Russia offers one of the most unique educational experiences for undergraduate international students at a fraction of the cost of most European countries. Aside from the relatively affordable cost of living, studying bachelor’s in Russia is also more affordable. Annual tuition fees for Bachelor’s in Russia can range from as low as $1,475 to $11,964. Because of the vibrant opportunities for high-quality education at affordable prices, Russia ranks 6th with the most international students enrolled in higher education institutions.
Russia is a European country that has the largest landmass in the world. It borders Eastern European countries of Finland, Norway, Estonia, Poland, and many more as well as Northern Asian Countries of China, Mongolia, and North Korea.
In this article, we will be looking at the processes and requirements for applying for a bachelor’s degree in Russia!
Application Requirements for Applying For Bachelor’s in Russia
General requirements for Russian universities include submitting several documents. This includes your certification from a secondary education institution signifying that you are eligible to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree.
Another standard requirement for international students to study for bachelor’s in Russia is a student visa. Students who are nationals of countries from certain countries can enter Russia without a student visa. With this said, they need to re-enter Russia after the prescribed allotted time. Because of this exhaustive requirement, it is advised for international students to secure a Russian visa if they intend to pursue higher-level education.
Aside from this, international students coming into Russia need to have two sets of medical certificates. These medical certificates must state that they are healthy and free of disease. A copy of the required medical certificates will also be requested by the universities upon applying for admissions.
Check Also: Programs in Europe for International Students
Bachelor’s Degree Language Requirements for Russia
Full undergraduate programs in Russia are taught in Russian. International applicants who wish to obtain a bachelor’s degree in Russia that have limited knowledge of the language or are just starting to gain proficiency are required to attend a preparatory department.
Unlike language requirements in most European universities, Russian universities do not require a language exam. Instead, international students need only to attend a preparatory department where they will study Russian while they take up relevant classes in the curriculum of their degree. This pre-university education will be completed after at least one academic year.
Additionally, international students will learn relevant teams and lexicons related to their field of interest.
For international students that know how to speak Russian. There is a test called the Test of Russian as a Foreign Language (TORFL) that they need to pass.
Some Universities offer English-taught courses but these are limited to only a handful.
How to Apply for Bachelor’s Programs in Russia
Requirements for applying for a Bachelor’s in Russia can vary depending on the university and course. Russian universities are known for their focus on specific fields.
Most of the leading universities in Russia such as the Lomonosov Moscow State University, Saint Petersburg University, Tomsk State University, have generally the same guidelines for application
1. Finding the Right Course and University
There are legitimate websites dedicated to helping international students find undergraduate opportunities in Russia. Aside from this and having a comprehensive guide on the steps to study in Russia, they also provide resources for scholarships and opportunities for funding.
Finding the right course and university can also be done directly from the websites of the universities.
2. Applying for Admissions
Applying for admissions will require prospective undergraduate students to complete an online application form. Some universities require entrance exams for all applicants who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Russia in their undergraduate programs. Tomsk State University and Lomonosov Moscow State University require entrance exams.
St. Petersburg University and other universities do not have required entrance exams. With this said, universities will look into the applicant’s portfolio or CV. Submission of the general application form and submission of standard documents are required.
3. Submission of Required Documents
Documents and materials usually include the student’s official high school diploma, the official transcript of records, and other educational certificates. Additionally, a medical certificate indicating that the student is free of disease is required. A copy of their passport and an ID picture needs to also be submitted.
Aside from official or certified copies of the documents, a notarized translation of these documents is also required if you want to apply for a bachelor’s degree in Russia. Universities have a comprehensive step-by-step guide that includes all the documents their applicants need to submit. Check the admissions page of the university of your interest to get the details needed.
If you are applying for a university through websites that organize educational opportunities for international students, your submission of documents will be coursed through them and will be sent out to the universities you have applied for.
St. Petersburg University also has a set of required documents to pass if there is an applicant who would like to apply for a scholarship from the Russian government.
4. Securing a Student Visa
After necessary documents and exams have been passed, it is time to wait to get accepted. A student visa is among the major requirements to apply for undergraduate studies in Russia. The official acceptance letter from the Russian university is needed to apply for a student visa.
There are helpful and resources available online. You may view these official websites to guide you on your application for a Russian Student Visa. The following documents and requirements are as follows.
- Original Passport
- Official Acceptance Letter from the university
- Student Visa Application Form
- Photographe of Applicant
- Medical Certificate
- HIV-negative status Certificate
If the applicant is under the age of 18, written parental consent for travel is required. This parental consent must also be notarized.
5. Enrollment and Arriving in Russia
Once you have secured your student visa, it is time for enrollment. International students who will study bachelor’s degree in Russia must coordinate with their university’s International Affairs Department regarding the validity of their stay. Coordinating with the International Affairs Department will help to ensure that the proper process of visa extension is followed.
The Russian student visa will be extended by the General Administration for Migration Issues in Russia. There are departments in Russian universities that aid international students
We hope that this article on Study Bachelor’s in Russia was helpful. Check also the Available Programs for International Students to learn more about studying in Europe.
