Are you thinking of going to Belarus to study? If yes, this article will be helpful; it will guide you on how to study, work and live in Belarus. There are about 55 universities in Belarus; each of these universities awards degrees in graduate and undergraduate programs. Due to the transformation in its education system and adopting the bologna process, Bachelor’s degree programs are four years long, master’s degree programs are two years long or one year in some situations, and doctoral degree programs are three years long.
Belarus has medical universities, technical and technological universities, and traditional universities. Belarusian medical courses are of high quality, and Belarusian medical universities are among the best in the world.
Belarus may not be one of the big guns on lists of favorite nations for overseas students, but that does not diminish its reputation for providing high-quality education. Located in Eastern Europe, the country was the smallest of the three Slavic republics included in the Soviet Union with Russia and Ukraine being the largest.
Studying in Belarus is a wise choice because a degree gained at any Belarusian university is recognized worldwide. Here are a couple of other reasons why you should study in Belarus.
Why study in Belarus?
• Cheap cost of tuition and expenses
The tuition fee at Belarussian universities is significantly cheap. Its tuition is the fairest among Eastern Europe. To crown it all, living expenses in Belarus are cheap. Studying in Belarus will be a perfect choice for you to pay less for tuition and living cost.
• A high chance of getting admission
Getting admission to study in some countries can be tough because of the low acceptance rate. This is a different ball game for Belarus. Universities in Belarus give every citizen equal opportunity during selection screening.
• Study your preferred course
International students do not need to worry about a course to choose because Belarussian universities offer a wide selection of degrees from which they can choose.
• Ease of getting a permanent residence after study
After completing your educational program in Belarus, there is a very good probability of obtaining permanent residence and settling in Europe.
How to study in Belarus
Interested candidates who wish to study in Belarus must carefully follow the application guideline. To help you with this, here are the procedures to follow.
1. Choose a program and university
You must be careful when choosing a program and university. In case you haven’t decided on the course, you can speak with a guidance counselor for more help. After choosing a program, research the universities offering the course.
2. Check the study options, admission requirements, and tuition fee
This is very important. There are admission requirements that might differ from other schools and programs. You should also the study options- (the mode of instruction) and the tuition fee. All these will help you make an informed decision.
Admission requirements for Belarus Universities
Copy of valid passport
Passport photos
Medical fitness certificate including a certificate of HIV- negative status (depending on the educational institution) and its notarized translation into Russian or Belarusian.
Original document on basic education and its notarized translation into Russian or Belarusian
Original birth certificate and its notarized translation into Russian or Belarusian
3. Apply online
The mode of application in most Belarussian universities is done online. To forward your documents, simply visit the official webpage of the university, click on the apply now button.
4. Get an invitation letter from the school
After the university has screened your documents and decide to offer you admission, an invitation letter to study in Belarus would be sent to you by the selected university. Print the letter and gather other documents for the visa application.
To get an invitation, you are to fill out an application form and attach a copy of your passport, a copy of your basic education document, a medical fitness certificate, including a certificate of HIV-negative status, and a copy of your passport. Each university may have its application process, follow the instruction of your selected school.
Take note: Documents must be notarized and translated into Russian or Belarusian.
5. Apply for the Belarusian student visa
After receiving an invitation letter, you are to apply for a student visa to study in Belarus. In some countries, students might apply through the Russian embassy, however, if there is an Embassy of the Republic of Belarus, in your country of residence, you should use the latter option.
International students planning to study in Belarus will apply for a student visa called
a category “C”. You can apply for your student visa either from a diplomatic mission of the Republic of Belarus in your country or a recommended embassy by the school.
Visa requirements to study in Belarus
A valid passport copy
A completed visa application form
An original invitation letter from the school
A passport photo (size 35×45 mm)
A copy of the educational certificates
A copy of a birth certificate
A medical fitness certificate, including a certificate of HIV- negative status
Receipt of tuition fees payment
Proof of accommodation in Belarus
An insurance card valid in the territory of Belarus for the period of study
Universities in Belarus
There are public and private universities in Belarus awarding degrees in graduate and undergraduate degrees. Here are popular universities in Belarus for international students.
