With a history dating back to 1724, St Petersburg University (SPbU) is the first institution of higher education in Russia. Today, St Petersburg University is one of the leading international centres of education, science and culture. It is ranked among the top 300 universities around the world and the second in Eastern Europe and Central Asia according to the QS Rankings. SPbU is also ranked as #2 in the country in the QS Graduate Employability Ranking and the best in Russia for Employer-Student connections. As a dynamic institution, it designs multidisciplinary educational programmes that combine fundamental theoretical problems with real-world, practical application. The discoveries and achievements of the University professors and graduates have shaped the history of both international and Russian science and technology.
The University is proud to be home to 9 Nobel prize winners in Physiology, Medicine, Chemistry, Physics, Economics, Literature as well as Fields Medal and Shaw Prize winners. Moreover, two presidents of the Russian Federation and six government leaders graduated from SPbU. According to Rossotrudnichestvo (The Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Cooperation), in 2019 SPbU became the most popular university in Russia among foreign applicants. International students can apply for the Russian Federation government-funded places (full coverage of tuition fees and monthly allowance) or self-finance their studies. SPbU scientists conduct research in almost all fields of knowledge, provide expertise and consulting, and enjoy close ties with Russian and international partners. The research findings are published in high-impact international journals.