25 Best Universities In Russia For International Students 2024

If you are looking to study in Russia, you are surely making a great choice. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 329 universities and colleges in Russia, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 329 universities in Russia, Moscow State University and National Research University Higher School of Economics are the top-performing schools in Russia. This list covers both public and private institutions in Russia.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in Russia. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in Russia.

How do I get admission to the best universities in Russia?

Applying to the universities in Russia involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in Russia to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in Russia?

Tuition fees at Russia’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 0 RUB to 1,044,700 RUB , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 0 RUB to 1,381,700 RUB. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Russia!

As we cover the best universities in Russia for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in Russia for International Students

Moscow State University is one of the largest public universities in Moscow, Russia. This university is the cornerstone of formal higher education, and it provides education to close to 40,000 students. Some of the most attended programs are in the fields of economics, politics, and finance, where students gain real-world experience that may help them in their careers.

The National Research University Higher School of Economics, or otherwise known as HSE University, is one of the best universities of higher education in the capital city of Russia. This institution has one of the largest campuses in the country that houses approximately 50,000 students and can provide them with all the necessary equipment for them to have the best possible experience.

Regarded as the longest-running university in Russia, Saint Petersburg State University is one of the country’s most renowned public universities. Besides delivering quality education in various academic fields, Saint Petersburg State University is known for its student-friendly campus as they are located in one of Russia’s best cities. 

International students are warmly welcomed on their campus as they foster a diverse atmosphere for these students. Interestingly, these students are provided with various services as they adapt to their new country.

RUDN University is one of the best universities in the capital city of Russia and is known as The People’s Friendship University of Russia. This higher education institution is mostly known for the high number of international students attracted to this university’s high ranking. The university is ranked among the world’s top 500 universities, which speaks volumes about the level of study this university provides.

The National Research Nuclear University MEPhI is one of the world’s most prestigious universities in its field and the perfect place for candidates that would like to specialize in nuclear technology. It focuses on fostering innovation, creativity, and internationalization. The university is known for its wide and highly specialized degree offer and its outstanding research performance. It has multiple institutes that develop studies in areas like nanoengineering, cyber-physical systems, and plasma technologies. These projects are completed in state-of-the-art facilities that include a research nuclear reactor and an accelerator.

The National University of Science and Technology MISIS started as a mining academy and then became a steel institute. Over time, it expanded its course offer and modernized its facilities, but it’s still widely known for its programs in metallurgy and mining. Nowadays, the university has six campuses, 8 academic colleges, and multiple research institutes. They also have cutting-edge specialized laboratories in fields such as nanomaterials, cryoelectronic systems, biophysics, casting technologies, and much more!

I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University or usually referred to as Sechenov University was founded in 1758, making it the oldest medical school in Russia. It was initially the medical faculty of the Imperial Moscow University and eventually became independent in 1930. At present, the university has more than 18,000 total enrollment and offers undergraduate to Ph.D. programs in Medicine, Sciences, and Professional Education.

Frequently ranked among the top universities in Russia, the Novosibirsk State University (NSU) boasts excellent academic instruction, innovative research, and an outstanding faculty that includes leading scientists among its members. It is located in Novosibirsk, a city dubbed as the scientific center of Russia, putting students at the forefront of scientific innovation and discovery. While the university is best known for its programs in the scientific field, NSU also offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in the arts and social sciences.

ITMO University is one of the most distinguished universities in the region of Saint Petersburg. This university was founded approximately 122 years ago and is one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the country. The aim of the university has not changed at all throughout this long period of time, and it still remains to help and support local students in order to create a better and well-educated society.

Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology was established over 60 years ago with a mission to provide high-level training to future leaders in science, physics, and technology. The university collaborates with research organizations and IT companies within and outside the country for students to enhance their skills and increase their employment prospects in the global labor market. Programs at the university are taught by several accomplished scientists and experts in their chosen disciplines. 

Founded in 1878, Tomsk State University is the first academic institution for college education in the Siberian region. Programs at the university are driven by research and are designed to guide students toward their academic, personal, and spiritual development. The university’s activities are also geared towards providing opportunities for practical industrial experience and playing a more active role in tackling contemporary issues faced by the region. 

