What Is This Scholarship?

The Russian Government gives free scholarships to students from other countries every year This scholarship lets you study in Russia without paying for your studies.

It covers:

• Bachelor’s degree (undergraduate)
• Master’s degree
• PhD (doctoral studies)
• Some short courses and vocational programs too

The scholarship pays for your full tuition fee, and if your Russian is not strong enough yet, it also pays for a one-year Russian language course before you start your main studies Students in full degree programs also get a monthly stipend, the same amount that Russian students get, and many get free dorm housing too, if space is available.

Who Can Apply?

This scholarship is open to all foreign citizens You do not need to already know Russian If you get placed in a Russian-language program, you will first get a free one-year course to learn the language before your main studies begin.

Basic requirements usually include:

• Finishing high school (for bachelor’s) or your previous degree (for master’s/PhD)
• Good grades
• A motivation letter (in Russian or English)
• Passing a selection test or interview

When Can You Apply for 2027?

Here is where it gets a little tricky, so pay attention:

• The application period for the 2026/2027 academic year already happened it started on September 15, 2025 and ended on January 15, 2026.
• The next round, for the 2027/2028 academic year, will most likely open in September 2026.

So if you are aiming for the 2027 intake keep checking the official website starting around mid-September 2026, since that’s when it should open, based on past years.

How to Apply

You register on the official website and choose your program, then attach your documents and submit your application After that, you take a selection test at the Russian House in your country, go through a second stage of selection by the universities, and finally get your student visa.

Here’s the simple version:

• 1. Go to the official website education-in-russia.com. This is the only official place to apply.
• 2. Create an account and pick a study program and university choices.
• 3. Upload your documents (transcripts, ID/passport, motivation letter, etc.)
• 4. Pass the selection stage run by the Russian House (embassy/cultural center) in your home country.
• 5. Wait for the second stage, where actual Russian universities pick students.
• 6. Get your visa invitation once you’re accepted, then prepare to travel.

A Few Important Tips

• Apply early. Don’t wait until the last days of the deadline.
• Prepare your documents in advance some need translation and notarization.
• Applications can also cover secondary vocational education and short additional programs, not just full degrees.
• There’s also a separate program called Open Doors, which is a competition-based scholarship covering full tuition plus a stipend, with a different application process through its own platform. This is different from the main Government Scholarship, so don’t confuse the two.
• Since Russia has over 500 participating universities, research which one fits your subject best before applying.

Note: Since the exact 2027/2028 dates aren’t officially confirmed yet keep checking education-in-russia.com closer to September 2026 for the real opening date.