Top Universities in Russia for Indian Students 2026: Rankings, Fees & Admission

Imagine earning a world-class degree without worrying about your finances. Many Indian students have this dream of studying abroad to access world-class education and better career opportunities. However, high tuition fees and living expenses often put these aspirations out of reach. The financial burden also discourages talented students from pursuing higher education overseas.

Fortunately, Russia offers over 200 scholarship programmes for Indian students to cover their full tuition and other additional stipends. The best part is that you also get to study at the top universities in Russia if you apply through official channels and understand the application processes.

Let’s learn how to study in Russia for Indian students, the rankings of the best universities, their admission fees, and other processes in this guide.

Interested students who want to study in Russia can easily gain career opportunities and apply to the top universities. However, it is recommended to choose only those institutions that fall under the category of QS World University Rankings Russia 2026. Here’s a comparison table to give you a comprehensive overview of these institutions:

Find out your ideal university

0%

Choose your dream country

Please select a country

UK

USA

Germany

Australia

Ireland

New Zealand

Canada

UAE

France

Sweden

Italy

Other

When do you want to study abroad?

Please select an option

Jan 2026

Sep 2026

2027 Intake

What's your highest level of education?

Please select an option

Bachelor's

Master's

MBBS / MD

Diploma

12th Grade

10th Grade

Select you current city

Please select your city

 

Please Enter Your Name

 

IN +91 UAE +971 QA +974 SA +966 KW +965 OM +968 BH +973

Please Enter a Valid Number

 

Please Enter Your Email

How Leap will help you

Personalised University Shortlist

Express Applications with Quicker Admits

End-to-End Application Support

Continue

Russia is home to some of the top universities in the world, known for their strong academic programs, research excellence, and affordable education. This overview highlights the top 10 universities in Russia for international students.

Founded in 1755, Lomonosov Moscow State University is recognised as Russia’s top university by major global academic rankings. The university has more than 40,000 graduate and postgraduate students, along with around 7,000 undergraduates. Its faculty includes over 6,000 lecturers and about 5,000 researchers. Each year, around 4,000 international students and postgraduates join the university to pursue various programs.

For students focused on value, MSU’s strong research reputation, extensive alumni network, and comparatively lower tuition/living costs (vs. many Western universities) can translate into a solid return on investment, especially in STEM fields and research-led careers.

Bauman Moscow State Technical University holds the status of a National Research Centre and is known for its advanced research in science and technology. Its academic work is organised around eight technological platforms, and over 32 companies have partnered with BMSTU through their innovation programs. The university is currently involved in more than 90 major scientific research projects across various fields. 

RUDN University hosts more than 13,000 international students from over 160 countries. Students can choose from bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD programs depending on their academic goals. 

Founded in 1724, Saint Petersburg State University is one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions in Russia. The university recently celebrated its 290th anniversary and is recognised for its strong academic and research traditions. It ranks among the top three institutions globally for the quality of content on Coursera and, in 2020, became the first Russian member of the Global Alliance for Massive Open Online Courses.

Established in 1992 as an economics institute in Moscow, HSE University has grown into one of the top universities in Russia, Eastern Europe, and Eurasia. With four campuses across the country, it brings together faculty, researchers, and students from more than 100 countries. The university is ranked among the top 100 globally for subjects such as Economics & Econometrics, Linguistics, Mathematics, Psychology, History, Social Policy & Administration, and Political Science. Currently, it has over 60,000 students. 

Kazan Federal University, one of Russia’s oldest universities, celebrated its 210th anniversary in 2014. The university specifically specialises in natural sciences, physics, mathematics, economics, and management. Around 11,000 international students from 101 countries study at the institute. 

Established in 1958, Novosibirsk is one of the top universities in Russia. Currently, it has 8,600 students and over 2,500 faculty members. International students from 57 countries study at the institute. It also offers various international joint programmes in English, such as the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) Joint University and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation University (SCO University). 

The Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology is a leading institution in the areas of physics and technology. It was set up on September 17, 1951, and granted the status of National Research University by the Russian government in 2009. The university offers various graduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes in fundamental science, engineering disciplines and student research. 

Tomsk State University was established in 1878 and currently ranks 499th in the QS World University Rankings. The university is home to 15,257 students and comprises 6 institutes. Currently, it teaches various subjects in English, such as Geography, Geology, Physics, and Chemistry. 

