Study and find schools in Russia

Studying in Russia

Russia has one of the largest higher-education systems in the world. According to Study in Russia, the official portal of the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the country has 751 universities with more than 4 million students, of whom more than 422,000 are foreign citizens. Russian is the official state language and the main language of instruction; some universities also offer programmes taught in English.

Before considering Russia, students from Spain and other EU countries should read their government's travel advice. The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in its advice valid on 7 October 2026, recommends that Spanish nationals consider not travelling to Russia, citing the closure of Spanish and European airspace, reduced air connections and problems with bank transfers. Visa, Mastercard and American Express cards do not work in Russia, which affects paying tuition and daily expenses.

The education system in Russia

Russian higher education combines the international bachelor-master model with its own long, integrated degrees. The main levels are:

• Bachelor's degree (bakalavriat): 3 to 4 years, applied training in a broad field
• Specialist degree (specialitet): an integrated programme at bachelor's plus master's level, 5 to 6 years, used in engineering, medicine and other fields
• Master's degree (magistratura): 2 to 3 years after a bachelor's or specialist degree
• Postgraduate study (aspirantura): 3 to 4 years full-time, ending with the degree of Candidate of Sciences or PhD
• Residency (ordinatura): clinical training for doctors after a medical specialist degree

Students can study full-time, part-time or by distance learning. The Study in Russia portal lists 165 universities that actively recruit international students, with their programmes, dormitories and preparatory faculties.

Admission and recognition

Most international students study in Russian. To learn the language and prepare for admission, applicants can take Russian courses or study for a year at a university's preparatory faculty. Admission is based either on the EGE, the Russian state exam, which can be taken in some countries abroad, or on the university's own entrance exam (a test, assignment or interview, for example in biology for medicine).

The admission campaign starts in June and may continue until October. You apply on the university's website, take the entrance tests (some online), sign the enrolment agreement and, for paid places, pay the fee. All documents must be translated into Russian and notarised, and school-leaving certificates must be legalised or apostilled.

Foreign diplomas from countries with which Russia has a recognition agreement are recognised automatically; you can check this with Rosacredagency. Otherwise you need to go through the recognition procedure, which has a state fee of 6,500 roubles.

Student visa and residence

Most foreign students need a student visa. According to Study in Russia, it is issued on the basis of an invitation from the university, which is sent after enrolment and must be submitted with the visa application to the Russian embassy or visa centre in your country.

After arrival, students must register at their place of residence and obtain voluntary medical insurance, a medical examination certificate and a fingerprint certificate. They can also apply for a temporary residence permit for education, issued for the duration of study plus 180 days. The Spanish travel advice notes that passports must be valid for at least 6 months after leaving Russia, that visa expiry is enforced strictly and that border checks can include phone searches and fingerprinting.

Costs and scholarships

According to Study in Russia, the average tuition fee at a Russian university is 250,000 roubles per year, with large differences by city, programme and university; fees are usually paid twice a year. Whether you can pay from abroad must be checked with the university. Living costs are estimated at 24,300 to 32,400 roubles a month.

The Russian government offers a number of free places each year under the Government quota. Candidates apply through the Education in Russia portal (education-in-russia.com), usually between September and December, and go through a selection in their own country. Quota students study tuition-free, receive a monthly scholarship and are guaranteed a dormitory place. Winners of university olympiads can also be admitted free or at a reduced fee.

Where to study in Russia

St. Petersburg, the second-largest city, has the most schools in our directory, many of them Russian language schools for foreigners, as well as universities such as Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, which offers degree programmes in English, and the European University at St. Petersburg.

Moscow is the capital and largest university centre. Examples are HSE University (Higher School of Economics), which runs an international student support office at its Moscow campus, and MGIMO, the Moscow State Institute of International Relations. Further east, Siberian Federal University in Krasnoyarsk has 30 dormitories across 5 campus areas, and Novosibirsk and Omsk also have universities that accept international students.

The Spanish travel advice recommends avoiding the oblasts bordering Ukraine, which include Rostov-on-Don and Voronezh, and taking extra care in Krasnodar and Stavropol. Check the current advice before choosing a city.

Practical life

Working while studying: full-time students at a state-accredited university may work in their free time without a work permit, with a certificate of enrolment from the university.

Climate: winters in the Urals and Siberia are harsh and summers short and cool; St. Petersburg has relatively mild winters and cool summers, and the south near the Black Sea is the warmest region.

Law and safety: according to the Spanish Foreign Ministry, public statements criticising the war in Ukraine, including on social media, can be punished with up to 15 years in prison, and foreigners have already been prosecuted. Students should keep this in mind and follow their consulate's advice.

Frequently asked questions

Can I study in Russia in English?

Some universities offer programmes taught in English, but most international students study in Russian, often after a preparatory year of Russian at the university.

How much does it cost to study in Russia?

According to Study in Russia, average tuition is 250,000 roubles per year and living costs are 24,300 to 32,400 roubles a month. Government quota students study for free and receive a scholarship.

Can I pay tuition in Russia with a foreign bank card?

Visa, Mastercard and American Express cards do not work in Russia, according to the Spanish Foreign Ministry. Ask the university how to pay from abroad before you enrol.

Do I need a visa to study in Russia?

Most foreign students need a student visa, issued on the basis of an invitation from the university after enrolment. After arrival you must register your address and complete medical and fingerprint checks.

Is it safe to study in Russia?

Spain's Foreign Ministry recommends that its nationals consider not travelling to Russia and avoid the regions bordering Ukraine. Check your own government's travel advice before applying.