Studying in St. Petersburg, Russia: What To Expect?

In the QS Best Student Cities list of 2022, St. Petersburg claimed the second spot in Russia and 72nd in the world. It is also among the most affordable cities in the globe, ranking at the 14th spot.

With all these feats, it’s not hard to imagine St. Petersburg as an emerging global student city. It can even rival the major Russian metropolis and capital Moscow in desirability and student view.

If you have prospects of studying in St. Petersburg, you’re making a wise choice. But before you fly to this city, there are certain key things you must learn first.

Here’s what you can expect when studying in St. Petersburg:

World-Renowned Universities

St. Petersburg is home to some of Russia’s oldest and largest universities that are also famous around the world. Its best institution is Saint Petersburg State University which secured a spot in the top 250 universities in the 2022 QS World University Rankings.

Other notable universities include ITMO University and Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University. The best part is, you won’t have to pay towering tuition to get a top-class education. 

In St. Petersburg, the average annual tuition fee is only US$4,400. This makes education significantly cheaper and more accessible than in other student cities around the globe.

Low Cost of Living

One of the things that may surprise you is the relatively low cost of living. According to Numbeo, a single person only needs about $546 per month for necessities. Another $549.98 is needed per month to cover rent for a one-bed apartment in the city center.

In comparison, living in London will set you back $1,180 per month excluding rent. While a one-bed apartment in the city center will cost a staggering $2,333 per month. This makes renting in St. Petersburg almost four times cheaper than a comparable student city in the United Kingdom.

Bustling Culture and Social Scene

If you’re more acquainted with the Western lifestyle, you may find it easy to adjust to St. Petersburg. It’s one of the most Westernized cities in Russia while still possessing that Russian charm.

Many cultural events take place in this city: ballet shows and operatic performances. Plus, you’ll have many avenues to look into its history with over 200 museums across the city.

One of the festivals you shouldn’t miss is the White Nights Music Festival. The event takes its name from the ‘White Nights’ phenomenon, wherein in mid-June, the sun barely touches the horizon. This is also the reason why the city is called “The Venice of the North”. 

Great Career Prospects

If you plan to work in St. Petersburg after you graduate, you’ll have the chance to work with giant global firms. Here, you’ll find offices of Coca-Cola, General Motors, and Unilever.

The city’s robust IT and Tech industry is also one to look out for. Future IT graduates can enjoy taking advantage of the thriving industry in the city.

Studying in St. Petersburg makes top-class education more affordable in a city rich in culture and history. Want to discover more of this great student city? See our other articles about Russia as a study destination and travel spot, so you’ll know where to go to unwind!