Winter and summer schools
Why should you sign up for short-term courses before entering university?
First of all, this learning format will enable you to integrate yourself into student life before the official admission. And modern online education format allows you to interact with other candidates, students and educators and learn more about the university and the studying process.
Second, such courses are usually last several days up to 8 weeks. So not too long but enough to immerse yourself into the Russian language, culture and traditions. It's a great opportunity to prepare for the future move.
Schools have a wide variety of themes and topics. Choose the one that fits you best. The majority of the short-term courses include classes in Russian for students with different levels of proficiency.
Seasonal school is your chance to study and meet new people, visit museums and exhibitions, travel outside the university, get to know Russian cuisine and traditions.
Summer schools are usually held during the summer months, but some of them start in May. Winter schools take place between January and March.
The paid courses are universally affordable. There are free ones as well. Please note that participation in some of them requires specialized knowledge, while others do not require any preparation.
Winter schools 2021
Choose a direction and apply now to participate. You can use the search on our website to select a school or find fresh picks below.
MIPT Winter Olympiad School 2021 (online)
Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology
This course helps high school students to prepare for applying to a university or taking part in a national or international Olympiad. For example, MIPT-2021. This school will be most appealing to students already involved in mathematics and physics. Classes are held by MIPT professors in small groups. The programme includes meetings and lectures with scientists, developers and IT specialists from major Russian companies.
Dates: January 3-10, 2021.
Deadline: mid-December 2020.
Language: Russian.
Entry requirements: online testing based admission.
Winter School in the Russian language and culture 2021 (online)
Vibrant ITMO Winter School programme consists of several modules (1 module = 1 week = 2 ECTS credits). It also includes optional courses in literature, culture, linguistics and history. A general course on the Russian language is open to everyone. Participants with Russian level B1 and B2 can choose up to 4 courses: Russian history", "The legacy of Fyodor Dostoevsky", "Politics and diplomacy of the Russian Federation", etc. Graduates will receive from 2 to 8 ECTS and an ITMO University certificate.
Dates: January 11 - February 5, 2021.
Duration: 1 to 4 weeks.
Deadline: 10, 17, 24 January 2021, depending on the duration of the school.
Language: Russian and English.
Winter camp in competitive programming 2021 (online)
Broaden your understanding of algorithms, programming languages and machine learning, and learn to solve problems of competition level difficulty. The course is mentored by the leading ITMO University specialists, including multiple world-class champions in programming. Graduates receive 3 ECTS and an ITMO University certificate.
Dates: January 11-22, 2021.
Deadline: mid-December 2020.
Language: English (B1 and above).
Entry requirements: expertise in Python/C ++/Java (at least one) at the intermediate level and above.
Intensive Russian language courses for international students (online/offline)
South Ural State University (National Research University)
This intensive Russian language course is suitable for students with a proficiency level of A1-A2 and above. Nearly two weeks of speaking practice, grammar drills, vocabulary exercises and writing. SUSU brings the entertainment programme as well: seminars on Russian culture, excursions, creative masterclasses, contests and quests.
Dates: January 12-30, 2021.
Deadline: December 24, 2020.
Language: Russian and English.
Duration: 72 hours.
Intensive Russian language courses (online)
Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University “LETI”
Three intensive Russian courses for students with different levels of proficiency: A1 to C1. The programme aims to help students planning to study or take internships in Russia to learn the language. A1 level applicants will master basic Russian, learn to read, communicate and understand phrases. Advanced level courses are suitable for master and PhD students to prepare for research activities in Russia.
Dates: January 18-31, 2021.
Deadline: January 11, 2021.
School language: Russian and English.
Big Data: theory and application (online)
Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University
Dive deep into the world of big data and machine learning and gain skills in information processing and storing. Graduates are going to defend their own development projects of various software. The social programme includes an online tour around SPbPU, a Russian history quiz and an interactive trip to the Hermitage Museum. Graduates receive 4 ECTS.
Dates: January 18-29, 2021.
Deadline: January 10, 2021.
Language: English (B2 and above).
Entry requirements: second-year tech students with the experience in Python / R, SOLID, SQL, git, docker.
ICE MECHANICS International Winter Course (offline)
Far Eastern Federal University
A unique experimental programme that investigates the impact of ice on engineering structures. The course is held by the Laboratory of Ice Research of the FEFU Department of Marine Arctic Technologies. In addition to lectures and research at the university, you can participate in testing sea ice using special equipment in the field on Russky Island. The experiment is supported by the Ministry of Emergencies and involves the study of the samples in the laboratory. After the final exam, participants receive an official certificate.
Dates: January 25-31, 2021.
Deadline: January 17, 2021.
Language: English
Entry requirements: the programme is suitable for speciality students.
Winter camp in cybersecurity (online)
It's a strong introduction to the cybersecurity programme. Enrol now to study cryptography, computer virology, anti-tampering technologies, and more. Classes are based both on teamwork and individual work. The course is suitable for students already invested in the subject with a basic understanding of IT. Graduates will receive 3 ECTS and an ITMO University certificate.
