University Foundation Programs
Take the first step for your future career!
APPLICATION INFORMAITON
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 and translation into Russian or English);
- Minimum age to apply – 17.
Application period starts March, 2025.
Application deadline depends on the program. Please, see the programs’ description above.
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.
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.
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.
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 in the territory of Russia. More information about medical insurance you can find here.
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.
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STEP 1. SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION ONLINE
In order to apply please fill in an application via SPbPU online application system.
The instruction how to fill in SPbPU online application form is HERE.
The list of the necessary application documents is available here:
- 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);
- Translation of educational document with transcript of records into Russian or English for preliminary documents evaluation.
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 1.5 years (18 months) after the expected date of your arrival in Russia.! Important: If you are in Russia and if you plan to get enrolled in SPbPU without leaving Russia and coming back, you must submit a copy of your fingerprint registration confirmation document. -
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STEP 2. GET YOUR VISA INVITATION AND APPLY FOR A STUDENT VISA (Only for foreign nationals from the visa-regime countries)
After your application has been processed you will receive a visa invitation from your admission manager in SPbPU online application system (it will be uploaded to the section “Additional files”).
! Note Processing a visa invitation takes 4 to 6 weeks by the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs. Please submit the documents in advance. There is NO possibility for urgent visa invitations issuance.With electronic invitation you can apply for a student visa issuance at the Russian Embassy or Consulate in the country of residence.
! Note
- Citizens of visa regime countries can enter Russia for studying only with a study visa.
- Please check on the relevant list of documents necessary for processing a student visa in the Russian Embassy/Consulate in the country of visa issuance.
- Do not buy tickets to Russia until you receive your visa invitation. Check the possible date of your arrival with your admission manager.
- You cannot get your student visa in the Russian Federation.
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STEP 3. PREPARE YOUR EDUCATIONAL DOCUMENTS
For enrollment for degree programs in the future you will have to legalize your educational documents. Legalization is a procedure designed to give legal force to a document issued in the territory of one state in the territory of another one. Depending on the country of educational documents issuance, there are 2 types of legalization: consular legalization and apostille.
For a number of countries which the Russian Federation has appropriate agreements on legal support with, no legalization is required. You can check HERE whether you need legalization of your documents or not.
! Note Legalization of educational documents can be only done in the country of their issuance. You should submit your educational documents before enrollment for degree programs -
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STEP 4. INFORM ABOUT YOUR ARRIVAL
You should inform your admission manager via chat of SPbPU online application system about your arrival at least 7 days before your arrival. You should send the date and time of arrival, your study visa and ticket to St. Petersburg.
If you plan to stay at the dormitory, you should inform the dormitory management via email about your arrival at least 7 days before your arrival. In the email you should send your visa, ticket to St. Petersburg and specify the program you applied for. After that you will receive the dormitory address and instructions for check-in from the dormitory management.
Contacts
St. Petersburg, #30 Grazhdansky Ave. Unified center for foreign citizens- Unified center for foreign citizens (1st floor, room 104,106)
- Office hours: Monday-Friday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., lunch break: 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
- Contact person: Yulia V. Soloveva
- [email protected]
- +7 (800) 707-18-99 (add number 3009, 3008)
- + 7 (812) 248-92-09
An applicant can request buddy support from Tutors SPbPU:- to arrange a pick-up from the airport
- negotiate campus housing
- get around college campus
e-mail: [email protected]
online form.
Note! To get a buddy you must send a request for assistance at least 7 days before your arrival!
STEP 1. DORMITORY CHECK-IN (IF NEEDED)
Contacts
- Unified center for foreign citizens (1st floor, room 104,106)
- Office hours: Monday-Friday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., lunch break: 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
- Contact person: Yulia V. Soloveva
- [email protected]
- +7 (800) 707-18-99 (add number 3009, 3008)
- + 7 (812) 248-92-09
STEP 2. COME TO THE PASSPORT AND VISA DEPARTMENT ON THE TERRITORY OF THE UNIFED CENTER FOR FOREIGN CITIZENS
Please make sure that you receive your migration card with the stamp of arrival to the Russian Federation indicating the purpose of your arrival as STUDY (УЧЁБА) at the Customs Control Zone. Please remember that you must keep the migration card until your next crossing the border.
