The Preparatory Year in Russia: What It Is and What It Costs
July 23, 2026
Half the questions we receive about studying in Russia are really questions about the preparatory year — what it is, whether it is mandatory, and why its price appears everywhere. This is the complete answer.
What the preparatory year is
A one-year university programme (the “podfak”) that teaches Russian from zero to academic level, plus the subjects of your future degree — biology and chemistry for medicine, mathematics and physics for engineering. It ends with an exam; passing it qualifies you to enter the Russian-medium degree programme.
Who needs it and who does not
You need it if you plan to study in Russian and do not already hold a recognised Russian certificate. You skip it entirely if you enrol in an English-medium programme. This single fork explains most price differences between study plans — the preparatory route means an extra year of tuition and living costs but leads into cheaper Russian-medium fees.
What it costs, precisely
Published preparatory-year fees at partner universities in St. Petersburg run from 180,000 ₽ at Bonch-Bruevich and 190,000 ₽ at Forest Tech and RSHU, through 200,000–205,000 ₽ at LETI, Pavlov, Mechnikov and the Pediatric university, to 240,000 ₽ at Polytech, 302,000 ₽ at SPbSU and 220,000 ₽ at ITMO and RANEPA. Our site converts these to dollars at the day’s exchange rate on each university page.
Is it worth it?
Over a six-year medical degree, the Russian-medium track including the preparatory year frequently costs less in total than six years of the English track — and leaves you fluent in the language of your patients. If speed matters more than total cost, English-medium wins. There is no universal answer; there is your budget and your timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fail the preparatory year?
The final exam must be passed, but universities teach toward it and pass rates for attending students are high. It is a real course, not a formality.
Does the year count toward my degree?
No — it is a qualification year before the degree begins. Plan durations accordingly: preparatory + six years for medicine.
Where do preparatory students live?
In the same dormitories as degree students, at the same published rates — from about $30 a month at the cheapest partners.
Ask us to compare both routes for your subject — total cost, total years, side by side.
Questions About Your Own Case?
Requirements depend on your nationality and subject. Ask us directly — free.
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