The Russian educational space has always attracted citizens from the historically and geographically close Republic of Belarus. Admission on an equal basis with Russians, the opportunity to study for free under a quota, the absence of a language barrier - these (and many other) arguments determine the desire of Belarusian youth to study in Russia. This material will discuss how a Belarusian can enroll in a Russian university.
Russian education for foreign citizens
Foreign citizens, regardless of their country of origin, have the right to receive preschool and secondary education in Russia and apply for places in secondary specialized and higher educational institutions.
The only condition for obtaining an education is the legality of staying on the territory of the Russian Federation, which is impossible without compliance with migration rules.
The stay of foreigners in the country presupposes, first of all, the preparation of other necessary papers.
In addition, the education of Belarusians in Russia (as well as Kazakhs, Tajiks, Kyrgyz and some other citizens of the CIS countries) is regulated by international agreements signed back in the nineties of the last century. According to these agreements, applicants, in particular from Belarus, can apply for budget places and dormitories, receive scholarships and other student benefits on the same basis as Russian citizens.
Russian universities also recognize school certificates obtained in the Republic of Belarus, without an additional legalization procedure.
A little about the Unified State Exam
A Belarusian graduate can enter a Russian university in three ways: according to a quota, the results of internal exams at the university and the Unified State Exam. As part of the quota, you need to write two tests and pass a competition. Internal exams follow the same pattern as in Belarus. The Unified State Exam has its own characteristics, which you can read about at the link.
It is important to know such nuances. Only those who have received at least C grades in high school (using a five-point system) are allowed to take the Unified State Examination. And those Russian eleventh graders who wrote the final essay.
Belarusians do not need to write a final essay to access the Unified State Examination. But if you wish, you can go through this stage if you want to get an additional point upon admission
Graduates are required to take the Unified State Examination in Russian language and mathematics. And the remaining subjects are chosen at will in any quantity: chemistry, history, literature, physics, geography, biology, foreign language, social studies. The results will be valid for four years.
Nuances of admission of Belarusian citizens to Russian universities
Admission to Russian universities by Belarusians, or more precisely, its scale and geography, is determined by a number of different factors: educational program, educational institution, financing option, personal achievements and skills of the graduate.
An applicant from Belarus can get into a Russian university in three ways:
- pass the Unified State Exam and apply based on its results (by the way, we have already written about how it goes);
- take exams directly at the university;
- take advantage of the government quota for studying in Russia.
The algorithm of actions has essentially not changed since ancient times:
- choice of specialty and university;
- identification of admission and financing options;
- submitting documents and passing the necessary tests;
- admission and training.
The entire procedure is described in more detail in the material about that.
Which universities do Belarusians choose in the Russian Federation?
Traditional specializations that are popular among foreign applicants are medical, engineering, social sciences, humanities, philology, and computer science. Belarusians are no exception here.
Admission to universities in Smolensk for Belarusians without the Unified State Exam is possible according to a government quota (for the budget) or on the basis of internal entrance tests conducted directly by the institution (depending on the specialty). Educational institutions of this city, taking into account its territorial proximity to the border, are in consistently high demand among Belarusian applicants.
Many future students are also interested in how Belarusians are admitted to the FSB Academy. Here you will definitely need to undergo an additional interview and physical fitness test.
An applicant from Belarus has the right to choose any higher educational institution in Russia if he plans to enroll according to a general competition, but he can study under a quota at higher educational institutions determined by the Government of the Russian Federation, the list of which changes (mostly is supplemented) every year depending on the economic situation in the country and current forecasts in the needs of personnel of a specific specialization.
Metropolitan universities
Traditionally, Moscow universities are open to Belarusians and citizens of other countries. Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN), Moscow State University (MSU), State Institute of Russian Language named after. A.S. Pushkin, Moscow State Medical University (MSMU) named after. THEM. Sechenov is not a complete list of capital universities where young citizens of the Republic of Belarus want to study.
Find out more about what they are.
It is worth noting that studying for Belarusians in Moscow after the 11th grade is, first of all, a prospect, which is why so many schoolchildren strive to enroll here.
Higher education institutions in St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg universities are no less popular among foreigners. The northern capital offers no less prospects; in addition, it has its own unique history, traditions, and local flavor. Compared to Moscow, housing is cheaper here, there are fewer traffic jams, the daily rhythm is calmer and at the same time the cultural life is richer. From here it is closer to both Belarus and Europe (you can get to Finland in a few hours).
The opportunity to study in various specialties is provided by universities in St. Petersburg for Belarusians - journalism, economics, philology, medicine, information technology. St. Petersburg State University, PGUPS, I, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, Mining University accept students on a general basis.
