English-Taught Programs in Russia

Do English-taught programmes exist in Russia?

Yes — a number of Russian universities offer degree programmes taught in English, particularly at Master's level, with some Bachelor's and PhD options too. The graduate research institute Skoltech, for example, teaches in English, and several other universities run selected English-medium tracks.

That said, availability is uneven: many programmes are still taught in Russian, and the English-medium options differ by university, subject, and intake. Treat English-taught study as available but something you must verify programme by programme.

Where to look for them

The most reliable starting points are the official Study in Russia portal, which lets you search programmes, and each university's own admissions pages, which list the language of each course. Filter or read for the language of instruction so you only shortlist genuinely English-medium programmes.

Confirm on the official programme page that the entire course — not just part of it — is delivered in English, since some programmes mix languages across years.

• Official Study in Russia portal (programme search)
• Each university's official admissions / programme pages
• The specific programme page's "language of instruction" field

English-proficiency requirements

English-medium programmes usually ask applicants to demonstrate English proficiency, commonly through a recognised test such as IELTS or TOEFL, unless an exemption applies (for example, prior study in English). The accepted tests and any minimum score are set by each university and programme.

Because requirements vary, check the exact English requirement on the official programme page rather than assuming a single score applies everywhere.

Do you still need Russian?

Even on an English-taught degree, some everyday life and certain administrative tasks may be easier with basic Russian, and a few programmes include Russian-language modules. This is practical rather than a strict academic requirement for English-medium study.

Review each programme to see whether any Russian-language component is part of the curriculum, and consider basic language preparation for daily life — but confirm specifics on the official source.

Verify before you apply

Programme lists, languages of instruction, tuition, and deadlines change every year. Always confirm that a programme is currently running in English, and check its entry requirements and deadline, directly on the official university source.

If you also need a student visa, that is a separate official government procedure — treat related information as general information, not immigration advice, and verify the current process on the official government source.