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Russia

Study Master in Russia 2024/2025

Study in Russia

The Russian Federation occupies most of Eastern Europe and North Asia, stretching from the Baltic Sea in the west to the Pacific Ocean in the east, and from the Arctic Ocean in the north to the Black Sea and the Caucasus in the south. Russia's extensive mineral and energy resources, the largest reserves in the world, have made it one of the largest producers of oil and natural gas.

The Russian Federation is a semi-presidential, federal republic containing 83 different territories known as"federal subjects". Russia shares its borders with numerous countries that include Norway, China, Poland, Finland, and North Korea. It is the largest country in the world and covers one-eighth of Earth's habitable areas, spanning nine separate time zones and extending over the entire region of northern Asia.

Currently, the Russian Federation's economy is one of the most prosperous in the world, ranking as the seventh-largest developed country in purchasing power. This is attributed to its extensive energy and mineral resources that have made it one of the biggest manufacturers of natural gas and oil. The Russian Federation is a member of the G8, the United Nations Security Council, the Council of Europe, and the World Trade Organization.

Essential Facts about Russia

  • Russia has a President who is considered the"head of state" and a Prime Minister, who is referred to as the"head of government".
  • The federal government consists of three branches: the Legislative, the Executive, and the Judiciary.
  • An estimated 165 different indigenous peoples and ethnic groups live in Russia. Eighty percent of Russia's population are ethnic Russians.
  • Russian is the language spoken by the majority of citizens, followed by Tatar and Ukrainian. Russian is an official language of the United Nations, along with Arabic, Chinese, French, English, and Spanish languages.
  • The primary currency in Russia is the ruble.

Russia's Climate
Russia spans a large geographic area containing many remote areas such as the vast tundras of Siberia. Northern Russia, which includes Siberia, has a subarctic climate with frigid winters and heavy snow. Moscow and many other parts of Russia not contained in the northern areas have humid continental climates with warm to hot summers and cold, lengthy winters. Typical June, July and August temperatures hover around 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 Celsius) but can go as high as 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 Celsius) during heat waves. In winter, expect temperatures to remain well below freezing (32 degrees Fahrenheit/0 Celsius) and often stay below zero for extended periods.

Religions in Russia
Orthodox Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, and Islam are the most common religions in Russia. All are considered to be legally part of the country's historical heritage. The most popular religious holiday celebrated by nearly all Russian citizens is Easter, which they recognize by making kulich (Easter bread) and paskha, a dish containing cheese and shaped like a pyramid.

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Basic monthly living cost

  • Rent in a shared flat

    198
  • Share of utilities

    28
  • Internet subscription

    6
  • Local transportation

    23

Sample lifestyle cost

  • Fast food combo

    4
  • Cinema ticket

    4
  • Pint of local beer

    2

About Russia

Educational System in Russia

Although Russia provides free education for all its citizens as guaranteed by its Constitution, admittance into a post-secondary higher education institution is extremely competitive. Because the Russian governmental sector is responsible for regulating the educational system there is a strong emphasis on earning degrees in technological and scientific fields of study. Students wishing to major in these fields should have advanced competency in their chosen subject areas as well as excellent grades in order to be accepted into a Russian university.

In addition to allocating funding for student tuition fees, Russia also pays overseas students a small stipend and provides free housing for them as well. The country has also eliminated a lot of red tape that is used to prevent or delay foreign students from attending a Russian university. Now that the application system is more streamlined, students who have attended American, German, Danish, Chinese, Italian, and Japanese universities will experience minimal to no issues in regards to transferring to a Russian university.

Russia is currently in the process of switching its traditional higher education degree model to one that is much more compatible with Western-type academic degrees. In 2003, Russia signed the Bologna Declaration which paved the way for the government to enact a law that removed its old, five-year degree model to one that resembles the U.S. degree system --the four-year bachelor's degree followed by a master's degree.

Popular Russian Universities

The largest and oldest universities in Russia are the Saint Petersburg State University and the Moscow State University. During the 2000s, the government initiated a program that established "federal" universities by merging higher education institutions that already existed and allocating special funding grants to them. Some of these newer universities include Kazan Volga Federal University, Siberian Federal University, and North-Eastern Federal University.

