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Degree Programs in Russia Degree programs at Russian universities are becoming more and more appealing as costs continue to escalate back at home and as more and more professionals trained in Russia successfully test their skills in the West. An SRAS consultant can assist you with navigating the Russian educational system and point out how study in Russia may fit into your academic and professional goals. The questions most often faced by students who are considering earning a degree abroad, and particularly in what may be a new destination for many, are the following: Admissions requirements Transferability and degree types Degree Recognition Costs Fields of study Other personal considerations We have supplied information below for students to consider concering these issues.     I have questions about... Housing Airfare Visas Budget Safety SRAS Fin. Aid Credit Xfer Applying Other Direct Enrolment Fee:  Full Academic Year (up to 10 months) - Cost: $1875 Includes visa and registration, health and accident insurance, enrollment costs, consultation during the course selection process, pre-departure safety and orientation guides, access to SRAS cultural events, and full SRAS support during your stay. After first year of study, you may elect to continue without SRAS support, or to purchase insurance only. Note that some Russian universities may require additionally that you purchase their own insurance policy. All prices subject to change without notice. Program options and cost-of-living estimates. Admissions Requirements  Admission to degree programs is almost exclusively limited to the Fall semester. If all technical documentation (see below for details) is in order, admission is dependent mainly on slots available for foreign students.  More competitive faculties may require an interview. At the moment, this competition as it applies to foreign students who meet all other technical requirements, has been applied primarily in areas such as law and economics at the top Russian universities. Admissions are fairly standard among Russian universities and include the following: Prerequisites: For undergraduate study, you should have a high school diploma.  It is important to note that applicants for advanced degrees (M.A./M.Sc., Ph.D., D.Sc.) must have their prior degree in the same field. This is a more strict requirement than in some other countries, including the United States. Depending on school and faculty, academic accomplishments may be weighed more or less heavily.  Verification of Health: This is generally limited to an HIV-test, but can include several others, depending on the university, area of the country, and other factors.  Your SRAS representative will let you know what certificates and tests you will need.   Language requirements: In all cases, you must pass the Test of Russian as a Foreign Language (TORFL). This test may be taken upon arrival in Russia. Most students take a full-year UPC prior to matriculation. This is almost always required for non-humanities study. Greater leniency is possible in the humanities, as most students of Russian have already concentrated in that area. If you have studied Russian extensively (at least six semesters at university level) and plan to enter a humanities program, it may be possible to either take only one semester of UPC or only a few supplemental language classes parallel to degree studies. ***Note: Special rules apply to citizens of foreign countries who hold Russian passports.  Please contact SRAS for more information if this applies to you.  Transferability and degree types As more and more Russians study and work abroad, the questions regarding transferability of their education are diminishing rapidly. Most Russian universities have also switched over to a more international system of the four-year BA and two-year MA degrees rather than the previous "Specialist" degree, which was a 5-year program. Many universities have retained the "Specialist" degree as well, particularly in programs such as law. Degree recognition You should not face any difficulties with degree recognition in your home country. Many will try to tell you otherwise, however, so you should think carefully about how you plan to use your degree. Russians very rarely have trouble translating their degree to the west, so why should you? Russian-educated physicists, chemists, and programmers are actively recruited for work outside of Russia, both in industry and academia. If you are interested in work directly related to Russia, study in both Russia and in your home country could add up to some impressive credentials if planned carefully. Research the professional circle you plan to enter and discuss your idea to see if there are any “political,” logistic, or other issues that would discourage you from obtaining your degree abroad in Russia. In particular, make sure you do your research for "regulated" fields such as medicine; if you plan to work at home, you will need to reintegrate into the system and take the required exams. Feel free to discuss your concerns with an SRAS consultant at any time. Costs Of course, one of the great attractions of education in Russia is the cost, especially compared to the quality. Degree study tuition can range from $1500 to $8000 per year, with other costs (room & board, books, etc.) ranging from $1500 to $5000 per year, depending on location and spending habits. Included in this range are universities ranked highly internationally. Fields of study Of course, there is no sense in studying the Spanish language or US history in Russia. However, there are many areas of study in Russian universities which are competitive internationally. Science, engineering, mathematics, international relations, law, economics, medicine are just some of these. At the graduate level, it is also worth considering history, philology and other humanities studies as a component of your academic career. Other personal considerations Making the decision to study overseas for an extended period involves a lot of considerations. The vast majority are positive, such as learning another culture and language and becoming part of a select number of truly international candidates in the job market. The risk of course is that you just don't like it - and just as when you are choosing a university in your own country, we advise visiting Russia first. Application deadline:  Students applying for degree studies should apply by May 1 of the same year. print this page email this page