Russia is continuing its policy of increasing the number of foreign students in higher education, with more than 100,000 foreign candidates applying to universities across the country during the 2026 admissions cycle. Konstantin Mogilevsky, deputy minister at Russia’s Ministry of Education and Science, said the number of foreign students had risen by 25 percent over the past five years.
More than 422,000 students from 182 countries are studying at Russian universities at different levels of higher education. More than three-quarters of these students cover their education expenses with their own funds.
Russia allocates 30,000 places for foreign students
The Russian government allocates 30,000 places for foreign candidates every year. These places are offered separately from the state-funded university places reserved for Russian citizens.
Scholarship support for successful candidates covers travel to Russia and return expenses after their education, as well as accommodation, health insurance and a limited scholarship payment. Candidates who place in or win the Open Doors Olympiad can apply for this support.
Paid admissions continue until the end of September. The admissions process under the government quota is also conducted in September.
Applicants from Commonwealth of Independent States countries, China, India and Southeast Asia account for a significant share of foreign candidates. The number of students arriving from Africa is increasing, while applications are also being submitted to Russian universities from Latin America.
Moscow and Beijing expand educational ties
About 400 events are planned as part of the Years of Education between Russia and China. The joint university in Shenzhen established by Lomonosov Moscow State University and Beijing Polytechnic Institute stands out as one of the main projects in the two countries’ educational cooperation.
The joint university has reached a capacity of about 5,000 students, and the construction of a new building is being considered. A nationwide conference on the Russian language is planned at the institution in November.
More than 90 events under the education years program were completed between January and September 2026. Plans include establishing a new forum in technical fields between Russian and Chinese universities and continuing cooperation between institutions focused on the languages and fundamental sciences of the two countries.
More than 62,000 Chinese students are studying at Russian universities. While 5,750 students from China came to Russia for internships and academic exchange programs, about 28,000 Russian students are studying in China and about 10,000 Russian students have been accepted into academic mobility programs.
Russia and China aim to increase the total number of students studying reciprocally at universities in the two countries to 100,000 by 2030. China has 45 joint educational institutions connected with Russia.
Graduates offered opportunities to work and reside in Russia
Mogilevsky said about 10 percent of foreign students continue working in Russia after graduation. Foreign graduates who successfully complete their education in Russia and find employment there are eligible for simplified procedures when applying for residence permits and, in some cases, citizenship.
Most foreign students receive paid education in Russia. About 100,000 students benefit from the state budget, with students from Commonwealth of Independent States countries, most of whom speak Russian, accounting for about half of this group.
Russia targets 500,000 foreign students by 2030
Russia plans to increase the number of foreign students enrolled at its universities to 500,000 by 2030. Mogilevsky said that alongside this quantitative target, importance was also being attached to maintaining the quality of education received by foreign students.
Joint Russian language exam could be piloted in 2028
Foreign candidates applying to Russian-taught programs must demonstrate their language proficiency. Universities currently determine the conditions and format of this examination separately.
Russia’s Ministry of Education and Science has submitted a concept for a nationwide joint Russian language entrance examination for interagency review. The exam is planned to enter a pilot phase in 2028.
Programs taught in English and other languages are also available. A significant proportion of students from India study medicine, with the vast majority enrolled in English-language programs.
