Higher Education in Russia
Russia has many famous universities, research institutes and research centers. Many brilliant scientists and pioneers come from this country. Every year thousands of students from all over the world come here to find out what it is like to be a student in a Russian higher education institution. Higher education in Russia is the way of life for foreign nationals in this country. Newcomers assure that once you have visited Russia, you will definitely stay there, as there is enough room for everyone.


To become a student in one of the universities of Russia, a foreigner has to go through 5 main steps to get admitted:
1. Choose a suitable study program.
2. Find out about the possibilities of financing.
3. Gather all necessary documents.
4. Go through the competitive selection process.
5. Complete the entire visa application process.


At each of these stages, international students have many questions: where to find out about training programs? What funding options are available? How can I get my equivalency if I am not Russian? You will find the answers to these questions by reading this article to the end.

Higher education in Russia - study programs

In Russia, foreign students can attend various educational programs at the undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate levels. Every year the government of the Russian Federation allocates funds from the state budget for scholarships and competitions, and the country participates in international student exchange programs.
All possible options for admission of foreigners to universities of Russia can be found on the official portal of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation.


As in many countries of the world, education in Russia is free for foreign citizens. There are 3 ways to become a state funded student:
1. Winning a competition for international students. The list of Olympiads is available here.
2. Pass the entrance or USE exams.
3. Compete for the state scholarship.


Certain categories of foreigners, compatriots residing outside the country and migrants can get a state scholarship. Every year the Russian government offers them free places in higher educational institutions. As a rule, these students are selected by the representative office of Rossotrudnichestvo or Russian embassies in the countries of the world.
To find out the best option for budget-funded admission to a university in Russia, contact the international department of the university where you plan to study. If state-funded programs are not suitable for you, you can try to enroll in a commercial form of education. This option is available to absolutely everyone who wishes to receive an education in Russia.


Required documents

If you apply to Rossotrudnichestvo or the embassy and ask for a place in a public institution, you will need to provide a copy of your passport, a certificate or diploma of study, fill in the questionnaire and, if necessary, attach photos. The rest is done by specialists of the above mentioned institutions.
If you submit an independent application to the admission committee of a Russian university, you must first have it translated into the state language. In order to be admitted to the competition, you must have: a passport proving your identity; a certificate of studies; a medical certificate; photos.
When you arrive in Russia, all you have to do is to write an application for admission, specifying the specialty you want to study.

 


Competitive selection for admission

To enroll in higher education institutions in Russia, foreign students must either submit the results of the Unified State Examination or take entrance exams.
Foreigners who plan to attend higher education in Russia in advance can take the USE at their place of residence. The Federal Test Center is responsible for the organization and supervision of the Unified State Examination outside the Russian Federation. You can register for the Unified State Examination at the municipal educational authority in your area.

Higher education institutions hold separate entrance exams for those who have not passed the Unified State Exam. Their results determine whether the applicant becomes a student of a Russian university.

Study visa registration

Many CIS countries have a visa-free regime with the Russian Federation, and their students will not need an educational visa to study in Russia.
But students from other countries need an official permit from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to study in Russia. To apply for the educational visa, the applicant must have an invitation from the Russian higher education institution. After obtaining such a document, you should apply to the Russian embassy in your country, which will issue you a visa without any problems.

After successfully passing all these steps, you will definitely become a student of a Russian university. Education in Russia for foreign citizens is not only a ticket to a happy future in the land of opportunities, but also a good prospect to realize your plans using the resources of this huge country.