Russian universities programmes for those who wish to combine study with recreation.
Summer schools are short education courses offered by a majority of Russian universities. As rule, the length of study is two to eight weeks. Russian language summer schools are particularly popular with foreign nationals. Students are divided into small groups to take an intensive course. These courses are intended both for beginners and students with basic Russian skills wishing to gain further knowledge. The programme includes lectures on Russian history and culture.
Russian universities also offer thematic summer schools in various engineering and liberal subjects. For example, there are programmes in computer sciences, nuclear physics, bioengineering, materials science, international relations, law etc. Such schools, regardless of the focus area, often include basic Russian language studies.
During their stay in Russia, students attend lectures and seminars, join master classes, sightseeing tours and picnics and go to museums and shows. Students can connect with the university and teachers, see the campus and the host city and learn more about life in Russia, which is an advantage of short summer programmes. Then they can decide if they wish to study here. Summer schools take place in July and August, but most universities have application deadlines in June and strongly recommend applying now. We’ve selected several current programmes for international prospective students, so study the information and choose your fit.
Use our search tool to explore more summer school programmes.
Summer Schools in Humanities
© FEFU
Siberian Holidays
Intensive language courses for beginners or intermediate students of Russian. The entertainment programme includes sightseeing tours of Tomsk and environs, the introduction to Siberian people’s culture, participation in master-classes in cooking tradition Siberian dishes and making Siberian folk crafts products and round table discussions of current issues.
University: National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University
City: Tomsk
Period of study: 16 July – 03 August; 06-24 August 2018
Application deadline: 10 days before the course start date (for residents of CIS and visa free travel countries); 50 days before the course start date (for students requiring a visa to enter Russia)
Language of instruction: Russian
Tuition: 30,000 rubles (students pay extra for registration and sightseeing tours).
Russian Language Summer School for Foreigners
An international school for those who seek deeper knowledge of Russian. Classes are conducted for groups of five to seven learners. The programme includes Russian grammar, stylistics, speaking practice and reading of Russian literature. Fun activities: Kazan tours, visits to museums and exhibitions and a Russian folk song master class. Students will live with host families to practice conversation skills.
University: Kazan Federal University
City: Kazan
Period of study: 1-26 August 2018
Application deadline: 1 June 2018
Language of instruction: Russian
Tuition fee: Language course: 27,600 rubles, sightseeing tours: upwards of 3,500 rubles; accommodation with a host family: 20,000 rubles (room + breakfast)
© SibFU
Russian as a Foreign Language International Summer School
The programme includes recreation (rafting, mountain biking, horseback riding etc), a visit to the Height 239 white metallurgy centre, South Ural State University flight training centre and ethnic cuisine classroom, and thematic tours of the city and environs.
University: South Ural State University
City: Chelyabinsk
Period of study: July-August 2018
Application closing date: mid-June
Language of instruction: Russian
Tuition fee: 570 euros (includes training, hotel accommodation, registration fee)
Contacts: vasilevatv@susu.ru
Russian Language and Culture
An international school for 18+ students who have any language proficiency level. The programme includes intensive studies of Russian as a foreign language and introduction to Russian culture and history. Students are also offered sightseeing tours and visits to Petersburg museums and theatres.
University: ITMO National Research University
City: St Petersburg
Period of study: 9-27 July 2018
Application deadline: 15 April for (non-EU residents); 14 May for (EC residents)
Language of instruction: English/Russian
Tuition fee: 450 euros (includes training, St Petersburg highlight tour)
Russian Studies in Real Russia
Intensive Russian language courses. Entertainment: master classes in making traditional Russian toys, singing and dancing and tours of Yekaterinburg.
University: Ural Federal University
City: Yekaterinburg
Period of study: 23 July – 12 August 2018
Application deadline: 30 June 2018
Language of instruction: Russian
Tuition fee: 9,000 rubles per week, 16,500 rubles per two weeks, 24,000 rubles per three weeks (includes airport transfer, visa support, training, study materials, entertainment programme).
