Studying in or with Russian
Academic Russian matters on three paths, and each sets its own language requirement.
| Path | Language requirement | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Degree at a university in Russia | TORFL-I (B1) for bachelor admission, B2 by graduation | travel advice and visa rules |
| Russian-taught programme in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan or Belarus | set by each university | the language of instruction of the programme |
| Slavic, Eurasian or translation studies at home | set by each programme | whether beginners are admitted |
TORFL, the Test of Russian as a Foreign Language, is the state exam of the Russian Federation, and its levels follow the CEFR. The CEFR, the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, describes six levels from A1 to C2. Russian is an official language in Belarus and Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan uses it officially alongside Kazakh, so some university programmes there teach in Russian.
At home, Slavic or Eurasian studies programmes set their own rules. Some admit beginners and teach Russian in the first semesters, others expect prior knowledge, so read the programme regulations before you apply. Even where beginners are admitted, an online course in the months before the start gives you a head start with Cyrillic, stress and the first cases.
Since 2022, study stays in Russia have become much harder to arrange for many students from the EU, the UK and North America. Read your foreign ministry's current travel advice before you plan a semester or degree there.
The foundation year to B1 for international students
Russian universities run preparatory faculties, in Russian подготовительный факультет, for international students who arrive without enough Russian. HSE University in Moscow takes its foundation students to B1 in one full-time academic year. That pace relies on daily classes and cannot be transferred to two course evenings a week.
An online course before departure makes the foundation year easier. Learners who arrive with the alphabet, stress and the basic cases at A1 or A2 spend the year on lecture language and subject vocabulary instead of on the first letters.
Use the months before the foundation year for an online course up to A2. Practise reading Cyrillic cursive as well, because handwritten notes from teachers and classmates start in the first week.
The foundation year aims at B1, the level Russian universities require for admission to the first year of a bachelor's programme. Many foundation programmes also teach the subject vocabulary of the planned field, so tell the university early whether you will study engineering, medicine or economics.
TORFL-I at admission and TORFL-II by graduation
According to St Petersburg State University, B1 (TORFL-I) is required for admission to bachelor's programmes at Russian universities, and B2 (TORFL-II) for completing a bachelor's or master's degree. Your Russian therefore has to keep growing during the degree.
The TORFL usually takes two days. On day one you sit writing, vocabulary and grammar, and reading, and on day two listening and speaking. According to HSE University, you need at least 66 percent in four parts and at least 60 percent in the fifth, and the certificate does not expire.
The vocabulary and grammar part checks the forms that general courses spend the most time on, such as case endings, verb aspect and verbs of motion. An online preparation course should therefore include timed grammar tests along with mock exams for all five parts.
TORFL sessions outside Russia run only at a few partner centres. Ask early about dates and fees, because a missed session can delay your application by months.
Scientific style in Russian academic writing
Russian academic texts follow the scientific style, in Russian научный стиль. Four features mark it.
- Impersonal and passive constructions carry the argument, as in рассматривается (is examined) or было установлено (it was established).
- Authors write мы (we) instead of я (I), even when they write alone.
- Verbal nouns and participles make sentences dense, as in проведение исследования (the carrying out of the study).
- Fixed linking phrases structure the text, such as таким образом (thus) and следует отметить (it should be noted).
Students write a курсовая работа, a term paper, during their studies and a выпускная квалификационная работа, the final thesis, at the end. Most papers open with an аннотация, a short abstract. Reference lists usually follow the Russian GOST standards, and the department states which version applies.
A paper translated sentence by sentence from English sounds foreign to Russian examiners. Learn the typical phrases of the scientific style and use them from the first draft.
Lectures, seminars and oral exams in Russian
Lectures in Russian move fast, and note-taking relies on standard abbreviations such as т. е. (that is), т. к. (because) and и т. д. (and so on). Seminars ask you to present and defend a position in front of the group. Students address their teachers with first name and patronymic, such as Анна Сергеевна, both in class and in emails, and an online course should practise this from the start.
Assessment often works differently from what students from other countries know. A зачёт is a pass or fail assessment, while an экзамен gives a grade. Many exams are oral: you draw an exam ticket, in Russian билет, with questions, prepare for a short time and then answer in front of the examiner, who asks follow-up questions.
An online course can simulate a ticket exam. The teacher prepares cards with questions from your subject, gives you a few minutes to prepare and then asks follow-up questions, exactly as in the real exam.
Frequently asked questions about online Russian courses for university
Which Russian certificate do Russian universities require for bachelor admission?
Russian universities require TORFL at level B1, also called TORFL-I, for admission to bachelor's programmes. According to St Petersburg State University, completing a bachelor's or master's degree requires B2, also called TORFL-II. Many universities offer a foundation year that leads international students to B1.
Can an online course replace the foundation year at a Russian university?
An online course does not replace the foundation year at a Russian university, which HSE University runs as one full-time academic year to B1. A part-time online course cannot match that daily pace. It can, however, bring you to A1 or A2 before you start, so that the foundation year focuses on lecture language and subject vocabulary.
What is the scientific style in academic Russian?
The scientific style, in Russian научный стиль, is the register of Russian academic papers. It uses impersonal and passive constructions, the author's мы (we) instead of я (I), verbal nouns, participles and fixed linking phrases such as таким образом (thus). Reference lists usually follow the Russian GOST standards.
How do oral exams with tickets work at Russian universities?
Oral exams at Russian universities often use exam tickets, in Russian билет. You draw a ticket with questions, prepare for a short time and then answer in front of the examiner, who asks follow-up questions. A зачёт is a pass or fail assessment, while an экзамен gives a grade.
Do Slavic studies programmes require Russian before admission?
Slavic studies programmes set their own Russian requirements before admission. Some admit beginners and teach Russian in the first semesters, while others expect prior knowledge, sometimes at a stated CEFR level. The programme regulations of each university state the rule.
Does the TORFL certificate for university admission expire?
The TORFL certificate for university admission does not expire, according to HSE University in Moscow. Universities may still ask for a recent result or test applicants themselves. For a bachelor's degree in Russia, TORFL-I (B1) is the usual requirement at admission.
Sources
The information is based on these sources. Check fees and dates with the provider before you register.