Study in Saint Petersburg | Universities, Fees & Programs

Why Study in Saint Petersburg?

Saint Petersburg is Russia’s second largest city and one of its most historically significant, known internationally for its architecture, culture, and strong academic institutions. For international students, it offers a compelling middle ground: the prestige and program quality of a major Russian city, at noticeably lower costs than Moscow.

RusBase works with multiple partner universities in Saint Petersburg covering medicine, dentistry, engineering, IT, and business, all with English-medium options and no IELTS or TOEFL required for admission.

Programs Available in Saint Petersburg

Students in Saint Petersburg can choose from a wide range of programs:

General Medicine (MBBS): 6 years, English & Russian medium
Dentistry: 5 years, English & Russian medium
Pharmacy: 5 years, Russian medium
Economics: 4 years, Russian medium
Business Administration: 4 years, Russian medium
Engineering & Technology: preparatory year available
IT & Computer Science: preparatory year available

All programs above are available through RusBase partner universities in Saint Petersburg.

Tuition Fees in Saint Petersburg 2026

University	Program	Duration	Language	Annual Fee (Approx.)	Accom. (USD/mo)
Saint Petersburg State University	General Medicine (MBBS)	6 yrs	English	~$7,240	~$58
Saint Petersburg State University	General Medicine (MBBS)	6 yrs	Russian	~$7,100	~$58
Saint Petersburg State University	Dentistry	5 yrs	English	~$6,785	~$58
Saint Petersburg State University	Pharmacy	5 yrs	Russian	~$6,676	~$58
First Pavlov State Medical University	General Medicine (MBBS)	6 yrs	English	~$8,245	~$62
First Pavlov State Medical University	General Medicine (MBBS)	6 yrs	Russian	~$7,255	~$62
First Pavlov State Medical University	Dentistry	5 yrs	Russian	~$8,490	~$62
Mechnikov Medical University	General Medicine (MBBS)	6 yrs	English	~$6,765	~$62
Mechnikov Medical University	General Medicine (MBBS)	6 yrs	Russian	~$5,535	~$62
Mechnikov Medical University	Dentistry	5 yrs	Russian	~$6,765	~$62
SPb Pediatric Medical University	General Medicine (MBBS)	6 yrs	English	~$7,340	~$62
SPb Pediatric Medical University	Dentistry	5 yrs	English	~$9,470	~$62
RANEPA Saint Petersburg	Business Administration	4 yrs	Russian	~$3,444	~$114
RANEPA Saint Petersburg	Economics	4 yrs	Russian	~$3,444	~$114

Fees are approximate USD equivalents at 1 USD = 81.3 RUB. Updated annually.

Cost of Studying in Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg sits between Moscow and Kazan in terms of overall student costs:

Tuition: MBBS from ~$5,535/year, significantly lower than Moscow medical programs
Hostel: from ~$37 to ~$123/month depending on the university
Living expenses: lower than Moscow, higher than Ufa or Kazan

For students who want a major Russian city experience without Moscow’s higher price tag, Saint Petersburg is the strongest option in the RusBase portfolio.

Contact RusBase for a full cost breakdown including tuition, hostel, insurance, and living expenses for your chosen university.

Student Life in Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg is one of the most beautiful cities in Russia, and one of the most internationally connected outside of Moscow.

Large international student community: students from across Asia, Africa, and the Arab world are well represented
Historic and cultural city: museums, landmarks, and cultural events make the city a rich environment for student life
Strong academic atmosphere: Saint Petersburg has a long tradition as a center of Russian research and education
Affordable compared to Moscow: food, transport, and accommodation are all more manageable than the capital
Cold climate: winters are long and cold, from November through March; warm clothing is essential before arrival
Smaller job market than Moscow: students planning to work in Russia after graduation should factor this in

Admission Requirements

Minimum 60% in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology for medical programs
Minimum 50% for engineering, business, and technology programs
No IELTS or TOEFL required
Entrance examination required for most programs
Documents: Passport, school certificate, transcript, passport photo

RusBase handles all document translation and notarization.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Saint Petersburg good for MBBS? Yes. Saint Petersburg has multiple strong medical universities offering English-medium MBBS programs at lower fees than Moscow. Contact RusBase to compare all available options.

How much does MBBS cost in Saint Petersburg? English-medium MBBS in Saint Petersburg ranges from approximately $6,765 to $8,245 per year depending on the university. Russian-medium options start from around $5,535 per year. Hostel accommodation costs $62/month at most medical universities.

Is Saint Petersburg cheaper than Moscow for students? Yes. Both tuition fees and living costs in Saint Petersburg are generally lower than Moscow, while still offering strong university options across medicine, engineering, and technology.

Can I study medicine in English in Saint Petersburg? Yes. Saint Petersburg State University, First Pavlov State Medical University, Mechnikov Medical University, and SPb Pediatric Medical University all offer English-medium MBBS programs.

Is ITMO University good for engineering and IT? ITMO University is one of Russia’s most recognized universities for IT and technology. RusBase can provide guidance on preparatory programs and pathways available through ITMO.

Is Saint Petersburg safe for international students? Yes. Saint Petersburg has a large and established international student community. It is one of Russia’s most visited and internationally recognized cities, and student campuses maintain their own security and support services.

How do I apply to a Saint Petersburg university through RusBase? Contact RusBase for a free consultation. Share your program, academic percentage, and budget, and we will manage the full process from documents to arrival.

Fees are approximate and updated annually. Contact RusBase for the latest confirmed fees before applying.