Government scholarships for Belarusians in Russia: the opportunity to study for free
Forty-two - this is exactly how many quotas for training Belarusian students were allocated by the Government of the Russian Federation for the 2018-2019 academic year. Every school graduate from the Republic of Belarus whose average certificate score is at least 8 can take advantage of the opportunity to enter universities without exams and study for free in the Russian Federation. In addition, the participation of schoolchildren in republican events (olympiads and similar competitions) in the chosen profile is taken into account.
Naturally, there is also a competition among everyone who wants to enter the quota. Traditionally, it is high in medical areas. Rossotrudnichestvo (the organization that carries out the selection) tries to give the best graduates from Belarus a chance to receive higher education in Russia, therefore, if there is an equal number of points in the certificate, preference is given to participants in republican Olympiads and competitions.
With the introduction of the Common Educational Space, Belarusians can now enroll and study on a common basis in any universities in Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
Citizens of these countries have the same rights when entering Belarusian universities and studying there. Students study both on a paid and budget basis, receive scholarships and places in dormitories.
At the same time, the results of Belarusian Olympiads, Belarusian medals and the results of Belarusian testing are not recognized in Russian universities. The only thing that matters is the applicant’s participation in international competitions. At a Russian university, a Belarusian must pass all the required tests, as well as a mandatory test in the Russian language in the form of the Unified State Exam. Let us note that Russian tests are also not recognized here, and Russians take all tests in Belarus.
There are two forms of education in Russia:
— Off-budget form of training
To do this, you need to pass entrance exams, which are conducted by the university specifically for foreign students. As a rule, the deadline for submitting documents to pass exams and participate in competitive selection expires on July 10. The exams themselves are held from July 10 to July 24. Based on the results of the exams, a decision is made on your enrollment or refusal. Information about the university’s decision can be found on the university’s official website.
— Budget form of education
Enrollment in the budget form of education is based on quotas for studying in Russia. To do this, citizens of the Republic of Belarus who want to study at Russian universities submit an application to Rossotrudnichestvo, post their resume and portfolio on. Rossotrudnichestvo selects candidates and transfers their portfolios to personal electronic accounts of universities. Universities, in turn, conduct entrance exams for these applicants, rank the scores and submit information to the Ministry of Education and Science, where, based on the results, an official referral for admission to the university is issued. Each direction has its own number, which is formed by the name of the country.
You can enter a Russian university by passing the Unified State Exam or entrance exams.
You can take both the unified exam and university entrance exams. In addition, it is worth remembering that some universities for foreigners only conduct entrance tests in the form of written or oral exams in subjects corresponding to the profile of the chosen specialty. Based on their results, a decision on enrollment is made.
If you have to take the Unified State Exam, then first of all you need to register. You can do this here: https://4ege.ru/materials_podgotovka/3083-adresa-registracii-na-ege.html select the region, city in which you will take the Unified State Exam.
First of all, what we recommend doing is deciding on a university.
Then you need to collect a package of documents for the university. What you may need: 1) A copy of your education document; 2) A copy of an identity document.
After submitting documents remotely, you will need to come to the university in person and provide the originals of the above documents and additionally attach an application for admission to study, a medical certificate, and photographs.
Belarusian diplomas do not need to be confirmed in Russia.
But diplomas of all other states, except for countries participating in the Common Educational Space, must undergo a mandatory confirmation procedure by the Federal Service for Supervision in Education and Science (Rosobrnadzor). Diplomas from Russian universities, if they are state-issued, are also recognized in Belarus.
To the list
Package of papers for admission
Upon admission, Belarusian applicants provide the following documents to the admissions committee of the chosen university:
- application and questionnaire (filled out according to the approved form in Russian);
- a certificate of secondary education (Belarusians do not need to further legalize it or notarize the translation, because information about its owner of the document is also presented in Russian);
- passport or other;
- necessary medical certificates;
- 6 photos.
Additional papers - if necessary, for example, if a Belarusian plans to get a second higher education in the Russian Federation, you need to attach a diploma of receiving the first one.
Registration procedure for the Unified State Exam for Belarusians
In 2021, 18 thousand Belarusian students studied in Russia. This attractiveness of Russian education for citizens of a neighboring country is due to the simplified admission system and the absence of a language barrier, because in Belarus Russian is the second state language.
Before wondering how a Belarusian can register for the Unified State Exam, he needs to decide on the educational institution he plans to enroll in. It is the university admissions committee that issues a referral to the place where the exam itself will be held. Applicants to study, for example, at the University of St. Petersburg and the Unified State Exam will most likely write in the northern capital. This should be taken into account when calculating the time and finances for travel to the place of taking the state exam.
