About RUSSIA

1. World-Class Education

Prestigious Universities: Russia is home to globally renowned universities such as Lomonosov Moscow State University, Saint Petersburg State University, and Novosibirsk State University, which consistently rank high in international education rankings.
Strength in STEM and Research: Russia is particularly known for its excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, offering state-of-the-art research opportunities in areas such as space exploration, physics, and IT.

2. Affordable Tuition and Living Costs

Reasonable Tuition Fees: Compared to many Western countries, tuition fees in Russian universities are more affordable. Even at top-tier institutions, tuition costs are lower while still maintaining high educational standards.
Low Cost of Living: The cost of living in Russia, including accommodation, food, and transportation, is generally lower than in many European and North American countries, making it a budget-friendly option for international students.

3. Scholarship Opportunities

Russian Government Scholarships: Russia offers generous scholarship programs for international students, such as the Russian Government Scholarship (State Quota), which covers full tuition fees, accommodation, and even provides a monthly stipend.
University-Specific Scholarships: Many Russian universities also offer merit-based scholarships for foreign students, providing additional financial support.

4. Cultural Diversity and Rich Heritage

Vibrant Cultural Scene: Russia is famous for its rich cultural history, including art, literature, ballet, classical music, and architecture. Studying in Russia provides an immersive experience where students can explore its vast cultural heritage.
Multicultural Environment: Russian universities host students from various countries, making it a diverse and multicultural study destination. This exposure helps students broaden their global perspective and build international networks.

5. Language Learning Opportunities

Study in Russian or English: Many universities in Russia offer programs taught in English, especially in technical and business fields, eliminating language barriers for international students. At the same time, students also have the opportunity to learn Russian, one of the world's most widely spoken languages, which could be an asset for future career prospects.
Russian Language Courses: Many universities provide language courses to help international students learn Russian, even if they opt for English-taught programs.

6. Advanced Research and Innovation

Cutting-Edge Research Opportunities: Russia invests heavily in research and innovation, especially in fields like space technology, nuclear physics, and artificial intelligence. As an international student, you'll have access to top-tier research facilities and experts.
Technological Advancements: Russian universities focus on practical learning and innovation, giving students hands-on experience in solving real-world problems.

7. Global Recognition and Career Prospects

Internationally Recognized Degrees: Degrees from top Russian universities are recognized globally, opening doors to career opportunities in various countries and industries.
Post-Graduation Employment Opportunities: Russia offers opportunities for international students to stay and work after graduation. Many industries, particularly in engineering, IT, medicine, and research, seek qualified international graduates.

8. Strategic Geopolitical Location

Gateway to Europe and Asia: Russia’s strategic location between Europe and Asia makes it an ideal place for students seeking to build professional networks in both regions. Additionally, Russia’s vast size and regional diversity offer a unique cultural and geographical exploration.

9. Part-Time Work and Employment Rights

Work While Studying: International students in Russia are allowed to work part-time (with certain conditions), providing them with the opportunity to earn while studying and gain valuable work experience.
Opportunities in Growing Sectors: Russia's economy is growing in key sectors such as IT, medicine, engineering, and natural resources, offering promising career opportunities post-graduation.

10. Safe and Friendly Environment

Safety for International Students: Russian cities, especially major student hubs like Moscow, Saint Petersburg, and Kazan, are generally safe and have a welcoming environment for international students. Many universities have dedicated support services to help international students adjust and succeed.

Language requirement to study in Russia

IELTS
TOEFL

Requirements to study in Russia

Students can apply online. After proper research about the university and tuition fees of the course on the university's website, you have to choose the course. After choosing the course, start the application process. Here are the documents requirements:

The completed form (The form is issued by a university or a Rossotrudnichestvo office)
Copy of valid Passport. (minimum valid for two years)
Copy of Higher Secondary School Certificate
Transcripts of degrees and diploma courses.
medical certificate
passport photographs,
Copy of identification
Statement of purpose (if asked)
Letter of Recommendation(if asked)

Russian universities ranking

International students have a broad spectrum of university options for studying in Russia. The quality of education is maintained in each university of Russia. Here is the Russian university list with their rankings:

QS world university ranking

Lomonosov Moscow State University - 74

Saint Petersburg State University - 225

Novosibirsk State University - 228

Tomsk State University - 250

Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT / Moscow Physech) - 281

Bauman Moscow State Technical University - 282

HSE University (National Research University Higher School of Economics) - 298

National Research Nuclear University MEPhI (Moscow Engineering Physics Institute) - 314

RUDN University - 326

Ural Federal University - UrFU - 331

Best courses to study abroad in Russia

Universities in Russia offer courses to the international students at three levels, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral. Students get a plethora of choices of subjects to study in Russia. Here are some popular courses to study in Russia for indian students :

Study International Business in Russia
Study philosophy in Russia
Study medicine in Russia
Study Journalism in Russia
Study in Russia engineering
Study Sociology in Russia
Study MBBS in Russia
Study Biology in Russia
Study dentistry in Russia
Study Finance in Russia

