Studying in Russia opens your opportunities in the global marketplace both practically and professionally. If you’re curious about studying in Russia. Here are 5 benefits you need to know before investing in your academic career in Russia.
More than 270,000 foreign students come to study at Russian universities from 168 countries. Similarly, for foreign students, Russia is quickly becoming a leading destination. According to government figures, enrolments increased by 70% during 2014-20. With a growth rate of 0.037%, Russia topped the list of highest literacy rates of 99.93%. The Russian Federation spends 3.8 % on the education of the GDP.
Finally, from February 8, 2021, students from all over the country have been returned to their alma mater 11 months after transitioning to online studies after the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation has made a decision to lift quarantine restrictions in higher education organizations in Russia.
Similarly, studying in Russia has many significant advantages, which include:
Opportunities To Know a New Language and Culture
Russian is the 8th most spoken language in the world. And Russian business and culture are growing in popularity all the time. In addition, learning to speak Russian encourages you to easily pick it up and speak it openly, the way real Russians speak it. Around 260 million people worldwide speak Russian. And about 10.5 million foreigners learn Russian frequently. There are numerous Russian language programs offered by Russian educational institutions, including training workshops, summer schools, and distance learning. In preparatory programs, foreign students studying in Russia take a year-long course in Russian. Further, it offered free of charge for some students participating in state-funded institutions (government scholarships). In order to help students studying in Russia, learn the necessary qualifications to study Russian, many Russian universities offer preparatory language courses.
Learning Facility in English
New English-language academic programs offered every year by Russian educational institutions. An English-language program is a chance to graduate from a renowned Russian university without studying the Russian language properly. Courses are taught by native speakers, both Russian and foreign teachers. You need to provide a high school certificate or diploma, a motivational letter, and IELTS or TOEFL certificates for participating and studying in English-based degree programs. However, some universities have no entrance tests for master programs and instead conduct video conferencing in English.
Nowadays, studying in Russia, in any educational field, fully English-taught programs can be found. If you would prefer English as the language of instruction. There are a number of English-taught programs available. The majority of courses taught in English are at the level of masters.
Some Lists of Russian universities that offer English-language undergraduate and Master programs for studying in Russia:
- National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE)
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT)
- Lomonosov Moscow State University
- National University of Science and Technology MISiS
- National Research Nizhny Novgorod State University. N.I. Lobachevsky
- ITMO University
- Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University)
- Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University
- Siberian Federal University
- Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University
- Ural Federal University
- Far Eastern Federal University
- National Research Nuclear University MEPhI (Moscow Engineering Physics Institute)
- Novosibirsk State University
- National Research Tomsk State University
- Tomsk Polytechnic University
Please understand these lists are neither biased nor exhaustive.
Affordable Cost Ratio
The maximum cost of tuition at the most prestigious universities in Russia tops out at 344,000 roubles annually, which is $6,100 a year, according to data provided by Study in Russia website. Meanwhile, full-time bachelor’s degree programs while studying in Russia continue at just $1,100 which’s 63,000 roubles a year.
On the other hand, studying in Russia might actually work out to be cheaper than in your home country. Tuition fees are very reasonable. Even a prestigious school like HSE University costs as little as $3200 to $7800 per year, with full-tuition and partial-tuition scholarships available for international students. And living expenses are quite low.
Many Russian universities have dormitories of their own with comparatively low room prices. The fee for accommodation is fixed as per the university policy. Depending on the university and the area, it can range from 500 to 5,000 roubles a month. And makes it a much cheaper alternative compared to a rented apartment. On a monthly basis or per term, payments may be made. You can even pay in bulk for the whole academic year.
In this scenario, you can get a discount from certain universities. A university dormitory room can available for a small, nominal fee. While a room in a Moscow apartment is around €175/month. Studio apartments often cost no more than $300-450/month (though this depends on the part of town, of course). With cheap student transport passes available, it is not unusual for student’s total living expenses not to exceed $500 per month. Before your arrival in Russia, you should also consider obtaining health insurance to access health care services if required.
Quality of Education and Easy Admission Process
The Open Doors: Russian Scholarship Program is a fantastic opportunity for foreign students in Russia to enjoy an education without tuition. The Organization of Global Universities offers hundreds of full scholarships for English and Russian master’s degrees and Ph.D. programs at Russia’s leading universities. In addition, every year, the Russian government provides foreign students with so-called ‘state-funded spots’ at universities. 15,000 such spots have been granted to international students in 2020.
Not only that, Russia is now participating in the Bologna Process. And you can expect to get an internationally recognized bachelor’s or master’s degree, postgraduate certificate, or equivalent. Many of its top leading institutions are members of the Association of European Universities. Russian Universities hold their top position in the QS World University Rankings: Emerging Europe and Central Asia (EECA). There are 28 universities in Russia featured within the QS World University Rankings® 2021. And 13 of which are among the top 400 universities worldwide.
A perfect score of 100 for academic credibility, employer reputation, and faculty to student ratio achieved by the Russian university.
Applying to a Russian university is not so different from applying to one in Europe or the United States. Year after year, admissions offices streamline the enrollment process to make it as smooth as possible for international applicants. Students can apply and provide all the necessary documents online.
And you can expect to get support throughout the whole admission process from Russianeducation.org and local administrative staff. Similarly, university employees are happy to answer all your queries in English and are capable of providing all the information and support that you might need. In addition, university staff will supply you with your visa invitation and walk you through the state regulations for your stay in Russia.
Work While Studying In Russia
Under a new law that came into effect on January 1st, 2021, all students studying in Russia now allowed to work up to 20 hours per week without having to apply for an additional work permit. The previous law only allowed foreign students to work during holidays and at their university’s facilities. Now, students allowed to pursue part-time jobs outside the university if their contract ends at the same time as their education. Amendments to the Federal Laws of 06.02.2020 No. 16-FZ, signed by Vladimir Putin President of the Russian Federation states law for foreign students studying in the Russian Federation.
However, It is advisable that applying for jobs in the major cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg would have the greatest opportunity. Moscow is Russia’s industrial heartland, with the most jobs and the highest levels of employment. Russia is an ambitious nation which over the past three decades has needed to modernize significantly. The technology market is booming, and prospects are abundant for graduate professionals and entrepreneurs. And Russia continues to make the planet open its doors. It is no coincidence that travel start-ups rate highly among the most impressive new employers in Russia. Why not contact the company to ask about job prospects if you find a Russian app that you use a lot while studying in Russia?
Career opportunities await university graduates in Russia, but prosperity favors the bold. Take care to build your career strategy as you study, and when your skills are complete, you can find your way.