Russia boasts a long history of higher education, and many prestigious universities in the country hold high positions in 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 renowned universities and what are the features of each? Below is a detailed introduction to six top Russian universities.

1. Lomonosov Moscow State University

Lomonosov Moscow State University ranks first among Russia’s elite universities, though it fell to 6th place in this year’s BRICS University Rankings. Its main building was placed 90th in the latest global university rankings. It is the tallest educational building in the world and home to one of Russia’s largest library systems, housing roughly 10 million books, of which 2.5 million are foreign-language publications.

Among the 48 subjects included in the QS World University Subject Rankings, Lomonosov Moscow State University has 28 subjects ranked among the world’s top tier, including Linguistics, Physics, Mathematics, Modern Languages, Hospitality & Leisure Management and Computer Science.

2. Saint Petersburg State University

Saint Petersburg State University continued to climb in this year’s BRICS University Rankings, now at 11th place. It overtook Novosibirsk State University to become Russia’s second-highest-ranked university. It also ranks 235th worldwide. Founded by Peter the Great in 1724, it is Russia’s oldest university. Around 400 interdisciplinary programmes and 1,000 non-degree programmes are available, most delivered in Russian, while several English-taught programmes are also offered. Its distinguished alumni include nine Nobel Prize laureates and other prominent figures such as Vladimir Putin, President of Russia.

Out of its 15 internationally ranked subjects, three are in the world’s top 100: Modern Languages, Mathematics and Linguistics.

3. Novosibirsk State University

Novosibirsk State University is placed 12th in this year’s BRICS University Rankings and tied for 244th globally, scoring the highest marks in the indicator for international students. Students at Novosibirsk State University benefit from Akademgorodok (“Academic Town”), a world-leading scientific hub. As Siberia’s education and research centre, Akademgorodok hosts numerous research institutes and facilities. Doctoral programmes are available in English. Students studying in Russia can expand their knowledge by attending the university’s 12-week summer school.

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

4. Tomsk State University

Located in Siberia, Tomsk State University rose seven places to 19th in this year’s QS BRICS University Rankings, achieving full scores in both the faculty-to-student ratio and international student ratio indicators. Founded in 1878 as the Siberian Imperial University, it now has about 18,000 students, 2,000 of whom come from outside Russia. Its 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 ten universities this year. MIPT climbed seven positions to 21st in the BRICS University Rankings and 312th in the latest global university rankings. Established in 1951, it is recognised as one of Russia’s leading institutions for physics and technology. Many of its alumni have achieved success in science, politics, business and cosmology, including a large number of Russia’s top scientists.

Six subjects from MIPT feature in global subject rankings, among which Physics & Astronomy performs best and enters the world’s top 100.

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

National Research Nuclear University MEPhI continued its rise, moving up five spots to 30th in the BRICS University Rankings. It surpassed Bauman Moscow State Technical University to become Russia’s sixth top university. Originally founded in 1942 as the Moscow Ammunition and Machinery Institute, MEPhI has now become a fully globalised university adopting the Bologna Process, the standardisation framework for European higher education. While it earned full marks for the international student indicator, National Research Nuclear University MEPhI aims to make international students account for 21% of its total enrolment.

It is tied for 329th in the global university rankings. Its Physics & Astronomy discipline ranks within the world’s top 100, and Mathematics, Computer Science and Electrical Engineering also feature in global subject rankings.