Since 2000, the number of international students in Russia has increased steadily. The country has a long academic tradition, and its universities are known to have produced many great minds, including some Nobel Prize Winners. In recent years, the country has put a lot of effort into evolving its higher education system.
From upgraded facilities to improved teaching staff and technical equipment, the Russian education system has upgraded significantly. The majority of international students in the country choose to go for medical programs, engineering, international business, law, art studies & culture, etc.
A student coming to study in Russia gets to enjoy more than quality education. There’s moderate to frosty climate, dazzling cultural life, exhibitions, concerts, shows, and sports. An exciting student life awaits international students enrolling in a Russian university.
Medium of Instruction
Russian universities offer English as the medium of instruction for international students. Some universities also provide training for the first two years in English, and the rest of the semesters are taught in Russian. So, make sure that you confirm the medium of instruction before enrolling in any university.
Courses to Study in Russia
Mentioned below are some of the popular fields of study in Russia:
- Medicine & life sciences
- Engineering & Technology
- Architecture
- Design
- Natural Sciences
- Law & Legal Studies
Eligibility Criteria
To apply to a Russian university, a student must fulfill the following eligibility criteria:
- The student must be at least 17 years old on or before 31st December of the admission year.
- The student must obtain a minimum of 50% in 10+2. For the reserved category, the minimum score must be 45%.
- For medical aspirants, qualifying NEET is mandatory.
Documents Required
Here is a complete list of documents required for admissions at a Russian university:
- 10th & 12th Marksheet and Certificate
- A duly-filled application form
- Birth Certificate
- Passport with a validity of min. 18 months
- 10 passport size photographs
- Medical certificate including HIV test
- Authorization of documents from the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi
Top Universities in Russia
Here’s a list of some of the top Russian universities for Indian students:
- Perm State Medical University
- Tver State Medical University
- Northern State Medical University
- Orenburg State Medical University
- North Ossetian State Medical Academy
- Crimea Federal Medical University
- Russian National Research State Medical University
- Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia
- Bashkir State Medical University
- Rostov State Medical University
- Ulyanovsk State Medical University
- Kabardino Bulkarian State University
- Kirov State Medical University
Food and Accommodation Facilities
Here’s what you can expect from Russian Universities:
Hostel
All the universities in Russia provide hostel facilities to international students. These hostels facilitate opportunities for students from India to interact with students from different countries, languages, and cultural backgrounds.
These accommodations are comfortable and equipped with the necessary facilities. Each room comprises a desk, chairs, beds, mattress, storage space, and more. There’s also cold & hot water available along with a central heating system.
Security
Russian universities provide a safe environment for Indian students. The security staff ensures that all the necessary safety measures are in place so that the students are secure at all times. All hostels at Russian universities have 24*7 CCTV surveillance, wardens, guards, and police security.
Food
A student can choose between many affordable cafeteria options located within their respective university. Most of the universities in Russia have cafes and restaurants nearby for students to dine. Since the Russian universities see admissions from thousands of Indian students every year, one can easily find Indian cuisine at almost all Russian University cafeterias.
Amenities
In Russia, learning is not just confined to the classrooms. The universities organize a wide range of cultural activities, and most of these universities arrange trips where students can experience the culture and history of the country. Also, students can actively participate in horse riding, drama productions, sports, and other activities.
Admission Timeline
Application Date
The majority of the Russian Universities work on a first-come-first-serve basis. That’s why a student must start the application process early.
The applications start from January, for sessions starting in September.
Submission of Application
The deadline for application submission is generally the June end or the first week of July. In some universities, a student can apply till September.
Results
Once the applications are reviewed, acceptance and rejection are revealed in the next few days. If accepted, a student can expect an admission confirmation letter. It takes around 30 days for the issuance of the acceptance letter.
Visa Process
After getting the admission confirmation and invitation letter, one can start applying for VISA at the Russian Embassy or Consulate. The issuance time and the documents requirement may vary from country to country (the process usually takes around 30 days).
Once the admission and visa process is complete, one can look forward to the academic session on the 1st of September. In some cases, universities do make exceptions for international students and allow their late applications.
Visa Process
Upon receiving the invitation letter from the university, the student must soon apply for a Visa as the process could take some time. Given below are the documents required for the visa:
- Invitation letter from the university
- 10th and 12th mark sheets
- International passport with 2 years of minimum validity
- Medical certificates, including HIV test, COVID test
Benefits of Studying in Russia for Indian Students
There are plenty of benefits to study in Russia for Indian students.
