Why study a Bachelor or Master in Russia

Study in Russia

At the present, it’s easier than ever for international students to receive higher education at a Russian university: both on a commercial basis and state scholarship. Governmental support and adaptation program for international applicants are constantly evolving. Every year scholarships are allocated, and new forms of funding evolve, including international grants and new scholarships.

How much does it cost?

After completing four-years-undergraduate programs, students receive a bachelor’s degree and a diploma of higher education. Thereafter, students can continue their studies and take a Master program. Training on full-time department of the Bachelor’s Degree costs nearly($ 3,430-3,715) per year. The minimum cost is ($ 1,750) per year while the maximum nears ($ 12,570) per year.

Additionally, Master’s degree is awarded after two years of training and provides a deeper knowledge of the chosen major of studies. Students can apply for a Master program if they have either Bachelor’s or Specialist’s degree. Training on the full-time department of Master’s degree on average costs ($ 3,715-4,000) per year. The minimal cost is ($ 2,100) per year. Maximum cost hovers around ($ 6,570) per year.

Living in Russia

Costs of living in Russia are considered cheap for students, especially when compared with other European countries. Costs for both accommodation and additional costs of living are around 800 dollars per month. Read on to learn more about how much it will cost you to study and live in Russia.

Accommodation 

As for the accommodation in Russia for international students, there are multiple options:

The student dormitory

The common and best option there is the student dormitory. It is the most affordable option. International and out-of-town students are provided with dormitory places. They are usually located on the campus or not far from the university. In most cases from 2 to 4 students share a room. The accommodation fee is set by the university. It may vary from 500 to 5,000 rubles per month, depending on the university and the city. This makes it a much cheaper option compared to a rental apartment.

Rental apartment or room

In case the university does not have a dormitory or for some reasons the students don’t consider it as an option, then it is recommendable for students to look for a rental apartment or room.

Moscow and St. Petersburg are known for having the most expensive apartments. The smaller the city is and the farther it is from major cities, the lower the rent becomes. As of 2020 in Moscow, depending on the location and facilities available, a bedsit will cost a student around 30-35K rubles (428-500$) a month, and a room around 15-20K rubles (214-286$) a month.

Universities in Russia

Russia is a highly educated country, with a long academic tradition. Its universities have spawned many great minds, among them a number of notable Nobel Prize winners.

In recent years, Russia has been making an enormous effort to modernize its higher education system and open it up to foreign students. At the same time, the government-led “Project 5-100” has been aiming at bringing at least 5 Russian universities into the top 100 into the most respected global university rankings. The initiative has started to show results; more than a dozen Russian universities are now among the world’s top 500, and the results are improving every year. There are world-class universities in the country. They include: 

Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU)

The FEFU was established on the principle of integrating two models: the modern research university, participating in an international exchange of the most advanced research and expertise, and the entrepreneurial university, providing the training for competitively developing sectors of the national economy.

The university consists of nine schools, providing a choice of over 150 educational programs in promising areas of technological development, overseen by faculty and staff capable of implementing large-scale projects important to the region’s economy.

Additionally, the university participates in the 5top100 Academic Excellence Project. It is designed to stimulate emergence of Russia’s new advanced university leaders with effective management structure and international academic reputation, capable of setting the development trends of the international higher education industry.

ITMO University

ITMO University is a large state university located in Saint Petersburg in Russia. It provides 25 bachelor’s programs across six academic schools. The university yet includes master’s degree programs in more than 75 majors. The language of instruction across the university is Russian. But the university also offers a range of international master’s programs in English.

There is also a Special Foundation Program to help students integrate into the Russian education system more smoothly. The program enables students that have little or no knowledge of the Russian language to learn the necessary skills to enroll on a degree program at the university.

The university’s top majors that students can study include translational information technologies; computer technologies and control; photonics; biotechnology and cryogenic systems and entrepreneurship and innovations.

It is one of Russia’s National Research Universities. Some of the top research fields at the university include smart technologies and robotics; photonics and quantum communications; life sciences and translational medicine and ecology and urban science among others. It collaborates with many businesses based in St Petersburg to enable students to seek internships and future employment.

