Athar University Guide Rostov-on-Don
Southern Federal University
Южный федеральный университетالجامعة الفيدرالية الجنوبية
The university is located in Rostov-on-Don and Taganrog; most faculties and institutes are in Rostov-on-Don, the engineering faculties in Taganrog on the Taganrog Bay of the Azov Sea.
- Official website
- welcome.sfedu.ru
- International admission
- welcome.sfedu.ru/how_apply_en
At a glance
- Levels of study
- International applicants can apply to bachelor's, specialist's, master's and doctoral programs, English-taught master's programs and the foundation course.
- English-taught programmes
- The university lists 24 master's programs delivered in English, including the following.
- Students
- The university has more than 24,000 students, including 3,000 international students from 80 countries according to the English page (the Russian page says 89 countries).
- Housing
- The university offers apartment-type dormitories; the new student campus in Rostov-on-Don is at 21 Zorge St. (buildings 6Б, 6В, 6Г, 8, 9A, 9Б). Accommodation is prepaid twice a year for 6 months under the lease agreement.
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- Preparatory year
- The Preparatory Department of Russian Language and General Education Disciplines for International Students offers a foundation course for Russian-taught programs by field of study, Russian as a foreign language courses, and a TORFL testing centre.
- Status
- The university is among the winners of the “Research Leadership” track of the “Priority 2030” program and may independently award Candidate and Doctor of Sciences degrees.
About the university
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The university states that its history dates back to 1915.
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Campus: Taganrog campus
The Taganrog campus is in the town centre and consists of 7 academic buildings and 7 dormitories with a canteen, library, student club and sports facilities (4 sports grounds, 5 gyms).
Fields and faculties
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The university trains specialists in natural sciences, engineering and humanities, architecture and arts, and teacher education.
Programmes and language of study
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Programme: Modern Software DevelopmentMaster's
“Modern Software Development” (01.04.02 Applied Mathematics and Computer Science): an English-taught, 2-year full-time master's in Rostov-on-Don with 0 state-funded and 24 fee-based places.
Admission for international students
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Bachelor's programs for foreign applicantsBachelor'sfor international students
Bachelor's admission steps: choose a program, take part in competitions for a Russian Government quota, submit documents, pass entrance exams. Documents: passport and school certificate (translated and notarized or stamped by a licensed translator), recognition of foreign education, 2 photos 3×4.
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Master's programs for foreign applicantsMaster'sfor international students
For master's programs: bachelor's diploma with transcript (translated and notarized), passport, recognition of foreign education and 2 photos. The page says new admission deadlines and rules will be published in summer 2027.
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Russian Government quota applicantsfor international students
To apply for the Russian Government quota: register at education-in-russia.com, choose one field, upload the passport with notarized translation, education document with grades, portfolio and a medical certificate (no hepatitis B/C, tuberculosis, HIV). The first stage is at Rossotrudnichestvo's Russian Houses; 2027/2028 deadlines will be published later.
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Master's applicants via the SFedU OlympiadMaster's2027/28for international students
The SFedU Olympiad for master's applicants gives foreigners a chance to obtain a Russian Government quota (no tuition fees; living costs not mentioned); it is held in Russian and English in two stages. The page lists: registration and qualifying stage 05.11.2026 – 26.01.2027, final 03.02 – 10.02.2027, results 15.03.2027 (with a note that updated 2027/2028 dates will be published in October–November 2026).
Tuition fees
Each amount is published for a specific programme or group of programmes — not necessarily the university's fees overall. Each academic year is shown separately.
Examples
200,000 RUB per year
Tuition for the master's program “Modern Software Development” (English-taught), 2025–2026: 200,000 RUB per year.
Show all published fees (2)
Master's · 2025/26
235,000 RUB per year
Tuition for the master's program “Urban design” (English-taught, 2 years, 50 fee-based places), 2025–2026: 235,000 RUB per year.
Scholarships and opportunities
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Open Doors applicants2027/28for international students
Open Doors scholarship (“Global Universities” association): register on the website from 20 August to 1 November 2026, upload a portfolio and take the entrance test; the olympiad is online in Russian and English, and winners get early admission without exams and a scholarship covering tuition.
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Quota applicants to master's and PhDMaster'sPostgraduatefor international students
The university issues recommendation letters to quota applicants for master's and PhD who rank it first; Rossotrudnichestvo counts the letter as an individual achievement for master's and PhD only. Request via [email protected].
Student life and services
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The “South Meridian” complex includes two swimming pools, a gymnasium, a martial arts hall, a gym and a chess club; the university also has a Botanical Garden and tourist/recreation bases.
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SFedU students can spend a semester at one of about 70 foreign partner universities through the academic exchange program.
Practical information
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International studentsfor international students
The university assists with invitation paperwork, visas and registration and provides rules of stay in Russia. Registering foreigners at a hotel or hostel is mandatory and requires passport, migration card and visa.
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Center of International Student Recruitment: 105/42 Bolshaya Sadovaya St., Rostov-on-Don; e-mail [email protected]. The welcome.sfedu.ru site has an English version.
A question or a correction about this university?
Send it to ATHAR through the “Contact ATHAR” form at the bottom of this page or by e-mail, and we will check it against the university's official sources.
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