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University Foundation Programs

Take the first step for your future career!

Dear applicants! Application period for the 2023/2024 academic year for the University Foundation Programs starts on February 20, 2023.

University Foundation Programs:

Prepare international students for undergraduate and postgraduate studies at Russian universities;
Comply with the state educational requirements for programs that prepare foreign citizens for professional educational programs;
Develop international communication and studying skills through the Russian language and professional training;
Allow international students to deepen, systematize and eliminate gaps in their knowledge in specialized disciplines.

University foundation programs are necessary for international students who would like to continue their studies in any educational program at Russian universities.

University foundation programs for international students are certified by the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education.

The first SPbPU University Foundation Program was founded in 1965. Since then, more than 15 thousand students from Europe, Central, North and South Americas, Asia and Africa have graduated from these programs.

SPbPU University Foundation Programs meet Russian state educational standards of university foundation training. The programs are based on the standards of Russian high schools and first years of higher education institutions. Over 50% of the class time is dedicated to learning Russian language.

We offer three educational frameworks depending on the students’ future specializations (majors: ENGINEERING, ECONOMICS, and HUMANITIES).

Programs for international students:

1. Non-degree University Foundation Program - STANDARD

Duration of the program:1 year;
Duration of study: 10 months;
Start of the program: September 15, 2023 – November 01, 2023;
Application period: February 20, 2023 – September 10, 2023;
Workload: 2376 academic hours (including 1116 contact hours).

Specialty disciplines:

Engineering	Basic disciplines	Russian language, mathematics, physics
Engineering	Specialty disciplines	Computer science, chemistry
Economics	Basic disciplines	Russian language, mathematics, social studies (basic course and module “economic and social geography”)
Economics	Specialty disciplines	Computer science, history
Humanities	Basic disciplines	Russian language, history, social studies (basic course and module “economic and social geography”), literature
Humanities	Specialty disciplines	Mathematics, computer science

The program also prepares students for graduate and postgraduate studies in engineering and economics with additional disciplines (preparation for graduate school, special chapters in mathematics, computer science/chemistry and biology/philosophy), usually in separate groups of pre-master's degree and pre-postgraduate degree students.

Fees: RR 215 000

2. Non-degree University Foundation Program - INTENSIVE

Duration of the program: 10,5 months;
Duration of study: 8 months;
Start of the program: November 01, 2023 – December 01, 2023;
Application period: February 20, 2023 – October 20, 2023;
Workload: 2376 academic hours (including 1050 contact hours).

Specialty disciplines:

Engineering	Russian language, mathematics, physics, elective course (computer science or chemistry)
Economics	Russian language, mathematics, social studies (basic course and module “economic and social geography”), history
Humanities	Russian language, history, social studies (basic course and module “economic and social geography”), literature

Fees: RR 200 000

3. Non-degree Russian Language Study Program (the First Certificate Level) - STANDARD

Duration of the program: 1 year;
Duration of study: 10 months;
Start of the program: September 15, 2023 – November 01, 2023;
Application period: February 20, 2023 – September 10, 2023;
Workload: 2376 academic hours (including 1050 contact hours);
Specialty disciplines: Russian language, business Russian, history, social studies, literature.

Students of the program have an opportunity to prepare for Test of Russian as a Foreign Language, level I (TORFL-I) and for comprehensive examination in Russian as a foreign language, history of Russia and fundamental principles of legislation in Russia. There is also a possibility to prepare for Test of Russian as a Foreign Language, level II (TORFL-II) in case there are enough students to form a study group.

Fees: RR 215 000

4. Non-degree Russian Language Study Program (the First Certificate Level) - INTENSIVE

Duration of the program: 10,5 months;
Duration of study: 8 months;
Start of the program: November 01, 2023 – December 01, 2023;
Application period: February 20, 2023 – October 20, 2023;
Workload: 2376 academic hours (including 1022 contact hours);
Specialty disciplines: Russian language, business Russian, history, social studies, literature.