Grodno State Medical University
Belorussian State Technological University
Belorussian State University of Informatics and Radio electronics
Brest State Technical University
Gomel State Technical (P. V. Sukhoy) University
Vitebsk State Technological University
Belorussian State Economics University
Belorussian Trade-Economic University of Consumer Cooperation
Belorussian State Physical Culture (Sports) University
Belorussian State University of Culture and Arts
Belorussian State University of Transport
Mogilev State Food University
Belorussian State Academy of Arts
Vitebsk State Academy of Veterinary Medicine
Tuition fee
Tuition fee in Belarus depends entirely on the university, study option, and degree type. Medical students pay higher than other students. Depending on the university (public or private), the average tuition fee is between $900- $10000.
Aside from the tuition that has been paid, students must pay for Medical insurance and annual registration. Some universities are cheaper than others. Here are budget-friendly universities in Belarus.
Cheap universities in Belarus
Francysk Skoryna Gomel State University
Tuition fee link
Belarusian State University (BSU)
Tuition fee link.
A.S. Pushkin Brest State University
Tuition Fee link:
Belarusian National Technical University (BNTU)
Tuition fee link
Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno (YKSUG)
Tuition fee link
English-taught universities in Belarus
International students can study in English in Belarus if, they are enrolled in Medical and Engineering courses. These are the English-taught programs in Belarussian universities.
Study and work in Belarus
It is almost a standard for all countries to allow students to work and study, but you must follow the labor laws of the university where you are studying at.
To study and work in Belarus, the Law of the Republic of Belarus “On Labor Migration” governs the subject of employment. It is critical to understand the following points:
• You do not need a work permit (you can work on the same level as Belarusian students)
• You can work or start your own business if you are 18 years or older (individual entrepreneurship).
Foreign citizens are granted the freedom to work in their specialty without getting authorization not only throughout their studies but also within one year of receiving a higher education credential. Working foreigners’ legal status, as specified by the Law “On the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens and Stateless Persons in the Republic of Belarus.”
Stay back in Belarus after graduation
If you wish to stay back after graduation in Belarus, you must get a special permit or a residence permit to continue living and working after one year of receiving a higher education diploma. In the first situation, signing an employment contract is required.
Highlights
Citizens of Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and the Russian Federation are permitted to work without getting authorization. This is based on intergovernmental agreements of Belarus with the listed states.
If you are not from the listed countries, you must obtain a post-work permit to live and work in Belarus. Kindly visit this website https://www.belarus.by/en/ for more information.
Conclusion
Studying in Belarus is a lifetime chance for international students seeking to pursue higher education in Europe. For many years, Belarusian universities and colleges have welcomed overseas students with open arms. Because of its high-quality education system, its universities are well-known over the world. A Belarussian university degree is globally recognized, which is one of the perks for international students.
If you would like to study in Europe and receive a high-quality higher education, then you should consider studying in Belarus, where the educational standards are extremely excellent and are acknowledged by a wide range of academics from across the world.
Fields like medicine and engineering are among the top choices for international students. The country is solid for these courses; it grooms future doctors or engineers to excel in their chosen discipline upon completing their studies.
Studying here is a great opportunity because it will help you get a job quickly especially if you have good grades and can speak the Belarussian or Russian languages.
Foreign students’ fees at Belarusian universities are reasonably priced, and living conditions are excellent, which is why each year international students flock to Belarus to pursue their selected degree programs.
Please note that all copies and original documents must be translated into one of the official languages of Belarus, either Russian or Belarusian, and these translations must be certified to study in Belarus. Your passport must have a one-year validity period (maximum term of a temporary residence permit).