FAQ

Application and admission

• How I can apply for the program?

  1- Create an account in our Online Admission System HERE

  2- Fill in the Personal Profile form in your account:

  3- Fill in the Application form

  Application documents:

  - Scanned copy of international passport (for non-EU citizens passport should be valid for more than 18 months after the program beginning)

  - Your JPEG photo 3*4 cm

  Please, fill in the application form and kindly wait for the email confirmation from your program coordinator.

• When will I be accepted to the course?

  After you fill in the form, we will send you a first confirmation via e-mail. If you submitted all the documents and met all the entrance requirements, you will be accepted to the course and receive a second email with further instructions in a while.

• What are the entrance requirements?

  Basic requirements are the following:

  1. Good command of English. All classes and extracurricular activities are carried out in English. Knowledge of the Russian language is not required;
  2. Applicants are expected to have at least 1 year of University level studies.

  There also could be some specific requirements, depending on the program applied for.

• Are there any age restrictions?

  Students under 18 can be admitted to the program only in case they come in group with a teacher or supervisor. Students over 18 can be admitted either in group or individually.

• Do you require English proficiency test?

  As far as all classes and extracurricular activities are carried out in English, B2 level is highly preferable for studies but the certificate is not necessary to submit.

• May I apply for two/three programs?

  You are very welcome to take part in 2 or 3 Winter or Summer School programs, if they are consequent and don't overlap in the schedule. But please inform us on your decision in advance, that we will issue an invitation for you for the whole period of staying in Russia (refer to visa issuance).

• Do you offer any online programs?

  Yes. The whole Summer School 2020 was held online and the Winter School 2021 will be run in the distance learning format as well (due to circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic). We are planning to run some summer or winter courses in the online format in combination with traditional on-site programs after the pandemic.

• When is the application deadline?

  The application deadline depends on the program and your citizenship. Please find the detailed information on our web-site

• Can I still apply if I missed the application deadline?

  Please, send an e-mail to our e-mail address: summerschool@spbstu.ru. We will do our best to handle the issue and consider your application after the deadline if there are free spots left in a group, but unfortunately we cannot guarantee that you will be accepted to the course.

• What is the cancellation policy?

  If the student makes the payment upon arrival, he/she can withdraw his/her application any time before the program start and it will not be penalized. In case a student would like to make the payment online or via international bank transfer beforehand then we'll be able to make the refund but the bank commissions for the return transfer will be charged from the student.

Accommodation

SPbPU dormitory administration will accommodate summer school students in one of the three best SPbPU dormitories:

• Dormitory #8 blocks of rooms comprise 2 double/triple rooms with shared facilities: a bathroom and a toilet. Kitchen is located on each floor;
• Dormitory #12 blocks of rooms 7 double/triple rooms with shared facilities: a kitchen, bathrooms and a toilet;
• Dormitory modules A/C have separate double rooms with shared facilities on a floor: a kitchen, bathrooms and toilets.

Please find the pictures of the dormitories rooms and facilities in the PDF file below.

The prices are the same in all of those dormitories as far as the facilities are on the same level and all of the buildings have been renovated lately.

NB! Please note that amount of places in the dormitory for international students are limited and as soon as all of them are booked students will need to find accommodation off campus: hostel/hotel or private apartment (AirBnB, for example).

• How can I book a room?

  When you fill in the application form, the room for you will be book automatically (in case there are available rooms left yet).

  Then we will send you a link to the Online Housing and Arrival form, where you can indicate the period of your staying as well as your personal preferences.

• Where the dormitories are located?

  The addresses of the dormitories are:

  • Dormitory #8 – Ulitsa Khlopina, 9, corpus 2
  • Dormitory #12 – Ulitsa Khlopina, 13, corpus 1
  • Dormitory modules – near Grazhdanskiy Prospekt, 32

  All of the dormitories are located on campus. It usually takes around 10-15 minutes by foot to reach the academic building where the classes take place.

• Can I choose the room type?

  You can point your accommodation preferences in the field “Remarks you would like to make regarding housing preferences” in the Online Housing and Arrival form.

  But unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that you will be accommodated in the preferable type of room due to the huge flow of students during the Winter and Summer Schools.

• Is there single accommodation available?

  Unfortunately, single accommodation is not available at SPbPU dormitories.

• I would like to live with my friend

  Please, point the name/names of your friend in the field in the field “Remarks you would like to make regarding housing preferences” in the Online Housing and Arrival form. We’ll try to do our best to fulfill your expectation, but unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that you will be accommodated with your friend due to the huge flow of students during the Winter and Summer Schools.

  Unfortunately, there are no mixed rooms (only separate rooms for boys and girls) in the dormitories of our University. If you would like to live together with your boyfriend/girlfriend, you may rent an apartment off- campus or book a room in any hostel/hotel.

• What are the prices?

  The final amount for the accommodation fee is calculated according to the following scheme:

  1) Bed in a double room:

  - first 10 days: 640 Rub per day;

  - starting from the 11th day: 320 Rub per day.

  2) Bed in a triple room:

  - first 10 days: 480 Rub per day;

  - starting from the 11th day: 240 Rub per day.

• How I can pay for the dormitory?

  The invoice for accommodation payment will be issued by the dormitory administration after your check-in and it should be paid at the dormitory administration office by card or cash.

• Are rooms equipped with…?

  All blocks of rooms are equipped with beds, bedside table, desk, chairs, wardrobe, curtains and bed clothes (includ. mattress, blanket, pillow, sheets, pillow cases). Unfortunately we cannot provide towels, hairdryer nor toilet paper for you.

• Are kitchens equipped with…?

  Each kitchen contains: electric heating board, electric kettle and a microwave. There are also a few items of kitchen houseware and dishes left from the previous exchange students, but not everything.There is no sugar, salt or any other products in the kitchens. So you can either bring necessary items with you or buy it upon your arrival in St. Petersburg.

• Is there a wi-fi connection in the dormitory?

  Unfortunately, there is no open wi-fi in the dormitories.  The easiest option to get access to the Internet is to buy a local sim-card with mobile 4G Internet. It will cost around 350-400 Rub for 10 GB of mobile data and your tutor (study buddy) will assist you with the process.

• I would like to live off-campus

  If you would like to stay in the center of the city, the best option for you is to choose any hostel near the metro stations (ex. Ploschad Vosstaniya, Admiralteyskaya, Nevskyi prospekt, Sennaya ploschad). It takes around 20-30 minutes (depends on the station) to reach the University academic buildings with the help of metro.  SPbPU campus is located on the red metro line.

  If you wouldn't like to waste time on transportation, you may book any hostels or apartments in Kalininskyi or Vyborgsky districts to save your time.

  We cannot advise you any certain hostel or hostel, as far as the best option depends on many different factors and on your personal preferences. Please, use booking.com, tripadvisor.com, airbnb.com or another web-site to find a suitable place for living.

Fees and costs

• What does the tuition fee include?

  The tuition fee includes studying process, materials, field trips and basic cultural program. It doesn't cover cost of accommodation, transportation, meals, etc.

• Are meals included in the tuition/accommodation fee?

  The cost of lunch is not included in the tuition/accommodation fee. All the winter and summer schools students have breakfasts, lunches and dinners at the food courts, canteens or cafes near the campus or cook their meals at the dormitory. There are kitchens, fridges and other equipment which can be used for this purpose.

  Most of the students go for dinners to the city center as we have plenty of wonderful cafes and restaurants with reasonable prices to have a nice dinner.

• What are the average prices for the lunch?

  A lunch in a cafe costs around 300-400 Rubles.

  Dinner at a restaurant/bar in the city center costs around 500-1500 Rubles without drinks.

  An average meal (salad, meat/fish, garnish, a bun/pie and a drink) at the university canteen costs around 300 Rubles.

  An average meal at the fast food restaurant or a food court is 300-400 Rubles.

  If you are a vegetarian, the average cost will be lower.

• How much money do I need to cover all my expenses?

  As far as it depends on a variety of factors: what program you have applied for, how long and where you would like to stay in Saint-Petersburg, where you want to have lunches, etc.

  You may calculate estimated amount of money according to your own situation. Here is the list of the most common expenses:

  1. Visa issuance;
  2. Insurance;
  3. Flight tickets;
  4. Tuition fee;
  5. Accommodation fee;
  6. Fees for optional cultural events; 
  7. Some basic everyday expenses (lunches, transportation, entertainment, souvenirs, etc.).

