IELTS and TOEFL for Russian Universities

Why an English test matters for English-taught programmes

A growing number of universities in Russia offer degree programmes taught fully in English, especially at the master's level and in fields such as engineering, science, business, and computing. For these programmes, applicants whose first language is not English are usually asked to show English proficiency, and IELTS and TOEFL are the two tests most widely recognised for this purpose.

The test is about readiness to study in English, not about admission by itself. Meeting the English requirement is one part of an application — your academic record, the entrance requirements of the specific programme, and any subject tests still apply.

What IELTS and TOEFL each measure

Both tests assess the same four skills — listening, reading, writing, and speaking — but they are built and scored differently. IELTS (Academic) is offered by its official partners and reports a band score; TOEFL iBT is offered by ETS and reports a total score across the four sections.

Universities decide which test (or tests) they accept and what minimum they want, so check the programme page before you book a test.

• IELTS Academic — listening, reading, writing, speaking; reported as a band score
• TOEFL iBT — listening, reading, writing, speaking; reported as a total score
• Always confirm which test the specific programme accepts

Minimum scores vary — do not rely on a single number

There is no single English-test minimum that applies across all universities in Russia. Each university — and often each individual programme — sets its own required IELTS band or TOEFL score, and some accept alternative ways of proving English. Because these requirements differ and are updated over admission cycles, the only reliable figure is the one published by the university for the programme you are applying to.

Do not assume a score you saw for one programme applies to another. Read the official admissions or programme page for the current requirement, and verify it on the official source before paying for a test.

Where English-taught programmes are listed

The official Study in Russia portal lets you search programmes across universities, including English-taught options, so you can see each programme's stated requirements. Individual university websites — for example major research universities — publish admissions pages for international applicants with the exact English evidence they accept.

Use these official pages as your source of truth rather than third-party summaries, which can be out of date.

• Study in Russia portal — search English-taught programmes
• University admissions pages for international applicants
• The specific programme page for its exact English requirement

Practical steps before you book a test

Plan the test around your application timeline so your scores are valid and reported in time. Decide which test the programme accepts, register through the official test provider, and keep your official score report ready to upload or send as the university instructs.

No test score on its own guarantees admission — it only satisfies the English-proficiency part of the application. Treat the test as one requirement among several, and meet the rest of the programme's criteria too.