International students during their studies at the University can be accommodated in the University’s dormitory or at a private address (hotel/hostel/rented apartment, etc.).
- All foreign citizens arriving to the Russian Federation must register according to the place of residence (dormitory / private address) within 3 days after crossing the Russian Federation border. The penalty for late registration may vary from paying a fine to deportation from Russia!
- All international students must extend their student visas / registration no later than 45 days prior to the date of its expiration.
Please note that students renting apartments/rooms must register themselves with the help of landlords. We advise you to discuss this issue with the landlord in advance, as there are more cases of owners refusing to register students. Detailed information is available HERE.
Please bring the following documents to the Unified center for foreign citizens:
- Passport
- Copy of all pages of passport
- Original and a copy of registration
- Original and a copy of the migration card
- Referral from the hostel (if available)
Contacts
- Unified center for foreign citizens (1st floor)
- Office hours:
Monday/ Wednesday/ Friday 2:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday/ Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
lunch break: 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. - Contact person: Valentik-Levitskaya Elena Gennadievna
- [email protected]
- +7 (812) 775-05-30 add number 6503
STEP 3. PURCHASE MEDICAL INSURANCE CERTIFICATE
- Medical insurance certificate is one of the obligatory documents for enrollment in SPbPU and studying. More information about medical insurance you can find HERE.
Foreign students have to obtain medical insurance certificates after arrival. This certificate should be valid in Russia and include health insurance, life insurance and cover repatriation in case of death. We strongly recommend you to obtain a medical insurance certificate in the territory of Russia.
Contacts
Medical insurance office
- St. Petersburg, #30 Grazhdansky Ave. (1st floor), Unified center for foreign citizens. Office hours: Monday-Friday 10:00 a.m. – 16:00 p.m.
- Student polyclinic 76. St. Petersburg, #11/1 Khlopina St., room 120 (1st floor) Office hours: Monday-Friday 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
STEP 4. VISIT ADMISSION OFFICE AND PAY TUITION
- Bring 2 photos, copy of passport, copy of visa
- Bring the copy of the medical insurance certificate
- Get your application form
- Pay tuition (payment is to be made by bank card)
- Get your contract
Contacts
- St. Petersburg, #28 Grazhdansky Ave., room 228 (2nd floor)
- Office hours: Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 5 p.m., Friday 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., lunch break 1:30 p.m. – 2 p.m.
- Contact person: Nataliia Makhanova
- [email protected]
- +7 (812) 606-62-41
STEP 5. FINALIZE YOUR ENROLLMENT AND UNDERGO MEDICAL CHECK-UP
- Visit university foundation deanery (study office) and get the following
- Enrollment certificate
- Schedule
- Student card
- Information about access to the library
- Undergo medical check-up in the Student polyclinic №76 (room 219).
- Get a signature in Medical check-up office (Grazhdanskiy Ave. 28, 1st floor, room 109).
- Get the entrance card in the Entrance card office. Contacts
Contacts
- St. Petersburg, #28 Grazhdansky Ave., room 301 (3rd floor)
- Office hours: 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., lunch break 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
- Contact person: Irina Martynova
- [email protected]
- +7 (812) 606-62-32
Medical check-up office
- Student polyclinic 76
St. Petersburg, #11/1 Khlopina St., room 219 (2nd floor)
Medical office (for getting a signature on your application)
Entrance card office
STEP 6. FINGERPRINTING AND MEDICAL EXAMINATION
All foreign citizens (except for citizens of the Republic of Belarus and citizens having the status of temporary residence permit or residence permit) arriving in Russia for more than 90 days must undergo mandatory fingerprint registration, photographing and medical examination (in accordance with Federal Law № 274-FZ of 01.07.2021). Students, postgraduate students, trainees have to do it within 90 days from the moment of entry into the Russian Federation.
To undergo mandatory state fingerprint registration, photographing and medical examination all foreign nationals must apply in person to: St. Petersburg, 10-12 Krasnogo Tekstilshchika Str., lit. B (entrance 2 from the courtyard).
