25 Best Universities In Saint Petersburg For International Students 2025

Saint Petersburg is surely one of the places you should be considering if you’re looking to study in Russia. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 28 universities and colleges in Saint Petersburg, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 28 universities in Saint Petersburg, Saint Petersburg State University and ITMO University are the top-performing schools in Saint Petersburg. This list covers both public and private institutions in Saint Petersburg.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in Saint Petersburg. 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 Saint Petersburg.

How do I get admission to the best universities in Saint Petersburg?

Applying to the universities in Saint Petersburg 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 Saint Petersburg to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in Saint Petersburg?

Tuition fees at Saint Petersburg’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 185,000 RUB to 496,700 RUB , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 193,700 RUB to 1,381,700 RUB. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Saint Petersburg!

As we cover the best universities in Saint Petersburg 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 Saint Petersburg for International Students

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.

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.

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.

The service of the Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia has lasted for more than 200 years. To this day, the university continues to provide top-quality education through its Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral programs. Students have a wide variety of choices, amounting to around 1300 programs. Its academic infrastructure is composed of 7 faculties, 16 academic institutes, 5 research institutes, and 98 departments.

Saint Petersburg State Electrotechnical University has served the youth since 1886. The university offers Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs. These programs are handled by 7 faculties, which include the Faculty of Electronics and the Faculty of Computer Science and Technology. Research is an integral contribution of the university to the academic community. This is proven through its partner Research Centers and Institutes. Additionally, research projects are regularly conducted and published at Saint Petersburg State Electrotechnical University.

Saint Petersburg Mining University is a technical university in Saint Petersburg, Russia. It was founded in 1773 as the Mining School, and it was Russia’s first technical university. Later, it was renamed the Leningrad Mining Institute. Outstanding specialists, scientists, geologists, and politicians have graduated from the university, including Russia’s current president, Vladimir Putin.

The Saint Petersburg State University of Economics is committed to providing excellent specialized education in economics and finances while prioritizing internationalization. This university is focused on giving students real-world experiences through hands-on learning, which is why it collaborates with local businesses. Actually, many of its graduates are now leaders of major companies like Gazprom. Students are also a central part of the institution and often organize events like research contests and scientific conferences.

Founded during the height of World War II, St. Petersburg State University of Aerospace Instrumentation (SUAI) has proven its resilience and quality education since 1941. SUAI’s mission is to provide integrated educational opportunities, develop research, meet societal needs, train competent scholars, and inspire growth. Aside from this mission, SUAI has a policy dedicated to promising students quality education. Extra-curricular activities are also promoted through theater associations, musical groups, social clubs, and many more.

The European University at St. Petersburg is an institution of higher education that focuses on postgraduate studies and offers programs mostly centered on Russian history. This university is located in the heart of Saint Petersburg, Russia, and was established in 1994. The students who graduate from this university go on to become successful professionals in their respective fields.

The ​​Bonch-Bruevich Saint Petersburg State University of Telecommunications is a public university in Saint Petersburg, Russia. It was founded in 1930 as the Leningrad Institute of Communication Engineers. The university offers degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in communication, humanities, military education, information technologies, economics, computer science, advertising, and management through its eight faculties.

Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University is a public medical university in Saint Petersburg, Russia. It was founded in 1925 as the Institute for Protection of Maternity and Infancy and is the oldest independent pediatric university in the world. The university offers programs in the field of medicine, including medical science, pediatrics, clinical psychology, stomatology, and dentistry.

Baltic State Technical University “Voenmeh” is a place where technical creativity prospers, giving students a productive environment to pursue their scientific-related careers. The university is equipped with the resources and tools needed to keep up with the research activities of its future scientists. With constant innovation, the university has become a popular destination for students that are passionate about engineering, robotics, and mechanics, among others.

The Saint Petersburg State Institute of Technology is a public institution in Saint Petersburg, Russia. It was founded in 1828 as the Imperial Petersburg Institute of Technology and is considered one of the country’s oldest universities. The university currently provides degree programs in natural sciences, medicine, ecology, engineering, and public relations.

