One of the great attractions of postsecondary education in Russia is the cost, especially when compared to the quality.
Understand
[edit]Higher education in Russia has a three-tier system which consists of Bachelor's or Specialist’s degree, Master’s degree, and postgraduate studies.
The academic year lasts from September 1st to mid-June everywhere, with long summer vacations from July 1st to August 31st. The year is divided at "autumn semester" (from 1st September to 25th January) and "spring semester" (from February to June).
For foreign citizens, Russian universities offer the Foundation course, which is a pre-university training to prepare foreigners for studies in the Russian language. The Foundation course lasts 7–10 months. The Foundation course teaches the Russian language and improves the level of training in core and special disciplines (Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, etc.) to continue studying at the university in the chosen program.
Several universities and private schools offer Russian language courses with either individual or group tuition.
Money
[edit]Due to Western sanctions, most foreign credit and debit cards no longer work in Russia. Your access to funds may be hindered as Russian banks have been shut out of the international monetary system, meaning that wire transfers are not possible. As a result, you will need to bring physical cash into Russia and open a Russian bank account.
State universities in Moscow
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Moscow remains the educational center of Russia and the former USSR. There are 222 institutes of higher education, including 60 state universities & 90 colleges. Some of these offer a wide-spectrum of programs, but most are centered around a specific field. This is a hold-over from the days of the USSR, when Sovietwide there were only a handful of wide-spectrum "universities" and a large number of narrow-specialization "institutes" (mostly in Moscow and St. Petersburg). Moscow offers some of the best business/management, science, & arts schools in the world. Moscow is also a popular destination for foreign students to learn Russian.
- 1 Moscow State University (Московский государственный университет имени М. В. Ломоносова), Leninskye gory (Ленинские горы), 1; Prospect Lomonosovsky (M: Universytet), ☏ +7 495 939 10 00, fax: +7 (495) 939 01 26, [email protected]. The largest school in Moscow (nearly 50,000 students) and Russia's most prestigious university. Mostly liberal arts & the sciences. Courses only in Russian, except:
- LMSU Institute of Russian Language and Culture. Russian courses from 4 wk-3 semesters: pre-university Russian (to prepare for a Russian-language university education, teaches jargon/vocabulary for 6 fields), preparation to be a teacher of Russian, & 6 levels of Russian for fun.
- 2 Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (Московский Физико-Технический институт (государственный университет)), Dolgoprudny, per. Institutskiy 9 (Metro: Altufyevo 5.4 km (3.4 mi) take taxi bus №545 (456C) until “MIPT” stop (~15 minutes)), ☏ +7 495 408-51-45, [email protected]. One of the most prestigious science universities in Russia.
- 3 Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) (Московский государственный институт международных отношений (Университет) МИД России, often abbreviated МГИМО, MGIMO). One of the most prestigious foreign relations universities in the world, this school of 5,000 has trained over two thirds of Russian government officials and many others in the CIS. Courses only in Russian.
- 4 Moscow Aviation Institute (State University of Aerospace Technologies) (Московский авиационный институт), Volokolamskoye shosse (Волоколамское шоссе), 4 (Metro Voykovskaya 700 m, Metro Sokol 800 m), ☏ +7 499 158-0002, fax: +7 499 158-29-77, [email protected]. Specializes in Aviation-related science & engineering. Courses in Russian, but the school has "Pre-school" Russian courses & a tolerance for some English.
- 5 Bauman Moscow State Technical University (Московский государственный технический университет им. Н. Э. Баумана), Ul. 2-ya Baumanskaya (2-я Бауманская ул.), 5, ☏ +7 499 263-6391, fax: +7 499 267-4844, [email protected]. Engineering and technology. Oldest technical university in Russia. Offers courses only in Russian.
- 6 Russian State Medical University (Российский национальный исследовательский медицинский университет имени Н. И. Пирогова), Ul. Ostrovityanova (ул. Островитянова), Dom 1 (M: Belyaevo or M: Konkovo), ☏ +7 495 434-3174, [email protected]. Otherwise referred to as Pirogov institute, it was founded in 1906. It has a huge campus for an exclusively medical faculty. Presumably Russian-language only.
