Payroll adjustments will commence from September 1st.
Updated Higher Ed Changes in Russia: A Fresh Look
September 1, 2025, will see a significant shift in Russia's higher education institutions, as they begin regulating the number of budgeted spots, affecting universities nationwide, as announced by RIA Novosti and Minister of Science and Higher Education, Valery Falkov.
Previously, the importance of limiting paid admissions to non-economically demanded specialties was emphasized by President Vladimir Putin at a Science and Education Council meeting on February 6. This move aims to address the issue of a shortage of qualified specialists.
In a recent address, the Minister stated, "We have a comprehensive analysis for all regions and each university. This year, using all available tools, we will start this work together with Rosobrnadzor and our colleagues from the regions."
This sweeping reform will impact all higher education institutions, specialties, and educational programs. Falkov highlighted that, over the past several decades, there have been disproportions in the number of graduates and the demands of the labor market, causing a shortage of qualified personnel in certain professions.
Revamping Education, Embracing Change
The changes aim to strategically allocate budgeted spots to align with evolving demographic and economic needs, improve the quality of education, and enhance its relevance to industry and regional demands. A modernized system will support systemic development, new forms of admissions, and funding, promoting access and equity.
Specific Changes and Enhancements
- State-Funded Places: For 2025, state-funded places at institutions like South Ural State University have been specified and adjusted, with 2,463 state-funded places allocated for higher education programs, alongside 50 specialized places.
- New Admission Criteria: New admissions rules include expanded criteria for individual achievements, offering applicants additional competitive points based on their accomplishments in supplementary education.
- Targeted Training Expansion: Targeted training, which places students in alignment with employer or regional needs, has been expanded. For example, South Ural State University offers over 250 targeted places, with more under consideration, and applications for targeted spots can be submitted through platforms like "Jobs of Russia."
- Digital Admissions: Applications for state-funded and contract-based education at all levels can now be submitted through the "Postupi Online" portal integrated with State Services ("GosUslugi"), streamlining and modernizing the admissions process.
- Budget Context: The federal budget amendments approved in June 2025 outline increased investments in education, science, and innovation, underpinning such regulatory changes and targeting a technology base for exports and domestic market growth.
- International Collaboration: Budget-funded education for citizens from Central Asian countries in Russian universities continues, with nearly 40,000 students from the region studying on state-funded places, accounting for around 8 billion rubles (~$90 million) in budget expenditure.
Minister Valery Falkov oversees the implementation of these reforms, aligned with his ministry's goals of modernizing higher education admissions, supporting strategic sectors, expanding targeted training, improving educational resources, and fostering international collaboration. These reforms strive to enhance the quality, accessibility, and relevance of higher education in Russia.
- The upcoming changes in Russia's higher education system, overseen by Minister Valery Falkov, extend beyond education-and-self-development, as they also involve politics, as evidenced by the federal budget amendments and international collaboration.
- In the realm of education-and-self-development, the revamping of Russia's higher education system encompasses not just general-news like regulating the number of budgeted spots, but also innovation, such as digital admissions, new admission criteria, and targeted training, all aimed at enhancing the quality and relevance of education.
