Education in Russia
Education in Russia
The Russian Federation provides an opportunity for foreign citizens to study in Russian universities on a free basis within the scope of the program Education in Russia. Each year, New Zealand nationals and Russian compatriots with permanent residence in New Zealand can apply for secondary vocational education, undergraduate, specialist, master, postgraduate, adjunct, residency, assistantship internship programs.
From 7 October 2024 to 15 January 2025, New Zealand citizens, stateless persons and Russian nationals residing on the territory of New Zealand (not registered in Russia) are eligible to register for participation in the State Scholarship Contest for applicants willing to enroll in Russian universities for the 2025/2026 academic year to study within the budget quota by the Russian Government.
The citizens of the Russian Federation permanently living in New Zealand are eligible to apply for education programmes funded by the budget of Russian Federation within the quota determined by the Russian Federation only if they are not registered as permanent residents of the Russian Federation.
The list of educational programs, details of the application and selection process are available at the website of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation.
Academic year in Russia consists of 2 semesters: the first semester starts in September, the second one – in February. There are 2 weeks of vacations in January – February and 10 weeks in June – August.
Applying via the Education in Russia website
Education in Russia program allows New Zealand nationals and Russian compatriots to file the documents regardless of actual whereabouts and to be up-to-date on results of the competitive selection.
In order to participate in the program, you need to:
Step 1. Register on the official web-site Education in Russia (free-of-charge).
Step 2. Fill out your profile, indicate up to six universities in order of priority and upload all scanned copies of the documents:
a) application form with a photo and signature;
b) passport (should be valid for at least 18 months from the date of your arrival in Russia);
c) educational certificates (indicating the qualification (degree), subjects studied and grades obtained; if you have not yet received your academic certificate, please upload your report card, progress report or academic transcript);
d) consent to personal data processing;
e) other recommended documents (including documents proving notable achievements).
* International students with insufficient knowledge of the Russian language have an opportunity to complete one-year preparatory course before they can begin their chosen program. These courses are intended to help foreigners achieve a level of proficiency in Russian. After completing the program, students will receive an official certificate confirming their Russian language proficiency.
Step 3. Take a screening test (information will be available in your profile).
Step 4. If you receive a message about passing to the second stage, prepare and upload the following scanned copies of the documents into the system:
a) notarized translation of the passport;
b) notarized translation of the educational certificates;
c) medical certificate of overall health condition confirming that the applicants have no medical conditions that would preclude them from studying in Russia (including the absence of hepatitis, tuberculosis), with a notarized translation;
d) negative HIV test certificate, with a notarized translation;
e) notarized letter proving a child has the permission of parents to travel alone with an apostil of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of New Zealand (for minors);
f) other recommended documents.
The fee of notarization of documents is charged in accordance with the current consular rates. All original documents are to be submitted with certified translations (made by translators who are officially accredited in New Zealand). Before traveling to Russia, all the documents drawn up in the territory of foreign states are to be accompanied by apostilization.
Step 5. Some universities (Faculty of Arts and Humanities) conduct additional screening tests that can be completed either remotely or in person. If you are planning to participate in-person, you may need to obtain a visa, as well as purchase travel tickets and arrive in Russia on the established dates. Check with the university for details regarding your arrival.
Step 6. The results of the second selection stage will be posted in your personal account. If you have successfully passed the second stage, you will also receive information about the educational institution that has accepted your application, as well as additional travel details for your arrival in Russia. Foreigners who have been admitted to a Russian university on a state quota (state scholarship) will be issued an invitation. You can apply for a student visa at the consular section of the Russian Embassy. Your initial student visa will be valid for 3 months. You have to renew your visa by applying through your university. Your second visa will be issued for the entire year.
A video clarifying the quota selection process is available here.
Scholarship
Students who are awarded a government scholarship (quota) study free-of-charge for the entire duration of the chosen program and at a preparatory course.
The government scholarship does not include travel costs, living expenses and voluntary health insurance policy.
Life in Russia
Russian universities usually offer accommodation in dormitories to all in-person students. This price generally depends on the comfort level of the rooms and the number of roommates. Students may also choose to rent private accommodation. You can find rental housing through a real estate agency, for instance, via the Cian or Avito websites.
Students are often given discounts at museums, sports clubs, cafes and clothing stores, as well as discounted travel passes.
Medical insurance policy
All foreign students have to obtain a health insurance policy immediately upon arrival. The cost ranges from 4,000 to 12,000 rubles (from 65 to 200 NZD).
Permission for work
The procedure for employment of foreign citizens and stateless persons studying full-time in professional educational institutions and universities in the territory of the Russian Federation is regulated by Federal Law No. 115-FZ of 25 July 2002 On the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens in the Russian Federation.
According to the law, foreigners studying in Russia can legally work in the country without a patent and work permit. Employers, in turn, can attract foreign students to work without obtaining a permit to attract foreign workers.
Temporary residence permit for the purpose of obtaining education
From 1 January 2023, foreign citizens studying in a state educational or state scientific organization full-time under the bachelor, specialist, master, residency, assistantship internship programs that have state accreditation, or under the program for training academic and scientific-pedagogical personnel in postgraduate school (adjuncture) in a state educational or state scientific organization, are given the opportunity to apply for a temporary residence permit for the purpose of obtaining education (hereinafter – TRPE) in accordance with Article 6.2 of the Federal Law On the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens in the Russian Federation.
Detailed information about the benefits of the TRPE
Paid education
Students who were not awarded a government scholarship can apply for studying on a contractual (paid) basis.
New Zealand nationals and Russian compatriots with permanent residence in New Zealand can also apply for studying in Russia via directly contacting a chosen college or university (conditions are to be clarified in the international departments of the universities).
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For further information, please contact the Embassy of the Russian Federation in New Zealand by e-mail embassynz@mid.ru or phone (04) 476 6113.
