Russia can be intimidating for many international students because of its size and language environment. The country has many well-known universities, and Russian remains the main language of instruction for many degree programs.
In recent years, however, Russian universities have continued to internationalize by offering more programs in English and other foreign languages. This makes it easier for students from abroad to complete a degree in Russia without first studying entirely in Russian.
Since Russia is a large country with many higher education institutions, we have compiled a list of several universities in Russia that offer degree programs with English-language options.
Top Universities for English-taught Programs in Russia
1. Tomsk State University
Tomsk State University (TSU) is a strong option for international students who plan to study in Russia. It is one of the country’s established research universities and offers several English-taught programs for international applicants.
TSU’s English-taught bachelor’s options include Software Engineering, Cultural, Language and Social Diversity, and the Tomsk International Science Program (TISP). These programs are generally full-time, four-year programs worth 240 ECTS credits. English-taught master’s programs include Mathematical Analysis and Modelling, Big Data and Data Science, Computer Engineering: Applied AI and Robotics, Biodiversity, International Management, ELT Leadership, Bioinformatics, Physics Methods and Information Technologies in Biomedicine, and Fundamental Computer Science and Information Technologies. These master’s programs are generally completed in two years and are worth 120 ECTS credits.
2. Higher School of Economics University
HSE University, officially the National Research University Higher School of Economics, offers many programs for international applicants at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. Some programs are taught fully in English, while others are taught in Russian with English-language coursework or tracks.
Examples of fully English-taught bachelor’s programs include International Business, Data Science and Business Analytics, International Relations and Global Studies, and Political Science and World Politics. HSE also offers a broad catalog of bachelor’s and master’s programs across its campuses in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, and Perm. Students interested in master’s programs should check HSE’s current admissions catalog because program availability, language of instruction, tuition, scholarships, and intake conditions can change by academic year.
3. Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University
Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University (SPbPU) offers English-language degree options in areas such as Engineering, Natural Sciences, Economics and Management, and IT. The university also emphasizes international student mobility and programs with international components.
At the bachelor’s level, SPbPU lists International Business, International Trade, and Digital Enterprise as English-taught programs. These programs are four years long, carry 240 ECTS credits, and include one semester of study abroad at a partner university. At the master’s level, SPbPU offers English-taught programs in fields such as Civil Engineering, Power Plant Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Nuclear Power Engineering, New Materials and Additive Technologies, Intelligent Systems, Molecular and Cellular Biomedical Technologies, Business Engineering, International Business Development, Quantitative Finance, and International Trade Relations. Master’s programs are generally two years long and carry 120 ECTS credits. For postgraduate study, regular Ph.D. programs last three to four years, and students may study and conduct research in English if an English-speaking scientific supervisor is available.
4. People’s Friendship University of Russia
RUDN University, officially People’s Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba, is known for its international student body and offers programs in several languages, including English, Russian, and Spanish.
RUDN’s program catalog includes English-language options at several levels of study. Its English-language and multilingual offerings vary by field, so applicants should check the current program page before applying. Specialist medical programs such as General Medicine and Dentistry are full-time programs and typically take six years and five years, respectively. RUDN also lists full-time English-taught master’s programs, such as Bioenergies and Biorefineries and Functional Methods in Differential Equations and Interdisciplinary Research, which are two-year programs. English-taught postgraduate programs are also available in selected fields, such as History of International Relations and Foreign Policy: International Affairs, which is listed as a three-year full-time postgraduate program.
5. Ural Federal University
Ural Federal University (UrFU) is a major university in Yekaterinburg that offers English-language study options for international students. Students interested in Economics and Public Affairs can check the university’s English-taught bachelor’s options, including International Economics and Business and Public Policy and Administration. UrFU also offers master’s programs in English in several fields, and doctoral-level English-language research options are listed in areas such as Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Engineering and Technology, Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts and Culture. International applicants may also review scholarship opportunities, including the Russian Government Scholarship Program, through UrFU’s scholarship pages.
We hope this article has helped with your search for universities with English-taught programs in Russia. Since program availability, tuition, admission requirements, and scholarship rules can change, always confirm the latest details on the official university pages before applying.
We hope this article on English-taught Universities in Russia was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Study in Russia and Available Programs for International Students in Europe pages for more informative articles.
