St. Petersburg University Marks Record Increase in Int’l Student Applications

Over 3,800 student applications funded by the Russian government scholarship have been submitted at St. Petersburg University in Russia from students coming from 90 countries.

This year, the competition in the admission process has increased more than during previous years, Erudera reports.

Despite COVID-19 developments, St. Petersburg University has marked a record in the number of student applications this year, leading to a 35 percent increase in applications, a higher percentage compared to last year.

Most of the student applications remain the same as in the past years, including from CIS countries as well as the People’s Republic of China. Whereas, international students who became part of the application process for the first time are nationals of the following countries: 

• Angola
• Benin
• Cuba
• Chile
• Chad
• Mauritania
• North Macedonia

This year, many potential students have submitted applications in special programs such as General Medicine, Dental Medicine, as well as bachelor programs including Programming and Information Technology, Management, or International Relations.

Whereas, regarding Master programs, international applicants have preferred the following majors:

• Russian Language and Russian Culture
• Graphic Design
• Game Theory and Operations Research
• International Relations and World Politics
• Linguistics

In 2019, 334,000 international students in total were enrolled at Russian universities, 300,000 of them enrolled in undergraduate and postgraduate programs, according to the Institute of International Education (IIE).

In addition to the increase in the number of international students at St. Petersburg University even amidst Corona pandemic, international students at Russian universities in general did not face restrictions at all due to COVID-19.

In August, the Head of Russian Consumer Watchdog Anna Popova stressed that international students already in Russia could continue studies at Russian universities without being restricted. However, she added that students are obliged to wear masks at universities.

“I am sure that there are no restrictions [placed] on foreign students who are already in Russia. Meanwhile, those who are yet to arrive in Russia will be able to come here when it will be allowed from various countries in accordance with the specific rules,” she said. 

According to QS World University Rankings, Saint Petersburg State University is ranked in the second place in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

The university is considered the oldest Russian educational institution and over 3,000 international students who come from 100 countries pursue studies at this university every year.

The university offers 400 Russian-taught programs for bachelor, master and doctoral studies. Moreover, students can also earn a master degree in 20 programs, courses of which are held in several languages such as English, French, German, Spanish and Italian.