Admission rules

Order No. 20 of January 20, 2025 “On the Approval of the Admission Rules to RUDN University for Bachelor’s, Specialist, and Master’s Programs for the 2025/2026 Academic Year”

XV. Special Admission Procedures for Foreign Nationals and Stateless Persons

152. Foreign nationals and stateless persons are entitled to receive higher education funded by the federal budget in accordance with international treaties of the Russian Federation, federal laws, or quotas established by the Government of the Russian Federation for the education of foreign nationals and stateless persons (hereinafter referred to as the “quota for the education of foreign nationals”). They may also be admitted on a fee-paying basis funded by individuals or legal entities under education contracts.

153. Admission within the quota for the education of foreign nationals is carried out based on referrals from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation. Enrollment under this quota is formalized by a separate order (or orders) of the University.

154. Foreign nationals applying for admission under international treaties must, in addition to the documents specified in Clause 25 of the Admission Rules, provide documents confirming their eligibility under the relevant international treaties.

155. Foreign nationals and stateless persons who are compatriots residing abroad (hereinafter referred to as “compatriots”) must, in addition to the documents specified in Clause 25 of the Admission Rules, submit originals or copies of documents stipulated in Article 17 of Federal Law No. 99-FZ of May 24, 1999, “On the State Policy of the Russian Federation in Relation to Compatriots Abroad.”

Compatriots who are not citizens of the Russian Federation are not entitled to the special admission benefits granted to certain categories of Russian citizens under Federal Law No. 273-FZ for state-accredited bachelor’s and specialist programs, except for the special admission right provided for in Clause 1, Part 4, Article 71 of Federal Law No. 273-FZ, unless otherwise stipulated by an international treaty of the Russian Federation.

156. When submitting documents, a foreign national or stateless person must present, in accordance with Subclause 1, Clause 25 of the Admission Rules, the original or a copy of a document confirming their identity and nationality, or a document confirming the identity of a foreign national in the Russian Federation or the identity of a stateless person in the Russian Federation, in accordance with Article 10 of Federal Law No. 115-FZ of July 25, 2002, “On the Legal Status of Foreign Nationals in the Russian Federation.”

Admission Procedure for Foreign Nationals and Stateless Persons.

To apply for admission, a foreign national or stateless person must submit an application for consideration by the Admissions Committee. The application (admission application) may be submitted in a foreign language if the language of instruction for the chosen higher education program is a foreign language. Along with the application, the following documents must be provided:

• a notarized translation into Russian of a document confirming the identity of the foreign national in the Russian Federation or the identity of a stateless person in the Russian Federation, in accordance with Article 10 of Federal Law No. 115-FZ of July 25, 2002, “On the Legal Status of Foreign Nationals in the Russian Federation”;
• a copy of an officially recognized educational document, or a copy of an educational document issued in a foreign country, which certifies education or education and qualification, provided that the education confirmed by this document is recognized in the Russian Federation at the corresponding educational level in accordance with Article 107 of Federal Law No. 273-FZ of December 29, 2012, and its appendix (if such an appendix is required by the legislation of the country that issued the educational document);
• a notarized translation into Russian of the officially recognized educational document or the foreign educational document confirming education or education and qualification, along with its appendix (if required by the legislation of the issuing country).
• documents confirming the applicant’s individual achievements, if they are considered in the admission process according to the Admission Rules approved by the University;
• a copy of a medical certificate confirming the absence of contraindications for studying in the Russian Federation and the absence of HIV infection and AIDS.
• one photograph (3x4 cm).

Applicants may submit their application and the required documents through the University’s electronic information system via the “Personal Account for Foreign Applicants” in digital format, by email, or in person at: 117198, Moscow, Miklukho-Maklaya St., 10/2.

Upon enrollment, a foreign national must present the originals of the aforementioned documents, a migration card, a visa for entry into the Russian Federation (if the applicant arrived with a visa), and six photographs (3x4 cm).

The surname, first name, and patronymic (if applicable) of the applicant, as indicated in the translations of the submitted documents, must match the information stated in the entry visa.

For foreign nationals applying on a contract basis (self-funded or funded by legal entities), the application process starts on April 1, 2025, and ends on September 20, 2025.

Enrollment is finalized by September 30, 2025.

As part of the additional admission process for tuition-based places in Bachelor’s, Specialist, and Master’s programs across all study formats for applicants submitting a foreign educational document, the deadlines for additional admission are established in accordance with Clause 144 of the Admission Rules:

• for full-time and part-time (evening) study formats – until October 31, 2025.

• for distance learning (extramural) format – until November 25, 2025.

The acceptance of documents from foreign nationals and their enrollment in additional education programs at the Institute of the Russian Language (Preparatory Faculty) is carried out throughout the entire academic year.

For foreign nationals applying within the quota established by the Government of the Russian Federation under Resolution No. 2150 of December 18, 2020, “On Establishing a Quota for the Education of Foreign Nationals and Stateless Persons in the Russian Federation,” the submission of documents is carried out within the deadlines set by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia (Minobrnauki of Russia) and other authorized organizations.

The enrollment of foreign nationals under the Government quota is conducted based on referrals from Minobrnauki of Russia, in accordance with the procedures and deadlines established by Minobrnauki of Russia.

157. Admission to Programs Involving State Secrets

Foreign nationals and stateless persons applying for educational programs that contain state secret information may be admitted only within the quota for the education of foreign nationals, in compliance with the requirements of Russian legislation on state secrets.

158. Entrance Examinations for Tuition-Based Admission for Bachelor’s and Specialist programs, the University conducts two entrance examinations:

• a Russian/foreign language test, depending on the language of instruction;
• a competitive selection process based on the applicant’s portfolio evaluation (Appendix No. 9).

For Master’s programs, admission is based on a competitive selection process through portfolio evaluation (Appendix No. 9).

A multi-profile competitive selection is not conducted for foreign nationals.

Since the list of entrance examinations for foreign nationals differs from that for other applicants, the University allocates a separate number of competitive places for foreign nationals and conducts a separate admission process for these applicants.

For tuition-based Bachelor’s, Specialist, and Master’s programs, the University sets the following scoring system for each entrance examination:

• Maximum score – 100 points
• Minimum passing score – 30 points

For Bachelor’s and Specialist programs taught in Russian from the first year, the list of entrance examinations for foreign nationals includes a Russian language test.

As proof of their Russian language proficiency, foreign nationals may submit a certificate of completion of the State Testing in Russian as a Foreign Language. This certificate must be issued in accordance with the Procedure for Issuing Certificates for the State Testing in Russian as a Foreign Language and must confirm proficiency at a level no lower than the First Level of Russian as a Foreign Language.

Invitation and Enrollment Process for Foreign Nationals from Visa-Regulated Countries.

Foreign nationals from countries requiring a visa to enter the Russian Federation will receive an official invitation to study at RUDN University only after confirming payment of the preliminary contract to the RUDN University/branch account before their arrival in Russia.

Remote Enrollment.

Foreign nationals may be enrolled without physically crossing the border of the Russian Federation (remote enrollment is possible).