Exchange programmes
Several steps to become an exchange Student at VSU
Before applying to become an exchange student at VSU there are a number of steps to follow:
| Step 1 | From the list below you can find out if VSU has a partnership agreement with your institution. Without an agreement it is not possible to do an exchange, as you must first be nominated. |
| Step 2 | If there is an agreement; please see below to check you meet our entry criteria, what you can study and important deadlines. |
| Step 3 | If you meet all our criteria, please contact your International Office or relevant department to start the nomination process. |
Entry requirements
Exchange programmes allow students to study at VSU for either a full year or one semester.
Before applying, there are a few requirements that you must meet:
- have completed a minimum of one year's study in Higher Education;
- fulfil the language requirements (see below for more information);
- be nominated by one of VSU’s international partner institutions.
Language Requirements
Most of the programmes offered at VSU are in Russian. To ensure that you are able to cope with the demands of our programmes the level of your Russian skills should be B1.
For the further study of Russian, the level of your Russian skills will be identified to select the appropriate course.
VSU offers opportunities to study in English (see the list of courses taught at VSU in English). If English is not your first language, the level required is B2.
The level of your English should be confirmed by your university or any internationally recognized certificate.
Studying opportunities
Workload
Your workload will normally consist of 20 -30 VSU credits per semester. For students attending the whole year this is a total of 40–60 VSU credits.
1 VSU credit = 36 academic hours. Please take this into account when choosing your courses and credits!
Examinations & Assessments
Students are expected to complete all assessments required by the course and must remain at VSU for the examinations. Examinations are held at the end of each semester (in January, for the autumn/winter semester and in June for the spring/summer semester).
Dates and deadlines
Nomination deadlines
- Students coming in September – 15 May
- Students coming in February – 1 November
Application Deadlines
- Students coming in September – 30 May
- Students coming in February – 15 November
Term times
- The autumn semester starts on 1 September.
- The spring semester usually starts in the second week of February. The actual date is subject to change.
Exams take place from the second half of December until the end of January and from the second half of May until the end of June.
After the autumn semester there is a vacation after the exams at the end of January – beginning of February (appx. 10 days, actual date subject to change). After the spring semester there is a vacation in July and August.
Accommodation
Choose your accommodation
Student dormitory
- VSU has several dormitories; some of them are located on the North university campus and some of them are in the centre of the city. You can apply for a dormitory near the place of your study, but the final selection will depend on the available places.
- You can find the university buildings, faculties, and student hostels here (select the location sign on the map to see the address):
- The dormitories provide WiFi for internet access.
- The rooms are furnished.
- Bedding is available.
- Washing machines are available.
The cost of a shared room for 2–3 people is about 15 € per month (depending on the dormitory and the currency rate)
Additional costs might arise in the dormitory:
- For electricity (max. ca. 600 ₽, which is currently 8 € per month) – this cost may be waived according to the agreement between your university and VSU
- For internet (from 5 to 8 € monthly) in case you are not satisfied with the provided WiFi and would like to purchase it from a third-party provider
Host family
- 400 € per month (half board, meals twice a day)
Rented flat
- About 220 € per month (1-room flat)
Visa and health insurance
Visa to Russia
After receiving your application, and all necessary documents, we start to prepare your invitation. It takes about 30–40 days to get the invitation ready. As soon as it is ready, you will be notified.
List of documents required for an invitation:
- Scanned passport valid at least 1.5 years from the date of your planned arrival
- Application form (сылка), duly filled
- Nomination letter from partner university (ссылка на список партнеров)
How to get a visa?
After the applicant receives an invitation by e-mail, they need to contact the consular department of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the city that was indicated by the applicant as their place for obtaining a visa. The applicant must inform the embassy of the invitation number or provide a copy of the invitation. In accordance with this invitation, the applicant will be issued an entry visa to study at Voronezh State University.
Steps to receive a Russian visa:
1) Send all required documents to the VSU International Office (inco@vsu.ru)
2) Wait for the e-version of your invitation to be sent to you.
3) Apply to the Russian consulate indicated in your application for a visa.
Health insurance
Voronezh State University assists with purchasing a voluntary medical insurance policy, which covers the basic range of medical services required to stay in the Russian Federation.
A foreign citizen can come to study with an existing national health insurance policy, but in this case, all required medical examinations and procedures during the stay in the Russian Federation will be charged by cash payment with a possible subsequent reimbursement (agreed with the insurance company of the foreign student, from which the medical insurance policy was obtained).
In the absence of a medical insurance policy, we strongly recommend purchasing a policy upon arrival at VSU, since medical policies purchased via the Internet before entering the territory of the Russian Federation may not include the necessary range of services for medical organizations in Voronezh.
The average cost of a medical insurance policy for foreign students in Voronezh is 60 Euro (69 USD).
While obtaining a Russian visa you will be asked at the Russian Consulate to provide details of your health insurance.
Please choose your insurance company carefully. It should have representatives in Russia; cover both inpatient and outpatient treatments, doctor’s fees, diagnostics, drugs, transportation by ambulance, and medical evacuation back to your home country.
Most patients from abroad pay for medical services in cash and receive reimbursements from their insurance company upon their arrival back home.
When buying insurance outside Russia, please make sure that you have details of the address and phone number of the Russian representatives of your insurance company.
You can also buy medical insurance in Russia upon arrival. It will cost min. € 43 ($ 50) per year and the price of it depends on the selected set of services. The International Office can help you arrange it. Do not hesitate to contact your exchange coordinator at VSU: inco@vsu.ru.
Rules for entering the Russian Federation and settling in a VSU dormitory
A week before entering the Russian Federation, you need to send a copy of your ticket and visa to your coordinator at VSU.
No earlier than 72 hours before entering the Russian Federation, you need to do a PCR test (to enter the territory of the Russian Federation, the PCR test must be negative).
To settle into the dormitory, you must provide one of the following documents: a certificate of a complete course of vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative result of a PCR test performed no later than 72 hours before check-in.
You will be placed in a temporary accommodation room until your 2nd PCR test and medical examination. This must be done within the next 72 hours.
You do not need to do an additional PCR test if you have a certificate of vaccination against the COVID-19 virus translated into Russian, or a certificate of antibodies to the COVID-19 virus translated into Russian.
Your coordinator will tell you how to undergo a medical examination and get a health certificate after your arrival at the university.
Buddy Club
Getting to Voronezh
After arrival
Several important things to do:
- Register at the VSU Visa Office
According to Russian regulations, international students must register their arrival in the territory of the Russian Federation within 7 days after crossing the Russia border. Failure to comply will result in a fine.
VSU Visa Office address – 40a Kholzunova Street, room 240
Tel.: 266-04-33
Work hours: Mon–Thu 9:00–17:00, Fri – 9:00-16:00, lunch 13:00–14:00
- Get Medical clearance
- Meet your academic coordinator to discuss your schedule.
Your coordinator will contact you about the time and place of the meeting after your arrival.
Voronezh State University • 1997–2024