Language Immersion Courses in Russia

Language schools in Russia teach Russian as a foreign language, to beginners and to students preparing for university. Russian is the main language of teaching at Russian universities, so for many international students a language course is the first step towards a degree. Courses are offered by university departments of Russian as a foreign language, by preparatory faculties and by private schools, and some schools now teach online.

Before you book a course in Russia, check your government's travel advice. On 7 October 2026 Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised considering not travelling to Russia and noted that Visa, Mastercard and American Express cards do not work there.

How it works

There are three main kinds of provider:

• University departments of Russian as a foreign language, which run semester courses, summer and winter schools
• Preparatory faculties (pre-university courses), which combine Russian with subjects needed for a degree
• Private language schools, usually in large cities, and online schools with one-to-one lessons

Examples in our directory show this mix. Omsk State Pedagogical University has a Department of Russian as a Foreign Language, a summer school called Russian Aspect and summer and winter schools. Novosibirsk State Technical University offers pre-university courses by field (natural sciences, medicine and biology, humanities, economics, engineering) and summer and winter courses in Russian. Kuban State Technological University in Krasnodar has a preparatory department for foreign citizens, and Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University runs a University Foundation Program and short-term programmes. In St. Petersburg, private schools such as EDUCA Russian Language Center, Educacentre Language School and the Derzhavin Institute teach Russian to foreigners, while Enjoy Russian, based in Petrozavodsk, offers live one-to-one lessons online.

The state exam for Russian as a foreign language is the TORFL (TRKI in Russian). It has six levels, from A1 to C2. According to Omsk State Pedagogical University, which runs the test, B1 is the level of an applicant entering the first year of a Russian university, and each level has five parts: vocabulary and grammar, reading, listening, writing and speaking. A candidate must score at least 66% in each part.

Admission

Most language courses accept beginners and place students by level. For university-based courses and preparatory faculties, the general rules for studying in Russia apply: documents must be notarised and translated into Russian, and a student visa requires an invitation from the university. Ask a private school before booking whether it can support a visa application for the length of course you need.

As a guide to course length, OSPU estimates 60 to 80 academic hours for level A1, 400 to 480 hours for B1 and 560 to 680 hours for B2.

Costs and funding

Prices vary by school, city and intensity, so compare the schools' own price lists. The TORFL exam costs 6,000 to 6,500 roubles at OSPU depending on the level, and a failed part can be retaken within two years at half the cost. Students admitted under the Russian Government quota can study at a university preparatory faculty free of charge, which is a way to learn Russian before a degree. For daily expenses, Study in Russia estimates that a foreign student needs 24,300 to 32,400 roubles per month.

How to choose

• Goal: a preparatory faculty if you plan a degree in Russian; a private school or summer school for shorter stays
• Exam: check whether the school prepares for the TORFL and at which levels
• Format: group, one-to-one or online lessons
• City: most private schools in our directory are in St. Petersburg; university courses are also found in Siberian and southern cities
• Safety and practicalities: read official travel advice and plan payment methods in advance

Frequently asked questions

What Russian level do I need to start a university degree?

According to Omsk State Pedagogical University, TORFL level B1 is the level of an applicant entering the first year of a Russian university. Programmes taught in English have their own requirements.

How long does it take to reach B1 in Russian?

OSPU estimates 400 to 480 academic hours for level B1. The time in months depends on the intensity of the course.

Can I learn Russian online with a school in Russia?

Yes. Some schools, such as Enjoy Russian, teach live one-to-one lessons online with native-speaking teachers.

How much does the TORFL exam cost?

At OSPU the test costs 6,000 to 6,500 roubles, depending on the level. Fees may differ at other test centres.