Established in 1920, UrFU has over 4,900 international students from more than 100 countries. It also provides breakthrough studies across 164 modern research and development laboratories and 72 research excellence centres.

You will find several top universities in Russia, but they cater to various subjects. This requires you to understand the categorisation of these institutions based on the subjects they teach, as shown below:

You will find several institutions catering to subjects related to science, engineering, and technology. The following table shows the top engineering universities in Russia that you can apply to if they suit your requirements:

If you want to study at the best medical universities in Russia for Indian students, you must know their QS rankings worldwide to make informed decisions regarding your study choices. Here’s a table with the details:

Several top universities in Russia teach management and economics to international students. Several of them also rank across the QS World Chart, as mentioned below:

Applying to Russian universities as an international student, including from India, involves several clear steps and a specific set of admission requirements. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the process of Russia university admission requirements: 

• Step 1: Research and Choose Programs/Universities

Explore universities and their programme offerings via official university websites or the central Russian education portal [studyinrussia.com].

• Step 2: Check Eligibility and Requirements

Verify admission criteria for your chosen programme (undergraduate, graduate, or specialist). For most programmes, you need to have completed secondary school (for undergraduate) or a relevant degree (for graduate).

• Step 3: Prepare Necessary Documents

Gather and translate all required documents into Russian, with notarisation. See the list below for standard requirements

• Step 4: Submit Application Online or via Portal

Candidates can apply directly through university websites or centralised portals such as:

• https://education-in-russia.com/ 
• https://russia-edu.minobrnauki.gov.ru/ 
• Or the university’s individual application system.

• Step 5: Entrance Exams/Selection 

Some universities and programmes may require entrance examinations or interviews, either online or in person.

• Step 6: Receive Offer/Invitation Letter

If selected, you will receive a letter of acceptance or an official invitation, required for your student visa application.

• Step 7: Apply for a Student Visa

With your invitation, apply for a Russian study visa at the Embassy or Consulate in your country. 

• Step 8: Arrive and Register

Upon arrival in Russia, present original documents, register at the university, and complete internal medical checks and migration registration.

Admission to top universities in Russia for international students requires submitting academic and identity documents, passing eligibility criteria, and obtaining necessary invitations and visas. The process is straightforward, with no entrance exams for most courses, but specific documents and steps must be followed carefully to secure admission and a study visa.

The current requirements for studying in Russia include: 

• English language certificates (IELTS and TOEFL)
• A valid passport
• A translated copy of your high school diploma
• A copy of your master’s degree
• A student visa for a residence permit in the country
• Proof of Russian language proficiency (depending on the University)
• Additional documents, such as a curriculum vitae, a letter of recommendation, a translated transcript and a personal statement (for postgraduate programmes) 

Join Leap Scholar's FREE IELTS masterclasses to score the required band!

Indian students looking for financial support in Russia can opt for the scholarship programs offered in the country. This will help them get rid of budget constraints while studying at a top-notch institution. The Russian government already provides over 15,000 scholarships for free study in a chosen speciality annually. 

If you are also looking for some more grants across universities, here is an overview of the top scholarships for Indian students in Russia: 

Russia is already known for its excellent educational system, especially in engineering, medicine, natural sciences, and the arts. Several of the world’s best and internationally renowned universities are located in the nation. On that note, there are several reasons why Indian students choose to study at the top universities in Russia: 

• Affordable Tuition Fees: The cost of studying in Russia is around ₹250,000 to ₹650,000, which is lower than in Western nations like the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia. Many Indian students also find Russian institutions to be an appealing alternative because of their relatively reduced tuition costs.
• Globally Recognised Degrees: Russian universities are known for their high calibre of instruction, especially in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) sectors. Hence, any student can access international professional opportunities through Russian degrees, which are highly valued worldwide. 
• English-Taught Programs: Several Russian institutions also provide degree programmes in English, which helps Indian students study abroad and live in the country by removing the language barrier.

Indian students who study in Russia can get several opportunities to experience a different culture and receive an excellent education. Thanks to the variety of scholarships for international students, no financial situation can stop them from following their dreams. Programs like the Russian Government Scholarship and Open Doors Scholarship can make studying in the top universities in Russia much more affordable. Imagine securing your future in a prestigious global institution with financial support that makes it accessible. 

If you also want to study in the top universities in Russia, consider seeking help from Leap Scholar. Our experts can help you make choices regarding your career.