How much does it cost to study in Russia

Study in Russia cost can vary with the chosen university, course of study, city, lifestyle you choose. Tuition fees for international students in Russia can also differ from institution to institution. Russia tends to be an inexpensive country in Europe, especially concerning the high quality of education. Here are the details of tuition fee to study in Russia for international students :

Study program / Tuition fee

Bachelor’s degree - RUB 220,000 to 240,000 per year

Specialist’s degree - RUB 220,00 to 240,000 per year

Master’s degree - RUB 240,000 to 260,000 up to RUB 450,000 per year

Postgraduates course - RUB 72,000 to 250,000 per year

Study in Russia scholarship

Not only the Russian government but also universities and external organisations provide scholarships to international students. It is not possible to study in Russia free completely, but you can cover a part of your expenses during the studies with the help of scholarships. Here is the list of scholarships to study in Russia :

1. Government of Russian Federation Scholarships

2. Non-governmental Russian scholarships

Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarships
The School of Russian and Asian Studies (SRAS)
BP in Russia Research Scholarships
American Councils Scholarships
Open Doors: Russian Scholarship Project

3. Russian universities scholarships for international students

Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT)
HSE University
National University of Science and Technology MISiS
Saint Petersburg Polytechnic University
Tomsk State University
Russian International Olympic University

Study in Russia in English

Universities in Russia are increasingly offering several study programs which are taught in English. The requirements for getting enrolled in a Russian English-taught program are listed below:

Proof of your English language proficiency with the asked score by the specific university. You don’t need to prove this if you are a native speaker.
Some universities might also require you to submit a CV, portfolio, and complete an interview in English

Russian universities offering English-language programs

The following table presents the bachelor English taught programs offered by the particular university:

University

English taught undergraduate program

Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT)

It offers aerospace engineering, biomedical engineering and computer science in English.

National Research Nuclear University MEPhI (Moscow Engineering Physics Institute)

Offers bilingual English/Russian programs in various subjects

National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE)

English-taught undergraduate degrees are offered in mathematics, politics, business, management, Russian studies and economics

Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University)

It offers English-taught programs in humanities subjects, regional studies, linguistics, and state and municipal management.

Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University

It offers a bachelor’s degree in International Business in English

The following table presents the Graduate English taught programs offered by the particular university:

University

English taught masters program

Lomonosov Moscow State University

It offers the programs within the faculties of biology, economics, political science, the business school etc are available in English

Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT)

English-taught postgraduate degrees are available in mathematics, computer science, aerodynamics etc.

National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE)

31 English-taught master’s degrees

National University of Science and Technology MISiS

English-taught masters programs are the Quantum Technologies program and Physics of Condensed Matter, open in the areas of Materials Technology and Physics and Astronomy.

Novosibirsk State University

It offers 5 postgraduate degrees including materials science, classics, and financial management are available in English.

Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University)

It offers several English master’s programs such as chemistry, organic farming, economics, and international and law.

Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University

It offers postgraduate degrees in engineering, natural sciences, and management subjects in the English language.

St Petersburg State University

14 master’s degrees taught entirely in English

Tomsk Polytechnic University

English-taught master’s degrees such as big data solutions, nuclear medicine and physics.

Ural Federal University

It offers 13 master’s degrees fully taught in English language and one degree which is a partial English master’s degree.

Student Visa for Russia:

In the first instance, a student visa is issued for only 3 months for Russia. After this period you should apply for the extension of the visa. The Federal Migration Service issues a 1-year extension of the validity period of the visa. When your visa is about to expire, you should apply for a further 1-year extension, and continue the same for the duration of your academic programme.

Documents required for the study visa for Russia are:

International passport (original) and a copy of the front page.
The official invitation for entry to Russia (original).
Application form.
Latest Photographs of the size 3.5 x 4.5 cm
Certificate of HIV-negative status.
parental consent to travel certified by a notary is compulsory for the applicants under 18 years old.

Study and work in Russia

International students are allowed to work during their studies in Russia. Students will need to get a work permit from the General Administration for Migration Issues of the Interior Ministry of Russia. However, they can only work in the profession mentioned in the permit, and only in the city, where the institution is situated.

The following documents should be submitted to get work permit:

Application
Migration card
Passport
Receipt of fee payment
Employment contract
Certificates of HIV-negative status, no infectious diseases or drug addiction.
A statement from a university proving that the student is admitted on a full-time course.

The government of Russia is keen to attract international students more and more each year. So if you are planning to study in Europe, do not forget to consider Russia on your study abroad list.

Here are the Highlights of the content

How to Apply for a Russia Student Visa?
After you arrive in Russia
Documents Required for a Student Visa
Russia visa fee for international students
Processing Time for the Russian student visa
Duration of Stay under a Student Visa
Can your family members join you in Russia?
Working in Russia on a student
What if your application is denied?

