The St Petersburg University Online School: school students from 44 countries want to study at the University

The largest number of applications (83) was submitted by pupils of grades 5-10 living in Latvia; 39 applications were received from Kazakhstan; and 21 applications were submitted by Russian-speaking pupils from Uzbekistan. In total, the University received 294 applications from 44 countries, including the USA, Great Britain, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Canada and many others.

‘Now we have a responsible task: to select the first students to study in the degree programmes of the St Petersburg University Online School, those who will give a start to this important project for the whole country. The St Petersburg University Online School will unite Russian-speaking students from four dozen countries, which in itself is a unique event in the field of education. I am sure that we will be able to provide quality education that will become a reliable foundation for young people to enter Russian universities,’ said Aleksandr Babich, Senior Vice-Rector for Youth Policy and Admissions of St Petersburg University.

The educational project "St Petersburg University Online School" will make it possible for schoolchildren from anywhere in the world to receive a certificate in the standard form. This will enable them to enter universities in Russia without going through the procedure for recognising their educational credentials. The first Russian university-based comprehensive school will start its work on 1 September 2023 on the basis of St Petersburg University. The project is supported by the Government Office of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation.

The Online School will be run using extra-budgetary funds from the University and will be free to those enrolled.