Quality Education
Russian universities are known for preparing some of the prominent doctors and specialists in the field of natural sciences. The universities in the country have excellent educational standards and associations with national medical institutions and other Asian & European institutions.
English as the Medium of Instruction
An Indian student can opt for the courses to be taught in the English Language. The student also has the option of learning a new language, which can have its advantages.
Affordable Tuition Fee
One of the biggest reasons to study at a Russian university is the low tuition fee. At government universities, a big part of the education expense is financed by the Russian government. It makes the education cost low when compared with other countries.
Well-Equipped Campuses
For students pursuing MBBS from Russia, there are well-equipped dormitories. A student can find everything required for a comfortable stay, including a bed, mattress, chair, table, kitchen, ac/heater, mess, sports, etc.
Also, the university campuses provide all the modern technology, labs, libraries, clinics, affiliated hospitals, and more to ensure an outstanding study experience.
Easy Adaptation
The universities in Russia has a friendly environment. Every year, thousands of international students, especially Indians, come to the country to pursue higher education. So, an Indian pursuing education from Russia would find it easy to adapt to the country. There are many Indian clubs & associations. Also, there’s an availability of Indian food at the most in most universities.
Working in Russia as an International Student
Even though studying in Russia is inexpensive compared, most students prefer to earn some extra cash on the side to manage their expenses.
Well, the good news is that international students studying at Russian Universities can now work part-time on-campus or off-campus. They can do it during their college hours for 20 hours/week and full-time when there are semester breaks.
While seeking jobs, one can consider cities like St. Petersburg or Moscow. Also, there are some traditional part-time job options that a student can opt for:
Work for the University
If the university offers courses in English, the student doesn’t need to be a Russian speaker to get the job.
At universities, teaching assistant or research assistant jobs are rather popular. If the student already has experience in the given fields, he/she can reach out to the professor in advance and ask if they want an assistant.
Language Tutoring
Another part-time work option in Russia is to teach a foreign language. Russian people are willing to shell out loads of money to learn a foreign language from a native speaker.
Freelance Writing
Those interested in writing can opt for part-time writing jobs. It won’t be possible to apply to a Russia-based media company due to work-permit issues. But a student can certainly do freelance for brands, online magazines, newspapers, or cultural guides in the home country.
Our Services for You
Below are some of the ways we can help you get into your dream university in Russia:
Admission Assistance
We provide you with expert tips on filling out your university form to help increase your chances of admission.
Visa Guidance
We also provide you with end-to-end guidance so that you can get your study visa. We aim at making the process seamless and hassle-free for you. All you need is to pack your bag and reach the airport.
Travel & Accommodation
From booking air tickets to finding accommodation, we help you every step of the way.
Local Help
With our strong contacts at the local level, we can provide you with the right guidance and local assistance.
Post Course Consultancy
After your course completion, we provide career guidance and post-course training.
General Information
About Russia
Russia has gained a reputation as the best go-to destination for international students pursuing higher education. There are over 700+ universities and over 400 fields of study. The country boasts of a higher literacy rate than the majority of Western European countries. One of the reasons why international students prefer Russia is due to the low education cost.
Russian higher education institutions offer globally recognized educational opportunities, with many of its premier institutes being members of EUA (European Universities Association). The country follows the Bologna Process (the process ensures comparability in the standards of higher-education qualifications).
From engineering and medicine to economics and law, Russia has endless opportunities to offer for the academic enrichment of a student.
Top Cities
Below mentioned are some of the best cities for students in Russia:
Moscow
Being the capital of Russia, the city attracts students from around the globe. It has the best universities and some of the strongest, most important scientific centres in the country.
Saint Petersburg
Known for being the cultural capital of Russia, Saint Petersburg is famous for its unique environment, art, museums, history, etc. It is one of the top choices among students who like living near the suburbs and nature.
Kazan
Reputed for its sports achievements, IT cluster, and some beautiful recreational spots, Kazan is a city that a student must consider. The city has many higher education institutions and universities. Kazan is also famous for its quality of education in mathematics, natural sciences, and music.
Samara
With over 35 universities, the town of Samara is a developing site. It has lots of greenery and a peaceful neighbourhood, thus making a perfect environment for the students to grow.
