How to make the most of your holidays.
Summer schools are a popular mode of study and an opportunity to gain new knowledge, relax, make new acquaintances and see places of interest. They are also a good option for those who consider Russia as a study destination; prospective students can take a short programme at a Russian university to see everything with their own eyes and make a decision. Summer schools offer one- to four-week programmes; tuition fees differ but they are usually affordable; some of the short programmes are free. As a rule, the university offers dormitory places to summer school students; the other housing options are host families and hotels.
Summer schools address various topics; the most popular are Russian language and culture. Programmes are customised for groups of different levels, from beginner to advanced. Following are some of the programmes:
To apply to a summer school, choose the programme, create a personal account and write to the university designating your summer school. University staff will reply to you within ten days.
Russian as a Foreign Language Summer Course
University: Siberian Federal University (SibFU)
City: Krasnoyarsk
Period of study: 1 July – 31 August
Application deadline: 31 May
Language of instruction: Russian
Tuition fee: 35,000 rubles (only covers education programme; travel costs, accommodation, meals and entertainment not included).
Contacts: admission@sfu-kras.ru
The programme is intended for international learners of Russian. Age, education or level of knowledge do not matter (groups are formed according to their proficiency). The course includes language learning from scratch or more advanced study as well as immersion in the Krasnoyarsk territory culture. Students are offered a Krasnoyarsk tour and visits to the Zoo, the Stolby Nature Reserve, the Krasnoyarsk hydroelectric power plant, theatres and cinemas.
© TSU
Summer Russian Language and Culture School
University: Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University (KFU)
City: Kazan
Period of study: 1–12 July
Application deadline: Send your application six to eight weeks before the start of the programme if you need a visa.
Language of instruction: Russian
Tuition fee: education programme – 25,000 rubles, accommodation at dormitory – upwards of 515 rubles (if places are available) or host family (negotiable), medical insurance (depends on insurer’s choice), sightseeing tours not included.
Contacts: admission@kpfu.ru, gulnara2018@kpfu.ru
The course is designed for learners of Russian as a foreign language (Level B1-B2). It is focused on speaking skills, reading, listening comprehension, grammar and phonetics; there’s also a special course in regional studies and Russian literature and culture. Students will tour Kazan, the city Kremlin, the Old Tatar Sloboda (neighbourhood), the Konstantin Vasilyev Centre of the Slavic Culture, the Hermitage Kazan Exhibition Centre, the Soviet Lifestyle Museum and the Museum of Happy Childhood. Meetings will Russian students, themed parties and contests will be arranged.
© ETU "LETI"
Russian Language and Culture Summer School "Siberian Holidays”
University: National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University (TPU)
City: Tomsk
Period of study: 15 July – 2 August and 5 August – 30 August
Application deadline: 31 May
Language of instruction: Russian
Tuition fee: education programme – 30,000 rubles, application fee – 75 euros (paid in rubles); cultural programme – about 6,000 rubles, accommodation fee – 3,600 rubles (single occupancy), 2,600 ruble (double occupancy).
Contacts: omrs@tpu.ru, korotkova@tpu.ru
More information on the summer school
The school targets foreign nationals who plan to improve their proficiency in Russian or want to start learning from scratch. They will learn about Russian traditions, culture, literature, history, folklore and life in Siberia. The school guarantees immersion in the Russian language environment.
© FEFU
Intensive Summer School of the Russian Language and Culture
University: Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University (IKBFU)
City: Kaliningrad
Period of study: 29 July – 23 August
Application deadline: 1 May
Language of instruction: Russian, English
Tuition fee: 50,000 rubles (covers education programme, study materials, dormitory accommodation, campus, city and Kaliningrad region tours, tutor support).
