Russian educational system

Preparatory faculty — is an educational branch of a higher education institution whose purpose is to prepare foreign citizens to continue their studies in the main and postgraduate educational programs in the Russian language.

The duration of studies is one academic year (7–10 months). The main objective of the basic curriculum is to learn the Russian language and improve the level of training in fundamental disciplines (chemistry, biology, physics, mathematics, computer science, etc.) to pursue studies at the university in the chosen program.

The studies in the basic curriculum take place in 4 areas:

• biomedical: chemistry, biology;

• engineering: mathematics, physics, computer science;

• economics: mathematics, physics, computer science;

• humanities: history, social sciences, literature, geography.

The university may include other subjects in the preparatory faculty program at its discretion.

University Year in Russia

A university year lasts 10 months from September 1 to June 30.

The academic year is divided into two semesters. At the end of each semester, students take zatchots and exams for the subjects studied.

• 1st semester: from September 1 to January 25

• 2nd semester: from February 9 to June 30

Holidays: winter holidays last 2 weeks (from January 25 to February 9), summer holidays last 2 months (from July 1 to August 30). Students can spend summer and winter holidays in Russia, abroad, or return home.

Studies in English and French

Courses are taught by professors from universities who speak foreign languages fluently; sometimes interpreters assist in the classes. However, it is mandatory for students to learn the Russian language. Students from all over the world speak Russian with each other not only during classes and seminars but also outside the university. They practice Russian with native speakers, and they travel in Russia without facing language barriers. During practical classes in hospitals or companies, Russian is the main language of communication. Therefore, it is important for students to understand and speak Russian. Additionally, teachers in medical disciplines use terms in Latin. Thus, Latin is also included in the academic program. Latin is an international working language in the field of medicine around the world.

Every year, the number of disciplines taught in Russian increases. Thus, initially, students complete their studies entirely in foreign languages and, in parallel, they learn the Russian language. As time goes on, certain disciplines taught in Russian are added to the program. This is done only after students have taken enough Russian language courses to be able to understand these disciplines in Russian.

Students take all examinations (including final exams) and all tests in a foreign language or in Russian if they wish.

Master's studies are 100% in English. Additionally, students have mandatory Russian language courses that are part of the study program.

Tuition Fees in Russia

The Russian government subsidizes a portion of the tuition fees for foreign students in Russian universities. For this reason, the fees are affordable. Therefore, the average tuition fees are between 2,500 and 4,000 US dollars for an academic year depending on the program and language of study.