Russia is a highly educated country, with more than half of the population holding a university degree. Russian universities provide their students with favorable study and living conditions that help them adapt to the country.
Russian universities are distinguished by high-level training and teaching staff, in both engineering and technology branches, and annually occupy the highest international rankings in terms of specializations. In addition, education in Russia is much cheaper compared to developed countries in the general ranking such as the United States of America or the United Kingdom, and many European countries.
International students have the opportunity to study for free with the annual Russian government scholarship. Annually, Russia accepts students from all parts of the world, from about 170 countries.
Reasons to study in Russia
Before deciding to study in Russia, it is necessary for you to take a quick look at some facts and information that motivate you to do so, and they are many, the most prominent of which are:
- Wide study options : Russia has 741 universities in 81 regional regions. Whatever specialization you want to study, you will find it in Russia, whether it is: technological specialties, medical specialties, human sciences, earth and climate sciences, specialties related to underground wealth, mining sciences, and many other specialties.
- Reasonable prices : Russian universities generally enjoy very reasonable tuition prices for all university levels compared to European countries.
- International programs : Many Russian universities have the option to study the double degree, that is, there are joint study programs with foreign universities, so that you can study part of the study program in Russia and the other part at the partner university.
- Study in English : Dozens of programs taught in English are available in Russian universities, and the spread of these programs is accelerating dramatically.
- You study in universities that occupy advanced positions in the world : Russia has many universities that occupy prominent positions in the ranking, especially the universities of the capital, Moscow and Saint Petersburg.
- An unparalleled cultural experience : As everyone knows, Russia is the largest country in the world in terms of area, and therefore has enough cultural and social diversity to dazzle tourists in general, and foreign students in particular.
- Cheap university housing : All Russian universities provide university housing at a very reasonable cost to their foreign students.
- The cost of living is cheap compared to many other destinations.
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The best Russian universities
Russian universities have made great progress in recent years in the quality of education and have become one of the most preferred destinations for international students. As a result of this progress, 13 Russian universities currently occupy advanced positions in the top 400 universities around the world according to the QS World Ranking. The Russian government has made great efforts in the last ten years to develop scientific facilities and scientific research centers and spent $ 6.7 billion on that. Here are the best Russian universities:
- Lomonosov Moscow State University: Internationally, the university is ranked 74th. This university is located in the Russian capital, Moscow and is considered the first ranked Russian university. Lomonossef University has 380 departments, 39 colleges, 15 research institutes, four museums, and six university campuses in Russia and abroad. The university's main building is the tallest educational building in the world.
- Novosibirsk State University : ranked 231 in the world. It is considered the best performing Russian universities with an age of less than 100 years.
- Saint Petersburg State University : It is the oldest Russian university and is ranked 225 in the world. Its foundation dates back to 1724. The university has 400 buildings spread across Saint Petersburg, including 25 colleges.
- Tomsk State University : Ranks 250 in the world, with majors in modern languages, astronomy and physics. Study in Malaysia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology State University (MIPT) : ranks 281 in the world and is distinguished by providing a great opportunity for students to obtain high-level experience in the fields of physics and astronomy, and the graduates of this institute are considered among the prominent scientists and politicians in Russia.
The cost of studying in Russia
Russia strikes a great balance between cost and quality of study, as students get good quality education and training compared to reasonable cost, and Russian universities are generally less expensive than European universities. This cost depends on the type of specialty, city, and length of study. The following is a table showing the minimum and maximum costs of studying for the various stages (bachelor's, master's and doctorate):
|
The study stage |
Annual cost (dollar) |
|
BSC |
1750 – 12570 $ |
|
Masters |
6570 – 2100 $ |
|
PhD |
1133 – 5900 $ |
All foreign students who wish to study in the Russian language (at any stage) are subject to a preparatory language course of about 10 months duration, with a cost starting from 2250 dollars. At the end, the student obtains a Russian language certificate, which enables him to enroll in Russian universities. In addition to the Russian language, this course includes subjects such as: mathematics, engineering drawing, chemistry (for those wishing to study scientific disciplines), sociology, history and culture (for those wishing to study literary disciplines). A very important note : All universities offer the ability to pay the tuition fee in two installments, one payment at the beginning of each semester.
The cost of living in Russia
Russia has a low cost of living compared to European countries and America, which of course is one of the main reasons that make it one of the most suitable study destinations for international students. Estimates and reports indicate that an international student needs 300-400 dollars a month to cover living expenses, university housing, and transportation. To get a closer look at the costs of daily life for a foreign student in Russia, we include the following table, which shows the prices of the most important materials:
|
Subject |
The price is in rubles |
|
Eggs (kernels) |
From 50 rubles |
|
Chicken |
From 100 rubles per kg |
|
Beef |
400 rubles per kg |
|
Vegetable oil |
From 50 rubles per liter |
|
Sugar |
From 30 rubles per kg |
|
Tea |
From 40 rubles for 25 bags |
|
Vegetables (price varies according to season and origin) |
30- 500 rubles |
|
Fruits (price varies according to season and origin) |
30 - 500 rubles |
|
the pizza |
From 300 rubles |
|
Fast food |
(Average price and varies according to the person's need) |
As for clothes and shoes, prices vary greatly between cities and according to the season, and therefore it is difficult to put approximate prices, but it can be said that there are options that suit all tastes and budgets. It remains to be mentioned that there are special cards for foreign students regarding public transport in Russia, through which all public transport can be used, and the cost of the card ranges from 8 to 15 dollars for a period of one month. Important note : Prices are subject to slight changes according to the ruble exchange rate against the US dollar and by region.
