If you’re considering studying abroad, studying at Russia could be a good choice. There are many changes and challenges that you should be aware of before applying for studying at Russia. You may not come up with the available resources and the rules of the country or University. For this, you should follow the instructions from your seniors and the best consultants who can convince you more. And the proper mind make up is also essential for asking any doubts regarding the admission process to Russian universities. Everything you need to consider before applying for studying at Russia are as follows:
- Know About The Education System
- Academic Background
- Provision of Scholarships For International Students
- Standardized Exams
- Adequate Funding
- Skills In Foreign Languages
- Student Visa
- Work while Studying In Russia
- The Foreign Weather
Know About The Education System
Russia’s higher education system based on the Bologna Process, which aspires to standardize higher education systems across Europe and the world. So, if you choose Russia for studying at Russian universities, your Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Postgraduate credentials will be recognized throughout the world.
It is advised to know about the high schools, undergraduate and graduate degrees of foreign countries because the system is quite different from that of the home country. There are 3 or 4 years of bachelor in many south Asian and African countries, but in Russia there are no bachelor degrees below four years.
Russia has one of the best mass-education systems in the world, producing a literacy rate of 98% (higher than most Western European countries). The system consists of obligatory basic education and higher education. Russia is a world leader in the education of mathematicians, physicists, chemists, engineers, programmers, doctors, and other creative professionals. The Russian student network has also been a major player in the field of computer science. One of the most successful forms of education in the world is classical education. Every year, Russian universities are ranked first in the world university rankings. Learn about some of the key benefits of studying in Russia. Russian universities offer bachelor’s, specialist’s degrees, master’s degrees, and postgraduate (residency, postgraduate) programs. Training programs, summer schools, courses in Russian as a foreign language, and other options will help you get started on your way to a coveted career in the Russian language and beyond.
Academic Background
Before applying for studying at Russia and submitting your application at Russian university, make sure that any previous qualifications you have received outside of Russia have been legalized. There are 3 options for completing this process:
- Your certificates need to be stamped with an official seal from the Russian consulate office in your country. This ensures that your obtained academic certificate is exclusively acknowledged in Russia.
- A notary or public authority can affix an Apostille stamp to your certificate if your country is a party to the agreement in place of the Hague Convention of 1961. This will ensure that they are recognized in over 100 nations, including Russia.
- If you earned your degrees in one of the 46 nations with which Russia has pre-existing treaties, you won’t need to get them legalized.
Provision of Scholarships For International Students
Getting an award is a significant benefit that you achieve to escape from the massive bulk of university fees abroad. There are many scholarships available in foreign countries for needy students. Likewise, every year, Russian Government offers foreign students so-called “state-funded” university scholarships. The government scholarship offered free tuition for the duration of the chosen program; a maintenance allowance (for the duration of the study regardless of the candidate’s accomplishment); and accommodations in a dorm (if available).
Further, international students aiming to studying at Russia to attend Master’s and PhD programs for free can participate in Open Door Russian Scholarship Projects. Moreover, you can find more information about the scholarship scheme on the university’s official webpage.
Standardized Exams
The undergraduate institutions in foreign countries demand high SAT or TOEFL, and some graduate programs require GRE or GMAT while in Russia getting admission in Undergraduate/ Postgraduate and Specialist degree at Russian Universities demand TORFL (Test of Russian as a Foreign Language) if you want to continue your further studies in Russian track.
However, many Russian universities now provide both Russian and English based educational programs. Getting started with applications for Undergraduate and Graduate admissions at Russian universities: Foreign students should participate in entrance exams taken by Russian universities. These standardized exams test the aptitude and efficiency of students to help them cope with the challenging academic environment of the country.
Adequate Funding
It is essential to consider your financial situation before applying to study abroad, rather than the other way around. You should make sure that the country, university and course you choose to study abroad is within your financial capacity. The education system in foreign countries is quite expensive, and the below-average people cannot afford education in foreign countries. Though, the amount you’ll have to spend for your degree is entirely dependent on which university you choose. The colleges and universities in foreign countries like the USA, UK and Australia take around $12,000 to $65,000 per year.
