How do network universities work in Russia?
You can study at several major international universities at once – without leaving your home country! What? Yes!
New technologies, online education and globalization now offer new opportunities for students from different parts of the world to study together, even if they are thousands of kilometers apart! The solution is network universities. This is a global educational network, in which several universities agree to create a single academic space, where institutions exchange students, teachers and, most importantly, knowledge at the international level.
Part of the time can be spent studying online, listening to lectures by professors from other countries, participating in virtual seminars and working on joint projects. Later, you can go for a temporary study period to a partner country.
Russia was the initiator of many network universities and Russian universities are actively expanding the lists of various consortia. For them, this is a matter of status and prestige, as joining a network university gives an institution an official international standing.
What network universities exist?
Some of BRICS countries flags
- BRICS Network University
Founded in 2015, today it unites 178 leading universities from 10 BRICS member countries – Brazil, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, China, the UAE, Russia, Ethiopia and South Africa.
The international coordinator of the BRICS Network University is the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN).
On the Russian side, 22 universities are part of the network, including Moscow State University (MSU), MGIMO (Institute of International Relations), the Higher School of Economics (HSE), and the main universities of St. Petersburg, the Urals and Siberia.
- Network University of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)
It comprises 48 leading universities from seven CIS member states – Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan. On the Russian side, 24 universities are included, among them MGIMO, RUDN, the Moscow Power Engineering Institute (MPEI), as well as many regional universities.
- Network University of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)
This university involves 82 universities from the organization's member states – China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan, Belarus, Iran and Russia.
Russian participants include 22 leading universities, such as MGIMO, MSU, RUDN, MPEI, Novosibirsk State University and many others.
- Eurasian Network University
It includes over 30 universities from the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union – Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia.
On the Russian side, 19 leading universities are part of the consortium, including MPEI, MSU, the State University of Management (GUU) and others.
- Russian-African Network University (RAFU)
One of the most extensive consortia with strong ties and effective cooperation. It includes 100 Russian universities and 68 African universities from 15 countries, including South Africa, Zimbabwe, Egypt, Congo, Algeria and others.
Today, nearly 35,000 students from Africa are studying at Russian universities and their numbers are constantly growing, as is the number of quotas for free education (next year this figure will reach 4,700 spots).
What are the advantages of network universities?
Video conference of the BRICS University managing council
This format allows students to receive education both in their home country and at a partner university – through network university programs, students can go to study in another country for a semester or a year.
- Two or more diplomas: from the home university and the partner university in another country.
- Education in different languages. There are programs in Russian, English, and other languages of the participating countries. Sometimes a language proficiency certificate is also issued.
- Opportunity for free education. Admission to all Russian state universities is possible through a quota from the Russian government.
- International environment. Communication with students from dozens of countries and building connections.
- A wide range of study programs. From humanities to technical fields. Each network university has its own list of priority programs.
How to apply to a network university?
Admission to a network university is processed the same way as to a regular university. You need to enroll in a university in your country that is part of one of the networks and through it, submit a package of documents to the partner university.
Russia provides quota opportunities for free education for international students at all state universities.
For more information on how to apply to a Russian university and obtain a quota, read our article.
