17 Best Public Universities in Minsk for International Students
Minsk is one of the cities in Belarus you should look into if you want to study in a public university. Besides providing a path towards your academic goals, studying in Minsk can give you valuable insights into its people and the local culture. You can also enjoy various activities here to make your studies abroad all worth it.
There are 22 universities you can find in Minsk, and 17 of them are public universities. Having these many choices makes Minsk a great place for international students.
In this article, you’ll find out the public universities in Minsk, with some added information on programs, tuition, and how many international students you’ll be studying with. Let’s get started!
Public Universities in Minsk
1. Belarusian State University
Belarusian State University (BSU), an elite higher education institution in Belarus, is considered the country’s first public university. BSU takes full responsibility for reshaping students’ futures during their formative years. This influential school has, in fact, generated leaders and experts in various fields who have been instrumental in the development of Belarusian society.
2. Belarusian National Technical University
Belarusian National Technical University (BNTU), established in 1920, is the leading technical university in Belarus. Located in Minsk, the university offers programs at all levels, focusing on technical subjects, including various engineering specializations, architecture, and management. Thus, it is hardly a surprise that BNTU is a top technical and engineering education destination with a heavy emphasis on research and innovation.
3. Belarusian State Medical University
The history of Belarusian State Medical University can be traced back to 1921 when it was established and was still known as the Medical Faculty of Belarusian State University. Less than a decade later, it became an independent institution known as Belarusian Medical Institute. After that, it was renamed twice, with the second initiative resulting in its current title. Its optimal location in the capital city and status as the leading medical university of Belarus allows the university to attract many domestic and international students.
4. Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics
The Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics (BSUIR) is a state-funded institution recognized for its involvement in science and technology. BSUIR focuses on providing advanced tertiary-level education in computer science and radio electronics, lectured by the best educators in their respective fields. Aside from offering a wide spectrum of opportunities, the institute also invests in technologies and modern facilities, applies practiced-based learning, and participates in research studies guaranteeing that only the best education is provided as well as to satisfy the overall academic experience of its students.
5. Belarusian State Technological University
Belarusian State Technological University was established in 1930 as a forestry institute in Gomel. Over the years, it was moved to different cities and renamed many times before being finally transferred to Minsk in 1946. The institute officially received the status of ‘University’ in 1993 and expanded the range of its educational programs. Today, it offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. programs across various specialties and is especially recognized for its training in forestry, chemical, and printing industries.
6. Belarusian State Pedagogical University named after Maxim Tank
Belarusian State Pedagogical University named after Maxim Tank’s history can be traced back to 1914 with the establishment of the Minsk Teachers Institute. It was reorganized many times before being finally transformed into Belarusian State Pedagogical University (BSPU) in 1993. Today, the university, which sits in the capital city of Minsk, offers several undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs encompassing various specialties.
7. Belarusian State Economic University
Established in 1933 as the Institute of National Economy in Minsk, Belarus State Economic University is one of the country’s oldest higher education institutions. Over its first years, the university underwent different name changes, survived and recovered from the damages of the tumultuous war years in the early 1940s, and achieved several milestones. Today, the university is one of the country’s leading higher education providers in Economics, offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs in economics, finance, law, and management.
8. Minsk State Linguistic University
Minsk State Linguistic University, established in 1948, is a leading provider of higher education in the field of linguistics. It offers professional training in several languages and academic areas, with programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. Through its wide range of programs, the university trains specialists to meet professional needs in the fields of linguistics, philology, humanities, and foreign-language teaching.
9. Belarusian State Agrarian Technical University
Belarusian State Agrarian Technical University was established in 1954 as the Belarusian Institute of Mechanization and Electrification of Agriculture. Since then, the institute has expanded and developed to include agriculture-related programs in different fields including engineering, technology, mechanics, and business. The institute was constituted as Belarusian State Agrarian Technical University in 2000, and today trains undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students in a range of specialties.
10. Belarusian State University of Physical Culture
11. Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs
The Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus has a history that can be traced back to 1958, with the establishment of the Minsk branch of the distance learning faculty of the Higher School of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the USSR. It received its current name in 1995. Today, the academy offers university-type higher education, offering undergraduate and graduate programs in a range of disciplines. Graduates of the institute work in different parts of the country, occupying different roles in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, recognized with state awards and titles.
12. Belarusian State University of Culture and Arts
Initially established in 1975 as the Belarusian Institute of Culture, the Belarusian State University of Culture and Arts (BSUCA) has developed into a repository of Belarusian culture and arts. The university received its current name in 2004 after reorganizing all its faculties and departments to meet modern educational demands. Its upgrade from an institute to a full-fledged university was in response to the increasing level of facilities present in the institution. As of the year 2000, the university received an art gallery and a Youth Theatre stage.
13. Belarusian State Academy of Music
Based in Minsk, the Belarusian State Academy of Music (BGAM) is the premier institution of higher learning for music and folklore in Belarus. The development of the academy is inextricably linked with the history and growth of the Belarusian music culture. It has produced most of the prominent composers and musicians in the country and has continued to display excellence in music and performing arts.
14. Belarusian State Academy of Arts
The history of the Belarusian State Academy of Arts can be traced back to the establishment of a theater institute in Minsk in 1945. Since then, it has expanded and opened departments in other arts. Today, it offers undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate courses in a variety of arts and cultural fields. Graduates of the institute are exceptional artists who have gained recognition within the country as well as internationally, and make impressive contributions to society, arts, and culture.
15. Graduate School of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus
The Graduate School of the National Academy of Sciences was established in 2001 in the capital city of Minsk. It is a young but growing institute, opened as a part of the National Academy of Sciences. A leading center for science education and research, this state educational institution offers graduate and doctoral programs in a variety of fields.
16. Belarusian State Academy of Communications
The Belarusian State Academy of Communications was established by the country’s Ministry of Communications and Informatization in 1993 as the Higher College of Communication, which combined four existing educational institutes in Minsk and Vitebsk. The institute received its current name and accreditation in 2015. Belarusian State Academy of Communications aims to produce well-qualified specialists, educate students in the spirit of patriotism and humanism, and meet the needs of individual and social development.
17. Belarusian State Academy of Aviation
The Belarusian State Academy of Aviation’s history can be traced to the development of the aviation sector in the former USSR, where it helped produce technical experts for aircraft deployment and repairs. It is a public institution in Minsk, Belarus specializing in aviation and air transport. The university trains both civilian air transport specialists and military aviation experts. It is one of the Belarusian government’s institutions responsible for training its airforce pilots and air technical staff.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can International Students Study in Public Universities in Minsk?
Absolutely! International students in public universities in Minsk can pursue different program levels, but the most popular ones are bachelor’s and master’s programs.
As for tuition fees, note that these vary across specific disciplines and program levels, with some charging significantly more than others. Specifically, public universities in Minsk charge up to 18,300 BYN for bachelor’s and 19,600 BYN for master’s studies.
I hope this article can help you in your search for public universities in Minsk. Feel free to check out the Available Programs for International Students to learn more about studying abroad.