Education
Higher education in Russia
Higher education in Russia is an investment in the future. You can gain high-quality knowledge and build a foundation for a successful career.
The country has centuries-old academic traditions. Russia's first higher education institution, the Slavic Greek Latin Academy, was founded in 1687, and the famous Moscow State University was opened by Mikhail Lomonosov in 1755. Since then, many higher education institutions have appeared in Russia. The country has given the world many outstanding scientists, more than 40 of whom have received the Nobel Prize.
Today, more than 750 universities in 89 regions are ready to welcome international students. You have a unique opportunity to come to Russia and experience its academic traditions in person. Russian diplomas and academic degrees are recognised all over the world.
medicine
economics
jurisprudence
PedagogyOutstanding graduates
Recognition of diplomas
How to get into a Russian university for free
Receipts under the Government of the Russian Federation quota
To get into the quota of the Government of the Russian Federation and study for free, you need to go through the following stages:
- Register on the portal «Education in Russia»
- Receive an invitation to the selection in your country and pass it
- Find yourself on the website in the list of candidates for the second stage of selection
- Wait for an email about opening access to your personal account on the portal
- Track the application status in your personal account on the portal
Admission to the Olympiads
In Russian universities, competitions are regularly held, the winners and prize-winners of which can be enrolled in the university without exams, study for free or at a discount
Information about such competitions can be found on the pages of universities or on the website of olympiads for foreigners
- International Olympiad of the Financial University for Youth
- Open Olympiad of RUDN Foreign Citizens
- International Youth Olympiad of HSE
- International MIPT Olympiad Phystech.International
- Olympiad "Lomonosov" of Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov
- Open Doors Olympiad
You can familiarize yourself with the full list of olympiads for students entering university here.
Students applying for a master's degree can also participate in the Olympiads. List of Olympiads for them here.
Admission under the general competition
Citizens of the following countries can act on par with Russians:
Residence permit in Russia is not required
A residence permit in Russia is required
Also, "compatriots" - Russians or their descendants who currently live abroad but historically have Russian or Soviet origin (born in the Soviet Union) can apply under the general competition together with Russian applicants. Applicants from this category must provide documents confirming the status of a compatriot (birth certificate).
Study grants in Russia
Russia has an official state grant programme for talented foreign citizens and stateless persons who want to study at Russian universities. The Ministry of Science and Higher Education allocates 3,000 targeted grants to support motivated students studying in Russia.
Grant support helps cover a student’s stay in Russia and includes:
Transport expenses
Tickets to the place of study in the Russian Federation and back to the student’s home country after graduation.
Additional scholarship
The amount of the additional scholarship is set annually by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia.
Dormitory place
Full compensation for a place in a student dormitory.
Medical insurance
A voluntary medical insurance policy for the full period of study.
The grant is available for full-time study in any field of higher education:
- Bachelor’s and specialist programmes
- Master’s programmes
- Postgraduate, residency and assistantship-internship programmes
You can receive a grant in one of these ways:
- Win the international Olympiad of the Global Universities Association, Open Doors.
- Receive a Government quota: grants are linked to state-funded places allocated under the annual Government quota for foreign students, stateless persons and compatriots living abroad.
Tuition and the regular academic scholarship are financed separately through the Russian Federation Government quota.
Regulatory document: Resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 1837 dated November 20, 2025.Learning levels
Undergraduate
Broad fundamental training and development of core competencies for entering professional life.
Features: This is the classic entry point into higher education after school, with a practical focus and general academic and specialised disciplines that help graduates adapt quickly to labour market requirements.
Duration: 4 years.
Specialty
In-depth training and qualification in a specific specialty for solving complex professional tasks.
Features: It provides fundamental knowledge in engineering, medicine, economics and other priority fields without an intermediate bachelor level.
Duration: 5-6 years, depending on the field.
Master's degree
Development of advanced analytical, research and expert competencies in the chosen field.
Features: This second stage of higher education is available after a bachelor or specialist degree and involves narrow specialisation, research training or a new qualification.
Duration: 2 years.
Postgraduate (adjuncture)
Training of highly qualified research and academic staff for independent research and teaching.
Features: This is a key stage for entering advanced science: candidate examinations, a dissertation and the award of a PhD or Candidate of Sciences degree. Admission is possible after a specialist or master degree.
Duration: 3-4 years full-time.
Ordination
Clinical training for medical specialists with the full set of competencies needed for independent medical or pharmaceutical practice.
Features: This specialised postgraduate medical level is delivered in leading clinics and medical centres under practising mentors. Admission is strictly after a specialist degree in the relevant field.
Duration: 2 to 5 years.
Internship assistant
Advanced creative and pedagogical training in the arts, preparing students for solo, production, concert and teaching work.