Students of the program have an opportunity to prepare for Test of Russian as a Foreign Language, level I (TORFL-I) and for comprehensive examination in Russian as a foreign language, history of Russia and fundamental principles of legislation in Russia. There is also a possibility to prepare for Test of Russian as a Foreign Language, level II (TORFL-II) in case there are enough students to form a study group.

Fees: RR 200 000

5. Non-degree Semester University Foundation Program

Non-degree Semester University Foundation Program

The program is recommended for:

future students of English-taught bachelor's or master's degree programs;
future students of 10-months university foundation programs.

Duration of the program: 7,5 months;
Duration of study: 4,5 months;
Start of the program: February 01, 2024 – March 01, 2024;
Application period: September 01, 2023 – January 31, 2024;
Workload: 1044 academic hours (including 464 contact hours);
Specialty disciplines: Russian language, mathematics, social studies.

Fees: RR 120 000

Training of foreign nationals is carried out in groups of up to 12-15 people.

Classes are held in the morning and afternoon hours 5-6 days a week.

Independent work of students is supported both by the library stock and electronic resources.

For students, excursions around the city and suburbs are organized; available for them are: tutors’ service, the PolyUnion International Student Club, cooking workshops, literary evenings, various holidays and sports events. You can contact PolyUnion via email tutorforcespolytech@gmail.com.

Students, who have successfully completed the University Foundation Program, (workload more than 1100 academic hours) receive the Certificate of the University’s standard form.

Application information

Apply now

Admission requirements

Admission requirements:

Copy of passport valid for at least 1.5 years (18 months) after the expected date of your arrival in Russia;
Educational documents (certificate/diploma with transcript);
Minimum age to apply – 17.

Application period

Application period starts on February 20, 2023.

Application deadline depends on the program. Please, see the programs’ description above.

How to apply

In order to apply please fill in an application in SPbPU online application system.

User manual for self-funded students is available here.

Wait for the response from a manager of the Admission office for International students (hereinafter – Admission manager) in the chat of SPbPU online application system.

! Note Your passport must be valid for at least 1.5 years (18 months) after the expected date of your arrival in Russia.

Visa invitation and student visa

Your Admission manager will apply for your visa invitation after checking your application and educational documents in SPbPU online application system. Processing a visa invitation takes from 4 to 6 weeks. There is no possibility for urgent visa invitations issuance.

After receiving your visa invitation, you should apply for a student visa at the Russian Embassy or Consulate in the country of residence.

! Note You cannot cross the border of the Russian Federation with the invitation only! You need a visa. Please check on the actual list of documents necessary for processing a student visa in the Russian Embassy/Consulate in the country of visa issuance. You cannot get your student visa in the Russian Federation.

First one-entry student visa has the same duration as your visa invitation. After arrival and enrollment, you will be able to apply for visa prolongation. Your new prolonged multi-entry visa will be valid until the end of the program. Detailed information about visa prolongation you may find here.

Student accommodation

Foreign students enrolled in university foundation programs have an opportunity to stay at the student dormitory on campus. Placement at the student dormitory is subjected to availability. In case there are no rooms available, you will have to rent an apartment. Detailed information about dormitories you may find here.

Medical insurance

Foreign students have to obtain medical insurance certificates after arrival. This certificate should be valid in St. Petersburg and include health insurance, life insurance and cover repatriation in case of death. We strongly recommend you to obtain medical insurance certificate on the territory of Russia. More information about medical insurance you can find here.

Mandatory fingerprinting and medical examination

All foreign citizens (except for citizens of the Republic of Belarus and citizens having temporary residence permit or permanent residence permit) arriving in Russia since 29.12.2021 must undergo mandatory fingerprint registration, photographing and medical examination within 90 days after arrival (in accordance with Federal Law № 274-FZ of 01.07.2021). More information you can find here.