Russia has long attracted international students, and several Russian universities publish English-taught programs or English-language admissions guidance.
English-language admission policies are not uniform. Some universities publish an IELTS score, some use a Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) level, and others ask applicants to check the requirements for the specific program.
Below is an overview of the IELTS requirements of these institutions. Applicants should always confirm the current requirements for their chosen program before applying.
Minimum IELTS Band Scores for Russian Universities
| INSTITUTION NAME | ENGLISH-LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT (UNDERGRADUATE) | ENGLISH-LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT (GRADUATE) |
|---|
| National Research Nuclear University MEPhI | IELTS 6.5 recommended for English-taught programs | IELTS 6.5 recommended for English-taught programs |
| Ural Federal University | Program-specific | B2 or higher for the linked English-taught Master’s programs; confirm with the selected program |
| Novosibirsk State University | Not published | IELTS 6.0 indicative; confirm with the university |
1. National Research Nuclear University MEPhI
National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, also known as the Moscow Engineering Physics Institute, was established in 1942.
MEPhI publishes English-language programs and recommends that non-native English speakers applying to an English-taught program achieve an IELTS score of at least 6.5 before admission. The official page also lists TOEFL alternatives. The 6.5 score is presented as a recommendation for English-taught programs rather than as a compulsory score for every undergraduate and graduate course.
2. Ural Federal University
Ural Federal University, or UrFU, was established in Ekaterinburg in 1920. Its official overview lists more than 50,000 students, including more than 4,900 international students from over 100 countries.
UrFU does not publish one university-wide IELTS cutoff for all applicants. The linked English-taught Master’s programs require a certificate of English proficiency at B2 level or higher. Applicants should confirm the accepted evidence and any program-specific conditions with their selected program.
3. Novosibirsk State University
Finally on our list is Novosibirsk State University, which opened in 1959 and is located in Novosibirsk.
Novosibirsk State University currently publishes a list of English-taught Master’s programs, including Artificial Intelligence & Big Data Analytics. The IELTS organization’s receiving-institutions directory lists an indicative Academic IELTS score of 6.0 for graduate study and tells applicants to contact the university directly for an accurate requirement.
These examples show why applicants should not rely on a single IELTS table without checking their selected program. Requirements can be recommendations, CEFR levels, program-specific criteria, or other admissions assessments.
Before applying, review the current university page and contact the admissions office when the published guidance is ambiguous.
We hope this article on IELTS band requirements for universities in Russia was helpful. If you are interested in studying in Europe, make sure to check out our Study in Russia guide and Available Programs in Europe for International Students page for more articles.