How to Apply for a Russia Student Visa?

The visa application process of a Russian student visa includes some important steps that you need to complete. We have narrowed down the Russian visa application process into nine simple steps. Following these properly will give you an increased chance of visa application success.

Accept an offer letter at your chosen university: Get the confirmation of your secured seat at your university in Russia and pay the required admission fees.
Receive a visa support document: Your chosen institution will request the Ministry of Interior of the Russian Federation for your visa support document. Then you will be issued a travel invitation which is also known as a visa support document.
Complete the visa application form: You have to visit the official website of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. From there you have to complete the visa application form.
Save and print your online form: Make sure you save changes as you proceed. Double-check your personal information before printing. You have to also paste your recent passport-size photo in the application form.
Assemble the required documents: You must submit several supporting documents along with your visa application form. You can find a required documents list in the next section.
Submit your application in person: Visit your nearest Russian consulate or visa processing centre in your country to submit your paperwork.
Pay the fee for a Russian student visa: You will have to pay the visa processing fee.
Wait for the decision: As the visa processing takes time, you will have to wait for the decision. It may take 10-30 days for the decision to be declared.
Get your student visa for Russia.

After you arrive in Russia

If you are successfully obtaining a visa, you can enter Russia. Upon arrival, you will have to complete two more procedures.

Get your immigration card- At the entry, you can obtain an immigration card. The card contains questions about you and your migration to Russia. You have to answer all those questions. One part of it will be taken by the authorities, and the other one will be given to you.
Register yourself on the arrival- This is the task of your accommodation provider. You have to give them your copy of your passport data pages, Russia visa, and immigration card.

Documents Required for a Student Visa

Presenting valid and accurate documents is the most essential task of the visa application procedure Here’s a list of documents generally asked by Russian authorities for student Visa application:

An official travel invitation or visa support document
A filled and printed visa application form
An original passport having validity for at least 6 months after the expiry date of the visa
A passport-sized photo
Information or documents related to your accommodation
Proof of your financial sources to cover your living expenses in Russia.
HIV/AIDS negative certificate that’s been issued within the last three months
Health insurance policy
Applicants who are under 18 years of age should also get parental consent to travel.

Russia visa fee for international students

For obtaining a Russia study visa you have to pay a fee for the processing of your application. The visa cost for Russia varies based on several factors, such as:

The country of origin of Applicant.
Type of visa.
The number of planned entries.
The duration of stay in Russia.

For example, students from the UK will be charged £165 and Students from the US can expect $160 as their visa fee for Russia. Please note that the fee you pay is non-refundable.

Processing Time for the Russian student visa

The authorities take a few days to decide whether to issue a student visa after checking all the documents. The processing time for applications is generally 10 days, but it can take as long as 30 days in some complicated cases. If you want your application to proceed speedily, you will have to pay an additional express fee.

Duration of Stay under a Student Visa

Initially, a Russian student visa is issued only for 3 months. After the completion of this period, you should fill the application and request a visa extension. Then you will be issued a one-year multi-visa which allows you to travel to and from Russia within the validity period of the visa. When your validity of the visa is near to expire, you should apply for a further extension of 1 year. You have to follow the same process for the remaining duration of your academic programme.

Family or dependents visa in Russia

Under Russian family reunion rules, your spouse and dependents can be granted an accompanying family member visa. A separate application should be filled and submitted for each family member travelling with you. However, they will not be permitted to work or study in Russia. The duration of their visa validity will be the same as yours.

Working in Russia on a student

Under a new law that was introduced in August 2020, international students will be allowed to work up to 20 hours per week on a student visa. They do not need to apply for any extra work permit. International Students also have the right to take a part-time job outside of the institution only on the condition that their employment contract ends at the same time as their studies complete.

What if your application is denied?

If you follow the application process properly, you will probably be successful in obtaining a student visa. But sometimes applications do face a denial. Usually, the Russian authorities do not share the reason for rejection. But the most common reasons for rejection is because you have submitted incomplete documents or your application details are inaccurate. If you can solve the reason for rejection and attach the updated documents, you can reapply for the visa at your nearest consulate. Please note that you will have to repay the charges for the visa application.

Document checklist for the VISA

Documents -

Current passport
Visa application form filled in and printed out from the following website: visa.kdmid.ru.
One recent passport size photo glued to the indicated space on the application form.
Invitation issued by a Russian Federal Migration Service agency or a telex from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Student must additionally submit HIV Test (AIDS) Certificate taken within the last three months.
Medical insurance at least 30 000 € in coverage valid for Russia.

VISA fees

RUB 237 (Please note that in addition to the visa fee applicants are required to pay the Russia Visa Centre fee of 2200 INR (including GST) for each visa application.

Payments can be made at the Russian Visa Application Centre in cash or by debit / credit card. Please note that all payments made are non-refundable.

Where to submit

Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Chennai
Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Kolkata
Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Mumbai
Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Delhi