Features: The programme is for musicians, directors, artists and choreographers, with intensive individual work on professional mastery and creative projects under recognised masters. Available after a specialist or master degree.
Duration: 2 years.
How universities develop
In Russia, there are state programs that promote the development of higher education. The program "Priority-2030" helps the 100 best universities improve the quality of education and conduct scientific research. Advanced engineering schools at universities prepare technical specialists for the most modern technological sectors of the economy. The federal project "Creating a network of modern campuses" finances the construction of 40 world-class campuses across the country.
Priority «2030»
For 5 years now, the largest program in the history of Russia for the development of higher education – "Priority-2030" – has been being implemented. Its goal is to create conditions for quality higher education in all regions of the country, including the Far East and the Arctic. Universities are engaged in unique developments for Russia's technological leadership.
The project covers:
- 141a university
- 56regions from Kaliningrad to Kamchatka.
participating universities:
- receive grant support from 100 million rubles;
- become partners with enterprises and business companies;
- cooperate with scientific organizations;
- implement 283 strategic technological projects.
Thanks to the program, the infrastructure of universities is being updated, new modern campuses are being built, research laboratories are being equipped, where young scientists work. Digital departments are being opened in universities, which provide the opportunity to obtain new professions in the field of information technology. The educational programs themselves are changing, students are studying practical modules, and the "Startup as a Diploma" program allows you to defend your final qualifying work based on your own business idea.
Advanced engineering schools
Russia has always been distinguished by the training of professional engineers in demand around the world. Today, in Russia, 50 advanced engineering schools operate on the basis of universities. Together with the largest technological companies, the schools prepare specialists for the industries of industry, transport, and agriculture.
Education at PISH is accessible to foreign students on a par with Russian ones. For example, a student of the Perm Polytechnic, Lantomey Wilfrid from Togo, studies at the Higher School of Aviation Engine Engineering and gains deep knowledge in the technical field.
Creating a network of modern campuses
Despite the high technical development of Russian universities, innovative world-class campuses continue to be built in the country. By 2036, 40 such spaces will be built. The campus of MSTU named after N.E. Bauman, consisting of 14 buildings in Moscow, has already been fully built. Some buildings for future campuses in the Republic of Bashkortostan, Kaliningrad, Nizhny Novgorod, Novosibirsk, Sakhalin, Sverdlovsk, and Chelyabinsk regions are also ready. Campuses should increase the attractiveness of Russian universities for foreign applicants.
Campuses will become a modern space where it will be convenient to study, do science, live, work, and raise children. On the territory of universities, the following will be available:
- cafe
- stores
- bank branches
- sports grounds
- dormitories
Everything necessary for life will be in one place, making the move to Russia more comfortable.
New model of higher education in Russia
Since 2023, Russia has launched a project to create a new model of higher education. The project is being implemented in stages and will continue until 2030.
The goal of the project is to develop a higher education system that meets modern social and economic needs.
Three levels of the new model
What is changing
- universities will be able to set study durations;
- the practical part of education will be strengthened, including internships and workplace training;
- students will have more opportunities for academic mobility between fields within a university;
- new educational standards and requirements will be developed for the needs of the modern economy and labor market;
International students study under the new education model at 17 universities. After returning home, they will be able to confirm their qualifications.
The new education system meets international recognition requirements for program content, study duration, and the sequence of education levels.
In 2030, after testing of the new higher education system is completed, all universities will switch to a three-level higher education system.
Universities participating in the pilot project
Since 2026, 17 universities have participated in the project:
- Moscow Aviation Institute (MAI)
- MISIS University of Science and Technology
- Moscow Pedagogical State University (MPGU)
- Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University
- Saint Petersburg Mining University
- Tomsk State University
- Far Eastern Federal University
- Moscow City University
- Bauman Moscow State Technical University
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University
- Russian University of Transport
- Saint Petersburg State Marine Technical University
- Stavropol State Agrarian University
- University of Tyumen
- Ural Federal University named after B. N. Yeltsin
- Southern Federal University
Regulatory documents
- Presidential Decree No. 343 of May 12, 2023, “On certain issues of improving the higher education system”
- Presidential Decree No. 27 of January 22, 2026, amending Presidential Decree No. 343 of May 12, 2023
Language of instruction
Most educational programs in Russia are taught in Russian. Its can be learned before entering the university and start studying immediately with specialized subjects. There is also an opportunity to enroll in preparatory programs for foreigners at universities and learn Russian after moving to Russia. Usually, such courses last one academic year. Some Russian universities have educational programs in English and French. Information about them can be found on the university's website.
However, upon admission, you will still have to pass an exam in Russian, despite the fact that there will be no studies in it.
