and living costs are affordable in comparison to other famous countries like the US, UK, etc.
• International students who wish to study in Russia can choose from a list of 657 subjects spanning 205 fields at undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate levels.
• The Russian Government offers a fixed amount of state-funded scholarships [quotas/spots] to international students across various disciplines every year.
• A lot of courses are also offered in the English language to international students who wish to study in Russia.
• The inter-governmental agreements Russia has established with scores of countries like India, France, Malta, Nambia, etc, offer an opportunity to students to obtain Dual Diplomas across many fields.
• With a comprehensive curriculum and affordable tuition fees, pursuing MBBS in Russia is also a very popular option.
• Universities in Russia also emphasize overall development and thus offer different types of co-curricular activities like swimming, tennis, ice hockey, weightlifting, etc.

Education System in Russia

Here is a brief account of the different levels of education systems in Russia:

Professional Education in Russia

Tabulated below is the course duration of popular professional courses in Russia:

How Much Does it Cost to Study in Russia?

The first thing that strikes our mind while deciding the place for pursuing overseas education is the cost of study. Apart from the tuition fees, an individual also needs to keep the accommodation and living expenses in the picture. So, if you are planning to study in Russia, here is what you need to know:

Accommodation

Cost of on-campus and off-campus student accommodation in India is tabulated below:

Other Expenses

Monthly expenditure for other expenses are mentioned in the table given below:

Note: The other expenses can further vary based on factors like the city, choice of meal, internet service provider, etc.

Application Process

Requirements to Study in Russia

To study in Russia, an overseas student needs to produce the following documents:

• Higher Secondary School Marksheets
• Birth Certificate
• A valid passport with 18 months of validity
• 4 passport-size photographs
• University Transcripts
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)
• Letter of Recommendation (LOR)
• Fee Receipt
• HIV test report
• Complete application form (the form will be issued by either the Rossotrudnichestvo office or from the desired university)

Important Points

• You can submit your application online. Please make sure that you fill in all the details carefully and correctly. Moreover, you should have documents in digital form too.
• While most of the universities lay more emphasis on academic records/SOP/LORs, there are some courses in Russia for which you have to appear for competitive exams.
• You can apply for a student visa only after your admission is confirmed.

Entrance Exams to Study in Russia

As discussed, to take admitted to some educational universities in Russia, you will be required to clear the entrance exams. Given below is a flowchart that explains the process in detail:

Popular Courses to Study in Russia

The Universities of Russia offer a wide range of courses in a diverse number of fields. If you are planning to study in Russia, you can easily find one which meets all your requirements and interests. Here is a list of the top courses in Russia:

Bachelor’s Courses

• Bachelor in International Economics and Business
• Bachelor in Computer Science
• Bachelor in Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science
• Bachelor in Design
• BSc in Software Engineering
• Undergraduate International Relations
• Bachelor of Arts in Theatre

Master’s Courses

• MA in Political Philosophy
• Master in International Management
• Master of Science in Space and Engineering Systems
• Master of Science in Data Science
• Master in Food Biotechnology
• Master in International Trade and Entrepreneurship
• Master of Science in Information Science and Technology

Top Universities to Study in Russia

With full-time, part-time, extramural, and distance learning programs available, Russian universities are revered for the quality education they offer. Not just limited to STEM courses, the country is also known for its programs offered in the field of Computer Science, Business Management, Banking and Finance, Nanotechnology, etc. Enlisted are some of the top universities you can consider if you have decided to study in Russia:

• Ural Federation University
• Saint Petersburg State University
• HSE, National Research University
• Tomsk State University
• Novosibirsk State University
• Bauman Moscow State Technical University
• Lomonosov Moscow State University
• Kazan State Medical University
• Peoples’ Federation University of Russia
• Orenburg State Medical University

Scholarships

When you are planning to study in Russia, the one thing that might hinder your plan is financial constraints. But you don’t have to worry because certain Scholarships are given by both the government and Universities across Russia to fund its international students. So, you can avail yourself any of these if you have made up your mind about studying in Russia:

• Government of Russian Federation Scholarships
• The School of Russian and Asian Studies (SRAS)
• Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarships
• BP in Russia Research Scholarships
• American Councils Scholarships
• Open Doors: Russian Scholarship Project
• Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT)
• HSE University
• Saint Petersburg Polytechnic University
• Tomsk State University

How to Apply for a Russian Scholarship?