However, compared to the US and UK, tuition fees at Russian universities are quite affordable. The cost of tuition is very low. A year of funding in the U.S., Australia and the UK is enough for four years of bachelors, two years of masters, and 4 to 8 years of a Ph.D. in Russia.
According to data supplied by the Study in Russia website, the maximum cost of tuition at Russia’s most famous University starts at around 344,000 Rubles ($6,100 USD) per year. Similarly, full-time bachelor’s and Master degree programs in Russia continue to cost only 63,000 rubles ($1,100 USD) a year.
On the other side, studying in Russia may be less expensive than studying in your home country.
Skills In Foreign Languages
If you are a freshman in Russia, you should have a good knowledge of the Russian language. Your fluency in Russian languages is a must because every deal will be in a Russian language. However, those with more foreign skills will have a greater opportunity in each field. If you know the native language, you will have an easier time adjusting while studying in Russia.
Student Visa
A student visa is a must for all the students going to foreign countries and who want to apply to Russian Universities for Studying in Russia because, without it, the journey for studying in foreign countries is not possible. In light of the present epidemiological condition of covid-19, many international students are worried about traveling to Russia. But don’t be worried. As per the order of the Russian Federation’s Government No. 639-r of 16.03.2021, all foreign students are allowed to enter Russia for education. The authorized body sends the student visa only after the fulfillment of all the requirements and criteria proposed by the international universities.
For studying in Russia, most international students require a Russian student visa. To apply for a Russian student visa, you must first be accepted into a course at a Russian college, university, or other institution of higher learning.
You can come to Russia to study without a visa if you are a citizen of Abkhazia, Azerbaijan, Moldova, South Ossetia, Tajikistan, or Uzbekistan but a valid passport is required. For short visits of 14–90 days, several other countries have visa-free agreements with Russia. Citizens of these countries are not required to obtain a visa to enter Russia; but, while in Russia, they must obtain a Russian student visa from the Russian General Directorate of Migratory Affairs (GUVM). These rules are primarily for tourists with up to 90 days of travel limits. Consider a Russian student visa if you want to take lengthier courses.
International students from any country that require a visa to enter Russia (including EU/EFTA countries) must first get a Russian student visa.
Russian Student Visa Regulations For Foreign Students
Student visas to Russia are initially provided for three months. To renew a visa, you must submit your documents and original passport to the University’s foreign student department, and your educational institution applies for your visa to the local division of the Russian Federation’s Federal Migration Service (FMS). The FMS grants a one-year multiple-entry visa that allows you to visit Russia anytime you want in the period of studying at Russia. You must apply for a one-year extension before the visa expires. You will continue this approach for the rest of your academic career.
Visit the Russian embassy or consulate in your own country to apply for a Russian student visa. Click here to know about the list of visa requirements, Russian embassies and consulates around the world. In most cases, student visas are obtained within two to five weeks. In additions, visa application centers usually offer a fast-track service for an extra cost. The visa price may vary depending on where you live, so confirm with the Russian Embassy consulate or visa center.
Student need to prepare the following documents for Student Visa:
- Filled in Visa Application Form which can be filled online at http://evisa.kdmid.ru
- Visa Invitation letter (Invitations to Russia are issued by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Interior Ministry’s General Administration for Migration Issues.)
- Original international passport
- Higher Secondary School certificate
- Medical Certificate showing absence of Aids/HIV
- 2 Passport size Photos (3 x 4)
- Visa Application Fee
Check your passport’s validity to make sure it covers the duration of your visa. If your passport expires before your visa expires, you’ll have to deal with a lot of complications. Additionally, make sure you have all of the documents listed on the Student Visa Checklist before you apply for a visa for studying at Russia.
Note: A Russian student visa is valid for 90 days, but it can be extended up to a year and then renewed for the length of the program. The student visa is valid for short-term courses or any degree level studies at any Russian institution or university.
Work while Studying In Russia
Under the recent law of Russian Federation, all the foreign students who are studying at any Russian Universities for full time studies can work part-time on or off the campus during the college hours for about 20 hours per week and full time during the semester breaks. The students will be well paid for their work so that they can cover their expenses while studying in Russia.
