Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q)
The enrollment for the course «Russian as a Foreign Language» at the National Research Ogarev Mordovia State University is open. We invite foreign citizens to study the Russian language and take a range of preparatory courses (profile disciplines) to get ready for admission to degree programmes at Russian universities.
The training starts fr om September 1, 2025 and lasts for 1 year.
You can apply fr om March 01 to September 30, 2025 by clicking here: https://p.mrsu.ru/Account/Register. The instruction are here.
··· Why Ogarev Mordovia State University?
1. Ogarev Mordovia State University is a prestigious university boasting the status of a national research university. There are only 29 such universities in Russia. The University has a number of awards in various fields including the Russian government’s Quality Award In the recent global aggregated ranking released in 2025 the Mordovia State University took a prestigious place in the First League in separate subject areas. The high positions of the university are equally confirmed by Interfax: it is ranked among the TOP-50 of the best universities. In 2025, owing to the contribution of the Ogarev Mordovia State University, the Republic of Mordovia entered the TOP 15 regions of Russia in the ranking of scientific and technological development of the regions.
2. The University offers comfortable conditions for international students. Teaching staff use personalized teaching methods, taking into account the level of language proficiency and the individual needs of learners. Small groups allow to pay attention to each student, helping them to socialise faster and overcome the language barrier. While studying, you will immerse yourself in the language and cultural environment including University events and student life. Upon successful completion of the full course of studies and after passing the final assessment, you will receive a standard, state approved certificate issued by a state-owned university.
3. Education received at the Ogarev Mordovia State University grants wide career opportunities:
• the University’s diploma is recognized in Russia and abroad,
• graduates are sought after in various fields — economics, science, engineering, medicine, humanities,
• The University actively cooperates with partners and employers, which increases the chances of successful employment.
4. The Russian as a Foreign Language course is designed on the basis of special methods and suitable for Arabic-speaking, Spanish-speaking and other language groups. 99% of the graduates successfully enter Russian universities, with 90 per cent going to Ogarev Mordovia State University.
5. Saransk is a lovely, affordable and safe city of short distances. It has a favourable location and well-developed transport connections to the capital and popular Russian tourist cities. For example, it takes only 1 hour to get to Moscow by plane, 2 hours to St. Petersburg and 30 minutes to Kazan. These cities are connected to Saransk by high-speed trains as well. Another large city Nizhny Novgorod can be reached by train within 4 hours. Rail transport and motorways are also well developed.
6. The Republic of Mordovia is a safe region. According to the Centre for Economic Research «RIA Rating» it is rated among the top 15 safe regions of Russia.
··· How long does the course take?
12 months with holidays included. Studies take place daily, from Monday to Friday (from 2 to 4 classes a day). Changes in training dates and individual schedules are possible, depending on the date of entry into the Republic of Mordovia. The new training stream will start from September 2025.
··· What is the name of the course?
The shorter title of the course is: «Russian as a Foreign Language».
··· What is the cost of the training?
The cost of the course is 110 000 roubles. The tuition fee does not change throughout the entire period of study.
··· If I have chosen another university, not Ogarev Mordovia State University, can I take the course with you?
Yes, of course. Upon successful completion of the full course of studies and after passing the final assessment, you will receive a standard, state approved certificate issued by a state-owned university. It is valid everywhere in Russia meaning that you can apply for any Russian university and continue your studies in Russian.
··· What are components of the training programme, apart from learning the Russian language?
Students can choose one out of 5 training profiles upon enrolment:
— medico-biological (for future doctors, biologists, biotechnologists, pharmacists)
— natural sciences (for future geographers, physicists, chemists)
— engineering and technology (for future experts in mathematics and computer science, IT and other engineering fields)
— humanities (for future philologists, journalists, historians, political experts, psychologists)
— economic (for future financiers, accountants, economists, banking specialists)
The content of the components is also adapted to suit different levels of intended education:
- secondary vocational education
- Bachelor’s and speciality degrees (Specialist diploma programmes)
- Master’s degree programme
- internship and postgraduate studies
···I want to become a doctor. What disciplines apart from Russian language will I study?
The subjects in the profiles of training are arranged in such a way that students can get familiar with the basic terms, definitions and concepts of future professional activity. For example, future doctors in the medico-biological field will study Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and Informatics.
In the natural science field — Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Geography and History.
In the engineering and technology field — Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics, History and Social Studies.
In the humanities profile — History, Literature, Social Studies, Geography and Computer Science.