Novosibirsk
The capital of Siberia is home to some of the biggest educational and research facilities in the country. The city is known for its developed IT sector, rapid economic growth, major industrial facilities, and engineering sectors.
Yekaterinburg
Ranked as one of the ideal cities by UNESCO, Yekaterinburg is among the fastest developing cities in the country and also the most important commercial & industrial centres in the region of the Ural Mountains. It’s a perfect place for students who want to study theoretical sciences.
There are many other study destinations popular among international students, including Perm, Rostov-on-Don, Tomsk, Barnaul, Krasnodar, Volgograd, and more.
Climate
Russia has a continental climate with a wide range of summers and winters temperature. Although the winters can be harsh, one can easily beat the cold with the right layering. Also, most of the places in the country, like universities, hostels, cafes, restaurants, etc., have a centralized heating system.
The best time to travel around the city is May to September. The daytime temperatures can reach around 20-35 degrees Celsius. The spring season, on the other hand, can be quite unpredictable. Just make sure that you wear boots/waterproof shoes while going out to avoid mud or melting snow.
Keeping the winters stereotypes aside, one can enjoy the Russian winters to the fullest. During this time, there are fewer tourists, and it gets easy to find tickets to the theatres and operas. Also, the frozen lakes and the snow makes the cities look magnificent. Just make sure to cover yourself up before stepping out.
Culture
With a rich culture, Russia is home to over 190 ethnic groups. Although the Russian language is spoken by the majority and is also the official language, there are over 100 minority languages. Also, Russia has over 5,000 active registered religious organizations, with Islam being the second-most practised religion.
Ballet is one of the most notable art forms that came out of the country. Also, there’s Russian literature that has had a huge impact worldwide. There have been notable works from writers like Leon Tolstoy and Fyodor Dostoevsky.
Another major cultural symbol in the country is the Russian Nesting Dolls. Also known as Matryoshka, these dolls are wooden figures that can pull apart only to reveal the smaller version of the same inside.
Transportation
Russia offers various means of transportation for international students studying in the country.
Trains
Russia has an impressive rail network that annually carries 1.2 billion passengers between Moscow and Vladivostok.
Russian Railways is a national railway company owned by the government. They are known for providing a good experience and arriving within five minutes of the scheduled time.
Suburban Trains
There are also dozens of train services for the regional commuters. These trains are called Elektrichka. There are over 25 Railway companies that are operational in the suburban train routes.
Metro
Apart from suburban trains, there are metros available as well. The services are available in seven Russian cities, including Moscow, Kazan, Saint Petersburg, Samara, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, and Nizhny Novgorod Metro. These metro stations, especially in Moscow, can have multiple exits and interchanges.
Some of the older metro networks in Russia are deep underground and see massive influxes of tourists. Metros are just a cheap and convenient way of travelling around the town, but they are also an affordable tourist attraction.
Buses
In Russia, public transportation companies run buses. These transport companies tend to be owned by the government, either regionally or locally. The fare of these buses isn’t fixed.
In some cities, buses do have a uniform fare. But in some cities, there are bus-specific or route-specific pricing. So, make sure to check or ask someone before starting a bus journey. The payment methods may also vary, but the fair remains affordable.
Marshrutka
Marshrutkas are minibuses that are similar to other public transportation services. They can be seen across Russia and usually make stops at bus stops. In smaller cities, they stop if a passenger requests it. Since the drivers of Marshrutkas speak Russian, it can help to learn a few useful phrases.
Taxis
If you don’t want to take a shared taxi, there’s always an option for conventional ones in the Russian cities. It is easy to flag down a taxi from the street. Sometimes the driver may ask you to share the ride with other passengers. In such cases, you can just politely decline.
Security & Safety
Russia is perfectly safe for international students. Over 10,000 Indian students are already studying medicine in the country. After arriving in Russiam, the students are provided with an airport pickup facility and taken to the hostels.
The hostels provided by the university have 24/7 CCTV surveillance and security.
All the hostels have wardens who ensure that no outsider enters the premises. Also, the security staff is present to ensure safety at all times. Russians, in general, are very welcoming towards Indians, and the two have always been close allies. Most of the cities and surrounding campus areas are safe for tourists and students alike.
Language
Of all the languages spoken in the country, Russian is the most common.
Currency
The currency of Russia is the Russian Ruble ₽.
Time Difference from India
India is 2 hours and 30 minutes ahead of Moscow. For example, if it is 5 pm in India, it will be 30 pm in Russia.