When talking about the best student cities in Russia, Moscow is the first thing that comes to mind. Well, after all, it’s the country’s capital and the world’s 25th best student city.
However, there are many compelling reasons why you should also consider St. Petersburg on your list. For starters, it’s Russia’s cultural capital that overflows with many opportunities from education to employment. Moreover, it provides many avenues to travel and engage in the social scene.
As an international student, you’ll benefit from St. Petersburg’s modernity and enduring history. You’ll love its modern and efficient mass transit as well as its long list of historical icons.
Here are three more compelling reasons to study in St. Petersburg:
Study and Living Costs Won’t Put You in Debt
An international student’s biggest fear is drowning in lifelong debt. But because St. Petersburg is the 14th most affordable city in the world, expenses might be the least of your worries.
Every month, you’ll need at least US $546 to cover your expenses from transport to meals. Accommodation is relatively affordable too, with a price range of $350 to $1,069 per month.
Other than that, there are also many affordable places where you and your friends can hang out. You can take a peek into our list of St. Petersburg’s most affordable places to get an idea.
A City Where History and Modernity Meets
St. Petersburg is best known for its long literary history and cultural importance. Highly acclaimed Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky used to live in this city since he was 16.
The city is also rich in museums, parks, gardens, and festivals such as the Winter Nights of St. Petersburg Festival. Speaking of which, the city is heralded as the Venice of the North as it also experiences the famed Winter Nights phenomenon.
While it’s the epicenter of culture and history in Russia, it’s also a melting pot of tech and innovation. The city has the ultra-modern St. Petersburg Technopark is a great hub for IT and tech start-ups in the world.
Innovative Education and English-taught Courses
St. Petersburg universities have high-tech installations to make education more immersive. They also support internships to fulfill the practical application of students’ knowledge and skills.
Most facilities operate in a digital environment with large computer rooms. Universities also offer flexible online courses to extend the learning process into the digital sphere.
Apart from these, there are also higher education institutions that offer English-taught courses. This makes learning more favorable for those who struggle with the Russian language.
The Higher School of Economics (HSE) in St. Petersburg offers the most English programs. See the list below to see some of the programs that they offer in English:
- Bachelor’s in Sociology And Social Informatics
- Master’s in Finance
- Bachelor’s in International Business and Management Studies
- Master’s in Management and Analytics
Apart from the reasons we listed above, there are many more reasons to pursue higher education in St. Petersburg. If you need help adjusting better to the city and country, check out our other articles about Russia as a study destination here at MSM Unify.
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