Dates: January 25 - February 5, 2021.
Deadline: January 17, 2021.
Language: English (B1 and above).
Russian studies in real Russia (online)
Ural Federal University named after the first President of Russia B.N. Yeltsin
UrFU Winter School is part of the Russian Studies in Real Russia – the 2010 educational project of the UrFU Department of Linguistics and Professional Communication in Foreign Languages. Got to Yekaterinburg and experience real Russia. All international students go through cultural immersion process living on the border between Europe and Asia.
The UrFU Winter School is all about Russia and its culture. There are Russian language courses for various levels and lectures on regional studies, including history, culture, art, everyday life, politics and even sports.
Russian lessons: 90 minutes, 5 days a week.
Dates: February 1-21, 2021.
Deadline: January 25, 2021.
Language: Russian and English.
Duration: 3 weeks.
International Research School (online)
National Research University Higher School of Economics
The HSE Research School invites everyone interested in studying political science, sociology, international relations, business, economics, and finance to apply to one of the three study tracks:
1. Russian language, history and culture
This track will allow you to learn the basics of the Russian language and discover key features of Russian history and culture from the early Middle Ages to the present day in a series of lectures.
2. Russian politics and international affairs
This track examines the work of leading scientists and public persons to study Russia's role in modern global politics, its international affairs and other political aspects.
3. International Business in Pandemic and Post-COVID-19 Era
The course will address the challenges and particularities of the COVID-19 crisis. You will learn about new business models that would become possible in the post-coronavirus world.
Lectures, seminars and consultations, research projects and entertainment events are in store for you.
Dates: February 15 - March 5, 2021.
Deadline: January 7, 2021.
Language: English.
Entry requirements: motivation letter in English (up to 1000 words).
International online schools (online)
Samara National Research University
The university prepared 8 online schools in various fields: technical sciences, Russian language and culture, management and jurisprudence, fashion and business. All participants are awarded official certificates with 2 ECTS credits per course.
Choose the best winter school for you:
- Russian language and culture.
- Sustainable business strategies.
- Space materials and technologies.
- 3D technologies.
- Fashion research.
- Start-up project management.
- International law.
- Flexible skills.
Dates: December 8, 2020 - February 10, 2021.
Deadline: depends on the programme.
Language: English.
Summer schools 2021
Summer is much closer than it seems. Many universities have already scheduled schools for the summer of 2021. To choose, you can use the site filter or see the popular selection of schools below.
Jumpstart your journey in supercomputing Summer School (online/offline)
National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod
Participants will start with a quick introduction course to the practical use of modern supercomputer systems and parallel software development and go on to study parallel programming and computing basics.
The programme includes lectures and practical classes, exciting cultural itinerary, introduction to the Russian language and culture, and Nizhny Novgorod in particular.
Dates: July 6-17, 2021.
Deadline: May 21, 2020.
Language: English (B2 and above).
Entry requirements: basic developing skills in C/Fortran.
Practice in Android App Development and Using Big Data Summer School (online/offline)
National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod
Considering to launch your own mobile application? This summer school will make help you! In 4 weeks, participants will learn how to design an Android-based application structure, prepare applications for uploading to Google Play, use big data services, and also get introduced to the Russian language, history and culture.
Dates: July 20 - August 16, 2021.
Deadline: May 21, 2020.
Language: English (B2 and above).
Entry requirements: knowledge of mathematical analysis and probability theory, Java and XML.
Intensive Summer School of the Russian Language and Culture (offline)
Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University
This course will help you start or continue to study Russian, expand your vocabulary, and introduce yourself to the culture of the country. In your free time, you can get to know Kaliningrad, go to the Baltic Sea and walk along the Curonian Spit. The programme includes master classes on making real Russian gingerbread and rag dolls, interactive lessons on music, folklore and cinema and a lot of communication.
Dates:
I module: July 26 - August 6, 2021.
II modules: July 26 - August 20, 2021.
Deadline: May 15, 2021.
Language: Russian and English.
Duration: 26 days + 2 days for arrival and 2 days for departure.
Documents: application, CV, application for a visa invitation; passport's ID page copy, student card copy/document confirming the student status
School of International and European Law (offline)
Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University
The programme includes a unique set of courses aimed at developing professional and communication skills to become a lawyer or an economist. Classes are taught by lecturers from leading universities in the UK, Greece, USA, Germany, Armenia and Russia. You will study in the format of interactive lectures and seminars using game mechanics and modelling different types of legal activities. All graduates receive an official certificate.
Dates: August 19-28, 2021.
Deadline: May 15, 2021.
Language: Russian and English.
Duration: 9 days.
Entry requirements: second-year bachelor students in law and economics and above get enrolled based on the results of a competitive selection.
Documents: CV, motivation letter, recommendation letter from the mentor/curator, photo.
After finishing a course in any school, students receive official certificates and ECTS credits. Some universities also add points for future enrolment.
To choose a suitable winter or summer school, just use our programme search service.
