The world’s largest country, Russia, also known as the Russian Federation, spans eastern Europe and northern Asia, and its capital is Moscow. Recent estimates place Russia’s population at more than 143 million people. The state language is Russian, and many Russians identify with the Russian Orthodox Church.
In Russia, there are many higher education institutions that are open to international students. Universities in the country offer a wide range of courses and programs, so there is a study option for many academic interests. Recent official figures put the number of foreign students in Russian higher education at more than 414,000.
Below, we talk about some of Russia’s best cities to be in if you’re an international student planning to study in this country.
Top Cities to Study in Russia for International Students
1. Moscow
Russia’s capital, Moscow, is the most populous city in the country. It has a rich historical background: it became the capital of Muscovy in the late 13th century and is now the political center of the Russian Federation. Recent figures place the city’s population at more than 13 million. For travelers visiting Moscow, some of the top tourist attractions are the Kremlin, the Bolshoi Theater, Red Square, the Museum of Cosmonautics, and the Tretyakov Gallery.
For future international students, there are many colleges and universities to choose from in the city. This is what makes Moscow one of the best cities in Russia for international students. A few of these institutions include Moscow State University, RUDN University named after Patrice Lumumba, Sechenov University, Moscow State Institute of International Relations, and HSE University.
Prospective medical students should consider Sechenov University, officially I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, one of Russia’s leading medical universities. The Moscow State Institute of International Relations is also a strong choice for those interested in international relations, law, economics, political science, management, and related fields.
2. Saint Petersburg
- Best Schools: Saint Petersburg State University, Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University, St. Petersburg State University of Economics (UNECON)
Russia’s second-largest city is Saint Petersburg, with about 5.7 million residents in recent estimates. It is famed for its cultural landmarks such as the Winter Palace, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, and Peterhof. Throughout history, the city has also been called Petrograd or Leningrad and nicknamed the “Cradle of Three Revolutions.”
As a top city in Russia for international students, Saint Petersburg is home to several higher education institutions such as Saint Petersburg State University, Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University, St. Petersburg State University of Economics (UNECON), the N. A. Rimsky-Korsakov Saint Petersburg State Conservatory, and ITMO University.
Students who are about to take up a program in Information Technology, photonics, optical design, or Engineering should check out ITMO University, which is especially known for information technologies and photonics. On the other hand, Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University is a solid option for those who are considering a medical-focused program.
3. Nizhny Novgorod
- Best Schools: Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Minin University, Nizhny Novgorod State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering
Nizhny Novgorod is a city situated in the western part of Russia. It used to be known as Gorky. Current estimates place the city’s population at about 1.2 million residents. There are many tourist spots spread out across Nizhny Novgorod, including Limpopo Zoo, the Nizhny Novgorod State Art Museum, the Chkalov Staircase, the National Centre for Contemporary Arts, and the Rukavishnikov Estate Museum.
Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Minin University, Nizhny Novgorod State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering, M. I. Glinka Nizhny Novgorod State Conservatory, and Nizhny Novgorod State Linguistic University are some of the notable higher education institutions in the city. Aspiring musicians who are thinking of studying in Russia can also consider the M. I. Glinka Nizhny Novgorod State Conservatory.
4. Yekaterinburg
- Best Schools: Ural State Medical University, Ural State Mining University, Ural Federal University
Located in the Ural region, Yekaterinburg is one of Russia’s largest cities. Current estimates put the city’s population at about 1.56 million. It is an important industrial, cultural, and educational center in the Urals. Tourists in the city should not forget to visit Yekaterinburgskiy Zoopark, the Yekaterinburg Museum of Fine Arts, Ganina Yama, and many more.
In Yekaterinburg, the most well-known universities include Ural State Medical University, Ural State Mining University, Ural Federal University, and Ural State University of Economics. Ural Federal University is one of the largest universities in Russia and offers programs in engineering, the humanities, and the natural sciences.
5. Krasnodar
- Best Schools: Kuban State Medical University, Krasnodar State Institute of Culture, and Kuban State Technological University
Krasnodar can be found in the southern region of Russia and is recognized as one of the region’s economic centers. Current estimates place the city’s population at around 1.17 million. Krasnodar is one of the best cities for international students in Russia, with institutions such as Kuban State Medical University, Kuban State University, Kuban State Technological University, Kuban State Agrarian University, and Krasnodar State Institute of Culture.
Adding to this, Kuban State Agrarian University is a recognized Russian center for higher agricultural education. On the other hand, Kuban State Technological University is a leading technical university in southern Russia and was founded in 1918.
It is not surprising that Russia has many notable tourist destinations. Some well-known places to visit in Russia include Lake Baikal, Moika Palace, the Altai Mountains, Sochi, and Olkhon Island. Visitors can also try traditional dishes that the country has to offer, such as blini, pelmeni, beef stroganoff, okroshka, and shashlik.
We hope you found this article on the best cities in Russia for international students informative and helpful. Make sure to also check out the Study in Russia guide and Available Programs in Europe!
