Certain groups of foreigners, Russians living abroad and immigrants can apply for state scholarships on the same terms as Russian citizens once they pass entrance exams or Uniform State Examination (EGE). Moreover, every year Russian government provides so-called ‘state-funded spots’ at universities to international applicants. In 2020, 15,000 such spots were granted.
International students (university graduates) who are completing internships in programmes of additional vocational education (professional training or career advancement) do not receive a maintenance allowance, but do receive accommodation in the dormitory of their university. Allocation of quotas is carried out by Rossotrudnichestvo (The Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation) through its international network of offices, as well as through embassies of Russia abroad.
The government scholarship includes:
- free tuition for the entire duration of the chosen programme;
- maintenance allowance (for the entire duration of study regardless of the candidate’s success). In 2020, an average scholarship amounted to 1,484 roubles a month (approximately USD 22);
- dormitory accommodation (if available).
The government scholarship does not include:
- travel costs;
- living expenses;
- voluntary health insurance policy.
HOW TO APPLY FOR A GOVERNMENT SCHOLARSHIP
Step 1 – Find information about the selection of international applicants on the website shikshaview.com
Step 2 – Contact the united operator* in your country and get information about available scholarships and fields of study.
The number of state-funded places for international students allocated to a country depends on the nature of its cooperation with Russia. Some countries have agreements defining not only the number of funded places, but subjects as well.
*An operator in a foreign country is:
- A representative office of Rossotrudnichestvo; OR
- A representative of Rossotrudnichestvo at the Embassy of Russia;
- OR A Russian Embassy.
Step 3 – Register on the website, fill out an electronic form and submit your application.
Please indicate:
- Personal information (full name, date of birth, country of residence, e-mail and contact telephone number – you will receive updates about the status of your application);
- Profession, specialization or field of study you are applying for (you can change this information at any time before you have completed the relevant tests);
- Level of your current education;
- Level of Russian.
You can choose up to six universities where you would like to study (from those universities available within the quota), but no more than three in one Federal Constituency; in Moscow and St. Petersburg – no more than two in each city. Indicate the university you like most of all as your first choice and list other schools in descending order according to your preferences.
You will also need to study abroad:
- A copy of your passport (must be valid for at least 18 months from the date of your planned arrival in Russia) or a copy of your birth certificate;
- Copies of documents/certificates confirming your current level of education and/or qualification received in a foreign state. All of the above can be submitted in hard copy to the united operator.
Step 4 – Wait for an invitation to participate in the selection process (interviews, tests, examinations).
Depending on the country, the operator can publish the schedule of interviews, tests and examinations on its website or e-mail you directly. Please address your enquiries regarding this stage to the office of the operator in your country. The tests and examinations are organized by a working group that will issue a list of results containing information about all participants and their scores.
Step 5 – Find yourself on the list of candidates (based on the results of tests/examinations).
This information will be published on the official website of the united operator in your country or can be mailed directly to the applicants (please confirm this in the relevant representative office of Rossotrudnichestvo).
Applicants who do not know Russian to a degree sufficient for study in their chosen subject are enrolled in a preparatory department. They spend one year studying Russian, as well as several general education disciplines (Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, etc.) depending on the chosen field of study. Applicants, who pass the final examinations, receive the right to continue their studies in their chosen subject. The prospective students who do not pass their exams, lose their right to free tuition.
Step 6 – If you are on the list of candidates, please prepare additional documents.
- A doctor’s certificate (medical certificate) confirming that there are no medical reasons not to accept you to a Russian university, including the results of an HIV test;
- Copies of documents (notarized and translated into Russian). Attach these documents to the electronic form and submit it online or deliver them in hard copy to the operator.
Information about candidates reaches the central office of Rossotrudnichestvo in Moscow, after this Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation receives it and adds to the information base Russia-edu.ru. After registration applicants receive an ID which allows them to access the information system Russia-edu.ru and track the application status.
Step 7 – Wait for a letter/notification confirming your enrollment in the university and containing information about your next steps.
This information will be relayed to you by a representative of the united operator in your country*.
*In certain cases, applicants interested in enrollment in Arts and Humanities must sit additional examinations (creative contests) in the universities. For this, applicants will need to come to Russia on a tourist visa. The decision to accept/not accept a certain applicant will be made based on the results of the creative contest (additional examinations).
For more information about government scholarships, please contact Rossotrudnichestvo representation (“Appendix-1.pdf“) or international office of chosen university
In case you are not applying for a scholarship or did not receive it from Rossotrudnichestvo for some reason, but you want to study on a contract basis and pay for your education, please apply directly to the shikshaview advisers using our website shikshaviewcom or call at +91-8126030103