In the economic profile — History, Mathematics, Social Sciences, Geography and Informatics.
··· Wh ere can I live during my studies?
For the duration of your studies, N.P. Ogarev MSU provides a room in a comfortable dormitory at an affordable price. The cost is from 1300 roubles for 1 month. The place of accommodation is assigned to the student for the entire period of the programme.
···How do I communicate with teachers and staff while I don’t know the language?
Our teachers speak several foreign languages, this allows us to make the process of studying Russian as comfortable as possible. Also, a tutor is assigned to a group of international students to help them adapt. Those who will later enter N.P. Ogarev Mordovia State University will continue to be supported by a tutor and international students who have been studying at our university for several years.
···What socialisation measures are provided for foreign citizens?
The University pays special attention to the settling in of foreign students, providing them with comfortable conditions for study and life. From the first days of their stay in Saransk, every student is helped to settle into a new environment faster:
- Tutors and mentors — help to solve everyday and educational issues, as well as adapt to student life.
- Individual counseling — university teaching staff are always ready to help in solving any issues related to study, accommodation and integration into a new culture.
- Assistance in knowing better and getting familiar with the local community — organization of excursions, meetings with local residents, participation in cultural and social projects facilitate a quick and smooth immersion in Russian culture.
···How can I apply for training?
You can upload documents to the EIOS system using the link: https://p.mrsu.ru/Account/Register The instruction are here. This is an internal information system of Ogarev Mordovia State University. You need to upload: passport (and its notarised translation), education credentials (and its notarised translation). The application and questionnaire will be automatically generated in the system — you will also need to fill them up electronically. Use the translator in your browser to make the application process more comfortable.
The enrollment for the course «Russian as a Foreign Language» at the National Research Ogarev Mordovia State University is open. We invite foreign citizens to study the Russian language and take a range of preparatory courses (profile disciplines) to get ready for admission to degree programmes at Russian universities.
The training starts fr om September 1, 2025 and lasts for 1 year.
You can apply fr om March 01 to September 30, 2025 by clicking here: https://p.mrsu.ru/Account/Register. The instruction are here.
··· Why Ogarev Mordovia State University?
1. Ogarev Mordovia State University is a prestigious university boasting the status of a national research university. There are only 29 such universities in Russia. The University has a number of awards in various fields including the Russian government’s Quality Award In the recent global aggregated ranking released in 2025 the Mordovia State University took a prestigious place in the First League in separate subject areas. The high positions of the university are equally confirmed by Interfax: it is ranked among the TOP-50 of the best universities. In 2025, owing to the contribution of the Ogarev Mordovia State University, the Republic of Mordovia entered the TOP 15 regions of Russia in the ranking of scientific and technological development of the regions.
2. The University offers comfortable conditions for international students. Teaching staff use personalized teaching methods, taking into account the level of language proficiency and the individual needs of learners. Small groups allow to pay attention to each student, helping them to socialise faster and overcome the language barrier. While studying, you will immerse yourself in the language and cultural environment including University events and student life. Upon successful completion of the full course of studies and after passing the final assessment, you will receive a standard, state approved certificate issued by a state-owned university.
3. Education received at the Ogarev Mordovia State University grants wide career opportunities:
• the University’s diploma is recognized in Russia and abroad,
• graduates are sought after in various fields — economics, science, engineering, medicine, humanities,
• The University actively cooperates with partners and employers, which increases the chances of successful employment.
4. The Russian as a Foreign Language course is designed on the basis of special methods and suitable for Arabic-speaking, Spanish-speaking and other language groups. 99% of the graduates successfully enter Russian universities, with 90 per cent going to Ogarev Mordovia State University.
5. Saransk is a lovely, affordable and safe city of short distances. It has a favourable location and well-developed transport connections to the capital and popular Russian tourist cities. For example, it takes only 1 hour to get to Moscow by plane, 2 hours to St. Petersburg and 30 minutes to Kazan. These cities are connected to Saransk by high-speed trains as well. Another large city Nizhny Novgorod can be reached by train within 4 hours. Rail transport and motorways are also well developed.
6. The Republic of Mordovia is a safe region. According to the Centre for Economic Research «RIA Rating» it is rated among the top 15 safe regions of Russia.
··· How long does the course take?
12 months with holidays included. Studies take place daily, from Monday to Friday (from 2 to 4 classes a day). Changes in training dates and individual schedules are possible, depending on the date of entry into the Republic of Mordovia. The new training stream will start from September 2025.