© FEFU
Russia – Far East
An international summer school for undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate students and alumni. The programme has six modules:
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Russian language and culture;
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Russia’s home and foreign policies;
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Contemporary Russian documentary as a tool of memorial culture;
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Russian Avant-guard and the Russian “-isms.”
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Comprehensive sustainable development of the Russian Far East.
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Russia’s Far East: ethnography, history and culture.
The new subject areas are cinematography, design, art, economics, ethnography and history. Entertainment: trips to Arsenyev Museum of Primorskiy Region, FEFU museum and the all-Russian children’s centre Ocean; city tours.
University: Far Eastern Federal University
City: Vladivostok
Period of study: 9-29 August 2018
Application deadline: 30 April 2018
Language of instruction: Russian (Russian language and literature module), English (all other modules)
Tuition fee: 45,000 rubles (includes training, accommodation, cultural programme, two-way airport transfer).
The Heritage of Eurasia: Past, Present and Future
An international summer school in Siberian history and culture. The programme offers lectures and seminars on
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current problems of culture, art and theatre;
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Siberia’s history and culture and
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special seminars (optional).
University: Tomsk State University
City: Tomsk
Period of study: 18-30 June 2018
Application deadline: 1 June 2018
Language of instruction: English
Tuition fee: 40,000 rubles (includes training, meals, accommodation, cultural programme).
Summer School in International Relations, Diplomacy and Political Science
The programme is focused on modern foreign policy and diplomatic relations and round table discussions involving visiting public figures. Prospective students’ language proficiency level should be B2 or higher.
University: Lobachevsky University
City: Nizhny Novgorod
Period of study: 23 July – 17 August 2018
Application deadline: 31 May for non-EU residents; 30 June for EU residents
Language of instruction: English
Tuition fee: 45,000 rubles
HSE Summer University
The courses are intended for undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate students as well as for alumni; HSE also offers thematic courses in English (up to 40 course hours). Summer university normally brings together 12 various programmes in mathematics, urban planning, economics, Russian (beginner, intermediate or advanced level options), business and management etc.
University: Higher School of Economics
Cities: Moscow, St Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod
Period of study: 20 June – 20 August 2018
Application deadline: 15 April 2018
Language of instruction: English
Tuition fee: 150 dollars per one credit (partner universities students enjoy discounts); hotel accommodation: $90 per month)
Engineering Summer Schools
© MISIS
Materials and Technologies
The school curriculum includes courses in materials and technologies for solar power, biomaterials and IT technologies in materials science as well as materials and technologies for digital design and 3D printing. A cultural programme offers tours of Moscow and visits to parks and museums. Third year undergraduate students and masters students interested in materials science and inorganic and physical chemistry are welcome.
University: National University of Science and Technology MISIS
City: Moscow
Period of study: 19-31 August 2018
Application deadline: 15 June 2018
Language of instruction: English
Tuition fee: 400 euros for training; accommodation: 300 rubles per day
Contacts: rabinwork@mail.ru
Android Apps Development and Using Big Data
The programme is focused on the basics of Android applications development, database mining and use of Big Data. The school includes studies of the Russian language and Russian history and culture. Students will learn to design and structure Android apps, prepare them for Google Play, use the Hadoop eco system and work with Big Data services. The course is intended for prospective students having basic knowledge of mathematical analysis, probability theory, programming (Java, HML) and an English language proficiency level of B2 or higher.
University: Lobachevsky University
City: Nizhny Novgorod
Period of study: 23 July - 17 August 2018
Application deadline: 31 May for non-EU residents: 30 June for residents of EU countries (except Britain)
Language of instruction: English
Tuition fee: 45,000 rubles
Contacts: admissions@unn.ru
Computer Technologies and Knowledge Extraction Methods
The course will introduce students to integrated software development, offer an insight into micro processor control units (MCU) and help obtain the necessary skills for programming robots and Internet of Things devices. Summer school participants can combine the learning of professional skills in software development with a cultural program and enjoy white nights in St Petersburg, one of Russia’s most beautiful cities.
