How the ‘Study in Russia’ portal helps prospective students, current students & their parents

Who is it for?

Deciding to study in another country is a major step and any assistance – especially from experts in the field – is invaluable. The ‘Study in Russia’ portal serves as the official digital guide for international applicants, developed by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation. It helps you first decide to study in Russia and then guides them through every stage of the process: from choosing a major and a university to submitting application documents and arriving in the country.

Everything you might need is gathered in one place: from choosing a program and understanding admission rules and requirements to preparing for your arrival and adapting to local life. There’s no need to compare the requirements of different universities and government agencies; everything has already been compiled by experts, translated into 15 languages, and broken it down into clear, step-by-step instructions.

It’s also important to note that the government is committed to making Russian education accessible to international students. To this end, it’s developing support mechanisms, including government quotas and grants. For instance, top-scoring winners and runners-up of the ‘Open Doors’ International Olympiad can qualify not only for educational quotas, but also for grants covering travel, accommodation and health insurance, as well as monthly stipends. This allows talented individuals to focus on their studies and personal development, rather than on everyday logistical concerns.

How does it work?

‘Study in Russia’ operates on a "one-stop shop" principle. First, the portal helps you determine whether Russia is a good fit for your studies and lifestyle. Next, it guides you through choosing a major, program and university, preparing your documents and proceeding with the formal application. For those who have already been admitted, the portal provides detailed information on how to prepare for your arrival, what to do during your first few days after arriving and how to settle into your new surroundings.

The portal is managed by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation; it serves as an official information resource and a tool for the international promotion of Russian education.

The site already features over 160 Russian universities and this number is constantly growing. In the 2025/2026 academic year, Russian universities admitted 136,600 foreign nationals, the majority of whom – 101,400 people (74%) – enrolled in fee-paying programs.

How is it structured?

The portal is designed so that you can proceed step by step. First, get to know the country: learn about its regions, climate, culture, traditions, religious diversity, living conditions, healthcare and safety. This helps you answer the key question: "Do I want to study and live in Russia?" Once you’ve made your choice, the practical journey begins.

Choosing a career is a big decision and this portal helps you navigate your way by providing information on fields that are actively developing in Russia and identifying which universities that offer relevant degree programs. This approach helps you move from a general interest to a concrete decision.

Once you’ve decided on a field of study, ‘Study in Russia’ helps you find universities offering the right program, compare tuition costs and languages of instruction, learn about entrance exams, dorm availability and options for tuition-free admission. Then, it helps you prepare and submit your application documents, including online.

The portal provides a step-by-step guide in advance: what documents to gather, where to submit an application, how to track the status of your application, what to do after admission and how to plan your arrival. 

Separate sections provide answers to the most frequently asked questions from international students and their families: safety, medical care, housing, costs, immigration registration and language adaptation. ‘Study in Russia’ is designed not as a dry reference guide, but as a practical resource that you can turn to at any stage of the process.

The portal is organized into five main sections:

‘Home’ introduces the site's features and walks you through the entire process – from choosing a level of education to your arrival in the country.

‘Why Russia’ provides information about the country, its regions, culture, traditions and religious diversity, as well as practical advice on daily life, healthcare, safety and digital services.

‘Education in Russia’ explains how the higher education system works in Russia, including available levels and promising fields of study, how to apply and whether Russian diplomas are recognized abroad. The portal also provides information on tuition-free education, including programs funded through quotas from the Government of the Russian Federation.

‘Find a University’ helps you choose a university and explore degree programs, tuition costs, admission rules and accommodation options, as well as learn about preparatory departments and dual-degree programs.

Key Information Beyond Universities

The portal explains in detail how Russian digital services work and provides links to them. The ‘How to Apply’ section outlines the unified electronic application process. Starting in 2026, foreign nationals will be able to apply to Russian universities online. ‘Study in Russia’ explains how to do this correctly to avoid mistakes and meet the deadlines.

If you are outside Russia, you can create a digital profile in the ‘ruID’ app and proceed to submit your application. Within Russia, use the ‘University Admission Online’ service on the ‘Gosuslugi’ portal.

The portal outlines all the steps in advance: choosing a program and university, registering with ‘ruID’, creating a profile, filling out and submitting an application, tracking the status, finalizing enrollment, arranging entry, crossing the border and verifying your account upon arrival.

However, this digital service does not replace other options; you can still send documents by registered or certified mail or submit them in person to the admissions office.