About 35,000 international students from 120 countries studied in the country. 46 universities of the republic offer students from abroad to get a world-class education. Foreigners cite the price-quality ratio and the security of staying in the country as the main factors of the attractiveness of studying in Belarus. Engineering and medical specialties are in high demand among them.
In a common education space
Russia has been and remains our country’s main strategic partner in almost all spheres of society, and strengthening the unified educational space of the Union State remains one of the priorities of cooperation.
According to Andrey Pochebyt, Head of the Department of Higher Education of the Ministry of Education of Belarus, in 2026, opportunities for admission to higher education institutions in our country will be preserved and expanded for citizens of the Russian Federation. The key innovation was an increase in the number of budget places and simplification of the enrollment procedure based on the results of the Russian Unified State Exam (USE).
More than 850 free places in 30 leading universities of the country have been allocated for admission to the budget based on the results of the Unified State Exam this year. Enrollment takes place without additional entrance tests, without the need to take additional internal tests or centralized testing, with the exception of creative specialties. A prerequisite is the result of the Unified State Exam in specialized subjects of at least 70% of the maximum possible score.
On equal terms with the citizens of Belarus, applicants from Russia have the right to take the Belarusian Centralized Testing (CT) and participate in the general competition for budget and paid places. In addition, according to the results of the Unified State Exam, Russians can enroll in any specialty at any university in Belarus.
Diplomas of Belarusian universities are recognized in Russia automatically. In addition, graduates have the right to work at enterprises in Belarus.
BSU: only the strong and motivated
About 5.8 thousand international students from 51 countries study at the main university of the country today. Most foreigners study at the Faculties of Economics and Philology, as well as at the Faculty of International Relations.
Viktor Kochin, Vice—Rector for Academic Affairs and Internationalization of Education at the BSU, noted that according to the results of the interview, not everyone is recommended for admission — the strongest and most motivated are selected.
The university is experiencing exponential growth in international students. The top 3 includes China, Turkmenistan and Russia. However, the university is systematically increasing its cooperation with new regions. Therefore, this year, the leadership of the BSU held talks with Myanmar, which should lead to an increase in the number of students from this country.
«We expect the same result from Oman,» — said the Vice-Rector.
Another promising area is the African continent, in particular Zimbabwe, Nigeria and a number of other countries.
BSATU: we teach in English
Today, students from 12 countries — Central Asia, Africa, the Middle East, the CIS countries and the European Union — study at the Belarusian State Agrarian Technical University.
«To attract international students, BSATU primarily cooperates with diplomatic missions and embassies,» — says Mikhail Gurnovich, Head of the International Relations Department. «Young people from abroad often prefer our university after hearing good reviews from their relatives, friends, and acquaintances.»
He said that at various times representatives of 80 countries of the world studied at BSTU, choosing mainly the Faculty of Entrepreneurship and Management, later the popularity of the specialty «Metrology, standardization and Certification» grew. Today, agricultural technical specialties are in the trend, since the university’s material base allows us to study the features of not only Belarusian, but also foreign technology at a high level.
Groups at BSATU are more often international, and all students study special subjects to the same extent. For foreigners, there is only a slight adjustment of the curriculum, which allows them to improve their command of the Russian language during their studies. Children from abroad live in a dormitory together with their Belarusian classmates.
The BSMU: we teach and help to adapt
The first graduation of doctors from foreign countries at the Minsk State Medical Institute took place in 1969. At that time, 6 specialists were released from the university. Today, more than 2,000 foreigners study at the BSMU — one third of the total number of students.
According to the rector of the university Anatoly Sikorsky, applicants from abroad are attracted primarily by the quality of education — over the past three years their number has increased almost 6 times, and on average 350-400 young foreigners enter the BSMU annually.
Their education in the country is structured as follows: in the 1st and 2nd courses — theoretical training in separate groups of 8-10 people. In the 3rd and 4th years, they learn clinical disciplines and come to clinics for the first time, where the foundation of their future professional activities is laid. Classes are held in common groups with Belarusian students. 5th and 6th years — the role of the practical component increases: students have the opportunity to communicate with patients, participate in clinical rounds and consultations.
The BSTU: we share the best experience
Today, about 600 students from 29 countries study at the Belarusian State Technological University. A special feature of the university is its high level of academic mobility: it acts as the CIS base organization for education in the field of forestry and the forest industry.
In 2024, the Belarusian State Technological University was designated the flagship university of the Republic of Belarus for the creation of the Network University of High Technologies of the Union State (SUVT SG). According to the rector of the University, Sergey Kasperovich, the Network University is a unique project designed to form a common educational, scientific and technological space of the Union State. Educational training programs for high-tech and knowledge-intensive industries will be implemented at its sites, fundamental and applied research will be conducted.
In general, the Technological University has established partnerships with 213 foreign educational and scientific organizations from 34 countries. This allows teachers and students to learn from the best practices, as well as present their own scientific developments abroad.
«We see great potential in expanding the export of educational services, especially to countries in Asia and Africa, where our expertise in the forestry and technology sectors is in high demand,» said Sergey Kasperovich.
