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🇷🇺 Russian Higher Education Reform: Quality, Regions and New Campuses

🎓 📊 On 14 October 2026, Russian Science and Higher Education Minister Valery Falkov presented measures to develop higher education at the Federation Council. The number of state-funded university places has risen to 620,000, with 73% allocated to regional institutions and priority given to engineering and teaching majors. Concurrently, the ministry strictly limited paid admissions across 40 oversaturated fields (such as economics, law, and management), reducing commercial enrolment by 28% (nearly 100,000 students).

🥇To improve selection quality, the ministry is reforming academic competitions (olympiads), cutting the number of eligible contests from 83 to 60. A single strict control standard is being introduced, and results will only count for 10th and 11th graders. Admission without entrance exams will be restricted exclusively to winners, while runners-up will receive maximum points in their major subject. To support these changes, leading universities will receive additional state-funded places.

✨ At the same time, a major infrastructure upgrade is underway: 25 modern campuses are being developed across 23 regions, with four opening this year. Additionally, 126 student dormitories in 65 regions will be renovated by the end of 2026, improving living conditions for 136,000 students. The ministry is also paying special attention to restoring the educational infrastructure in Russian regions.

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