Universities in St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg: an academic city steeped in history

Founded in 1703 and for a long time the capital of the Russian Empire, St. Petersburg today stands out as the city with the largest number of long-established universities after Moscow. Our partner sources state that the city is home to nearly 60 higher education institutions. With its canals, museums and European-style architecture, the city offers a student experience that makes time outside the classroom just as rewarding.

One of the most practical advantages for students is the extensive metro and public transport network, which means the distance between dormitory and campus does not disrupt the daily routine. Because the city is well developed in shipbuilding, energy, industry and technology, students in technical programmes have plenty of opportunities for hands-on experience. Sources emphasise that St. Petersburg offers a more affordable cost of living than Moscow. You should also factor in the cold winters and periods of short daylight hours.

Leading universities in St. Petersburg

The information below is based on the university pages in our partner sources. Fees are the ranges stated in the source, and current amounts may change from term to term.

Saint Petersburg State University

Founded in 1724, the university is among the oldest higher education institutions in the country. General Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Law, Psychology and Mathematics are among its leading programmes, with options to study in Russian and English. The annual fee stated in the source is 357,300 – 729,800 RUB for Russian-taught programmes and 461,200 – 588,600 RUB for English-taught programmes. For fee-paying students, dormitory fees are reported to range between 3,000 and 5,500 roubles. Sources cite two different figures for its QS ranking: 365 and 390.

Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University

Founded in 1899, the Polytechnic is a strong choice for engineering and applied sciences. Its programmes include applied mathematics and computer science, civil engineering, physics and architectural environment design, taught in Russian and English. The annual fee stated in the source is 279,000 – 536,000 RUB for Russian-taught programmes and 6,200 USD for the English-taught programme. Dormitory fees are given in the range of 3,000 – 5,500 roubles, as at the State University.

ITMO University

Stated in the source to have been founded in 1900, ITMO is an institution focused on information technology. Software engineering, artificial intelligence engineering, mechatronics and robotics, and electrical and electronic engineering are its leading departments. The university record lists Russian as the language of instruction. The annual fee stated in the source is in the range of 420,000 – 680,000 RUB.

Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University

Founded in 1897, Pavlov is one of the main destinations in St. Petersburg for students pursuing healthcare. It offers General Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Clinical Psychology and Nursing programmes. While the university record lists Russian as the language of instruction, the city table also mentions an English option. The annual fee stated in the source is in the range of 1,800 – 4,500 USD.

Saint Petersburg Mining University

Stated in the source to have been founded in 1773, the university appeals to those interested in energy and earth sciences with programmes such as mining engineering, oil and gas drilling, geodesy and surveying engineering, and architecture. Instruction is in Russian. The annual fee stated in the source is 3,250 – 3,700 USD; the same source gives the rouble equivalent as 300,000 RUB.

Other options

• Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering: Founded in 1832; the source states an annual fee of 190,000 – 396,000 RUB for its architecture, restoration, urban planning and construction programmes.
• Saint Petersburg State University of Economics: Offers programmes in economics, management, tourism and international relations; annual fees are listed as 292,000 – 320,000 RUB for Russian-taught programmes and 340,000 RUB for the English-taught programme.
• Saint Petersburg State University of Civil Aviation: Founded in 1955; an annual range of 4,000 – 8,000 USD is given for piloting and aviation sciences and 3,000 – 5,500 USD for aviation engineering; the dormitory fee is stated as approximately 70 USD per month.
• Admiral Makarov State University of Maritime and Inland Shipping: For its marine engineering, navigation (captaincy), ship operation and port management programmes, the source lists annual ranges varying between 2,500 and 6,000 USD depending on the department.

Cost of living in St. Petersburg

The breakdown on the city page allows 50 – 300 USD for accommodation, 150 – 250 USD for food, 15 – 25 USD for public transport and 50 – 100 USD for social expenses, giving a monthly total of 300 – 600 USD. The university pages, however, put average monthly spending higher, at 450 – 800 USD. The difference largely comes down to the choice of accommodation: university dormitories are listed at 20 – 80 USD per month, while renting a room costs 200 – 350 USD and a one-bedroom flat 350 – 600 USD.

For those who want to keep their budget under control, staying in a dormitory, cooking at home and using public transport are the most decisive steps. Since rents rise in districts close to the centre and the metro lines, living near campus often saves both time and money.

General fee ranges given in the sources

Across the city, the average annual fees stated in the source are as follows: 2,500 – 6,000 USD for undergraduate programmes; 3,000 – 7,000 USD for postgraduate programmes; and 4,000 – 8,000 USD for medicine. Amounts given in Russian roubles may differ in dollar terms depending on exchange rate movements.

Who is St. Petersburg suitable for?

• Those who want to study medicine, engineering or IT at a long-established university without setting aside a budget as high as Moscow’s
• Those looking for a city life rich in art, history and cultural events
• Those planning to keep a tight budget by staying in a dormitory and using public transport
• Those heading towards specialist fields such as mining, maritime studies and aviation

If you would like to clarify which university best suits your goals, you can review your programme and budget plan together with Weroglobal Student advisors.