However, seeking jobs in big cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg is recommended because it offers the best opportunities. With the most jobs and the highest levels of employment, Moscow is Russia’s industrial heartland. Russia is a forward-thinking country that has had to dramatically modernize over the last three decades. The IT industry is expanding, and opportunities abound for graduates and entrepreneurs. And Russia continues to force the rest of the world to open its doors.
The Foreign Weather
The first important thing to remember about Russian weather is that it varies greatly by region. The majority of Russia has a moderate climate, making it a pleasant area to live.
The temperature in Russia varies greatly, ranging from the profound Arctic chill in the far north to the scorching desert heat in some inland areas further south. Despite this, there are only two distinct seasons throughout much of the country: winter and summer. Between spring and autumn, there are only a few brief periods of transition. Winters in Russia’s European half aren’t quite as frightening as many myths claim. The first snowfall in Moscow and St. Petersburg normally occurs in late November and lasts until early April. The average temperature in the winter is around -10°C.
The Russian winter is a beautiful season, so most Russians will look forward to it. You should not miss the sweater, gloves, scarves, and other warm clothes. You can experience sparkling snow, festive winter outings, skiing, sledding, and ice skating in the winter months. Every Russian building and dormitory are equipped with heaters and thermal insulation so you can walk around wearing lite clothes inside your hostels, campuses, and shopping malls during the winter. In the winter, Russians celebrate a variety of holidays, including New Year’s Day, Christmas, Student’s Day, and Shrove Tide; so, you will not be bored.
Further, summer starts in June and ends at the end of August (the school year begins September 1). During the summer vacation while studying in Russia, you may love going out into the countryside to enjoy the sun. Both urban and rural regions will be particularly scenic throughout this season. The average temperature in Moscow & St. Petersburg is 20-35°C.
Challenges for International students while studying in Russia
Russian universities are open to international students. Russian universities provides an excellent opportunity for students from developing and underdeveloped countries to gain higher education here. It is a dream come true like a fairy tale for students to be able to get a chance of studying in Russia and other foreign countries.
Similary, many students look forward to pursuing their higher studies in some of the best universities and colleges of the world. A degree from highly appreciated and recognized universities and colleges is the stepping stone for a growth-oriented career and a bright future.
However, there are some challenges that students face when they reach these countries. Some problems are social and cultural, while some issues are psychological and economical. The adjustment problem of studying in a new country with different cultures and ways of living is challenging for many students. They face and experience adjustment issues. The adjustment issues are multi-faceted like social, cultural, academic, and psychological. International students generally face adjustment problems in three primary areas. They are academic, social mix up, and psychological.
In academics, students generally face problems because of the language barrier. The unfamiliarity of the language, accent, and typical local words used initially affects a student’s academic learning. Still, with the passage of time, students find it easy to overcome the language barrier as they familiarize and adjust with the language. A student may find it difficult to mix with society as he lacks an established social support system or social network. Nowadays, it is easy to mix with people in a new set up through the use of social networking sites. A student also makes friends in colleges, which helps him build a new social support system on which he or she can rely.
Way Forward to overcome the Challeges while Studying in Russia
A student should consider the following points mentioned below so that his or her stay in the first few months is without many difficulties and challenges.
Better to overestimate your cost of living and expenses: You should always keep a margin of 20 -25% more payments than you think you will spend after paying the necessary fees and other costs for accommodation and food. You may never know sundry expenses like commuting, communication, etc. can make a big hole in your pocket.
Try to get a part-time job: Getting some part-time work will boost your confidence and income at the same time. It will give you some financial independence and also will allow you to use your spare time to learn and earn.
The psychological problems a student may face are homesickness, distance from loved ones, and cultural adjustment. These mental problems may become a reason for depression, loneliness, and isolation. But with technology at fingertips, a student may easily overcome the problem of homesickness and can connect with his loved ones instantly. By making new friends and acclimatization over some weeks or months helps a student overcome the problem of isolation, loneliness, and also to adjust and mix in the new cultural setup.
