Recognition takes the form of a document stating that your educational qualifications are recognised by Russian law and entitle you to admission to Russian higher education institutions.
Step 1 Get your document legalised
Educational documents must be legalised and translated to be officially recognised in Russia. The only exceptions are documents issued by countries that are party to agreements that waive the requirement for legalisation.
There are two ways to get documents legalised:
- Legalisation by the Consulate. Consular legalisation is carried out in the consular sections of embassies of the Russian Federation after certification by the competent authorities of the country of issue of the document
- "Simplified" legalisation by affixing an apostille stamp if the country issuing the education document is a party to the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961. List of countries and authorised organisations in those countries responsible for stamping Apostilles
You can download our Guide on how to prepare the educational credentials or get general information about the legalization process and recognition of education at the National Information Center.
Step 2 Russian translation
Documents written in a foreign language must be translated into Russian.
If the education document requires legalisation, the translation is performed after the legalisation process.
Admission to the University is based on the submission of education documents and their officially certified translation, which can be done in one of the following ways:
- Consulate of the Russian Federation abroad (stamp of translation verification — not to be confused with legalisation of educational documents)
- Notary Public of the Russian Federation on the territory of the Russian Federation
- Official certification in accordance with the rules of the country that issued the document, if there is an agreement with that country on the cancellation of the legalisation (notary, sworn translator, court interpreter, etc.)
A copy of the translated document must be attached to the certified translation.
Step 3 Recognition of Foreign Education
Foreign education must be recognised in the Russian Federation as equivalent to the level that confers the academic right to continue studying at the next level of education.
Education documents are pre-evaluated when an applicant submits an application for admission to the SPbU via the applicant’s personal account. Educational documents are evaluated by the Committee for Recognition of Foreign Education recognition@spbu.ru
Education documents that do not fall under the scope of international agreements on mutual recognition of education or under the legislation of the Russian Federation must undergo an additional procedure of recognition in the Russian Federation.
The procedure of recognition of foreign education is carried out by the National Information Centre (Rosobrnadzor certificate is issued) or by the SPbU Committee for Recognition of Foreign Education. The SPbU recognition procedure is not required if you already have a valid Rosobrnadzor certificate. If a Rosobrnadzor certificate is available, it should be submitted along with the education documents.