Cost of Living in Russia For Indian Students (in 2024)

Hailed as the largest country in terms of area, Russia is sprawled across eastern Europe and northern Asia. The country is renowned for possessing the second-largest art museum in the world and entered the limelight with its space program in the 20th century.

With a reputation as a region of modern architecture, Russia is also home to some of the top-rated universities for higher education. Additionally, it is considered one of the most affordable countries for education abroad.

Students who choose to study in Russia must know what is the minimum cost of living in Russia? The average cost of living in Russia ranges 18,500-25000 rubles per month and may increase based on additional expenses.

Read on to understand a breakdown of the cost of living in Russia for international students.

Start Your Study Abroad Journey with upGrad Abroad

Study in Russia: Study in Russia| Universities in Russia

Types of Cities

Russia is considered a highly-urbanized region, with about three-quarters of the total population residing in cities. The western part of the country is known for its mountainous regions, while the eastern region consists of low-elevation plains.

The country comprises a variety of major cities, which are home to some renowned universities. For students looking to study abroad and choose Russia, here are some of the notable cities.

Moscow

The capital of Russia is hailed as the country’s most important cultural, economic and political center. It is an urbanized region offering attractions like a boat ride down the Moscow River and a look into the Cold War bunker. Students can also access the largest European library in Moscow and interact with diverse individuals in the multinational city.

Saint Petersburg

The previous capital of Russia attracts significant visitors and students due to the exceptional architecture of the place.  Hailed as the world’s cultural capital, Saint Petersburg is known for cultivating a creative atmosphere and providing an ideal platform for budding creators. 

Kazan

The Volga River flows through the oldest city in Russia, Kazan. It is 820 kilometers from Moscow and witnesses over 1 million tourists annually. Kazan is famous for excursion tours and exceptional stadiums that have hosted two field hockey world championships in 2005 and 2011.

Get all your Study Abroad doubts clarified Now for FREE: Fix an Appointment Now

Rent and Utilities

Most Russian universities offer student dormitories for international candidates looking to find accommodation. These places are located in the vicinity of the university and consist of various room-sharing options and single rooms.

The cost of living in Russia for Indian students, excluding utilities and other expenses, comes down to 500 to 5,000 rubles per month, depending on the accommodation type.

If students are looking to shift with family and require an independent living situation, Russian cities offer rental flats near the universities. The average cost of living in Russia for families can be anywhere from 30,000 rubles to 35,000 rubles per month, excluding utilities.

While Moscow and Saint Petersburg are relatively expensive to live in, Novosibirsk is one of the cities in Russia with low cost of living.

Adding meal expenses, bus passes, medical insurance and other utilities like an internet connection, students can incur 18,472 rubles to 24,600 rubles per month.

Transport

Students can get a 60-journey travel card if they regularly plan to travel by train. A single journey costs around 57 rubles, while the pass costs 1,970 rubles. These passes can also be purchased via student concession, and a 60-journey card will cost 405 rubles.

It is also essential to know some standard costs that students might incur while they engage in the entertainment offered by Russian cities. For instance, cinema tickets lie between 400 roubles to 1,000 roubles and a standard t-shirt costs 500 roubles.

Totaling all these expenses, the cost of living in Russia for international students comes to an average of 20,205 roubles.

Top 10 Universities in Russia

Russia boasts 741 universities offering higher education, with 278,000 foreign students enrolled in multiple specializations. Of these, 29 are national research universities, while 10 are federal-backed. Here are the top ten universities in the country according to QS rankings 2024 to help applicants make informed choices while applying.

• Lomonosov Moscow State University
• Bauman Moscow State Technical University
• Novosibirsk State University
• Tomsk State University
• Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology
• St. Petersburg State University
• RUDN University
• HSE University
• National Research Nuclear University
• Kazan Federal University

Cost of Attendance

The average cost of studying in Russia is less compared to other European countries. It is the go-to destination for students to receive a quality education with affordable fees.

The standard cost of attendance for a bachelor’s degree in Russia could cost students anywhere from 240,000 – 260,000 rubles per year. In some instances, it may cost as low as 122,500 rubles and go up to 880,000 rubles annually. On the other hand, a master’s degree may cost between 260,000 to 280,000 rubles per year.

Russian universities also offer specialist degrees, which take up five years. These courses focus on practical exposure and may cost anywhere from 240,000 to 260,000 rubles per year on average.

Postgraduate courses attract higher costs than all other degrees, with an average ranging from 280,000 to 300,000 rubles per year.