The St. Petersburg State Conservatory is a higher education institute of music that is located in Saint Petersburg, Russia. This university was formerly known as Petrograd Conservatory and Leningrad Conservatory, which started its educational path in the early year of 1862. It offers programs in vocal art, choreographic art, and musical and instrumental art.

Providing quality education for over a century, North-Western State Medical University is one of the oldest universities in Russia. It offers Bachelor’s, Specialist’s, Master’s, and Doctoral programs. Preparatory courses, Residency programs, and Summer and Winter School classes are also offered at the university. All programs and courses are specialized in Medical and Health related fields of study.

Admiral Makarov State University of Maritime and Inland Shipping is a public university specializing in maritime education. It was established in 2012 by the Russian Federation’s Ministry of Transport. The university has four institutes that offer degree programs: Maritime Academy, Institute of Water Transport, Institute of International Transport Management, and Professional Development Programs Institute.

The St. Petersburg State University of Industrial Technologies and Design is a small university that houses around 6,000 domestic and international students. The university, as it is stated by its name, is located in Saint Petersburg, and it is known for its long history in the educational field. This university is mostly focused on the fields of technology and design and offers a lot of dual degree programs.

The roots of St. Petersburg State Marine Technical University can be traced as far back as 1899 with the founding of St. Petersburg Polytechnic Institute. However, the university’s official founding only happened when only one department survived through wars and opened as Leningrad Shipbuilding Institute in 1930. It eventually became what it is now and continues to provide higher education for over 90 years. The university is currently open for Bachelor’s and Master’s degree students from in and outside of Russia.

The Saint Petersburg State University of Civil Aviation is a public aviation school in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The USSR government established it in Leningrad in 1955 as the High School of Civil Aviation. During its half-century of operation, the school has trained 25000 managers and highly qualified specialists for civil aviation, many of whom have made significant contributions to the industry.

Saint-Petersburg State Institute of Culture is a public university in Saint-Petersburg, Russia. It was founded in 1918 and is one of the largest institutions in the nation that focuses on the arts and culture. The university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in subjects including psychology, tourism, design, linguistics, sociology, folk singing, and other related fields. It is the top humanitarian and creative education institution in Russia.

St. Petersburg State Agrarian University was established in 1904 and is one of Russia’s oldest agricultural universities. The university is dedicated to training highly knowledgeable and skilled individuals who can penetrate and improve the local and regional agricultural sectors. It offers programs in various specializations related to agriculture such as agri-business, agricultural technology, and agricultural law. 

Russian State Institute of Performing Arts is a public theatre school in Saint Petersburg, Russia. It was founded in 1779 as the Emperor’s Theatre, the oldest theatre school in Russia. The institution has merged with several schools over the years, including the Ostrovsky Leningrad Theatre Institute and the Leningrad Institute of Art History. With over 1550 students, it is currently Europe’s largest professional theatre school.

Saint Petersburg State Chemical Pharmaceutical University is a public university in Saint Petersburg, Russia. It was founded in 1919 as the Petrograd State Chemical-Pharmaceutical Institute, which was notorious for its high drop-out rate. Since then, the university has been reinvented, and it now offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in drug technology, pharmacy, and chemistry.

St. Petersburg University of Management Technologies and Economics is a private university in Saint Petersburg, Russia. It was founded in 1990 and is one of the largest universities providing European education in Russia. The university offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs in business, finance, economics, management, social sciences, and law. 

Saint-Petersburg State Institute of Film and Television has the honor of being Russia’s first cinematography university. With more than a century of experience, it is a premier institute and trailblazer in mass media and communication. The bachelor’s, master’s, and specialist programs it offers encompass mass media’s diversity, from film to television. Even behind-the-scenes courses, like scriptwriting and audiovisual engineering, are taught at the institute, so students get well-rounded and quality training.