Registration points for the Unified State Exam for Belarusian citizens
Both registration and writing of the final exam take place in Russia.
Current schoolchildren submit applications at their places of study, foreigners and graduates of previous years must submit applications at special registration points for taking the Unified State Exam, which are determined by state education authorities in each constituent entity of the Russian Federation. In addition, there are hotlines in each region where you can get up-to-date information.
Either the future student must submit documents to the university personally or his parents (authorized representatives) by proxy.
Registration deadlines
For Belarusians who are interested in how to sign up for the Unified State Exam, it is important to remember the application deadline is February 1. The Ministry of Education and Science usually publishes the exam schedule at the beginning of the calendar year, so Belarusian applicants have 2-3 weeks to analyze possible problems and plan their actions for passing the tests.
This is important because already in the January application you need to indicate a list of subjects in which the future student plans to be certified. If there is no exact choice of specialty yet, it is better to enter more disciplines and then simply not show up for the “unnecessary” ones.
If the applicant did not have time to submit an application before February 1, his application may be accepted later (at least two weeks before the exam), but only by decision of the State Examination Committee of the constituent entity of the Russian Federation and only upon presentation of compelling reasons for his inactivity (illness and similar circumstances must be confirmed by certificates) .
Unified State Exam dates for Belarusian applicants: choice without choice
The calendar plan for passing the Unified State Exam in Russia is not a very convenient moment for Belarusians.
So, in 2021 there are three unique “waves” of writing the Unified State Exam:
- early (March 21 – April 11);
- main (May 28 – July 2);
- additional (September 4-15).
Current Russian graduates, as well as graduates of previous years who received a “failure” in their chosen subject earlier, can try their luck again in September. Applicants from Belarus do not have such a chance, and all because they receive a certificate of secondary education, which must be in hand at the time of passing the exam, only in mid-June. This leaves them with only September trials and reserve days in the summer.
Cost of training in Russian universities
The cost of completing educational programs in Russia for students from Belarus depends on the following factors:
- chosen specialty and duration of study;
- organizational and legal form of the university (public or private);
- location of the educational institution (closer to the center - more expensive).
As you know, free education in Russia for Belarusians is available according to a quota; in addition, you can take part in the general competition for budget places. There are many examples when Belarusian graduates surpassed Russian ones in terms of the quality of knowledge and received the right to free education, including scholarships.
Those who plan to study on a paid basis should focus on the following amounts (per year):
- from 67 to 380 thousand rubles. – bachelor’s degree;
- from 68 to 430 thousand rubles. – specialty;
- from 82 to 450 thousand rubles. - Master's degree.
Although prices are slightly higher than in Belarus, they are significantly lower than, for example, in Europe or America. Therefore, even for contract students, the prospect of getting an “education abroad,” namely at a Russian university, is more attractive. Those who want to save money come closer to home and further from the capital, for example, to Smolensk.
How can Russian citizens enter a Belarusian university?
Can a Russian citizen enter a Belarusian university with USE results in hand?
No! And this is the first thing you need to remember - the results of the Unified State Exam in Belarus are not taken into account. Russians have two ways to become a student at Belarusian universities.
The first is based on the results of centralized testing (CT - the Belarusian analogue of the Unified State Exam). This method gives you the right to participate in a competition for budget education or, if you did not pass the competition, to enroll on a paid basis and pay for education on the same terms as other paying students from among the citizens of Belarus.
photo from open sources
In Belarus, tuition fees are divided into two types:
- Cost for citizens of Belarus
- Cost for foreign citizens
The second way is to enroll on a paid basis as a “foreign citizen.”
In this case, you don’t need to take the CT - all the other hassles in the form of registering for the CT, coming to Belarus in June-July, taking the test, etc. pass you by. It is enough to pass an interview to test your knowledge of the Russian language. Yes, yes, you read everything correctly, they will communicate with you to check your level of Russian language proficiency. It’s a little strange - but these are the requirements for foreigners entering universities in Belarus.
True, you won’t get off that easy if you decide to enroll in medical universities, majoring in architecture and design. At a medical university, such applicants take exams in biology and chemistry. To become an architect or designer, you must additionally pass a drawing exam.
Moreover, if the first method requires adherence to clear algorithms of action, bureaucratic procedures and is strictly limited to certain deadlines, then in the second method everything is simplified to the minimum. All you need to do is select the required specialty and university, submit an online application, send copies of documents by email and start packing your bags.
In some cases, you can conduct an online interview and enroll in a university without even coming to Belarus for this. This procedure is especially relevant for part-time applicants.
