How to Study in Irkutsk for International Students

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Irkutsk, one of the beautiful cities in Russia, is a city that needs to be considered when planning on studying abroad. Here, you can immerse yourself in a rich local culture and learn about its history and the factors that make it unique.

When it comes to the choices that are available, Irkutsk currently has 4 universities, from which 4 universities are a part of the public sector and 0 universities are private institutions.

In case you are not just searching for a place to study, but you are trying to be a part of the best schools available, you have several choices, such as Irkutsk State University and Irkutsk National Research Technical University.

Being able to study in Irkutsk as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in Irkutsk, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!

1. Cost of Studying in Irkutsk

The cost of your studies in Irkutsk may vary depending on various factors such as your degree, program, and chosen university. In Irkutsk, the average tuition fee for international students is 134,800 RUB.

Here are some of the universities here with their tuition fees for bachelor's and master's degrees:

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
Irkutsk National Research Technical University 142,200 RUB - 281,000 RUB 173,400 RUB - 200,000 RUB
Irkutsk State University 140,000 RUB - 193,200 RUB 149,600 RUB - 170,300 RUB
Baikal State University 122,000 RUB - 122,800 RUB 135,000 RUB

If you're looking for an affordable school to enter in Irkutsk, check out our article on cheapest universities in Irkutsk for international students.

Aside from tuition fees, you also need to consider other costs like your accommodation, travel, and daily expenses. It's a good thing to compute these costs beforehand to make sure that you have enough budget for your studies.

2. Requirements to Study in Irkutsk for International Students

Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Irkutsk, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.

Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.

In Irkutsk, English and Russian are the languages of instruction. If you’re looking to study in any of the academic institutions here, you might need to prove language proficiency by taking standardized tests, such as TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo for English. Depending on the institution and the language of instruction for your program, you might also have to prove your language proficiency by submitting TORFL/ТРКИ for Russian.

To give you an idea, here are some universities in Irkutsk and their required minimum scores for each program level.

Irkutsk National Research Technical University

Bachelor’s degree

Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.

Application Procedure to Study in Irkutsk

The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Irkutsk have online applications available on their websites, like Irkutsk State University and Irkutsk National Research Technical University. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Irkutsk.

Irkutsk State University

Irkutsk National Research Technical University

Baikal State University

Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.

After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!

The admission process in Irkutsk differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.

The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in Irkutsk.

The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.

4. Visa Application for International Students in Irkutsk

If you’re going to study in Irkutsk, you will need to apply for a student visa in Russia

In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in Russia. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a Student Visa. Student Visa.

To start your student visa application in Irkutsk, you will need to present the following:

  1. International passport and copy of identity page
  2. Official entry invitation to Russia
  3. Application form
  4. Photograph
  5. HIV-negative status certificate

Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in Russia is 3032 RUB for Single Entry, 8232 RUB for Multiple Entry.

After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:

  1. Consult with the nearest embassy or consulate about country-specific requirements to apply for a student visa.
  2. Submit complete application requirements at least 45 days before the planned arrival date in Russia.
  3. Wait for the application decision and receive your student visa once approved.

For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.

That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in Irkutsk. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!

2 Comments

    • No, there isn't for any degree for the vast majority of the universities. I've never personally heard of one