Over 1,500 prospective students attend the Applicant Day

In his welcoming address, Aleksandr Babich, Senior Vice-Rector for Youth Policy and Admissions at St Petersburg University, highlighted the accomplishments of the University’s graduates. "Over the 300 years of the University’s history, many of our graduates have become distinguished figures in government, politics, culture, and, notably, in science. For instance, Alexey Ekimov, a St Petersburg University alumnus, recently won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his groundbreaking discovery and development of quantum dots. We take great pride in the achievements of our graduates, as their successes reflect the high calibre of our academic and research endeavours," remarked Aleksandr Babich.

Aleksandr Babich also underlined the benefits of studying at St Petersburg University for the prospective students. "When you choose to study at our University, regardless of the educational level you enter, you will find an academic programme that suits your interests, allowing you to build a personalised learning path and receive a high-quality education," Aleksandr Babich added.

Aleksandr Babich encouraged future students to actively engage in intellectual competitions, such as: the St Petersburg University Olympiad for schoolchildren; the Olympiad on technopreneurship for schoolchildren "TechnoOlymp;" and the All-Russian Student Olympiad "I am a Professional." Additionally, visitors learned about scholarships, extracurricular activities, and employer-sponsored education opportunities at the University.

Aleksandr Khurshudian, Deputy Senior Vice-Rector for Youth Policy and Admissions and Executive Secretary of the Admissions Committee at St Petersburg University, provided detailed insights into the admissions process. He announced that on 20 January 2025, the University’s website will publish key information regarding admissions for the 2025/2026 academic year. For those applying to bachelor’s and specialist’s programmes, applicants will typically need to submit only their Unified State Examination results for most areas of study. Aleksandr Khurshudian also explained the enrolment competition process, how scores are calculated, what individual achievements are taken into account, and the allocation of employer-sponsored positions.

Aleksandr Khurshudian also emphasised that the University’s Admissions Committee is always ready to answer questions from prospective students and explain the admissions process in clear and understandable terms. "There are many talented applicants eager to study at St Petersburg University. Don’t be intimidated by the application process. Your primary focus right now should be on excelling in your Unified State Exams. When submitting your documents, make sure to set your priorities correctly. In any case, the staff of the Admissions Committee is always here to answer your queries about the application process," commented Aleksandr Khurshudian regarding the upcoming 2025 admissions campaign.

As part of the Applicant Day programme, the staff of the Psychological Clinic at St Petersburg University conducted a master class on career guidance. Psychologist Mariia Leonteva noted that many people choose future jobs based on demand or family expectations rather than personal preferences, which often leads to burnout. She emphasised the importance of pursuing what one truly enjoys. To understand your inclinations, you can assess your potential and abilities through specialist testing or by seeking input from relatives. "It is also crucial to see yourself through the eyes of others to understand your capabilities. In essence, developing self-awareness is key, as making a decision is one of the most challenging aspects of choosing a profession," explained Mariia Leonteva.

Mariia Leonteva advised school students to take their time for self-discovery and not hesitate to explore different fields. "Choosing a profession today is almost like preparing to launch a spaceship on a specific trajectory. Navigating the multitude of career options means selecting a direction for your own path. Career guidance master classes serve as a space for introspection: assessing where you are now, identifying your key abilities, and determining your next steps," said Mariia Leonteva.

Anastasiia Bosova travelled from her hometown of Tver to explore St Petersburg University firsthand. She is certain that continuing her education in a master’s programme is essential for her professional development, and St Petersburg University is her top choice. "I am considering programmes in various areas of study, including museum studies and theology. Oriental studies are also on my list, as I have a keen interest in foreign languages. Frankly speaking, St Petersburg University has long been on my radar, because many of my friends and acquaintances are its graduates. Moreover, the fact that it is one of Russia’s leading universities in terms of educational quality is also extremely important to me. I want to obtain an 'elite' St Petersburg education, which is highly valued across the country, including in my native Tver," Anastasiia Bosova shared.

Daria Zenkina, an 11^th-grade student, also cited the University’s status as a key factor in considering it for her future studies. "I am thinking of enrolling in the Clinical Psychology programme at St Petersburg University because it is one of the best universities in the city. Its reputation for high-quality education is widely recognised, and many of its graduates are successful professionals who have gained global acclaim," the prospective student commented.

Valerii Turkov attended the Applicant Day to learn more about the University. "I am exploring various programmes in mathematics and physics because I would like to pursue a career in science. I had limited understanding of the admissions process, so I decided to come here. Now, I know what to prepare for and what to expect from student life at the University. Additionally, the career guidance master class was very informative. From now on, I will focus on the admission process and strive to achieve the highest exam results," said Valerii Turkov.

The Applicant Day programme also included a dedicated event for foreign citizens interested in studying at St Petersburg University. The participants learned about the admissions process for international applicants, intellectual competitions that can enhance admission chances, and the required documents for the University admission. For the convenience of foreign applicants abroad, the event was broadcast online.

The cultural programme of the Applicant Day featured a presentation titled "Three Centuries of the University’s History" and guided tours of St Petersburg University’s museums and collections located on Universitetskaya Embankment. The participants visited the Mineralogical Museum, the Palaeontology Museum, the Petrography Museum, and the Dmitri Mendeleev Museum and Archives.

Over 4,500 people joined the online broadcast and watched the recorded events of the Applicant Day. The questions of online viewers were answered by the staff of the Information Centre of the Admissions Committee of St Petersburg University.

BROADCAST