According to the results, the foreign citizen receives a document confirming the passing of fingerprint registration and photographing and a certificate of acceptance of medical documents.
The document confirming the passing of fingerprint registration is valid for 10 years.
The following documents are required for medical examination and fingerprinting:
- passport;
- notarized translation of passport (if available);
- migration card;
- current Registration.
STEP 7. EXTEND YOUR VISA AND REGISTRATION
In accordance with the migration laws and regulations all foreign students must apply for visa and registration prolongation 45 days before their expiration date.
More information about visa and registration prolongation is available HERE.
Extend your visa/registration at the SPbPU Passport and Visa Department (PVD). Please take an electronic ticket according to the purpose of your visit.
The list of required documents can be found HERE.GENERAL INFORMATION
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.
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.
Students, who have successfully completed the University Foundation Program, (workload more than 1100 academic hours) receive the Certificate of the University’s standard form.
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).
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 [email protected].
DESCRIPTION OF UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION PROGRAMS
- Duration of the program:1 year;
- Duration of study: 10,5 months;
- Start of the program: September 15 – November 01;
- Application period: March 17, 2025 – August 01, 2025;
- Workload: 2376 academic hours (including 1116 contact hours).
| Engineering | Basic disciplines | Russian language, mathematics, physics |
| Specialty disciplines | Computer science, chemistry | |
| Economics | Basic disciplines |
Russian language, mathematics, social studies (basic course and module “economic and social geography”) |
| Specialty disciplines | Computer science, history | |
| Humanities | Basic disciplines | Russian language, history, social studies (basic course and module “economic and social geography”), literature |
| 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 250 000 for 2024-2025 academic year
- Duration of the program: 10,5 months;
- Duration of study: 8 months;
- Start of the program: November 01 – December 01;
- Application period: March 17, 2025 – September 15, 2025;
- 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 |
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 220 000 for 2024-2025 academic year
- Duration of the program: 1 year;
- Duration of study: 10 months;
- Start of the program: September 15 – November 01;
- Application period: March 17, 2025 – August 01, 2025;
- Workload: 2376 academic hours (including 1050 contact hours);
- Specialty disciplines: Russian language, business Russian, history, social studies, literature.
Fees: RR 250 000 for 2024-2025 academic year
- Duration of the program: 10,5 months;
- Duration of study: 8 months;
- Start of the program: November 04 – December 01;
- Application period: March 01, 2025 – September 15, 2025;
- Workload: 2376 academic hours (including 1022 contact hours);
- Specialty disciplines: Russian language, business Russian, history, social studies, literature.
Fees: RR 220 000 for 2024-2025 academic year
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: 5,5 months;
- Start of the program: February 01 – March 01;
- Application period: September 17, 2025 – November 01, 2025;
- Workload: 1044 academic hours (including 464 contact hours);
- Specialty disciplines: Russian language, mathematics, social studies.
Fees: RR 135 000 for 2024-2025 academic year
University foundation programs
Classes will be held in a face-to-face format.
Term of study: 1- 7 months.
Preparation for the exams for the Test of Russian as a Foreign Language (ТРКИ) certificate is underway.
Classes are held in the building of the Higher School of International Educational Programs at 28, Grazhdansky pr.
If you have any questions, please contact us by e-mail: [email protected]
Contacts
Unified center for foreign citizens:
- SPbPU Passport and Visa Department (Grazhdansky pr., 30, Unified center for foreign citizens, 1st floor)
- Office hours:
Monday/ Wednesday/ Friday 2:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday/ Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
lunch break: 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. - Contact person: Valentik-Levitskaya Elena Gennadievna
- [email protected]
- +7 (812) 775-05-30 add number 6503
- St. Petersburg, #28 Grazhdansky Ave., room 228 (2nd floor)
- Office hours: Monday-Thursday 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m., Friday 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., lunch break 1:30 p.m. – 2 p.m.
- [email protected]
- [email protected]
- [email protected]
- [email protected]
- 8 (800) 101-18-99
- St. Petersburg, #28 Grazhdansky Ave., room 301 (3rd floor)
- Office hours: 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., lunch break 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
- Contact person: Irina Martynova
- [email protected]
- +7 (812) 606-62-32
Student's testimonials
