KBSU plans to accept 777 foreign students

There are over 19,400 students studying at the Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after Kh.M. Berbekov, including about 2.5 thousand foreigners from 40 countries, which indicates a high level of attractiveness of the university for students from abroad. Most of the students are from India, Turkmenistan, African countries and the Arab world.

In 2025 KBSU plans to enroll 777 foreign students both on a budgetary basis and under an agreement on the provision of paid services. The most popular areas chosen by foreigners are medical specialties, engineering and technical. Applicants from Turkmenistan are especially interested in the direction of «Domestic Philology (Russian Language and Literature)».

KBSU pays special attention to the comfortable adaptation of foreign students. For this purpose, the Institute of Fellowship and the Institute of Curatorship operate. Each student receives support from a tutor who helps them settle in and feel at home in our republic,

— emphasized Alina Duguzheva, head of the Invitation Department of the Migration Control Department of KBSU.

This is also confirmed by the reviews of foreign students about studying at KBSU and staying in Kabardino-Balkaria. They note the friendliness of the teachers, who create an atmosphere of trust in the classroom, the hospitality of the locals, and the beauty of nature.

Ronaldo Mezov from Angola:

KBSU offers a variety of training programs, which allows you to deepen your knowledge in areas of interest. I appreciate the opportunity to communicate with teachers and get advice from them.

Burengenhwa Zhanna Kozett from Burundi:

The Kabardino-Balkaria Republic is very hospitable, the locals are always happy to help. I enjoy the cultural exchange and friendly relations with other students.

Kaneh Brima from Sierra Leone:

Overall, I am happy with my choice and I am sure that studying at KBSU will be an important stage in my life. I recommend this university to anyone looking for a quality education!

Among the difficulties that a foreign applicant may face when entering a university, Alina Duguzheva highlighted the language barrier and the difference in mentalities. In the absence of knowledge of the Russian language, any foreign citizen has the right to enroll in the preparatory department of the Higher School of International Education of KBSU (HSIE), where he will study Russian and specialized subjects for a year. Upon completion of the preparatory department, he is given a certificate confirming knowledge of the Russian language, with which he then enters the chosen program.

Without knowledge of the Russian language, foreign students study in English-language programs at the KBSU Medical Academy. As a rule, these are citizens of India.

It is important to note that foreign citizens do not participate in the general competition for budget places. Separate places are allocated for them within the framework of the Russian Federation Government quota, financed from the federal budget. Contract places for admission to training are also allocated for citizens of the Russian Federation and separately for foreigners. For the latter, a special list of entrance examinations and their own competitive selection are provided.

Alina Duguzheva spoke about the existing trajectories for foreigners to enter KBSU:

Foreign citizens can enter on a budgetary basis:
— under the Russian Federation Government quota, which allows them to study for free, receive a scholarship and a place in a dormitory. An application for a quota must be submitted to the Russian embassy or the Rossotrudnichestvo representative office in their country;

— as part of the general competition, citizens of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan living abroad. Also, on a general basis, citizens of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, who have a residence permit in the territory of the Russian Federation, are admitted to Russian universities. Compatriots who permanently live abroad also have equal rights with Russians when entering universities;

– Olympiad winners: participation and victory in All-Russian and specialized Olympiads gives the right to enter without exams.

Residents of countries that have a visa regime with Russia are required to obtain a visa. It gives the right to live and study in the Russian Federation. This can be done in their home country.

Foreign applicants can be enrolled in the university on the basis of an agreement on the provision of paid educational services. To enter, you must provide documents translated into Russian and notarized, as well as pass entrance exams (the Unified State Exam or internal exams of KBSU). Citizens of countries with a visa regime with Russia must obtain a visa. All information about admission is available on the KBSU website in the «Applicants» section.

The expert recalled that the HSE has created a multifunctional center that helps foreign students resolve issues related to migration and visas. The center simplifies administrative procedures, speeds up the processing of documents and provides the necessary support.