First-year students at St Petersburg University: ‘I want to get a degree only at St Petersburg University’

According to Gleb Elin, a student in the ‘Applied Physics and Mathematics’ programme at St Petersburg University, the University attracted him primarily because of its high level of education: ‘The University has a very good, strong academic staff. I think that I will be able to obtain high-quality knowledge that I will need in future. I am also satisfied with the convenient location of the University buildings and halls of residence.’

Khozhiakbar Kholmirzaev, a first-year student in the ‘Dental Medicine’ programme, came from Uzbekistan. Even when he was at school, he wanted to enter St Petersburg University. ‘One day I saw the website of St Petersburg University and started to study it. I was impressed by the number of programmes and the level of teaching. Then, I decided for myself that I wanted to get a degree only at St Petersburg University,’ said Khozhiakbar Kholmirzaev. ‘Despite the fact that the learning process will be tough, I am still ready to try and work hard to become a good dentist in future.’

Celebrating 300 years of excellence: over 10,000 freshmen begin their academic journey at St Petersburg University

Veronika Pankrashina, a first-year student in the ‘Clinical Psychology’ programme, entered St Petersburg University after studying at a university in Moscow. ‘Initially, I studied to be a chemical engineer, but then I realised that I liked psychology more. I have always loved St Petersburg, and in St Petersburg there is the best university in this field, that is St Petersburg University. I realised that my two loves came together here, and I decided to enter the University,’ said Veronika. She also expressed a desire to develop in the field of psychology, working during her studies, and confidently said that she would be able to find a good place thanks to the University.

Gleb Fomin, a student in the specialist’s programme ‘General Medicine’, had a different admissions story. ‘I had many options of where to go to study. I spent a long time considering different universities and carefully weighed each option. In the end, I realised that St Petersburg University can equip its students with knowledge better than any other university, and students can immerse in student life much deeper here than in other universities. I was initially prepared for difficulties, but I still hope that all six years of study will pass happily and harmoniously,’ he said.

Elizaveta Rocheva, a student in history, also chose the University as she had a predisposition to it: ‘I really like the rich history of the University, how it has been developing, what scholars worked and have been working here. Studying at St Petersburg University is very prestigious. Although I don’t have any clear ideas about the future yet, I am sure that all my studies will go well.’

This year, the University’s admission campaign broke a record. The University received over 113,000 applications for bachelor’s and specialist’s programmes. About 75% of first-year students on a government-funded basis are originally not from St Petersburg. About 2,230 foreign citizens from 106 countries will begin their studies at all levels of higher education at St Petersburg University in the new academic year.