Russia may not be among the top popular study abroad countries for international students, but it will certainly make the lists of countries with cheap universities. Russia is bordered between Asia and Europe, which is why the central European system is used across all schools in Russia, this post will focus on how to study, live and work in Russia.
Recently, Russia is becoming a study hub with most of its universities doing pretty well in fields mainly in engineering, medicine, computer science, architecture, and management programs which worldwide students are beginning to find the country an interesting place to study at. There are 28 recognized universities in Russia in the QS World best university Rankings 2021, with 13 of them ranking among the top 400 universities in the world. Although, Russia is not listed in the visited countries for abroad education, there are still reasons to study in Russia.
Why study in Russia?
Some of the perks are:
• Cheap tuition fee
The tuition fee in most Russian universities is cheap. Students searching for affordable schools within Europe and Asia may have to look in the direction of Russia. Tuition is between 1700-7500 EUR per year.
• High acceptance rate
Most Russian universities have a high student acceptance rate. It is almost impossible to have a student application rejected unless the student didn’t meet the entrance requirements.
• Increasing student community
Recently, there is an increased rate of international students studying in Russia with well over 4000 foreign students making the student population across different locations in Russia. The most popular destinations are Moscow and Saint Petersburg.
How to study in Russia
Application to study in Russia on paper looks simple, but students must understand that It can be difficult to acquire admission to Russian universities, as a heavy focus is placed on obtaining technical and scientific degrees.
Russia ratified the Bologna Declaration in 2003, allowing them to streamline their higher education by going from five-year undergraduate degrees to four-year undergraduate degrees. Russia’s universities provide degrees at three levels: bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral. To study in Russia, follow these steps.
1. Choose a program and University
The first step is choosing the university of your choice and apply, which is done through the university’s official website.
2. Applying to study in Russia
Amazingly, international students can apply to up to six Russian educational institutions but cannot apply to more than two in each federal region.
3. Submit your application
After you’ve successfully chosen your school and program, submit your documents. Please note that there are two options for international students: either you apply through the official university website or apply through the official Study in Russia website, after creating an account.
Entrance requirements
Completed application form
Proof of payment of the application
High school diploma (for a Bachelor’s program)
Bachelor’s diploma (for a Master’s)
Academic Transcripts
Passport-sized photographs
A copy of valid passport
Motivation letter
4. Get an invitation letter
Before a foreign student will be registered in the Russian higher education institution, the student must be given an invitation letter. Prior to that, a Payment of the fee for the issuance of an invitation for a foreign citizen to visit Russia must have been made.
5. Apply for a student VISA
If you are successful and accepted into a program, you will then receive an invitation with which you can apply for a Russian student visa.
Citizens from most foreign countries will need a Russian student visa to study in Russia. Also, EU students may need to apply for a Russian visa because Russia is not a member state of the EU/EFTA, so there is no visa-free entry to Russia for EU/EFTA citizens.
A Russian student visa is valid for 90 days, but it can be extended up to a year and then renewed for the remainder of the program. This visa is appropriate for short-term courses or study at any Russian institution or university.
When you visit the Russian embassy or consulate, you must bring a completed Russian student visa application form. The Russian student visa application form is accessible here. You also need to fill out an online form and print a copy to take with you.
General Visa Requirements are as follows:
• Original Invitation letter
• A valid passport (minimum valid for two years)
• Higher Secondary School Certificate (must be legalized)
• Medical Certificate – Negative HIV result (must be legalized)
• Passport size Photos (3.5 x 4.5)
Can you study in Russia in English?
The answer is Yes! Although, the official language of Russia is Russian there are schools offering programs in English, however, most of them are at the master’s level, but there are also some universities that offer bachelor’s degrees in English.
English teaching universities in Russia
Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT)
National Research Nuclear University MEPhI (Moscow Engineering Physics Institute).
National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE)
Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University)
Lomonosov Moscow State University
Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT)
Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University
St Petersburg State University
Tomsk Polytechnic University
Ural Federal University
Top Universities in Russia
Moscow State University (Moscow)
St. Petersburg State University (St. Petersburg)
Southern Federal University (Rostov)
Siberian Federal University (Krasnoyarsk)
Far Eastern Federal University (Vladivostok)
Ural Federal University (Yekaterinburg)
Tuition fee
Universities in Russia are generally cheap. It costs between 1700-7500 to study in Russia. Some universities are cheaper to attend. They include the following.
Cheap Universities in Russia
1. Altai State University
Undergraduate Tuition Fee Link
2. Moscow Region State University
Undergraduate and Graduate Tuition Fee Link
3. Kazan Federal University (KFU)
Undergraduate and Graduate Tuition Fee Link
4. Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University
Undergraduate Tuition Fee Link
6. Tomsk Polytechnic University
Undergraduate and Graduate Tuition Fee Link
7. Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia
Undergraduate and Graduate Tuition Fee Link
Russian student visa processing time
The Russian visa processing time varies by country. In most cases, visas are obtained within two to 12 weeks.
Intake period
To apply for admission in Russia, students can choose between these two options:
Apply for the autumn intake: applications are accepted between January and July
Apply for the spring intake: applications are accepted between September and January
Study and work in Russia
International students are allowed to study and work in Russia, but they must recognize that speaking the Russian language will make things much easier. To be qualified to work as a student in Russia, a student work permit is needed. If you have a Russian student visa, students can work during the holidays or at the school where you are studying you will need a work permit from the Federal Migration Service (FMS).
If you are a full-time student at a state-accredited university, you will be granted a work permit. The permission only allows you to operate in the fields or professions specified in the permit, as well as in the city or region where your university is located.
If you want to work while studying in Russia, there are some restrictions; in some situations, you’ll need Russian work permission first, one recent passport-sized photograph
your official letter of invitation from the Russian General Directorate of Migratory Affairs (GUVM)-original copy.
Medical certificate less than three months old showing that you test negative for HIV. You may need to present the certificate in both Russian and your language along with passport details, information on the duration of the stay in Russia, and details of the HIV test.
An application form, which can be completed online but must be printed out.
Take note: Foreign students’ Russian work permits are valid for one year and can be extended for the life of the job contract. During this time, you are free to change occupations, but you must notify the Migration Service. If you drop out of university, your work permit will be revoked, and you will be unable to work in Russia.
Can international students bring in family members while studying in Russia?
Just like their counterparts in other countries, students planning to study in Russia are allowed to bring their families. The Russian student visa allows you to bring certain family members along with you. But, family members will require an invitation from the GUVM or will be included on your invitation, and will be subject to usual Russian visa expenses.
Stay back options after studying in Russia
Foreign students can apply for a permanent residence visa after graduating from a recognized Russian university. If you plan to stay in Russia after your Russian student visa expires, you should contact your local GUVM branch to find out more information and make the required arrangements. A list of GUVM offices in your area is accessible here. You must complete this process well before your Russian student visa expires.
Important notes: You must extend your visa if you want to continue your studies in Russia. If you stay in Russia after your visa expires, you could face a fine of RUB 5,000 to 7,000 and a five-year prohibition from returning. At least 30–40 days before your visa expires.
Getting Resident Permit after Graduation
Yes, it is possible to obtain a residence permit as a student in Russia after graduation from a Russian university. Foreign students from visa-free countries can apply for a permanent residence permit after graduation; foreign students from any country, including those that require a Russian visa, can apply for permanent residence permits without having to first obtain a temporary residence permit if they graduate with honors.
Conclusion
Russia is fast gaining recognition among international students. The tuition is one of the cheapest in the world. International students thinking of studying in Russia can try any of the English universities. For more inquiries, check the website of your chosen school(s).