The BSAA: a source of inspiration
At the end of last year, the Belarusian State Academy of Arts celebrated its 80th anniversary: congratulations, gifts, surprises... One of them was from foreign students who sang brightly and incendiously in honor of (their already) alma mater. The history of one of the most prestigious creative universities in Belarus is not an empty phrase for them. The Academy of Arts, which was the same age as the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, has educated generations and dynasties of outstanding figures of Belarusian art, whose names make up the glory of our country. And if you study, then only with recognized masters.
Three faculties of the Academy provide training at the higher education level: the Faculty of Cinema, Theater and Television; the Faculty of Art; the Faculty of Design and Decorative and Applied Arts. The training is based on the best traditions of domestic and foreign experience in training specialists in various fields of art, as well as on an individual approach to maximize the creative abilities of each student.
At the BSAA, students study in 13 specialties of general higher education (bachelor’s degree), 7 specialties of special higher education (continuing education program), 4 specialties of advanced higher education (master’s degree), 4 specialties of science-oriented education (postgraduate and doctoral studies), 4 specialties of retraining at the higher education level. The BSAA teachers, reputable experts and specialists, help students to acquire solid academic knowledge and skills, develop their talents and familiarize themselves with current trends in the field of art, science and culture.
«Today, studying at the BSAA is popular among citizens of the Russian Federation, the People’s Republic of China, and the Republic of Kazakhstan. The most popular bachelor’s degrees are those that provide training in the field of fine arts and design. At the same time, there is a growing interest in other specialties, for example, „Acting“. Of particular interest to foreign citizens is the specialty „Art History“ of advanced higher education (master’s degree). A total of 64 foreign students are currently studying in the master’s degree program at the BSAA,» says Anastasia Kolosovskaya, Rector of the Belarusian State Academy of Arts.
The BSAM: Music of destiny
The Belarusian music school also attracts foreigners with its traditions. The training of professional musicians in our country is based on the unique Soviet system of continuous musical education, which has been preserved in Belarus and the Russian Federation. They know about this and come here to get a high-quality and prestigious education. One third of the students of the Belarusian State Academy of Music today are representatives of other countries, mainly the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China.
«Russians study on a budget and enjoy the benefits of citizens of the Union State,» explains Elena Kurakina, rector of the Belarusian State Academy of Music. — Citizens of the People’s Republic of China are the largest group of our international students. They are very well aware of our music education system and its effectiveness, and have also heard about the quality of teaching at the Belarusian State Academy of Music. The diploma of the Academy of Music has a high rating among employers abroad. We have been cooperating with China practically since the Republic of Belarus gained sovereignty, for more than 30 years.
Traditionally, two specialties are in constant demand among the citizens of the People’s Republic of China — piano and vocals (academic vocals). However, in recent years, the range of specialties that they are interested in, has been expanding. More and more people are entering the performing professions in order to improve their mastery of the instruments of the symphony orchestra — wind and string instruments. There are also those who study folk instruments — bayan, accordion, there were even cymbalists. There are still few composers, but there is a tendency to increase interest in this specialty.
By the way, in academic music education, 70% of the musician’s training plan consists of individual lessons, when a student improves his performing skills and studies one-on-one with a teacher. It also happens that several teachers and an accompanist work with one student.
All students of the Belarusian State Academy of Music in need are provided with a dormitory. After major repairs in 2019, it has acquired a modern look; comfortable living conditions have been created.
The BSUCA: a cultural perspective
The leadership of the Belarusian State University of Culture and Arts has been working on attracting students from abroad for 30 years. There can be no breaks in it, because the educational services market is changing, as are the preferences of applicants. This should be taken into account and, in general, interest in studying in Belarus should be maintained. Strangely enough, in our vast world, the «word of mouth effect» is triggered in relation to some Belarusian universities...
«People who once graduated from our university, performed well in their homeland, or hold high positions in cultural organizations in the countries where they work, is a good guideline for those who are just choosing where to pursue a creative profession,» explains Natalia Karchevskaya, rector of the Belarusian State University of Culture and Arts. — For example, two graduates from China defended their thesis with us and stayed to work in Belarus. Some representatives of African or Arab countries who studied with us during the Soviet or post-Soviet period have had excellent careers as the head of the Royal Library of Jordan, for example. The people next to them will analyze the success story: what can be achieved in life after receiving our diploma.
At the present stage, foreign students of the BSUCA are attracted to choral creativity and choreographic art (at the bachelor’s level). Nevertheless, there are also those who study decorative and applied arts and librarianship. In the master’s degree program, «Art History» and «Cultural Studies» in Russian and English are especially in demand (people seek to obtain a PhD), and there is an interest in the specialty «Art Management». Often the choice depends on which country you come from, but regardless of your nationality, international students can still express themselves in creativity during their studies.
The university has a separate faculty for international students; they are involved in the creative and social activities of the university in the same way as Belarusian students. There have been cases when foreigners as part of creative teams have become laureates of competitions. Those who master art specialties can exhibit at the University of Culture Gallery, and they actively use it.
A friendly atmosphere is what the BSUCA tries to create at all levels. In the dormitory (it is provided to everyone), there are floor supervisors from both Belarusian students and those who are responsible for foreigners. They participate in student government in the same way as Belarusians. Moreover, they can feel the peculiarities of our hospitality: after receiving their diploma, they are taken to the airport and escorted like dear friends.
Elena Vinogradova
Larisa Timoshik
Photo: Elizaveta Golod