Conditions of study in Russian universities
Like other international universities, studying in Russian universities requires fulfilling several conditions for registration. After choosing the university and the required major, the following documents must be prepared:
- Copies translated into Russian and certified by: school certificate, university degree and transcript.
- A copy of the passport, translated into Russian and notarized.
- A signed copy of the registration form. They are downloaded and printed from the university's website.
- Personal photos (according to the number specified by the university).
- A medical report stating that
you are free from communicable and contagious diseases (also translated
and certified).
All previous documents must be legalized by the Russian embassy in your country before being sent to the university.
After completing all the previous steps, you can send the documents to the university via e-mail and wait for the acceptance letter. Note: Universities require the student to pay small costs ranging from 20-50 dollars to start extracting the study invitation, after sending the study application to the university. After completing the invitation, the university sends the invitation to you either on paper via the international mail service DHL or electronically via e-mail.
Requirements for student visas to Russia
After you receive the study invitation from one of the Russian universities, the final stage comes, which is to obtain a student visa from the Russian embassy in your country. To complete this step, the following documents must be brought to the embassy:
- Passport and a photocopy of it.
- The original copy of the study invitation obtained from the university.
- Visa application (you can get it here or you can request it from the embassy staff)
- Personal photos measuring 3.5 * 4.5 cm (6-12 photos).
- A recent medical certificate proving that you are free of HIV.
- A travel permit document signed by the parents (for those under 18 years old).
These are the general documents that are usually requested by the Russian embassy, and for more details it is recommended that you contact the embassy of the Russian Federation in your country. Initially, the student is given an entry visa that is valid for 3 months, which is extended to one year after arriving in Russia.
Note : The following nationalities are excluded from the requirement to obtain a visa to enter the Russian territory: Azerbaijan, Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Armenia and Uzbekistan.
Available scholarships in Russia
Perhaps the most famous scholarship available in Russia is the Russian Government Scholarship. This scholarship covers tuition costs only with a nominal monthly stipend of $ 22, to find out more details about the Russian scholarship please visit the official website to study in Russia . It should be noted that these scholarships do not cover:
- Flight card to and from Russia.
- health insurance.
- The cost of living.
On the other
hand, there is another grant called open doors, which is in the form of a
competitive Olympiad among applicants under the supervision of the Federation
of International Universities in cooperation with the Russian Ministry of
Education and other educational organizations. The winners receive a full
tuition fee waiver only. This grant does not include the rest of the other
expenses. You can find more detailed information about this scholarship here .
With the exception of these two scholarships, there are some partial
scholarships offered by some Russian universities, which can be verified by
visiting the universities' websites.
University housing in Russia
Housing is one of the most important points of interest to a foreign student in the country of study, and in Russia you will not face any difficulty in this matter, as most Russian universities provide housing for international students at a very cheap cost, starting from $ 10 to $ 70 per month. Usually 2-4 people are included in the rooms.
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The cost of housing depends on several factors: the city, the university, the location of housing, and the available services. In general, university housing in Russia offers international students a rich cultural life experience, as it includes cultural activities such as concerts, sports clubs, and others.
It should be noted that all university housing facilities in Russia are equipped with shared kitchens and gyms, in addition to private laundry rooms. With regard to paying the cost of university housing, the student can pay it monthly or quarterly, and universities offer a discount for students who pay in advance the full cost of housing.
In rare cases, universities do not offer housing for their students, or if you do not like university housing for certain reasons, you can choose to live in a separate apartment or room. Certainly, this option will be more expensive, and this cost varies from city to city, in addition to the location of the room (or apartment). Or in the suburbs !.
Generally, the monthly cost of renting one room ranges from $ 80 to $ 300, as for apartments, the cost ranges from $ 150 and may reach $ 400 (this cost is for small apartments). It should be noted that these numbers may differ significantly the further away from Saint Peter's and Moscow, where these two cities have the highest wages. Wages may drop by 50% in distant cities. To search for a room or apartment anywhere in Russia, you can use the following websites:
- Avito
- Cian
- irr
Note: The quality of university housing varies greatly between universities and cities. There is the excellent quality and there are the lesser brands.
Work as a student
The Russian Ministry of Education banned foreign students from working alongside their studies except in special cases and in work related to the university's activities only, due to its belief in the importance of the student's focus on his studies. On the other hand, this matter has left a negative impact on thousands of international students, many of them from moderate financial backgrounds and rely heavily on the support of parents and relatives.