Novosibirsk State University

Novosibirsk State University was established in 1959. It is located in Akademgorodok. It is a unique environment with a high concentration of science, education and knowledge-based business. NSU students get involved in research work in research institutes of Akademgorodok, in institutes of science and education at NSU and innovative companies. Novosibirsk University includes a boarding high school (Physics and Mathematics School), a Higher College of Informatics, 9 Departments, a Postgraduate Study Department, a School of Professional Retraining and Vocational Education and a Research Department

Student Visa - Russia

A foreign student who wants to study in Russia must obtain a study visa. To be able to apply for a visa, you must obtain acceptance from a Russian institute or university.

The Russian student visa is granted as a one-time entry visa for a period of three months and may initially reach a year. It can be extended depending on the duration of the program you wish to study there. It is then converted into a multiple-entry visa three months after the student arrives in Russia

Required Documents  

The documents required that you need to hand in to acquire Russia the study visa are: 

• You must have a valid, signed passport with at least two blank pages, and your passport must have a validity period of at least six months longer than the visa period.
• A copy of the visa application, filled out and signed by you.
• Invitation letter given to you by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or its regional office or the university/institution in which you are registered.
• Your current degree and educational qualifications.
• Proof of payment of fees at the university or institute in the place where you wish to study.
• A negative HIV test certificate. This examination must be new and not more than three months old.
• You must show your intent to leave Russia after your authorized period of stay.

How to apply - Russia

If you want to apply to study in Russia, there are some steps you’ll need to follow. You’ll need to apply directly to the university of your choice, as there’s no centralized platform where you can apply. You’ll fill in the application form and submit it to the university you’re applying to, whether through an online means or through the post, with the needed documents. Read on to learn more. 

Required Documents 

When it comes to undergraduate studies, such as bachelor’s degrees, the required documents are: 

• Maturity Certificate, acquired from the Albanian Entrance Exam
• High school diploma and transcripts 
• English proficiency certificates such as TOEFL or IELTS
• SAT Exam results, as some universities need to consider them 
• Copy of passport or another identification document
• Two passport size photos 
• At least two references letters 

For graduate studies like master’s degrees or doctorate degrees, you’ll need to submit:

• Undergraduate or graduate diplomas or equivalent documents
• English proficiency certificates such as TOEFL or IELTS
• CV or resume with the following information: personal information, brief educational background, professional experience, extra-curricular, skills, awards received, publications (if applicable), and references
• At least two reference letters
• Copy of passport or another identification document
• Two passport size photos 
• For doctorate degrees, research proposals in the field in which you want to prepare the thesis 

It’s important to note that all documents need to be translated into RUSSIAN before submitting. 

Scholarship in Russia

Certain groups of foreigners, Russians living abroad and immigrants can apply for state scholarships on the same terms as Russian citizens once they pass entrance exams or Uniform State Examination (EGE). Moreover, every year Russian government provides so-called ‘state-funded spots’ at universities to international applicants. In 2020, 15,000 such spots were granted.

The government-funded scholarship includes free tuition for the entire duration of the chosen program; maintenance allowance (for the entire duration of study regardless of the candidate’s success). In 2020, an average scholarship amounted to 1,484 rubles a month (nearly $ 22) and dormitory accommodation. 

At the present, the application for the scholarship by the Russian Government 2020 is open.  The Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation and the Global Universities Association are collaborating to present the ‘Open Doors Russian Scholarships’ for overseas students from any country to study in Russia.

The entities providing scholarships in Russia include: National Research Nuclear University (Mephl), Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, HSE University Global Scholarship Competition, Russia (full scholarship for Master’s Degree), and Russian International Olympic University. 

As for the Lomonosov Moscow State University, it offers 10 scholarships. They include IAL Research Grants for Doctoral Studies, KKADC Overseas Arts Administration Scholarships, POGO-SCOR Visiting Fellowships for Developing Countries, National Arts Council, Arts Scholarship in Singapore, and Deutsches Historisches Institut Moskau- Doctoral Scholarship in Russia.