
About the scholarship program
Each year the Russian Government offers thousands of state-funded quota places for international students at Russian universities at bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels. The scholarship usually includes a full tuition waiver and a preparatory Russian language year if needed, with a modest monthly stipend and a place in student housing, while students cover travel and other living costs. Applications go through Russia's official education portal or Russian cultural centres.
Available programmes
Each programme has its own requirements, documents and benefits. Open it to see them in full with the application steps:
The Russian government offers about 15,000 free study places to foreigners each year, with selection run by the Russian House or embassy in each country. The Russian Government Scholarship (Quota) page covers the application steps and selection stages, with the criteria, documents and benefits.
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Russian Government Scholarship (Quota) 2027–2028
Bachelor, Master, PhDTuition-FreeAll fieldsNext cycle not announced yet
Life and living
Russia
Life and living
Russia
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 RussiaFaculties and majors at the university
4 fields · 14 majors
Faculties and majors at the university
4 fields · 14 majors
Nuclear, Aerospace & Precision Engineering
Medicine, Dentistry & Pharmacy
Show all majors (+2)Show less
Natural Sciences & Pure Mathematics
Russian Language, Philology & Fine Arts
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Key questions and answers regarding eligibility, documents, and application steps.
Funding type: Tuition-Free. Announced benefits: Free tuition, Free preparatory year, Monthly state stipend, Dormitory place.
Next cycle not announced yet. Follow the official website for updates.
Required documents: Passport copy, Education certificate and transcript, Medical certificates (no TB or hepatitis; HIV-negative), List of publications or research abstract.
Apply directly on the official website: https://education-in-russia.com/. 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.
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