How to enroll in the Pushkin Russian Language Institute in Moscow
The Pushkin Institute is the country's main university for studying Russian as a foreign language. Many of its graduates become teachers of Russian, as well as translators. Foreigners can also take a preparatory course to gain a basic level or improve their existing level of Russian before pursuing specialized university education.
In 2026, the State Pushkin Russian Language Institute celebrates its 60th anniversary. It all began back in 1966, when the Scientific and Methodological Center for the Russian Language was established at Lomonosov Moscow State University on the initiative of Academician Vitaly Kostomarov (1930-2020), who, later, led the International Association of Teachers of Russian Language and Literature for many years.
Today, the Pushkin Institute is a leading Russian university that teaches Russian as a foreign language and trains professional Russian language specialists. Over its more than half‑century history, the institute has graduated over 500,000 students from more than 100 countries worldwide. This tradition continues and is constantly evolving.
The mission of the university
From the very beginning, the Pushkin Institute's focus has been on the methodology of teaching Russian as a foreign language. New approaches were developed, textbooks were published, and international Olympiads were held. This tradition continues today – they are constantly seeking formats that turn knowledge of rules into conversational practice. That's why people enroll not just for a diploma, but to better understand the culture and learn to communicate in Russian without barriers.
Choose what works best for you
Foreign students of the Pushkin Institute
- Preparatory Faculty (Pre-UNI)
To enroll in any university in Russia, you need to know the Russian language. So we recommend starting with the preparatory faculty. For an entire academic year, you will not only focus intensively on the Russian language, but also choose your profile, be it humanities, natural sciences, engineering, or medical-biological or economics.
To study at the preparatory faculty, you need to send an application to study@pushkin.institute no later than two months before the start of your desired program (classes begin in September for the first intake and in October for the second).
You can apply for a quota from the Russian government for tuition-free education. We explain how it works below.
Read more about the preparatory faculty on the institute’s website.
- Faculty of Russian as a Foreign Language
The Department of professional training for international specialists prepares teachers of Russian as a foreign language, philologists, and translators. This program offers quotas provided by the Government of Russia, which allow students to study for free. Undergraduate students (3rd year) or graduate students (2nd year) from foreign universities with a Russian language proficiency level from A2 to B2 may apply for the program. The course lasts 10 months.
We will explain how to apply for and obtain the quotas further below.
Find out details here: pushkin.institute
The Department of intensive teaching of Russian as a foreign language offers several courses for any language proficiency level (from beginner to advanced), lasting from 1 to 10 months. To enroll, you must send a request to study@pushkin.institute no later than 2 months before the start of the course.
More information about the program and course fees: pushkin.institute
- Faculty of Philology
For those who speak Russian fluently and wish to pursue a higher education in philology, the Pushkin Institute offers a Bachelor's degree (4 years), a Master's degree (2–2.5 years), as well as a doctoral program (3 years). All instruction is conducted in Russian, and at all levels, students may also apply for quotas from the Government of Russia.
For more details on the curriculum, visit the website.
How to submit documents for admission and the quota
Russian classes at the Pushkin Institute
To study at the Pushkin Institute, you need to submit an application by email to study@pushkin.institute no later than two months before the start of classes. Most programs start on September 1, but some begin in February or spring. Carefully study the information on the website.
In addition, foreign citizens have the opportunity to study at the Institute for free, under the quota of the Government of the Russian Federation.
To do this, you need to register at education-in-russia.com and submit an application for admission to a university (you can choose several at once) through your personal account. To complete the application, you will need a copy of your passport (or ID), your existing education document, a photograph and a completed questionnaire.
After that, you may be invited to entrance exams and an interview in your country at a Russia House or ‘Rossotrudnichestvo’ (Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Cooperation) representative office or a consular office of the Russian Federation.
Find a step-by-step guide for admission here education-in-russia.com/how-to-proceed/admission-process
Visa issues & other questions
If you require a visa to enter Russia, you can obtain it at the Russian embassy in your country using an invitation. The Institute or the diplomatic mission will help you with this, depending on whether you are studying on a paid basis or under a quota.
While in Russia, you will need to register your place of residence on time, as well as complete a medical examination and provide your fingerprints in a timely manner.
You must also have health insurance for the entire duration of your stay in Russia.Read more about the list of documents required here.
Where to live & study
The institute is located on Volgina Street in Moscow, not far from the ‘Belyaevo’ and ‘Universitet Druzhby Narodov’ subway stations. Students are provided with a dormitory room, which is located right in the university building and is especially convenient, as you can get to classes literally without having to go outside.The Russian language in your country
If you are considering studying in Russia, start with the 'Ambassadors of the Russian Language in the World' program. Volunteers of the program – students from various Russian universities – come to your country and conduct open lessons and workshops at local universities, schools, and other educational and cultural organizations.
Follow the schedule of the program events at послырусскогоязыка.рф and on social media: vk.com/volunteerru & t.me/volunteerrussian
