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The data were published in a research article in the journal National Healthcare. Among those enrolled in medical programs in 2024, 85.2% are studying General Medicine, followed by dentistry and pediatrics. Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko previously stated that Russia trains future physicians from 150 countries, primarily from CIS and BRICS nations.
The appeal of Russian medical schools to international students stems from multiple factors. Researchers identify key attractions including high-quality foundational training, affiliated teaching hospitals, relatively affordable tuition, innovative educational programs, and strong research capacity. Additionally, Russia operates a quota system that provides federal budget-funded education for international students.
The study's authors project that by 2030, the number of international students in medical programs could reach 140,000–142,000, with at least 4,000 studying on government quotas at no cost to the student.
One challenge for international student adaptation in Russian medical schools is the language barrier. To support students, universities have implemented specialized programs including Russian language instruction with medical terminology, sociocultural integration through participation in research conferences and cultural and athletic events, and assignment of academic advisors and mentors.
According to various rankings, Russia's top three medical universities consistently include Sechenov University (ranked first according to the global Three University Missions ranking and among the top 50 universities in BRICS countries), the Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, and Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University.
Annual tuition at Russian medical universities starts at approximately $5,000, depending on the institution and selected program.