Universities in Belarus

Higher education in Belarus is overseen by the Department of Higher Education of the Ministry of Education. According to the ministry, the country has 47 higher-education institutions, 43 of them state-owned and 4 private, with about 240,000 students and 16,700 teaching staff, more than 45% of whom hold a doctoral or candidate of sciences degree.

Most institutions are public universities, such as the Belarusian State University in Minsk, the Polotsk State University in Novopolotsk and the Vitebsk State Technological University. Teaching is mainly in Russian, and some universities also offer programmes in English for international students. Belarus's membership of the European Higher Education Area (the Bologna Process) is currently suspended, which is worth keeping in mind if you plan to have a Belarusian degree recognised in Europe.

How the university system works

According to the Ministry of Education, higher education ends with a qualification at one of three levels: general higher education (общее высшее), advanced higher education (углубленное высшее, the master's level) or special higher education (специальное высшее), and/or a degree. The content of programmes is set by national educational standards.

The universities describe the levels in English as follows:

• first stage: bachelor's or specialist degree; at Polotsk State University it takes from 4 to 6 years, depending on the programme and on full-time or part-time study
• second stage: master's degree, from 1 to 2.5 years at Polotsk State University
• postgraduate study: research training of 2 to 5 years, which leads to the researcher qualification and, after a successful thesis defence, a PhD degree

Vitebsk State Technological University, for example, offers 24 programmes at the first stage, 9 at master's level and 9 postgraduate specialisations, in fields such as engineering, economics and design for the light and textile industries. It has more than 500 students from 11 countries.

Admission for international students

Admission rules are set by each university. At Polotsk State University, for example, foreign applicants do not take entrance exams; they have an interview to assess their level of Russian, with an extra exam only for creative programmes. Master's applicants have an interview in the language of the programme (English or Russian) and a second interview on the content of the programme.

Polotsk State University asks bachelor's applicants for:

• an application form, passport and migration card
• the secondary-school certificate with a transcript of grades
• a copy of the birth certificate and six photos
• medical documents, including a health certificate and an HIV test
• a notarised Russian translation of all documents in other languages

Students who do not speak Russian can first attend a preparatory department. At Polotsk State University it lasts 10 months, combines Russian with subjects such as mathematics, physics and chemistry, and ends with a certificate that allows the student to enter university.

After the documents have been approved, the university sends an official invitation to study to the Belarusian consulate in the student's country, where the student applies for a study visa. Belarus issues visas for the purpose of study, and foreigners staying temporarily must register at their place of stay within ten days, according to the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (checked October 2026). Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises travelling to Belarus with caution and checking the political situation and entry requirements before travelling.

Costs and funding

International students pay tuition fees. At Polotsk State University, fees start at US$2,300 a year for a bachelor's degree, US$2,500 for a master's degree and US$4,500 for postgraduate study, while the preparatory department costs US$1,800. All international students there are offered a place in a student residence for a fee of US$40-50, depending on the type of residence. The university offers discounts of up to 60% for academic performance, research or active participation in university life.

Foreign students in higher education can work without a special permit, but for no more than 20 hours a week, according to Polotsk State University's summary of the labour migration law in force since 1 July 2023.

How to choose a university

• Language: most programmes are taught in Russian; check whether your programme is available in English
• Preparatory year: if you do not speak Russian, budget for a preparatory year
• Level: first stage (bachelor's or specialist), master's or postgraduate study
• Recognition: check how a Belarusian degree is recognised in the country where you want to work
• Costs: compare tuition and residence fees, which differ by university
• Location: Minsk is the capital; Novopolotsk and Vitebsk are smaller university cities

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to speak Russian to study in Belarus?

Most programmes are in Russian, and universities assess your Russian at an interview. Some universities, such as Polotsk State University, also offer programmes in English, and preparatory courses teach Russian before you start.

How much does it cost to study at a university in Belarus?

Fees vary by university. At Polotsk State University, a bachelor's degree costs from US$2,300 a year and a master's from US$2,500 a year, and a place in a student residence costs US$40-50.

Is there an entrance exam for foreign students?

Not at Polotsk State University, for example. There, foreign applicants take an interview to assess their Russian; an extra exam is only needed for creative programmes.

Can international students work in Belarus?

Yes. Foreign students in higher education can work without a special permit for up to 20 hours a week.