All that changed in 2020, as several laws were issued that made it easier for foreign students to work in addition to studying. All a student needs to work somewhere is to present a document from his university proving that he is a university student, in other words, there is no longer a need to obtain a work permit. The following is a list of the jobs that a foreign student can do while studying in Russia:
- Work at the university : Many Russian universities use foreign students to work as translators for the language of the country they come from. This is especially needed when students are coming to Russia. In addition, students proficient in the English language can work as assistant professors in organizing training courses under the supervision of the university. This job does not make a lot of money, but it is still an enjoyable and useful experience. Study in Denmark-Universities,Scholarships
- Working as a private teacher : Russians have a great desire to learn foreign languages, and therefore if you have enough experience you can teach your native language and get relatively good returns that may reach $ 20 an hour.
- Working as a freelancer writer : Many Russian magazines need freelance writers to work for them to write articles in various fields.
- Waiter in restaurants and bars : This is one of the most popular jobs for foreign students in Russia besides working in fast food restaurants. The average wage is around $ 25 per shift (12 hours).
- Delivery of orders : It is also one of the most popular options for foreign students in Russia to work. This work is highly rewarding (up to $ 35 in less than 10 hours), but requires an extra effort.
Russian social life
If you are planning to study in Russia, you must know some social aspects of this country. Russians are distinguished by their hospitality and respect. Not only that, you will probably find the following interesting things about Russian society:
- If someone invites you to dinner, then you will see on the table everything that your heart desires of various types of food, sweets and drinks, and remember not to eat food in your home before going to dinner at one of the Russians, this is considered inappropriate behavior.
- One of the things that you have to bear in mind is that you do not go empty-handed to meet someone's invitation, always bring gifts, no matter how small or of normal value, such as: a candy bar, a bottle of wine, a bouquet of roses, etc., this means a lot to them and a signal from you to appreciate Called them.
- Russians do not smile at the stranger : Do not be surprised when you see most Russians frowning or not responding to strangers ’gaze with a smile, as they believe that laughing or smiling without a reason is wrong, and what you see of frowns is only a result of life's difficulties and problems.
Entertainment and entertainment available while studying in Russia
If you are bored with studying, do not worry, there are dozens of options for spending quality time in Russia, including:
- Watching movies : There is no shortage of cinemas in Russia, which daily offers special packages of the newest films that you can watch with friends at discounted prices for students.
- Theaters : The Russian theater is one of the most famous and ancient theaters in the world due to the glorious historical events that the actors embody on stage.
- Strolling the city streets : In addition to painters, a street in major Russian cities is not without players. Wandering around town and seeing these might be one of the options for you if you like wandering around and music.
- Visiting museums and churches : Russia contains hundreds of museums and historical churches that feature ancient architecture. Usually these places are the destination of hundreds of thousands of tourists from all countries of the world annually. For you, as a student, you can visit these places at your spare time and take advantage of the student discount on entrance fees.
Safety
Like other countries in the world, Russia is not without small incidents such as theft and harassment, but by following the following tips, you can avoid all these troubles:
- Stay vigilant in public places, especially on off-peak transportation, and keep an eye on your personal items.
- Never leave your backpack open while you are out in town.
- Do not show off your valuables in public places, such as a mobile phone, an expensive watch, or jewelry.
- Don't keep large amounts on your bank card in case it is stolen.
- Do not ask strangers to monitor your bags or personal items while you are buying something in a store.
- Do not walk around with suspicious people who you do not have prior knowledge of, they may lead you to unknown places and try to steal you (especially beware of girls).
- Avoid exchanging foreign currencies in public places with unknown people, as the risk of fraud is very high in this case.
- Do not respond to any attempt by someone to tempt you to pay sums of money for the purpose of carrying out some work that will return you double benefits, as all these promises are illusory and lead to bad results.
Medical Insurance
All international students need to purchase a medical insurance policy upon arrival in Russia. This policy covers the minimum level of medical services required under Russian federal law. Here you have two options: Either you can use the foreign students office at your university to get the cheapest medical insurance (through the medical companies cooperating with the university), or you can buy the appropriate medical insurance for you separately from the university.
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The cost of medical insurance varies according to the company and the medical services it provides, and the average is between 66-171 dollars, and the validity of the insurance varies from 3 months to a year. To obtain a medical insurance document, you usually need a passport and a migration card .
Difficulties that foreign students face in Russia
Perhaps these difficulties are similar to their counterparts in various study destinations around the world, including:
- Language : The Russian language is one of the most difficult languages around the world and it is difficult to master it in a short time, so from a personal perspective, I advise you to start learning the Russian language in your country before traveling to Russia. The more you learn, the easier it will be for yourself to study there.
- Adapt to the weather : As is known to everyone, Russia is a very cold country, and temperatures in some cities may reach 40 below zero. Don't worry, there is enough clothing to keep you safe from the low grades there.
- Adapting to society : We mentioned previously that
the Russian people are a friendly people, but there remain some views that
reject the presence of foreigners, especially in large cities (such as:
Moscow and St. Petersburg).
Few job opportunities and little returns: Many foreign students in Russia have a problem finding work besides studying, despite the facilities provided by the Russian government in this regard. In addition to that, the financial return is very small compared to the long working hours, as most of the available options require you to work for 12 hours
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