Russia boasts a long history of higher education and many world-renowned universities with strong global rankings. Studying in Russia attracts Chinese students thanks to its high-quality education, low tuition fees and affordable living costs. What are Russia’s famous universities and what makes each one distinctive? Below is a detailed introduction to Russia’s six top universities.

1. Lomonosov Moscow State University

Lomonosov Moscow State University tops Russia’s league table of universities, though it fell to 6th place in this year’s BRICS University Rankings. Its iconic main building is ranked 90th in the latest global university rankings. It is the tallest educational building worldwide and home to one of Russia’s largest library systems, holding roughly 10 million books, of which 2.5 million are foreign-language volumes.

Out of 48 subjects assessed in the QS World University Rankings by Subject, 28 subjects at Moscow State University rank among the world’s leading programmes, including Linguistics, Physics, Mathematics, Modern Languages, Hospitality & Leisure Management and Computer Science.

2. Saint Petersburg State University

Saint Petersburg State University continues its rise in this year’s BRICS University Rankings and is now placed 11th, overtaking Novosibirsk State University to become Russia’s second-highest ranked university. It is positioned 235th in the global rankings. Founded by Peter the Great in 1724, it is Russia’s oldest university. Around 400 interdisciplinary degree programmes and 1,000 non-degree programmes are available. Most courses are delivered in Russian, while a selection of English-taught programmes are also offered. Its distinguished alumni include nine Nobel laureates and other notable figures such as Vladimir Putin, President of Russia.

Among the 15 internationally ranked subjects at Saint Petersburg State University, three are within the world’s top 100: Modern Languages, Mathematics and Linguistics.

3. Novosibirsk State University

Novosibirsk State University ranks 12th in this year’s BRICS University Rankings and is tied at 244th globally. It achieved the highest score for the international student indicator. Students at Novosibirsk State University benefit from Akademgorodok (“Academic Town”), a world-leading scientific hub. It serves as the educational and scientific centre of Siberia and hosts numerous research institutes and facilities. English-taught programmes are available at doctoral level. International students studying in Russia can also enrol in Novosibirsk State University’s 12-week summer schools to expand their knowledge.

Novosibirsk State University features ten subjects ranked among the world’s top disciplines, with Physics & Astronomy reaching the global top 100.

4. Tomsk State University

Also located in Siberia, Tomsk State University climbed seven places to 19th in this year’s QS BRICS Rankings. It obtained full marks for the faculty-to-student ratio and international student proportion. Founded in 1878 as the Siberian Imperial University, it now has approximately 18,000 students, of whom 2,000 come from outside Russia. English-taught programmes cover Linguistics, Computer Science, Management and Physics.

Physics & Astronomy and Modern Languages are among its five subjects ranked within the world’s top 250.

5. Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT)

Next is Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, one of Russia’s top 10 universities this year. MIPT rose seven places to 21st in the BRICS University Rankings and holds 312th place in the latest global university rankings. Founded in 1951, it is recognised as one of Russia’s leading physics and technology institutions. Many of its alumni have achieved success in science, politics, business and cosmology, including many of Russia’s preeminent scientists.

Six subjects at MIPT feature in global rankings, with Physics & Astronomy as its highest-ranked discipline inside the world’s top 100.

6. National Research Nuclear University MEPhI (Moscow Engineering Physics Institute)

National Research Nuclear University MEPhI continues its upward trajectory, climbing five spots to 30th in the BRICS University Rankings. It surpassed Bauman Moscow State Technical University to become Russia’s sixth top university. Originally established in 1942 as the Moscow Institute of Ammunition and Mechanics, MEPhI has now become a fully globalised university adopting the Bologna Process, the standardisation framework for European higher education. While it earned a perfect score for the international student indicator, MEPhI aims to raise the share of international students to 21%.

Tied at 329th globally, National Research Nuclear University MEPhI ranks within the world’s top 100 for Physics & Astronomy, with Mathematics, Computer Science and Electrical Engineering also featured in global subject rankings.