Increased Enrollment of Iranian Students in Russian Universities

Increased Enrollment of Iranian Students in Russian Universities

Lately, the influx of Iranian students in Russia has skyrocketed, leaping from 6,500 in 2023 to an impressive 9,210 in 2025, according to "Vedomosti," backed by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.

It's worth noting that, as mandated by Russian laws, foreigners can join state-funded university programs through an annual government-approved quota. In 2021, this quota stood at 18,000, climbed to 23,000 in 2022, and reached a whopping 30,000 in 2023.

In 2024, Russian universities welcomed 2,131 Iranian citizens, with approximately one tenth (228) of these students enjoying state-funded places. Currently, around 580 Iranians are studying for free in Russia, while another 300 are earmarked for state-sponsored spots next year. The surge in Iranian students is primarily due to the obstacles they face in obtaining student visas for Western countries.

Apart from these visa hurdles, there's another significant factor: the acute shortage of medical professionals in Iran. Nearly half of all Iranian students studying in Russia are enrolled in medical programs, such as "General Medicine" and "Dentistry." For example, the Institute of World Medicine at the University named after N.I. Pirogov hosts 527 Iranian students, primarily in the "General Medicine" course. "Dentistry" comes in a close second.

Communicating in Russian, however, can pose a challenge. Despite indicating they possess B1 or B2 level proficiency in Russian, many Iranian students exhibit less fluency. During the application process, they often rely on acquaintances for translation help. According to student representatives, several Iranian students struggle with Russian and communicate primarily in Persian during classes, using online translators or fellow students for support during exams.

It's interesting to note that only 10% of the 395,000 foreign graduates from Russian universities choose to stay and work in the country.

Insights:

1. Geopolitical Alignment: Strengthened ties between Iran and Russia, resulting from their shared opposition to Western influences, make Russia an attractive destination for Iranian students seeking higher education.

2. Affordable Education and Tuition Costs: Russian universities offer a wide range of programs and reasonably priced tuition, making them an appealing choice for Iranian students compared to Western countries.

3. Sanctions and Limited Access: International sanctions against Iran hinder access to education in Western countries, pushing students towards Russia, which experiences fewer sanctions due to its geopolitical stance.

4. Economic Challenges: Iran faces high unemployment rates, driving young Iranians to pursue education and employment opportunities overseas, such as in Russia.

5. Government and Institutional Support: The Russian government supports expanding educational ties with countries like Iran, integrating these efforts within broader trade and economic cooperation frameworks.

6. Cultural and Linguistic Affinities: Iranian students might find the cultural and academic atmospheres in Russian universities compatible, thanks to programs tailored for foreign students and potentially Persian-speaking communities in Russia.

1. The influx of Iranian students in Russia can be attributed to several factors, such as geopolitical alignment, affordable education, sanctions, economic challenges, and cultural and linguistic affinities.
2. Amidst the surge in Iranian students in Russia, a significant portion enrolls in medical programs like General Medicine and Dentistry, due in part to Iran's acute shortage of medical professionals.

Read also: