Preparatory Year in Russia: Russian Language Year for International Students

If you want to study at a Russian university but don't yet speak Russian, the preparatory year (подготовительный год / подготовительный факультет) is the standard path. It is a one-year intensive course in Russian (and sometimes other subjects) so you can pass the university's language exam and then enrol in your degree. This guide explains what it is, what you study, who it's for, and what comes next.

What Is the Preparatory Year?

The preparatory faculty (подготовительный факультет, often shortened to подфак / podfak) is a one academic year programme at Russian universities for international students who need to learn Russian (and sometimes maths, physics, chemistry, or other subjects) before starting a bachelor's or master's degree taught in Russian.

• Goal — Bring you to a level where you can study in Russian (usually B1–B2 by the end of the year) and pass the university's entrance or language exam.
• Who it's for — Anyone admitted to a Russian university who does not yet have the required Russian proficiency (e.g. no TRKI/TORFL certificate or equivalent).
• Where — Most large state universities (e.g. RUDN, MSU, SPbU, HSE, and many others) have a preparatory faculty. Some private universities and institutes offer similar programmes.

Duration and Academic Calendar

• Duration — Usually one academic year (about 9–10 months of study).
• Start — Often September or October, in line with the Russian academic year.
• End — June; exams (Russian and, if applicable, other subjects) are held by the end of the year.
• Intensity — Typically 20–30+ hours per week of classes (Russian language plus, on some tracks, maths, physics, chemistry, etc.).

So when people say "language year" or "Russian year", they usually mean this one-year preparatory programme.

What Do You Study?

Russian language (all students)
The core of the preparatory year is intensive Russian:

• Grammar — Cases, verb aspects, tenses, sentence structure.
• Vocabulary — Academic and everyday vocabulary; often 2,000–3,000+ words by the end.
• Listening and speaking — Lectures, discussions, presentations.
• Reading and writing — Texts, essays, summaries.

By the end, you are typically expected to reach B1 or B2 (CEFR), or the equivalent on the TRKI scale, so you can follow lectures and participate in seminars in Russian.

Other subjects (depending on your future specialisation)
Many universities offer tracks:

• Engineering / technical — Russian + maths, physics, sometimes chemistry and IT.
• Medicine — Russian + biology, chemistry, sometimes physics.
• Humanities / economics — Russian + history, social studies, sometimes maths.

The idea is to give you both language and subject basics so that your first year of the degree is manageable. Exact curricula vary by university.

How Do You Get Admitted to the Preparatory Year?

1. Apply to the university — You apply for the preparatory faculty (or for a degree with a preparatory year as the first step). Requirements: usually secondary school certificate (for future bachelor's) or bachelor's diploma (for future master's), passport, and sometimes a motivation letter or interview.
2. Receive an invitation — Once admitted, the university issues an invitation for a student visa.
3. Get your visa — You apply for a Russian student visa with that invitation (see our Russian student visa guide).
4. Arrive and start — You come to Russia, complete registration, and begin the preparatory year in September (or as per the university's calendar).

For the full application process (documents, deadlines, quotas), see our guide on applying to Russian universities.

What Happens After the Preparatory Year?

• Exams — At the end of the year you take exams in Russian (and in other subjects if your track includes them). Passing means you meet the university's requirement to start your degree.
• Enrolment in the main programme — You then enrol in your bachelor's or master's (at the same university or, if allowed, elsewhere). Your visa will need to be extended or reissued for the degree; the university usually helps with this.
• If you don't pass — Policies differ: some universities allow a retake or an extra semester; others may not allow you to continue to the degree. Ask the university in advance.

So the preparatory year is year zero: after it, you start year one of your degree.

Who Is the Preparatory Year For?

• You want to study in Russia (degree in Russian) but don't speak Russian yet — the preparatory year is designed for you.
• You have a little Russian but not enough for lectures and exams — you can still join; the programme will bring you up to the required level.
• You're applying on a government scholarship (quota) — many quota students are first enrolled in the preparatory year, then in the degree.
• You're a fee-paying student — same path: preparatory year first, then degree.

If your programme is taught in English, you usually do not need the preparatory year for Russian (unless the university requires a basic Russian course for daily life or for switching to Russian-taught courses later).

Can You Prepare Before You Go?

Yes. Many students start learning Russian before the preparatory year — at home or online. Benefits:

• You arrive with basics (alphabet, simple grammar, everyday phrases), so the intensive year is less of a shock.
• You can read and understand instructions, signs, and documents sooner.
• You integrate faster socially and practically.

Structured online Russian courses with qualified teachers can take you from zero to A2 or early B1 before you leave. That can make the preparatory year easier and more effective. If you want to start now, see our online Russian courses and how long it takes to learn Russian for a realistic timeline.

Summary

The preparatory year (подготовительный год / подготовительный факультет) is a one-year intensive programme at Russian universities for international students who need to learn Russian (and sometimes maths, physics, chemistry) before their degree. You apply through the university, get a student visa, study for one academic year, pass the exams, and then enrol in your main programme. Starting Russian before you go can make this year easier and more productive. For application steps, see applying to Russian universities; for the visa, see the Russian student visa guide.