The education system in Russia is pretty similar to the European Education System with just a few factors that act as key differentiators. Education in Russia can primarily be divided into four categories namely Primary, Secondary, Higher and Postgraduate. Russia is home to nearly 776 educational institutions which are spread across 82 regions.
There are mainly three types of higher education institutes in Russia. They are briefly described below:
Russian Education is largely based on and influenced by the Bologna Principles. Here is a list of degrees offered in Russia;
Although Russia offers a wide range of programs/degrees in all fields and disciplines, here is a list of some of the most popular courses offered by Russian Universities:
Russian happens to be the country’s only official language since nearly 80% of the populations speaks only Russian as their primary language. However, due to the heavy influx of International Students during the recent years, universities in Russia have started offering programs in English at the undergraduate as well as the Postgraduate level. Study programs in English can mostly be found in the two major education hubs of Russia namely Moscow and St. Petersburg. It is important to note that it is not mandatory to learn Russian but it could be of huge help to the students in their day-to-day life.
Tuition fees in Russia differ on the basis of the universities and the level of education. However, we know for sure that the tuition fees charged from the student cannot be less than the amount invested by the Russian Government on the education of a student. Here is a rough estimate of tuition fees as per the level of education:
There are plenty of funding opportunities for International students in Russia. These may be in the form of:
However, in order to be eligible for a scholarship, International students must take the Uniform State Examination. It is important to note that in 2020 the Russian Government provided nearly 15,000 state funded scholarships to International Students.
A student can choose any option for housing such as University Dormitories, Home Stay or Private Rental. University dormitories are generally the cheapest while private rentals are generally the most expensive. According to a rough estimate, an international student may need anywhere between 150 and 35,000 RUB per month depending on where they’re staying and the kind of amenities available.
A student must also make a provision for other expenses like transport, meals and entertainment. It is worthwhile to note, that Moscow and St. Petersburg are the most expensive to live in Russia.
Russia is not a part of the European Union so the concept of free-EU entry does not apply. However, students belonging to countries which are a part of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) such as Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, etc. do not need a student visa. Students from all other countries need a student visa to study in Russia.
A Russian student visa is valid up to 90 days at first and it can be extended for as long as the course lasts.
Students who have obtained a student visa in Russia are allowed to work while studying in Russia. However, a work permit issued by Federal Migration Service (FMS) is necessary for this purpose unless the student is only going to work during holidays or on-campus.
Students who have obtained a student visa in Russia are allowed to work while studying in Russia. However, a work permit issued by Federal Migration Service (FMS) is necessary for this purpose unless the student is only going to work during holidays or on-campus.
