Russia's Ministry of Science changes the selection procedure for foreigners studying under the state quota

The Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education has amended the Procedure for selecting foreign citizens and stateless persons for study within the Government quota (Order No. 728 of 18.09.2026). The order was registered with the Ministry of Justice on 26 October 2026 and published on the legal information portal on 27 October.

What has changed

• Applicants who are still in their final school year or final year of study may submit a document with the results of their latest assessment in the final year. The form of this document is set by the country where their school or university is located.
• If the entire course is taken remotely, without entering Russia, some of the document requirements for the applicant do not apply.
• Selection through academic olympiads now covers not only school students and master's programmes, but also bachelor's, specialist, postgraduate, residency, assistantship-internship and additional professional programmes. The list of these olympiads is set by an interagency coordinating body by 20 September of the year before admission.
• The admission plan by country is drawn up by the Ministry of Science, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Rossotrudnichestvo by 1 August of the year before admission.

Who is affected

Foreign citizens and stateless persons who want to study in Russia free of charge under the state quota, including school and university graduates who apply before receiving their certificate or diploma.

What to do

• Watch the quota selection deadlines in your country: the admission plan is now approved by 1 August.
• If you are still studying, ask your school or university for a document with your latest assessment results.
• Check which documents are required for your form of study: full-time or fully remote.

Which translations you will need

Education documents, transcripts and grade certificates, and a passport in a foreign language usually need a Russian translation for admission to a Russian university, often certified by a notary.

Send your documents to Stylus: we will translate them into Russian and have them certified by the notary in the office next door.