Contacts: international-study@kantiana.ru
More information on the summer school
The school is designed for students with different proficiency levels, from beginners to advanced. Course objective: quick and effective training in everyday Russian. In addition to the language course, the participants will connect with Russian culture and attend lectures in Russian history, literature and culture. In their free time, students can tour places of interest in Kaliningrad (founded in 1255), visit the Curonian Spit National Park and sunbathe on Baltic Sea beaches.
© SUSU
International Summer School “The Russian Summer”
University: National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhni Novgorod (Lobachevsky University)
City: Nizhny Novgorod
Period of study: 9–23 July
Application deadline: 20 June for EU residents; 21 May for residents of other countries.
Language of instruction: Russian, English
Tuition fee: 35,000 rubles
Contacts: admissions@unn.ru
More information on the summer school
The summer school targets students who wish to learn more about Russia. The intensive Russian language course is customised for small groups of different proficiency levels. Teachers will engage students in work on theme projects, discussions and games. A creative atmosphere and a busy cultural programme help the summer school participants improve their knowledge of Russian and gain a better insight into Russian culture and history.
© UrFU
Summer School “Russian Culture”
University: Samara National Research University (Samara University)
City: Samara
Period of study: 9–20 August
Application deadline: 31 May
Language of instruction: English
Tuition fee: $500
Contacts: summer@ssau.ru
More information on the summer school
The Russian language course is designed for beginner to advanced level groups. Special attention is paid to cultural aspects, Russian business specifics and master classes in negotiations with Russian partners. Students will visit museums and theatres, see shows, taste traditional Russian dishes and take part in master-classes in souvenir making. The school participants get four ECTS credits upon programme completion.
© UTMN
Summer School “Russian Language and Culture”
University: Ural Federal University (UrFU)
City: Yekaterinburg
Period of study: 22 July – 9 August
Application deadline: 15 May for EU residents; 2 April for residents of other countries.
Language of instruction: Russian
Tuition fee: $1,200 (covers arrival/departure airport transfer, lectures, practice, accommodation, lunch, souvenirs, certificate).
Contacts: application@urfu.ru
More information on the summer school
The programme targets those who are interested in Russia, its history, culture and language. The linguistic module is focused on the study of the Russian alphabet, written Russian, listening comprehension and basic vocabulary. The cultural module will introduce students to Russian traditions, festivals, lifestyle, outstanding personalities, game-changing inventions and the cultural life of Yekaterinburg. Students get four ECTS credits upon course completion.
© FEFU
Russian Language and Culture Summer School
University: South Ural State University (SUSU)
City: Chelyabinsk
Period of study: July – August
Application closing date: mid-June
Language of instruction: Russian
Tuition fee: 570 euros (education programme, accommodation, registration fee, cultural and entertainment programme).
Contacts: vasilevatv@susu.ru; sanochkinadv@susu.ru
Applicants take a test to be grouped according to language proficiency level. Students can take an examination at the end of the course to get an international TRKI certificate confirming a proficiency level in Russian. Active recreation includes walking tours, Ural highland nature study, rafting, mountain biking, horse riding, walking and angling as well as sightseeing tours and cooking master classes.
© TSU
Summer School of Intensive Russian
University: National Research Tomsk State University (TSU)
City: Tomsk
Period of study: 17 June – 5 July
Application deadline: 25 March
Language of instruction: Russian
Tuition fee: 51,000 rubles (education programme, inbound/outbound airport transfer, cultural programme, study materials, coffer breaks, accommodation).
Contacts: studentcenter@ums.tsu.ru, tsusummerschool@mail.ru
More information on the summer school
The programme is offered to humanities and natural sciences students with Russian language proficiency at A2 – B1. It is focused on grammar studies, intensive spoken and written Russian and pronunciation practice, as well as on the culture and history of Russian Siberia. Entertainment includes visits to museums, the tours “Multi-Ethnic Tomsk” and “Tomsk Wooden Lace”, visits to Botanical Garden (the oldest beyond the Urals) and the puppet theatre, classical, Russian folk and modern music concerts and countryside picnics.
Learn about other summer schools 2019.
