The number of international applicants for government-funded places at the discretion of St Petersburg University is up by 20%
The University has summed up the results of independent competitive selection admissions of foreign citizens for study on a state-financed basis. Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the shifting of the deadline for the completion of admissions from June to March by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, and also the difficult international-political situation, the competition among foreign citizens wishing to study at St Petersburg University has once again increased. This year, as part of the University’s independent selection of foreign nationals, more than 5,000 applications from foreign applicants were received, which is almost 20% more than in 2021 and upwards of 30% more than in 2020.
It should be noted that foreign applicants can enrol at the University either by means of independent selection, which is conducted by the University, or through selection conducted by Rossotrudnichestvo (the Federal Agency for CIS Affairs, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Cooperation) and likewise through diplomatic and consular agencies of the Russian Federation abroad. Selection through Rossotrudnichestvo is ongoing, and the final results will be known by the end of August.
Citizens of more than 80 foreign countries took part in the competition within the framework of independent selection conducted by the University. What is more, the geography of the competition expanded this year to include applicants from the Republic of Austria, Canada, the United Republic of Tanzania, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the Republic of Panama, the Republic of Kenya, the Republic of Malawi, the Republic of the Philippines and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
Aleksandr Babich, Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Admissions at St Petersburg University
Since 2012, the University has been conducting independent selection of foreign citizens for acceptance on a state-financed basis (in keeping with quotas set by the Government of the Russian Federation). Every year, the number of foreign students wishing to study at the University has risen. International applicants also have the opportunity to enrol at the University through Rossotrudnichestvo. It should be noted that, based on the results of last year’s enrolment campaign, St Petersburg University has become the first among Russian universities in terms of the number of applications received from foreign citizens — the overall indicator of competition for places within the quotas set by a decree of the Government of the Russian Federation (both by means of independent selection and through Rossotrudnichestvo) amounted to around 21,000 applicants for 1,000 places. This year’s figures will become known at the end of August.
Information meetings, excursions and online events held during the year have increased the interest among international applicants. With the introduction of restrictive measures related to the epidemiological situation in the world, St Petersburg University shifted all of its events to an online format, which did not decrease the number of those interested in becoming better acquainted with the University. On the contrary, it gave all prospective students from whatever corner of the globe an opportunity to connect up with representatives of St Petersburg University in a convenient format.
Information on the events for international students that have been held this year can be found on the page of the St Petersburg University Admissions Committee.
Admission of international citizens on a fee-paying basis is ongoing, and it is possible to apply for admission until 17 June 2022 in digital form through a personal account on the University website.