Ural Federal University is one of the Ural region’s oldest and best academic institutions that consistently appears in multiple global university rankings. It was established in 1920 to bridge the gap between academics and industries with the goal of building a sustainable society. The university has over 160 research laboratories where innovative research projects are being conducted headed by the top researchers from around the world.

Tracing its roots in 1804, Kazan Federal University has built its reputation in providing top-quality education and research. As they build a strong community of learners in the field, they aim to produce quality graduates in various academic fields. Currently, there are more than 50,000 students in the university and various student services are available to them.

The Tomsk Polytechnic University is one of the most famous public institutions in the region of Tomsk, Russia. This university is ranked among the top 1,000 universities by all the prestigious ranking websites, and it plans to improve its ranking even more in the future. There are a lot of departments available for study in this institution where students can choose from the basic directions of law up to the most advanced studies in the fields of physics and astronomy.

The South Ural State University is one of the oldest higher education universities in the country and was founded in 1943 in the region of Chelyabinsk, Russia. This university offers all levels of study and provides studies in the fields of science, language, and art. The aim for the future is to increase its ranking even more in the future so it can attract even more international students to its facilities.

The Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University is one of the most innovative institutions in the area. This institution is recognized internationally for its innovative teaching techniques that are in cooperation with practical values. It is also worth noting that this university offers reasonable tuition fee prices for both domestic and international students and will provide the most talented and promising students with scholarships in order to help with their academic advancement.

Ranked among the best universities in Russia and the world, the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation is a specialized institution that aims at contributing to the country’s economic development and financial transformation. This is a prestigious university known for being the educational home of many important Russian figures including prominent politicians, millionaires, and CEOs of important companies. It focuses on providing hands-on learning and encouraging critical thinking by using methods like case studies, discussions, and financial projects. It also has partnerships with governmental bodies and major businesses in order to offer workshops, academic collaborations, and internship opportunities.

The Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration is a very young institution of higher education located in the capital city of Russia. This university has grown in popularity in the region, and it now has over 46,000 students studying in various fields. Despite its youth, this university is ranked among the top 801 universities in the world by the prestigious QS World University Rankings.

Bauman University is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Russia. It specializes in education and research in applied sciences and engineering. The university boasts excellent programs for all levels of higher education and is home to some of the most advanced scientific laboratories and facilities in the country.

The Southern Federal University is one of the leading higher education institutions in the southern region of Russia. It offers over 200 programs and has around 20 English-taught degree options that are perfectly tailored for international students. Besides academics, it also heavily focuses on developing research projects in areas like IT, medicine, and nanotechnology.

The Moscow State Institute of International Relations is one of the most prestigious and elite universities in Russia and the world, making it the perfect place for studying anything related to diplomacy, economics, international affairs, or languages. This institution strives for internationalization, which is why it has partnerships with multiple universities worldwide with which it offers dozens of double and triple degrees. It has different research institutes that develop studies in diplomacy, governance, energy policy, and global matters. Additionally, it constantly collaborates with international organizations and local governmental bodies.

Siberian Federal University is a federal university in one of Russia’s largest cities, Krasnoyarsk. Founded in 2006, the university has been home to some 26,000 students, with over 300 international enrollments. The university offers bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. programs, mostly in Science, Engineering, and Technology fields, although students may also opt for Arts and Humanities programs, such as History and Design.

Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU) is a public educational institution in Vladivostok that is recognized as one of the top 20 universities in Russia and the top 500 in the world. The university strives to nurture human resources equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to make them frontrunners in their chosen careers. FEFU also invests greatly in conducting research to keep its programs updated with the latest industry trends and to contribute to the development of Russia and other nations from the Asia-Pacific region.

Voronezh State University was founded in 1918 and is one of the region’s oldest and largest research universities. The university aims to develop globally competitive human resources and conduct impactful scientific research that would help make people’s lives better. The university also has over 120 partner universities as well as numerous partner companies around the world to conduct international study, research, and internship programs. 

N.R.U. Moscow Power Engineering Institute is a public technical university in Moscow with a prominent reputation for producing outstanding scientists and engineers for more than 90. It is also one of the most sought-after universities for aspiring engineers from around the world. The university also has numerous cooperation agreements with foreign universities and companies for its students and faculty to participate in different international programs and activities.