ForsaEduforsaedu.comAbout the scholarship program
ITMO University is a public research university in Saint Petersburg, known for information technology, computer science and photonics. It admits international students to tuition-free places through several routes, including the Russian Government Scholarship under the quota announced on the Education in Russia platform, the Open Doors competition for early admission to bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes without entrance exams, the ITMO.STARS contest, which requires good Russian, and the Portfolio Contest for international master's programmes. International students studying under the government quota receive a basic monthly stipend throughout their studies provided they pass their exams, alongside enhanced stipends for excellence in study and research. Conditions are published on the student scholarships page.
Life and living
Saint Petersburg · Russia
Life and living
Saint Petersburg · Russia
Living in Saint Petersburg
Russia’s second city and cultural capital on the Neva, home to Saint Petersburg State University and ITMO University.
Student housing
University dorms in Saint Petersburg cost RUB 2,000–25,000 a month; at Saint Petersburg State University RUB 1,460 for state-funded and RUB 2,920 for fee-paying students (August 2025).
Transport for students
Student monthly unified pass: RUB 1,599; regular all-transport monthly pass RUB 4,938; single metro ride RUB 95 (2026).
Top landmarks
Hermitage Museum
GAlexandrova · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Peter and Paul Fortress
Godot13 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
St Isaac’s Cathedral
Peterhof Palace
Ninara from Helsinki, Finland · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Last verified: October 2026
Sources:RosstatDelovoy Peterburg – Dormitory prices (Aug 2025)Peterburg2 – Transport prices 2026
Studying and living in Russia
Costs and living
Russia offers outstanding value for money compared to Western destinations: • International Tuition (if self-funded): Typically ranges from USD 1,800 to USD 4,500 per year for engineering and sciences, USD 3,500 to USD 7,000 for general medicine in English, and under USD 2,000 in regional universities. • Student Housing: University dormitories are heavily subsidized and cost-effective, typically costing between USD 15 and USD 70 per month, including utilities and internet. • Living Expenses: A monthly budget of USD 250 to USD 400 is generally sufficient for groceries, public transport, and personal expenses in most Russian cities (USD 450 to USD 600 in Moscow or St. Petersburg). • Mandatory Medical Insurance: Approximately USD 80 to USD 150 annually.
Working while studying
• Under Russian federal legislation, full-time international students enrolled at accredited higher education institutions have the right to work legally in their spare time without needing a separate work permit. • No special government authorization or work license fees are required; a valid certificate of student enrollment is sufficient for employers. • Students can work both on-campus (teaching assistants, research labs, campus services) and off-campus (freelancing, translation, IT, retail, or hospitality). • After graduation, international graduates from accredited Russian universities can benefit from simplified procedures for temporary and permanent residency permits.
Last verified: October 2026· Source
Guide to studying in RussiaGovernment scholarships to study at this university
The university does not announce its own scholarship for international students, but you can study here funded through the following government scholarships. You usually choose the university inside the scholarship application.
Open Doors International Olympiad Free Tuition & Stipend Scholarship
Russian Government Scholarship (Quota) 2027–2028
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Key questions and answers regarding eligibility, documents, and application steps.
ITMO University is listed as: Self-Funded. The exact benefits are not verified yet, so check the official website (https://en.itmo.ru) before applying.
Apply directly on the official website: https://en.itmo.ru. ForsaEdu does not receive applications or charge any fee.
Track your academic readiness
Use the checklist in your profile to prepare your documents and make sure you meet this scholarship’s requirements.
Open readiness checklistSimilar scholarships
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