  You can also get acquainted with the list of living costs on our website

• 3How much money should I take with me?

  Amount of money to take depends on your own preferences and plans. For some students 10 000 Rubles would be enough, for others - 30 000 would be not that much.
  
  Here are some costs for you:

  Transport:

  • 1 Metro ticket – 45 Rubles;
  • 1 Bus ticket – 40 Rubles;
  • Taxi from the city center to the university – about 500 Rub at day-time, about 1000 Rubles at night (because of the bridges).

  Entertainment:

  • Entrance to a night club – 300-1000 Rubles;
  • Drinks in night clubs – 300-1500 Rubles;
  • Amusement park – 150-450 Rubles per an entrance to an attraction.

  You can also get acquainted with the list of living costs on our website

• Is it possible to pay by a bank card in Russia?

  Yes, for sure. Saint-Petersburg is one of the most developed and modern city in Russia. You will come across cashless payment almost everywhere. Our University also accepts MasterCard, Visa, Maestro, UnionPay and JCB bank cards.

• Are there any discounts?

  - If you take 2 programs in one season you get a 10% discount per each course;

  - If you take 3 or more programs in one season you get a 15% discount per each course;

  - If you are an alumni of any previous course in the last 5 years you get a 10% discount for any summer program;

  - If you are an SPbPU student you get a 20% discount for any summer course;

  - If you are a student of any other Russian university you get a 15% discount for any summer program.

Scholarships

• I would like to get a scholarship from my home University

  Please, contact the International Office of your University and ask about the scholarships availability.

• I would like to get a scholarship from SPbPU University

  Unfortunately, the University doesn't open any call for scholarships for the winter school due to insufficient funding. 

Cultural program

We are happy to offer you a wide variety of cultural program events, excursions and outdoor activities. Among them there are:

For Winter Schools

• Excursion to the Hermitage, one of the world’s largest and oldest museums of fine art;
• Pub Quiz;
• Excursion to the Kunstkamera museum, a cabinet of curiosity;
• Field trip to the “Baltika” Brewery/"Coca-Cola" factory where students can learn about the construction and logistic peculiarities of the plant;
• City downtown tour and quest;
• Excursion to Pushkin (Tsarskoye Selo), former tsar’s residence famous for its palace and park ensemble. Students will visit the outstanding Catherine’s Palace and the unique Amber room;
• Sightseeing tour of St. Petersburg;
• Bar & Farewell party;
• Russian language & culture class;
• Full-day Wintry Event with sleigh riding and skating (optional for extra price).

For Summer Schools

• Boat city tour for students to get acquainted with the beauty of the city;
• Excursion to the Hermitage, one of the world’s largest and oldest museums of fine art;
• Pub Quiz;
• The White Nights City Tour to see the Drawbridges Opening;
• Field trip to radio astronomical observatory "Svetloe" with practice on Radiotelescope;
• Visit to the “Baltika” Brewery/"Coca-Cola" factory where students can learn about the construction and logistic peculiarities of the plant;
• Excursion to Peterhof palace-ensemble with picturesque gardens, a countless number of fountains and giant golden statues;
• Excursion to the famous churches and cathedrals of Saint-Petersburg (including the Church of the Savior on blood);
• Excursions to the State Museum of Political History of Russia;
• Excursions to the Grand Maket Russia Interactive Museum;
• A city tour with a walking trip through the Peter and Paul Fortress;
• An educational and entertaining full-day field trip to Novgorod the Great;
• Russian language & culture class;
• Picnic at the seashore of the Gulf of Finland where students can enjoy Russian style barbecue (optional, for extra price);
• Excursion to Pushkin, former tzar summer residence famous for its palace and park ensemble. Students will visit the outstanding Catherine Palace with glorious Amber room (optional, for extra price).

• When the schedule of cultural program will be available?

  We will send you a link to the “Registration for Excursions and Events” online form, where all the dates will be stated.

• How I can select excursions and events?

  We will send you a link to the “Registration for Excursions and Events” online form, where you can choose the excursions and events.

• Can I skip some events?

  If you do not want to join any excursions, please, point your preferences in the “Registration for Excursions and Events” online form. Please, also take into account that field trips were not mentioned in this form since they are not optional as being included in the program curricula and academic hours. Attendance of field trips is obligatory.