Top Cities to Study in Russia for an Unforgettable Student Experience

Discover exceptional universities paired with exciting leisure and internship opportunities across Russia's top student cities.

1. Novosibirsk

Monthly rent starting from approximately $85.

Ranked 92nd globally in the QS Best Student Cities 2019, Novosibirsk stands out as Siberia's largest scientific hub. The city's universities excel in research, teaching quality, career prospects, and international engagement, making it ideal for students passionate about STEM fields.

Institutions to Consider

With over 20 universities, options include Novosibirsk State Medical University (medicine), Novosibirsk State Agrarian University (engineering), Siberian State University of Water Transport (shipbuilding), and the Novosibirsk State Theater Institute (arts).

Novosibirsk State University

First-year tuition (full-time): from $1,700.

Ranked 228th in QS World University Rankings, NSU offers 27 programs, notably strong in physics, mathematics, and natural sciences. Located in Akademgorodok, students benefit from proximity to 38 institutes of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences for practical experience.

Novosibirsk State Technical University

First-year tuition (full-time): from $780.

QS-ranked at 801st, NSTU features two institutes and ten faculties, with a globally recognized physics department. It is also Siberia's only university accommodating students with disabilities.

Novosibirsk State University of Economics and Management

First-year tuition (full-time): from $1,520.

Offering about 40 bachelor’s and 5 specialist programs, NSUEM focuses on economics, management, law, advertising, and tourism.

Novosibirsk State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering

First-year tuition (full-time): from $1,250.

Programs include architecture, urban planning, sociology, and economics across 11 bachelor’s and 3 specialist tracks.

Leisure Activities

Explore landmarks like Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Railway Museum, and Russia's largest opera and ballet theater. The "Podzemka" loft park hosts concerts and exhibitions. Akademgorodok offers scenic trails, pine forests, and the Ob Sea reservoir.

Internship Opportunities

Novosibirsk's economy thrives in mechanical engineering, electric power, metallurgy, food production, and a growing IT sector.

2. Moscow

Monthly rent starting from approximately $170.

Moscow ranks 34th in QS Best Student Cities, boasting over 200 universities and abundant internship and entertainment options.

Institutions to Consider

Notable universities include RANEPA, MISIS, Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, GITIS, Moscow State Conservatory, VGIK, RUDN University, and Moscow Architectural Institute.

Moscow State University

First-year tuition (full-time): from $4,700.

Russia’s top university across multiple rankings offers 40 faculties covering fields from religious studies to nuclear physics. Graduates often secure the highest-paying legal jobs.

Educational loans are available with deferred principal repayment during studies and up to three months after graduation, with a 10-year repayment period.

Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology

First-year tuition (full-time): from $3,250.

Ranked 281st by QS, MIPT offers programs in computer security, physics, biotechnology, and mathematics. Graduates in IT consistently top salary rankings.

Bauman Moscow State Technical University

First-year tuition (full-time): from $3,250.

QS ranked 282nd, Bauman University features 12 faculties and a broad range of technical and humanities programs.

National Research University Higher School of Economics

First-year tuition (full-time): from $4,700.

Ranked 298th globally, HSE offers over 50 programs, excelling in political science, sociology, history, and economics.

Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO)

First-year tuition (full-time): from $5,900.

Ranked 348th worldwide, MGIMO specializes in journalism, economics, international relations, and law, with graduates earning top salaries in economics.

Leisure Activities

Moscow offers a vast array of museums, galleries, parks, theaters, bars, and clubs, with many venues offering student discounts.

Internship Opportunities

The city hosts headquarters of Russia’s largest companies and international corporations, providing ample internship options.

3. Tomsk

Monthly rent starting from approximately $85.

Tomsk ranks 73rd in QS Best Student Cities and is Russia's oldest scientific center in the east, uniquely recognizing its scientific and educational complex as city-forming.

Institutions to Consider

Home to eight universities including Tomsk State University of Radioelectronics (TUSUR), Tomsk State University of Architecture and Building (TGASU), and Tomsk State Pedagogical University (TGPU).

Tomsk State University

First-year tuition (full-time): from $1,740.

Ranked 250th by QS, TSU offers 22 faculties with strong programs in materials science, physics, and chemistry.

Tomsk Polytechnic University

First-year tuition (full-time): from $2,180.

QS ranked 401st, TPU is a top Russian engineering university with 10 schools and global recognition in physics education.

Siberian State Medical University

First-year tuition (full-time): from $1,720.

Among Russia’s top 10 medical schools, offering 11 programs including management, pharmacology, medical biophysics, and cybernetics.

Leisure Activities

Enjoy the Tom River embankment, botanical gardens, and White Lake in the historic city center. Tomsk’s nightlife includes numerous bars, clubs, and cafes.

Internship Opportunities

Key industries include mechanical engineering, metallurgy, electric power, forestry, chemistry, petrochemicals, and a vibrant IT sector with over 100 companies.

4. Saint Petersburg

Monthly rent starting from approximately $120.

Ranked 66th in QS Best Student Cities, Saint Petersburg offers prestigious universities alongside stunning architecture and robust infrastructure.