Attending a University in Russia

Since the majority of Russian universities teach classes in Russian, students should at least have a rudimentary knowledge of the language prior to applying to a university. It is mandatory for all foreign students to take a Russian language course as part of their curriculum unless they can prove they do not need it.

International students can work part-time while enrolled in a degree program. Be aware that employers of international students must have a special license that shows they are allowed to hire foreign students before students can legally work for them.

Applying to a Russian university requires the submission of the following documents:

  • Application form indicating the desired field of study
  • Certified copy of a diploma or other educational certificate indicating the student is eligible to enroll in a higher education program
  • An authorized health certificate and copy of an HIV blood test result issued by a health insurance company that is accredited by the Russian Consulate
  • Certified copy of a birth certificate
  • 4 x 6 sized passport photos (include at least six of these photos)

Why Study in Russia?

Russia's higher education system is rigorous, competitive, and recognized globally for its degrees that consistently have high UNESCO and WHO ratings. To specifically attract international students, Russian universities provide 100 percent tuition fee concessions as well as generous scholarships. In addition, Russia is a fascinating, diverse, and historically influential country that offers foreign students a wealth of new and enriching experiences.

Visa Requirements

  1. Russian Student Visa - Valid for study in any Russian college or university or for any short-term courses.
  2. Russian Humanitarian Visa – For those travelling to Russia to engage in post-doctoral research or to attend academic seminars. Valid for up to a year for purposes including those related to science or culture. (PLEASE NOTE: All further information is on Russian student visa.)

What type of Visa do you need?

Visa name

Russian Student Visa; Russian Humanitarian Visa

Price and currency

The fees required for Russian student visa vary according to the country that issued the passport to the student, and whether you opt for standard or express service. As an example, Russian student visa costs for a UK citizen start at GBP 165. However, note that your application fee will not be refunded if your application for a student visa is refused or rejected for any reason.

Who can apply for the visa?

Citizens from most foreign countries will need a visa to study in Russia. Citizens from Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries do not need a visa: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan plus the autonomous regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. If you are a citizen of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan or Ukraine you don’t need a visa but you do need a valid passport. If you’re a citizen of Abkhazia, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Southern Ossetia, Tajikistan or Uzbekistan you can come to Russia to study without a passport or visa.

Where can you make the application?

Russian Embassy or consulate / authorized visa centers

For citizens of countries that need a visa to enter, a Russian student visa will need to be obtained before traveling to Russia. You must apply through the Russian Embassy or consulate in your home country. There are also authorized visa centers in some countries.

Website:

How to make the application?

Before applying, you need to be accepted onto a course at a university so you can get an official invitation to come to Russia to study. Once you have an invitation, it is valid for three months. Then, to apply for your Russian student visa, you need to visit the Russian embassy or consulate in your home country and submit all the necessary documentation. Please note: You must get your visa registered within seven days of your entry in Russia. In case of student visas, it is normally the inviting party (University or College or Language School or Institute) that arranges for the visa registration of the students. After your registration is done, you will be provided with a proof of your visa registration, which you must retain carefully till you exit the country.

In order to apply for a student visa to Russian, you must submit a completed visa application form, original national passport (and copy of the front page), one standard picture, Money Order, original letter of invitation from your Russian host organization, original negative HIV blood test (AIDS) certificate (not older than 3 months). The national passport has to be valid for not less than one and a half-year.

When should you apply?

You can start the visa application process 45 days prior to the planned date of arrival in Russia. The processing time can be lengthy, taking from two to five weeks. The student visa is initially issued for 90 days but can be extended to a year and then renewed after that for the duration of the study.

Processing time

5 Weeks

Work opportunities

If you have a Russian student visa, you will require a work permit from the Federal Migration Service (FMS) unless this work is undertaken during the holidays or at the institution or organization where you are studying. You will only be issued with a permit to work if you are a full-time student at a state-accredited university and at least 18 years old. The permit will only allow you to work in the field or profession set out in the permit and in the city or region of your university. The cost of a work permit for those on a Russian study visa is RUB 3,500 (USD 60). If you leave your university course, the work permit will be canceled and you will no longer be able to work in Russia.

Hours per week

0

Why do you need this type of visa?

If you present false documents for your student visa or hide or misrepresent facts in your application. You may be denied entry into Russia on a student visa if you are HIV-positive.

News and Articles

Make Your Research Global – Study in Russia!

Oct 2, 2023

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