A landlocked country in Eastern Europe, Belarus is known for primeval forests, Soviet architecture, and street art in Minsk. In the academic scene, however, the country boasts a high standard of education reputed to European countries. From its high student-to-population ratio to several Nobel Prize Winners, its worldwide achievements have intrigued many international students. Indeed, it is at once an interesting country to explore and an ideal destination to study in. In this article, we will be looking at the best universities in Belarus for international students.

Is Belarus good for international students to study in?

Belarus has 48 universities located in the capital city of Minsk, the historic city of Brest, and in regions bordering Poland and Russia. These higher learning institutions are prized for having a diverse range of internationally accredited programs. Some of the top courses international students pursue include Business Management, Law Studies, Economics, Technology, and Medicine.

Different levels and forms of education are offered, including Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate degrees, vocational diplomas, teacher education, distance education, and lifelong studies. Whether private or state-funded, these programs are among the most affordable in Europe as well.

Living costs in Belarus are reasonably priced for a modern and safe environment for students. In addition, the country is known to have a hospitable culture, no corruption, and a low unemployment rate.

Check Also: Programs in Europe for International Students

Can international students work in Belarus while studying?

As a foreign national, your student visa does not initially grant you the chance to work. However, if you do have the intention to do so, you have to receive an offer of employment from a company in Belarus. After an agreement, you can then apply for a work permit with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection.

Can international students stay in Belarus after graduation?

If you wish to stay in Belarus after receiving a diploma, you must apply for a special long-term multiple-entry permit or visa from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This permit will allow you to stay in the country and work on your specialization for up to five years. Similar to part-time work, however, you may have to secure an offer of employment from a Belarusian company first. In addition, citizens of Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and the Russian Federation have more flexible regulations as per these states’ agreements with Belarus.

Best Universities in Belarus

1. Belarusian State University (BSU)

The Belarusian State University is the country’s first national university founded in 1919 and opened officially in 1921. As one of the country’s premier higher learning institutions, it offers a diverse range of educational programs at every level of education. Within the university structure, there are 18 faculties, ten educational institutions, and several independent and interdepartmental research centers. Their Minsk campus also includes the BSU Fundamental Library, specialized sports facilities, and 11 university dormitories.

Today, Belarusian State University is the best university in Belarus for international students having almost 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students, and nearly 2000 are international students from 30 countries around the globe. BSU is an active participant of many international academic networks and the largest cooperation center in the country. Assuredly, international students will receive the highest standards of education at BSU.

2. Belarusian National Technical University (BNTU)

Every country has a leading technical learning institution, and for Belarus, it is the Belarusian National Technical University in Minsk. Since 1920, this top university in Belarus has been fostering professionals that contribute to the development of the Belarusian national economy. Today, the BNTU comprises 17 faculties across different fields of engineering, architecture, robotics, and information technologies. They carry out refresher courses in the newest areas of technology through three institutes and spearhead innovations and production through 41 research centers.

The BNTU is an important center for international cooperation, having trained about 6500 international students from Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America. BNTU graduates become chief engineers, architects, researchers, and leaders in their home countries. To this day, the university continues to blend modern strategies with Belarusian values to provide a unique academic experience to international students.

3. Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics (BSUIR)

The Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics is an academic and scientific complex in Minsk that trains students in the fields of telecommunications, radio electronics, and computer science. This top university if Belarus comprises six faculties, as well as a Pre-University Preparation faculty, a military faculty, and a distance learning faculty. Students at BSUIR can study at bachelor, master’s, and Ph.D. levels and have the option of full-time or part-time schedules.

The BSUIR was also the first technical university in Belarus to offer English-taught programs – a highly significant achievement, especially with translating technical and scientific literature. Furthermore, the university has bilateral agreements with universities from Germany, Poland, Russia, France, and many other countries, ensuring students and faculty access the latest global trends on science and technology.

4. Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno (YKSUG)

The Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno is a university complex in Grodno, Belarus, and is the largest regional higher learning institution in the country. It was the first university to meet ISO 9001, an international standard for Quality Management Systems, which displays their consistent and effective service. As a top university in Belarus for international students, the university also found recognition abroad through various joint research activities and academic exchanges, several specialties in English, and different levels of language courses for visiting and regular international students.

At present, the YKSUG is organized into 17 faculties covering a diverse range of subject areas. They provide a variety of activities for students to hone and demonstrate their skills while enjoying university life.

5. Grodno State Medical University (GrSMU)

The Grodno State Medical University is the oldest medical school in Belarus, tracing its roots from the first medical academy in the country in 1775. Today, the modern university specializes in medicine and medical psychology, which it systemized into six faculties. These are general medicine, pediatrics, medical psychology, diagnostic studies, advanced training & retraining, and a separate faculty for international students. Furthermore, GrSMU also works alongside three doctoral schools and four hospitals in Grodno.

This top university in Belarus admitted its first international students in 1995 and has since welcomed foreign degree-seekers from all over the world. After all, the university offers some of the most competitive courses among medical schools in Russia and Europe while maintaining international standards and quality education.

 

We hope that this article on the best universities in Belarus for international students was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs in Europe!

About the Author: Hyun Lee

Hyun is the founder at Global Scholarships. He has received a full-tuition scholarship at Birmingham-Southern College as well as $1,000 Burger King Scholarship for his undergraduate degree and has been offered a fully funded scholarship consisting of tuition, living stipend, and health insurance for computer science Ph.D. program at North Carolina State University. Read more about his scholarship journey here.

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    Vitebsk State University in Belarus, Vitebsk

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