How to pass the CT for a Russian? Do I need to come to Belarus for this?
In order to take the centralized test, you must register for it. To do this, you need to come to the registration point on the specified days to submit an application, or send the necessary copies of documents by postal mail. Because traveling from the north of Russia to Belarus just for registration is such a pleasure.
We have already done a detailed analysis of the registration and delivery procedure for the CT, location, and timing. Here you can study everything.
photo from open sources.
At the time of publication of this article, registration for CT 2021 has already passed - if you did not have time, then the option of entering Belarus as a “foreigner” is your last opportunity to enroll this year.
Are higher education diplomas from a Belarusian university recognized in Russia?
Everything is simple here, here is an excerpt from the agreement:
“In accordance with the Agreement on mutual recognition and equivalence of educational documents, academic degrees and titles dated February 27, 1996 and a number of intergovernmental agreements, higher education diplomas issued upon completion of studies at universities in Belarus and Russia are fully recognized throughout the entire Union State. »
Is it necessary to know the Belarusian language?
Since Russian, along with Belarusian, is the official language in the country, and teaching is conducted in Russian, it is not necessary to know the Belarusian language.
Do Russians receive scholarships?
Yes, but only those who enrolled in full-time budget education. The amount of scholarships depends on the degree of academic achievement and specialty, here you can find up-to-date and detailed information.
photo from open sources
What about the distribution?
In Belarus, there is a system of mandatory distribution of graduates studying at the budget department. But this rule does not apply to Russian graduates.
Remember that admission to Belarusian universities with our platform is always fast, convenient and free.
Online training
Another attractive opportunity is distance learning in Russia, including for Belarusians. Many universities in the Russian Federation offer online courses in a wide range of specialties. It is clear that it is unlikely that you will be able to become a surgeon in this way, but it is quite possible to master the humanitarian, economic, and legal specialties.
Educational materials (online textbooks, media presentations, etc.) and guidelines for their use are sent to the student by mail (or in a special program). The developed online testing system allows you to assess the knowledge and skills of students.
An additional bonus of this format is the opportunity to work in parallel, while receiving not only a diploma, but also practical experience and professional skills.
Remote educational courses are offered by such well-known universities as Moscow State University. Lomonosov, St. Petersburg State University, Voronezh State University and others.
Russian education: pros and cons
Studying in Russia for Belarusian citizens has both advantages and disadvantages.
The undoubted advantages are:
- equality of opportunity with Russians, talented and capable students have a real chance to study for free;
- quota system;
- no language barrier;
- comparative ease of crossing the border (no visa required);
- recognition of a Belarusian certificate in the Russian Federation and a Russian diploma in the homeland.
However, there are a number of problematic issues:
- additional bureaucratic red tape, after all, a Belarusian citizen in the Russian Federation is a foreigner, therefore, the need to obtain all permits has not been canceled;
- additional costs for daily needs (accommodation, food and other expenses) and for travel home.
To the Belarusian University - from the Arctic Circle
Our next heroine is Yana Napolova, she also came from Russia. Yana has already studied for a year at BSU and is glad that she chose Belarus when enrolling.
“Before I started my studies, I visited Belarus many times - I went with a dance group to competitions, and I also traveled independently. True, from Murmansk, where I’m from, you can’t often travel to Belarus - the train journey takes a little more than two days, and planes are very expensive. Every time Minsk seems to me a very clean and bright city. I also like Belarusians: they are very friendly and always ready to help. I myself began to smile more often after living in Belarus for a year. I know that many people come here because of the cost of higher education, but my case is different. I entered Russia on a budget, but in the wrong specialty. So I decided to follow my dream - and here I am,” says the girl.
When Yana arrived in Belarus, it took her a long time to get used to Belarusian rubles and constantly tried to determine how Belarusians differ from Russians. If the journalism student already copes with currency more or less, she admits that now almost everyone knows about the differences between fraternal peoples.
“In Belarus, money and prices still seem unusual to me. Everything seems to be cheap in the stores, but the student quickly runs out of money. The meat here is also very tasty (so my mother says), which is why when she comes to Minsk, she immediately goes to the meat department. Belarusians are very friendly and open, always (or almost always) ready to help you. And something else that was very difficult for me to get used to is that, compared to both Murmansk and Moscow, people here are in no hurry. Sometimes it happens that during rush hour they overtake each other, but nothing more,” says Yana.
But despite the fact that Yana really likes Belarus, she plans to return to her homeland immediately after finishing her studies.
“I like it in Belarus, but I want to return to Russia, that’s where my home is and where I feel more comfortable. Perhaps I will enroll in a master’s program to become a director, although who knows how life will turn out,” admits the student.