Scholarships in Russia, especially the ones granted by the Government of Russia, are awarded to students by judging them on their academic merit. The commission looks at:

• Your marks of Secondary School if applying for a Bachelor’s Programme
• Your marks at the undergraduate level if applying for a Master’s Programme

It is important to read up and know about the entire selection process as well as collect all the necessary documents. It is also advisable to enrol in a Russian language programme. Enrolling in a Russian language programme will help you understand the language easily once you are in Russia. 

Follow this procedure to get selected for a scholarship in Russia:

• Once you have selected the university and course you want to choose, check the scholarships available for that course.
• You can search online for your research but is recommended that you confirm it with the Russian embassy in India.
• Next, register on the scholarship website and fill out an online application
• Here, you need to mention your details, the specialization you are applying for, your current education, profession, and your level of Russian.
• You can choose not more than six universities to apply for
• Take the competitive interview/ examination for your admission to the competitive selection
• Once you get admission to the universities, you will be informed about whether you qualify for the scholarship or not.
• You can check your selection on the list of candidates on the site or the representation of Rossotrudnichestvo or the Russian Embassy in your country

Popular Careers and Jobs

After completing your study in Russia, you will be looking for job opportunities to earn a living there. Given below are some sectors where international students find the most opportunities. So, you can explore the options, find where you fit in and make a career for yourself in it. 

The major companies which offer employment opportunities to students are given below. 

• Microsoft Russia
• Google Russia
• Surgutneftegas
• Rosneft
• Siemens Russia
• Lukoil
• Russian Railways
• Transneft
• BMW Russia
• Gazprom

Student Life in Russia

If you have decided to study in Russia, you must know what a student’s life in Russia is like. So, to give an idea, let’s have a look at the different facets of a student experience while studying in Russia:

• Russia today is almost at the centre of the Educational world and therefore people from across the world go there to pursue higher education. So, first of all, you will never feel like an outsider. And also because of such international student inflow, you can easily find the cuisines of your home country in Russia. So, you can find the flavours of your home country in Russia. 
• If you love to travel, then both the rural and urban landscapes of Russia can be ideal locations to explore and understand the cultural heritage of Russia. Every city in Russia has its attractions. For instance, the cultural heritage of Moscow and Saint Petersburg, and the natural beauty of Nizhny Novgorod and Yekaterinburg. 
• You will get ample opportunities to study Russian during your study in Russia. Initially, it might be a bit tough for you to carry on with the normal conversations in the beginning but with time you will start to understand the language and then it will get pretty easy for you. 
• Full-time students in Russia are given a lot of additional benefits like transportation tariffs, and various discounts in availing business and other services. Also, you get a student discount at museums and some heritage sites.

List of Student-Friendly Cities

In Russia, educational institutions are spread across the country but there are some cities which have the highest number of Universities and therefore are preferred the most by students. Also, these cities are student-friendly in the sense that they offer essential services like transportation, food outlets and an adequate cultural environment.  So, if you are planning to study in Russia then these might be the ideal locations to choose from. 

• Moscow
• Saint Petersburg
• Tomsk
• Nizhny Novgorod
• Kazan
• Novosibirsk
• Samara
• Yekaterinburg
• Ekaterinburg
• Volgograd
• Krasnoyarsk
• Irkutsk

Student Visa to Study in Russia

There’s no visa-free entry for EU students. And if you are a citizen of the CIS(Commonwealth of Independent States), then you don’t need a visa to enter.

Step-By-Step Method To Get a Visa

• Arrange Documents:
  Be sure to keep these documents in order before applying for Visa:
  • A passport or ID which is valid for at least 18 months from the issue date of the visa.
  • Passport-size photographs.
  • Letter of invitation from the GUVM.
  • A medical certificate that shows you’re not affected by a disease like HIV.
  • If you are below 18 then get a consent signed by your legal guardians or parents
• Invitation Letter to Study in Russia:
  Such invitation letters are generally issued by the Federal Migration Service of Russia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia.
• Check Your Financial Ability:
  Make sure that whether you can afford the course or not. You may also look out for scholarships to cut down some costs.
• Apply To Universities:
  You can apply to six Russian universities, but remember! First, you will have to pass an exam, face an interview, and deal with the competitive selection process. If you turned out as a winner, they will send you an invitation which will allow you to get a visa.
• Wait for VISA:
  Your visa will be issued within 2-5 weeks. If you want it to happen fast, you can pay an additional fee to boost up the process. However, the cost may vary depending on your geographical location. At last, contact the visa centre or Russian Embassy consulate to confirm your visa to study in Russia.

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