The Saint Petersburg University Olympiad for International Students
Saint Petersburg State University (СПбГУ / SPbU) — one of the two most historic universities in Russia. Its school olympiad has an official section and page dedicated to international students: a strong result gives you extra points at admission, and there is an open track tied to the quota — and the test is entirely in Russian.
In last season's quota track for international students: document submission ran from November 21 to February 19, with the lists published by March 21 at the latest. The new cycle's dates should be checked at the official link — we'll add them here as soon as they're officially confirmed.
What is the SPbU olympiad for international students?
The school olympiad of Saint Petersburg State University — with multiple subject clusters (foreign languages, mathematics, social studies, philosophy/ethics/religious studies and others), and the subjects are tied to specific school grades. There is an official section dedicated to international students.
Mind an important distinction: there are two official tracks — the school olympiad for international students (which gives extra points at admission) and the Open International Olympiad (a quota track — available for all degree levels per the official source). Check which track you're actually in.
What could you gain?
The stages — and both tracks in detail
Subjects are tied to specific grades — pick your subject early. Documents per our guide: passport, high-school certificate or proof of enrollment, and the application form and consent (with certified translation where needed). Then an online qualifier with camera proctoring (computer + camera + microphone + stable internet), followed by a final per the olympiad schedule (in person or on platforms, depending on the cycle).
Per the official portal for international students: the test takes the form of a documents competition (portfolio) + an oral-written test to prove your level of Russian — and this is the admission track for state-funded (federal budget) places within the government quota.
For subjects held in Russian: ТРКИ-I (B1) for school students and ТРКИ-II (B2) for Bachelor's students applying to Master's. For subjects held in a language other than Russian: a basic level (A1) of Russian is enough, plus a written test in the subject's language.
A copy of your identity document + a certified Russian translation, your education document and its annexes + their translation, and a signed application form — all electronically, and in Russian or with certified translations.
Per the official page: the winner must send an email confirming their wish to study at SPbU (or declining) — a small administrative step that matters, don't forget it.
Subject clusters
Multiple clusters — check the grade mapping on the website:
Who can take part?
School students — and the subjects are tied to specific grades (some for final-year high-schoolers, some for the secondary level). There is an official section and page dedicated to international students, per the source.
💬What language is the test in?▾
💬What's the difference between the university's two tracks?▾
💬What are the technical requirements for the qualifier?▾
💬What documents does the quota track require?▾
💬I won — now what?▾
Pick your subject and start with Russian
As soon as the new cycle's dates are confirmed, you'll get an alert on the channel right away.