- 7 I. M. Sechenov First State Moscow Medical University (Первый Московский государственный медицинский университет имени И. М. Сеченова), Trubetskaya ulitsa, 8 (Metro Frunzenskaya 400m, metro Sportivnaya 750 m). As the name suggests, this school offers Medical & Pharmacological degrees exclusively. It claims to be the oldest medical school in Russia and used to a medical department of Lomonosov Moscow State University. Courses in Russian, but Russian courses for English-speakers offered. First 2-3 years courses can be in English, afterwards in clinical years mainly in Russian.
- 8 People's Friendship University of Russia (RUDN), Miklukho-Maklaya str., 6 (M. Belyaevo, Yugo-Zapadnaya 1.5 km (0.93 mi)), ☏ +7 495 434-70-27, [email protected]. Comparable to an American public university, this school offers everything from French to Engineering to Hotel Management. It has European accreditation & specializes in teaching foreign students. Courses in Russian, but offers many Russian-language courses.
- 9 Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation (Финансовый университет при Правительстве Российской Федерации), Leningradsky Prospect, 49 (M. Aeroport 600 m, Metro Dinamo 1 km (0.62 mi)), ☏ +7 499 943-98-55, fax: +7 499 157-70-70, [email protected]. The first in the history of Russia specialized financial institute of higher education. Alma mater of many famous Russian businessmen and government officials (one of the wealthiest person in Russia Mikhail Prokhorov, Governor of Krasnoyarsk Krai Lev Kuznetsov, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Khloponin, CEO of Gazprombank Andrey Akimov and some others)
- 10 Plekhanov Russian University of Economics (Российский экономический университет им. Г. В. Плеханова), Stremyanny per. 36 (Metro Serpukhovskaya 200 m, Metro Dobryninskaya 300 m), ☏ +7 499 237-85-17. Established in 1907, is the oldest institution with focus on economics in Russia's tertiary education.
Studying in Saint Petersburg
[edit]If you are looking to study in Russia, Saint Petersburg State University, founded by Peter the Great in 1724, is one of Russia's oldest and most prestigious universities. Other prestigious universities in Saint Petersburg include ITMO University (University of Information Technologies, Mechanics and Optics), Saint Petersburg Polytechnic University and the Saint Petersburg campus of the Higher School of Economics.
Russian language classes
[edit]Most language schools can arrange lodging with a host family and/or other students. Schools can also provide a student ID card for discounts at some attractions.
- Derzhavin Institute, Izmaylovskiy Prospekt 7, ☏ +7 812 615-80-71. (20) 45-minute group lessons per week: RUB67,960 for 4 weeks (80 lessons).
- EducaCentre, 12th line of Vasilievskiy Island, ☏ +7 812 676 0075, [email protected]. (20) 45-minute group lessons per week: €180, (30) 45-minute group lessons per week: €225; €60 administrative fee.
- EDUCA Russian Language School, 3 Bolshaya Morskaya (Metro: Gostiny Dvor), ☏ +7 812 954 7320, [email protected]. Not to be confused with the similarly-named school listed above. Central location, although teachers are younger and less experienced. Passport or ID is required to enter the building, which is on Palace Square. Owner is Armenian and accepts payment via international credit card (3% fee) or via Wise. Also has a branch in Yerevan, Armenia. (20) 45-minute group lessons per week: €270-300, (30) 45-minute group lessons per week: €315-350; €65 enrollment fee; 10% discount for returning students.
- Liden & Denz, Italyanskaya ulitsa #17. (20) 50-minute group lessons per week: €280, 2-week minimum.
- ProBa Language Centre, Rubinsteina 11, ☏ + 7 812 9061308, [email protected]. Facilities are very basic. Up to 8 students per class. 2 week minimum. Group classes: €450 for 2 weeks, €180 each additional week.
- Saint Petersburg State University, Lieutenant Schmidt embankment 11. 12-15 students per class. 4 week module @ (20) 45-minute lessons per week + self study & final exam: 43000 руб.
- Zlatoust Russian Language School, Kamennoostrovsky pr. 24V, office 1-N, ☏ +7 931 242-62-57. Small group classes. 2 week minimum. Group classes: RUB28,800 for 2 weeks; 10:00-1:15 each weekday, textbook included.