St Petersburg University ranks among top 5 best BRICS universities according to ARM
St Petersburg University has made it to the list of top universities in the BRICS countries, according to a pilot ranking of BRICS universities compiled by the Association of Rating Makers (ARM). The list includes 825 universities from Russia, Brazil, Egypt, India, Iran, China, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia and South Africa. In the year of its 300th anniversary, St Petersburg University secured fifth spot in the ranking.
The list includes universities that hold leading positions in global and national rankings. The methodology of the ranking is based on the general approach of the "Three University Missions" global ranking. However, the new ranking model also takes into account the national characteristics of educational institutions in the BRICS countries.
Pilot Ranking for BRICS universities 2024
In assessing research activity, the ranking for the first time takes into account the number of joint publications between BRICS partners, reflecting the intensity of research collaboration between them. In addition, the new ranking increases the weight of criteria given to the number of student wins in international Olympiads and the proportion of international students at the university.
It’s worth noting that for six years in a row, St Petersburg University has been the most sought-after higher education institution in Russia among foreigners. This year, SPbU received applications from 140 countries. The competition among foreigners for budget-funded places is 21 applicants per place, while the competition for self-funded places is five applicants per place.
The University systematically and consistently works to support and strengthen the position of the Russian language abroad, implementing educational and outreach projects for learning Russian. Currently, the University has created 120 Russian language centres in 50 countries around the world, including the BRICS countries.
As the ranking’s authors point out, only objective criteria approved by international experts were used to compile the list. Sources of information included open data from official websites of universities and national authorities, as well as data from independent international web platforms, including various online course platforms, international Olympiad websites and more.
This year, the total number of students admitted who were exempted from entrance exams — winners and runners-up of international and Russian national school Olympiads — increased by more than 11%. Among them is a winner and a silver medallist of the International Mathematical Olympiad.
Today, St Petersburg University is a leader in online education — we have developed over 500 online courses with a total audience of over 4,000,000 people worldwide, including the BRICS countries. SPbU is the only Russian educational institution that is a co-founder of the MOOC Global Union and a co-founder of the online platform "Open Education". In addition, SPbU is the first Russian university to present its courses on the Chinese national online education platform XuetangX, with the 30 online courses currently available on the platform proving popular with the audience.
The University not only pays great attention to the implementation of educational programmes and scientific research on BRICS countries, but also actively participates in the international agenda, which allows it to offer solutions to key issues of BRICS cooperation and to act as an expert organisation in international law, medicine, entrepreneurship and many other areas. Earlier, St Petersburg University presented its own project for an Investment Arbitration Institute for the BRICS countries, which will simplify the procedure for resolving disputes and increase the investment attractiveness of the countries in this intergovernmental union.