TUITION-FREE STUDIES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

There are several ways for foreign nationals to enroll in ITMO University's educational programs. You may apply for the Rossotrudnichestvo scholarship or for regular state-funded studies (provided to citizens of select countries, scroll below for details).

Russian government scholarships

Foreign citizens can study at ITMO tuition-free by applying for a Russian government scholarship via the Rossotrudnichestvo federal agency. To submit an application, visit the Education in Russia website. You can also contact the agency by phone at +7 (985) 870-21-27.

Your application must include:

• A 3x4 cm photo;
• A scanned copy of your passport (national ID);
• A scanned copy of your certificate of previous education (school/university diploma).

All documents must be translated into Russian and notarized.

PLEASE NOTE: ITMO University only participates in the second selection stage. This means that the university only accepts or rejects applications that have already passed Rossotrudnichestvo's selection process.

Once your application is approved, you will receive an invitation to enroll and a visa invitation (you can receive the visa invitation at the nearest Russian Embassy/Consulate).
In the course of their education, students enrolled on the government scholarship can only transfer between programs within the scope of their subject area.
For additional information on state-funded scholarships, visit this page

Countries eligible for state-funded studies

Citizens of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan are able to compete for tuition-free positions when applying to Russian higher education institutions on par with citizens of the Russian Federation as part of the Agreement on deepening of integration in economic and humanitarian areas of March 29, 1996.
The same is true for citizens of other countries, including Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldavia, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Turkmenistan, and Estonia, who have applied for the status of compatriot.

What is the process of applying for compatriot status?

The decision to recognize an applicant's status as compatriot is made on the basis of documents provided to the admissions committee of the university. These documents must provide evidence that the applicant has previously been a citizen of the USSR or is a direct descendant of former USSR citizens.

The following documents must be provided:

• Notice of self-identification as a Russian compatriot (download the template here );
• A scanned copy of the applicant's birth certificate;
• A scanned copy of the passport of one of the applicant's parents;
• A scanned copy of the above parent's birth certificate. This certificate must state the individual's birthplace as USSR, BSSR, ESSR, etc.;
• If the above parent has had a change of surname: a scanned copy of the parent's marriage or divorce certificate.

NB! Documents in languages other than Russian must be accompanied by a notarized translation.