··· What is the name of the course?
The shorter title of the course is: «Russian as a Foreign Language».
··· What is the cost of the training?
The cost of the course is 110 000 roubles. The tuition fee does not change throughout the entire period of study.
··· If I have chosen another university, not Ogarev Mordovia State University, can I take the course with you?
Yes, of course. Upon successful completion of the full course of studies and after passing the final assessment, you will receive a standard, state approved certificate issued by a state-owned university. It is valid everywhere in Russia meaning that you can apply for any Russian university and continue your studies in Russian.
··· What are components of the training programme, apart from learning the Russian language?
Students can choose one out of 5 training profiles upon enrolment:
— medico-biological (for future doctors, biologists, biotechnologists, pharmacists)
— natural sciences (for future geographers, physicists, chemists)
— engineering and technology (for future experts in mathematics and computer science, IT and other engineering fields)
— humanities (for future philologists, journalists, historians, political experts, psychologists)
— economic (for future financiers, accountants, economists, banking specialists)
The content of the components is also adapted to suit different levels of intended education:
- secondary vocational education
- Bachelor’s and speciality degrees (Specialist diploma programmes)
- Master’s degree programme
- internship and postgraduate studies
···I want to become a doctor. What disciplines apart from Russian language will I study?
The subjects in the profiles of training are arranged in such a way that students can get familiar with the basic terms, definitions and concepts of future professional activity. For example, future doctors in the medico-biological field will study Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and Informatics.
In the natural science field — Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Geography and History.
In the engineering and technology field — Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics, History and Social Studies.
In the humanities profile — History, Literature, Social Studies, Geography and Computer Science.
In the economic profile — History, Mathematics, Social Sciences, Geography and Informatics.
··· Wh ere can I live during my studies?
For the duration of your studies, N.P. Ogarev MSU provides a room in a comfortable dormitory at an affordable price. The cost is from 1300 roubles for 1 month. The place of accommodation is assigned to the student for the entire period of the programme.
···How do I communicate with teachers and staff while I don’t know the language?
Our teachers speak several foreign languages, this allows us to make the process of studying Russian as comfortable as possible. Also, a tutor is assigned to a group of international students to help them adapt. Those who will later enter N.P. Ogarev Mordovia State University will continue to be supported by a tutor and international students who have been studying at our university for several years.
···What socialisation measures are provided for foreign citizens?
The University pays special attention to the settling in of foreign students, providing them with comfortable conditions for study and life. From the first days of their stay in Saransk, every student is helped to settle into a new environment faster:
- Tutors and mentors — help to solve everyday and educational issues, as well as adapt to student life.
- Individual counseling — university teaching staff are always ready to help in solving any issues related to study, accommodation and integration into a new culture.
- Assistance in knowing better and getting familiar with the local community — organization of excursions, meetings with local residents, participation in cultural and social projects facilitate a quick and smooth immersion in Russian culture.
···How can I apply for training?
You can upload documents to the EIOS system using the link: https://p.mrsu.ru/Account/Register The instruction are here. This is an internal information system of Ogarev Mordovia State University. You need to upload: passport (and its notarised translation), education credentials (and its notarised translation). The application and questionnaire will be automatically generated in the system — you will also need to fill them up electronically. Use the translator in your browser to make the application process more comfortable.
···What is the procedure for entering the preparatory department? What do I need to do?
1. First apply and attach the required documents in the EIOS at the following link https://p.mrsu.ru/Account/Register The instruction are here.
2. Then we draw up a contract and send it to you for approval. Review it and if you agree, sign it.
3. After signing the contract, you need to pay at least 50% of the tuition fee. The payment form will be sent to you.
4. The order of your enrolment on the course is issued.
5. We send your documents to the migration service to issue an invitation. It takes approximately 40 days to prepare.
6. Once you have received your invitation, you can proceed to apply for a student visa at a Russian embassy in your country.
···Is it necessary to get a notarised translation of documents in Russia or can it be done in my home country?
Translations of documents can be certified at the consular section of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in your country, as well as at a notary in the territory of the Russian Federation.
···If an education document is in two languages, one of which is Russian, is it necessary to translate the information in the foreign language?
If the information in the education document is fully duplicated in Russian, there is no need to translate the document additionally.
···Who can I ask clarifying questions to?
For additional information, you can contact us by phone:
— Call to the International Relations Office under Ogarev Mordovia State University:
— Call to the Pre-University Tutorials Department for Foreign Citizens under Ogarev Mordovia State University: