Higher Education in Russia

AcademConsult provides expert consultancy and high-quality admission services for foreign students who want to get higher education in best Russian universities.

Admission Procedure
List of Russian universities available for foreign students
Higher Education system in Russia
Accommodation and living expenses

Admission Procedure

As your agency, we will advise and guide your best choice of university and study program in Russia.

Please download and fill out the Application Form, indicate your specialization/concentration preferences and submit it to info@academconsult.ru along with attachments as described below.

We will confirm receiving your application within 24 hours! After checking your Application Form we make a research to find most appropriate study options according to your preferences and desires!

Application and Admission Step-by-Step

Step 1

Submit your application to us via email: info@academconsult.ru

Download application form HERE.

Please attach following documents to your application form:

• Copy of your national ID and your traveling passport (pages with photo, date of birth and passport expiry date)
  
• Copy of your original secondary education (high school) certificate with all supplements and transcripts, and copy of its notarized translation into English - if you are applying for Preparatory Year, Bachelor degree program or Specialist qualification program
• Copy of your bachelor degree / specialist diploma with all supplements and transcripts, and copy of its notarized translation into English – if you are applying for a Master degree program
• Copy of language proficiency certificate, if you already have any (TORFL if you want to study in Russian language without a preparatory year, TOEFL/IELTS if you want to study in English)

In your application form, please do not forget to indicate 3 choices of desired specialization or certain degree programs and whether you want to study in Russian or in English language.

We confirm receiving your application within 24 hours via email and start looking for an appropriate program. You receive our reply with available programs within 5 working days, if other terms are not specified.

Step 2

Sign Agency Service Agreement for total amount of USD 950.

Agency Services cover administrative, registration and admission fees, comprehensive counseling in choosing a university and the program, support and assistance in university and visa application process, accommodation support.

Step 3

Pay service agreement fee USD 950 upon our invoice via Bank wire transfer.

This fee DOES NOT cover the costs for express delivery of the Invitation letter.

Step 4

Wait for the official invitation up to 45 days for Russia (but not earlier than July 20). Receive notification of its issue. Pay the costs for express / courier delivery of the Invitation letter (about USD 170 upon a separate invoice)

Step 5

Apply for a Student visa

Complete necessary visa application forms and legalize all documents where appropriate. Pay visa fee to the Russian Embassy.

Visa procedure

In order to get a Student visa please apply to the Embassy of Russia in your country.

Documents for visa:

1. Passport (valid for 1,5 year)
2. Official invitation (we send it to you and a copy to the Embassy)
3. School leaving certificate with transcripts (a list of all courses and grades/marks) or Bachelor degree diploma with transcripts/supplement
4. A medical examination certificate of general health
5. A medical certificate of HIV/AIDS test results
6. 3 passport size (3x4 cm) photos.
7. Visa application form (issued by the Embassy of the Russian Federation / General Consulate of the Russian Federation in your country).

Documents 3, 4, 5 must be translated and legalized (contact the Embassy for this issue)

List of documents required for student visa at your local Embassy/General Consulate of the Russian Federation may vary.

List of Russian Embassies http://www.mid.ru/zu_r.nsf/strawebeng

Step 6

Request airport pick-up the latest 3 days before arrival.

Airport pick up shall be paid upon arrival. Approximate pick-up prices are USD 100 for Moscow, USD 200 for other cities.

Step 7

Buy flight tickets, pack and take your flight to Russia!

Our representative will meet you in the airport and transfer to the university.

Entry to Russia - a student should have the following documents:

• Passport; 
• Student entry visa; 
• Immigration Card (supplied during flights or at an airport; it must be completed by the student and stamped by customs in the airport right after arrival in Russia); 
• Medical health certificate including chest X-Ray result; 
• Negative AIDS test result
• 12 passport size (3×4 cm) black and white photographs in matt finish. 

Step 8

Register at University and pay tuition fee, accommodation fee, Medical check-up, Health Insurance, Visa extension. Tuition fee shall be paid after arrival or online by VISA/MasterCard or in advance by bank wire transfer upon an invoice. 

Step 9

Start your studies!

List of top Russian universities available for foreign students

Higher Education in Russia at glance

The modern higher education system in Russia is well comparable with world’s best practices:

• preparatory year for foreigners aiming on studies in Russian language: Russian language studies + basic disciplines, much like Foundation
• undergraduate level in Russia: Bachelor degree (4-years 240 ECTS) or 5-years Specialist diploma
• postgraduate level in Russia: Master degree (2-years 180 ECTS)
• aspirantura (Ph.D. degree studies)
• credit transfer system based on ECTS
• worldwide academic exchange programs with credit transfer
• european diploma supplement

Language of instruction

For most programs, especially at Bachelor/Specialist level, the language of instruction is Russian. This requires solid knowledge of Russian language, which can be proved by a Test of Russian as a Foreign Language certificate for direct admission, or can be acquired during a preparatory year.

However, during last decades the number of degree programs completely taught in English has dramatically increased. Programs in English can be found mostly at Master degree level and require advanced English language proficiency proven by an official test certificate.

Educational System in Russia - Preparatory level
International students who intend to study in Russian must first take a one-year Preparatory Course. Russian language training is the core of this course; however, at the same time, you will improve your knowledge of mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology and will be familiar with Russian history and culture.In case of successful completion you will be awarded the Preparatory Course Certificate. The Russian Language State Certificate (TORFL) will be granted up on successful passing of the Test of Russian as a Foreign Language at the First Level. Both certificates are recognized by any Russian university.

Educational System in Russia - Bachelor's Degree
Russian Universities offer international students a wide range of bachelor degree programs in the Russian and English languages.  
The first 2-year study level includes modules in natural sciences, mathematics, socio-economics, humanities and a few speciality oriented modules. The study modules of the second level (the next two years of study) include advanced profession-oriented modules, subjects in natural sciences, electives from special socio-economics modules and training in industrial and other companies. A Bachelor's degree holder could be employed as a middle-rank engineer/specialist. 
Note! The holder can continue his/her studies to earn the Engineer's/Specialist's (1 year) or Master's Degree (2 years).

Educational System in Russia - Engineer/Specialist 
Tomsk Politechnic University offers international students a wide range of engineer/Specialist programs in Russian and in English languages. 
The professional study courses leading to the Engineer's/Specialist's ensure the training of well-qualified professionals in engineering and technology (Engineer) or in economics, humanities, etc. (Specialist). The engineer's courses include special disciplines and modules in modern technology and technological equipment oriented towards engineering creativity and invention, carrying out the interdisciplinary projects, and industrial training. 
Note! The Engineer's/Specialist's and the Master's degree are equal both for recognition and post-graduate education in Russia and overseas.

Educational System in Russia - Master's Degree
The professional educational courses leading to the Master's Degree (two years after Bachelor's level) include special disciplines and modules, which explain new achievements in science and technology, in addition to those in the Bachelor's Degree courses. The courses are oriented towards scientific creativity, pedagogical activity, and practical and research work. 
Note! Master's Degree holders have the opportunity to continue their research and to earn Ph.D. after 1-2 years.

Educational System in Russia - Doctoral Studies (Ph. D.)
The training of well-qualified specialists in teaching and research lasts for 3 to 4 years and ends with the public defense of a Ph.D. thesis. If you are studying for a Ph.D. as a full-time postgraduate you can expect to finish your research within 3 years. If you take the university's Master's Degree track you will have the opportunity to continue your research and to earn your Ph.D. after 2 years. The duration of part-time or distance doctoral training is about 4 years. This duration can be altered. As a rule, students carry out real scientific and engineering investigations with the use of modern laboratory equipment, prepare scientific papers for publication and participate in national and international scientific conferences. All this activity is carried out under the guidance and supervision of leading university scientists.

Accommodation and living expenses

A very strong point of advantage of studying in Russia is that most of universities do have own student dormitories and offer simple and not expensive accommodation – furnished rooms shared by 2-4 students. Student dorms stay more than affordable with maximum USD 3000 per year in Moscow and Saint-Petersburg and far less price in other cities.

A thousand usd per month in pocket for living expenses will make it quite comfortable in Moscow and Saint-Petersburg, whereas in other cities the living expenses cost nearly twice less.