Institutions to Consider

With over 80 universities, notable ones include the First Saint Petersburg State Medical University, the Saint Petersburg State Academic Institute of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture, Saint Petersburg State University, and Saint Petersburg State Institute of Film and Television.

Saint Petersburg State University

First-year tuition (full-time): from $2,460.

Ranked 225th globally, SPbU offers over 120 programs and is recognized in global subject rankings for mathematics and biology.

Saint Petersburg State Institute of Film and Television

First-year tuition (full-time): from $2,250.

Specializes in television and film with 9 bachelor’s and 11 specialist programs.

Saint Petersburg Polytechnic University

First-year tuition (full-time): from $2,190.

QS ranked 401st, SPbPU offers over 60 humanities and technical programs.

Saint Petersburg State University of Economics

First-year tuition (full-time): from $1,130.

Formed by merging three economic universities, SPbSEU is among the top for economics graduates’ salaries with 22 bachelor’s and 2 specialist programs.

Leisure Activities

Explore the city's rich architecture, over 200 museums, New Holland district, Peterhof, and nearby towns like Vyborg and Gatchina. Enjoy theaters, bars, and pubs with student discounts.

Internship Opportunities

Industries include mechanical engineering, shipbuilding, metallurgy, printing, and electrical equipment manufacturing. The headquarters of VKontakte is also located here.

5. Kazan

Monthly rent starting from approximately $110.

While not in QS rankings, Kazan offers a beautiful cityscape, many universities, and a vibrant cultural scene.

Institutions to Consider

About 30 universities including Kazan Institute of Culture, Kazan State Medical University, Kazan State Agrarian University, and Kazan State Academy of Veterinary Medicine.

Kazan Federal University

First-year tuition (full-time): from $1,540.

QS ranked 370th and 10th in Russia by US News, KFU offers over 100 programs across bachelor’s and specialist levels.

Kazan National Research Technical University

First-year tuition (full-time): from $1,570.

Offers over 50 bachelor’s programs ranging from nuclear energy to costume design and tourism.

Kazan State Energy University

First-year tuition (full-time): from $1,370.

One of Russia’s three specialized energy universities, offering 21 programs including sociology, advertising, and public relations.

Leisure Activities

Visit the Kazan Kremlin, Kul Sharif Mosque, Old Tatar Settlement, and the modern cultural center "Smena" with lectures, festivals, book and vinyl shops, and cafés.

Internship Opportunities

Key sectors include oil industry, machinery, chemistry, light industry, and the IT Park, one of Russia’s largest technology parks.

6. Yekaterinburg

Monthly rent starting from approximately $100.

A large, beautiful, and rapidly developing city in the Ural region.

Institutions to Consider

Over 20 universities including Ural State Conservatory, Pedagogical University, Forestry University, Agricultural University, and Mining University.

Ural Federal University

First-year tuition (full-time): from $1,670.

Ranked 331st by QS and 13th in Russia by US News, UrFU offers 147 programs and is recognized for philosophy, archaeology, and mathematics.

Ural State Academy of Architecture and Arts

First-year tuition (full-time): from $2,260.

The only architectural university in the Ural Federal District, offering architecture, design, painting, animation, and costume design.

Ural State Medical University

First-year tuition (full-time): from $1,200.

Offers specialist programs in dentistry, clinical psychology, and a bachelor’s in nursing.

Leisure Activities

Visit Ploshchad 1905 Goda, Sevastyanov's House, Yeltsin Center, and the Vysotsky Museum with panoramic city views. The city boasts numerous bars, cafes, clubs, theaters, and concert venues.

Internship Opportunities

Thriving industries include mechanical engineering, metallurgy, and energy.

7. Samara

Monthly rent starting from approximately $75.

A large and charming city on the Volga River, with plans for a new student campus featuring research labs and modern facilities.

Institutions to Consider

More than 20 universities including Samara State University of Economics, Samara State Technical University, Samara State Medical University, and branches of out-of-town institutions.

Samara National Research University named after Academician S.P. Korolev

First-year tuition (full-time): from $1,400.

Ranked 591st by QS, this university specializes in aerospace technologies but also offers law and management programs.

Samara State Medical University

First-year tuition (full-time): from $1,230.

Ranked 13th among Russian medical schools, offering six specialist and one bachelor’s program.

Samara State Technical University

First-year tuition (full-time): from $740.

Features 13 faculties, 2 institutes, and over 100 programs including oil and gas engineering, architecture, and food production.

Leisure Activities

Stroll along the Volga embankment, visit the Polish Church, Modern Art Museum, "Samara Space" Museum, Stalin's bunker, and the Victoria Contemporary Art Gallery. Enjoy local cafes and bars with the famous Zhigulevskoe beer.

Internship Opportunities

Samara hosts hundreds of industrial enterprises in metalworking, mechanical engineering, food, aviation, and space industries, including the "Russia" chocolate factory.

Educational loans are available with a 13.01% interest rate, reduced to 8.5% after government subsidies. No income verification is required, and monthly payments can be calculated online.

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