University: Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University "LETI"
City: St Petersburg
Period of study: 2-15 July 2018
Application deadline: for citizens of CIS and visa free travel countries: seven days before the start of classes; for EU residents: before 1 June or 14 days before the start of classes, for residents of non-EU countries requiring a visa: before 10 May or 25 days before the start of classes.
Language of instruction: English
Tuition fee: 360-450 euros (includes training, study materials, cultural programme).
Contacts: 2343553@mail.ru
© Samara University
Summer School in Programming
The summer school is focused on the solution of programming problems and computer-aided instruction. Students will team up to gain theoretical knowledge and practical experience in the solution of current IT challenges. World class experts will help gain further knowledge of programming and acquire professional skills. School participants will be able to talk with seven times world programming champions. The trainees get ITMO certificates (eight credits) upon course completion. Third-year undergraduate students, masters students and postgraduates taking the corresponding major are welcome.
University: ITMO National Research University
City: St Petersburg
Period of study: 2-27 July 2018
Application deadline: 15 April for (non-EU residents); 14 May for (EC residents)
Language of instruction: English
Tuition fee: 550 euros (includes training, St Petersburg highlight tour)
Contacts: international@mail.ifmo.ru
Space Technologies
Throughout the course, summer school participants study advance aerospace equipment and basic physical principles of outer space exploration and consider aerospace industry problems. The theoretical course covers astrophysics, aerospace equipment and physics. The programme includes trips to the Svetloye radio astronomy observatory and Pulkovo Observatory, a city highlight tour, a Petersburg river and canal tour, a visit to the Hermitage, a picnic on the Gulf of Finland shore and trips to Pushkin and Petershof (optional).
Senior students and postgraduates are welcome to apply for the programme. Requirements for prospective students: basic knowledge of physics, B2 English proficiency level and at least three years of university studies.
University: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University
City: St Petersburg
Period of study: 23 July – 5 August 2018
Application deadline: 18 June 2018 for EU residents: 7 May 2018 for residents of other countries
Language of instruction: English
Tuition fee: 500 euros (includes training, study materials, practice trips and basic cultural programme)
Contacts: summerschool@spbstu.ru
© SUSU
Physics and Technology in Life Sciences
The school has the following modules:
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Innovative technology of radiation medicine and X-ray therapy;
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modern biomedical technology.
Participants can select one or two modules. Aside from the studies of theory, the programme includes education tours of National Research Nuclear University MEPhI laboratories, General Physics Institute of the Russian Academy of Science and a Moscow highlight tour.
The trainees who have completed the module and met the requirements for writing on a selected topic, get a certificate of training. The school is intended for undergraduate students, senior specialist’s degree students, masters students and postgraduates. School participants have the opportunity to submit their documents for MEPhI graduate programmes and take entrance tests.
University: National Research Nuclear University MEPhI
City: Moscow
Period of study: 16-28 July 2018
Application deadline: 16 June 2018
Language of instruction: English/Russian
Tuition fee: training is free of charge; travel costs, MEPhI campus accommodation and other expenses are covered by school participants
Contacts: physbio@mephi.ru
Biomedical Engineering
Focus areas: computer analysis of biomedical signals analysis and use of robots and modern technology in rehabilitation and prosthetic care. Tutors and students will have interactive discussions of successful research and innovative BME projects. Tours of St Petersburg and environs will be arranged.
University: Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University "LETI"
City: St Petersburg
Period of study: 2-15 July 2018
Application deadline: seven days before the start of classes for residents of CIS and visa free travel countries; before 1 June or 14 days before the start of classes for EU residents, before 10 May or 45 days before the start of classes for residents of non-EU visa travel countries.
Language of instruction: English
Tuition fee: 360 to 460 euros (includes training, study materials, cultural programme).
Contacts: 2343553@mail.ru
