Medical Studies in Russia: Locations, Costs and Recognition

Which universities in Russia offer medicine in English?

The following overview is organized by region. It does not claim to be exhaustive — it maps the institutions that regularly appear internationally and whose English-language program can be traced.

Moscow

Sechenov University (First Moscow State Medical University), Pirogov University (RNIMU), RUDN University (Peoples' Friendship University), Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry (Yevdokimov), Lomonosov University with its Faculty of Fundamental Medicine.

St. Petersburg and Northwest

Pavlov University, Mechnikov University (North-Western State Medical University), St. Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University, St. Petersburg State University, Petrozavodsk, Arkhangelsk (Northern State Medical University).

Central Russia

Kursk, Voronezh (Burdenko), Smolensk, Tver, Ryazan (Pavlov), Yaroslavl, Ivanovo, Belgorod, Oryol, Tula.

Volga Region

Kazan — both Kazan State Medical University and Kazan Federal University —, Nizhny Novgorod, Samara, Saratov (Razumovsky), Ufa (Bashkir State Medical University), Izhevsk, Perm, Orenburg, Ulyanovsk, Volgograd, Astrakhan, Saransk (Ogarev), Cheboksary.

South and North Caucasus

Rostov-on-Don, Krasnodar (Kuban), Stavropol, Vladikavkaz (North Ossetia), Makhachkala (Dagestan), Nalchik (Kabardino-Balkaria).

Urals, Siberia and Far East

Yekaterinburg (Urals), Chelyabinsk (South Urals), Tyumen, Novosibirsk, Tomsk (Siberian State Medical University), Krasnoyarsk (Voino-Yasenetsky), Kemerovo, Omsk, Barnaul (Altai), Irkutsk, Chita, Ulan-Ude, Yakutsk, Vladivostok (Far Eastern Federal University and Pacific State Medical University), Khabarovsk, Blagoveshchensk.

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How much does medical school in Russia cost?

The range runs from approximately 2,600 to 15,300 US dollars per academic year. Part of this spread is real — Moscow and St. Petersburg are significantly above the regions — and part comes from inaccurate third-party information.

Directly verifiable from official sources include: Sechenov 1,300,000 rubles, Pirogov depending on faculty 900,000 to 1,300,000 rubles, Mechnikov 440,000 rubles, Kazan Federal University 468,000 rubles, Bashkir State Medical University Ufa 490,080 rubles, Far Eastern Federal University Vladivostok 440,000 rubles.

Because the ruble exchange rate fluctuates, conversions into euros or dollars are always a snapshot. Have every figure confirmed in writing by the university's International Office before making a decision — with a statement of whether dormitory, insurance, and registration are included.

Additionally, there are dormitory fees, health insurance, annual visa renewal, and living expenses. Students in the regions get by considerably cheaper than in the two metropolitan cities.

Language, admission, and program structure

The program lasts six years and concludes with a specialist degree. Many universities offer an English-language program, but this term must be read with caution: the pre-clinical phase takes place in English, but at the bedside at the latest, Russian is required. Russian language courses are therefore compulsory at virtually all locations.

Two points are regularly misrepresented on intermediary portals: Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University in Kaliningrad teaches medicine in Russian, not English. And in Kazan, only the human medicine program is consistently taught in English — dentistry switches to Russian after two years.

Admission generally takes place without a numerus clausus through certificate review and an internal selection process, sometimes with a test in biology and chemistry. A preparatory year is possible at many institutions but not always required.

What is the degree worth in Germany?

This is the decisive point. Russia is not an EU member, so there is no automatic recognition. Anyone wishing to be licensed in Germany takes the knowledge test (Kenntnisprüfung) under Section 3 of the Federal Medical Licensing Act.

For WFME recognition — increasingly required internationally, for example for US ECFMG certification — only the agency IAAR is recognized for Russia, limited until 2028. Only Kazan State Medical University has verifiable accreditation so far. For every other university: check individually in the World Directory of Medical Schools before committing.

Regarding universities in Crimea, no reliable statement on international recognition can currently be made.

Who is suited for Russia

Russia can work if you are willing to learn Russian to a clinically functional level, if you choose a location with demonstrable accreditation, and if you factor in the recognition process in Germany from the beginning rather than pushing it to the end.

For those looking for a more straightforward path to medical licensing in Germany, our European partner locations are generally the clearer choice. An overview of all numerus clausus-free options can be found at Locations.