Russia is accepting applications for its Government Scholarship (the "quota") for the 2027/28 academic year. It offers free tuition at Russian state universities for bachelor's, master's and PhD study, a place in a student hostel and a small monthly allowance. Applicants from Africa, Asia, Latin America and other regions apply online, and the main deadline for most countries is 15 January 2027.
The main building of Lomonosov Moscow State University in Moscow, Russia (file photo). Photo: Dmitry A. Mottl (cropped by King of Hearts) / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.
⚠️ Faddabah Newsroom check: free tuition, but not "fully funded"
- Flights, living costs and medical insurance are not covered. Students pay these themselves.
- The monthly allowance is small, often only a few thousand roubles, and is not enough to live on without extra money.
- Most programmes are taught in Russian. If you do not speak Russian, you first take a one-year Russian preparatory course, also free. If you fail its final exams, you lose the free place.
Key facts
- Scholarship: Russian Government Scholarship (state quota), 2027/28
- Levels: bachelor's, specialist, master's and PhD (postgraduate)
- Covers: full tuition, a Russian-language preparatory year if needed, a monthly allowance, and a hostel place where available
- Not covered: flights, living costs, medical insurance
- Open to: foreign citizens; the number of places for each country is set by agreement with Russia
- Apply on: education-in-russia.com (official platform)
- Deadline: 15 January 2027 for most countries (15 December 2026 for CIS countries)
- First-round results: usually April to May 2027
What the scholarship covers
- Free tuition for the whole programme
- A free one-year Russian-language preparatory course for students who do not speak Russian
- A monthly allowance for the whole period of study
- A place in a university hostel, where available (students usually pay a small monthly hostel fee)
Who can apply
- Citizens of any foreign country, including across Africa
- Bachelor's: a completed secondary school certificate (such as WASSCE, KCSE or an equivalent)
- Master's: a bachelor's degree
- PhD: a master's degree, plus a research summary or published article
- A passport valid for at least 18 months after your planned arrival in Russia
Final-year students can apply with a certificate of current study.
How to apply
- Register on the official platform, education-in-russia.com, using your real name as written in your passport.
- Create an application. Choose your level and field of study, and rank up to six universities (no more than two in Moscow and two in St Petersburg).
- Upload your documents: passport scan, school or university certificates and transcripts, proof of achievements (awards, olympiads, sports, publications), and, for master's and PhD, a motivation letter.
- Submit before 15 January 2027.
- Selection: you may be invited to a test or interview, online or at the Russian embassy or Russian House (Rossotrudnichestvo) in your country.
- If you are selected: provide a medical certificate (including an HIV test) and notarised Russian translations of your documents. You then receive an invitation for a student visa.
Faddabah Newsroom tips
- Contact the Russian embassy or Russian House in your country. They manage the quota locally and can tell you how many places your country has this year.
- Choose your six universities carefully. Include a mix of well-known and regional universities to improve your chances.
- Budget for living costs. Plan for flights, insurance, food and winter clothing before you accept.
- Start translating your documents early. Notarised Russian translations can take time.
- Applying is free. Use only the official platform. Nobody can sell you a quota place.
Sources
- Study in Russia: Russian Government Scholarships (official)
- NUST MISIS: Russian Government quota 2027/28, deadlines and steps
- Russian State Hydrometeorological University: government-funded training (what is and isn't covered)
- GW2RU: How a foreigner can study for free at a Russian university
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