The Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education to review the mechanism of international students' education

The press service of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education stated the ministry wants to expand the range of costs covered by the education quota for international students in Russia, as well as to review the mechanism of setting the quota.

At present the education quota for international students is set annually by the Government of the Russian Federation without regard to the duration of educational programs.

"The quota is considered to be fully used even if a foreign national has completed a short educational program. While other foreign nationals are enrolled in the same quota, for example, for a long bachelor's degree program," the report states.

It is explained that the minimum duration of a professional development program is 16 hours, while full-time undergraduate study (bachelor's degree) is four years and specialist training is five years.

"In this regard, the bill proposes to review the mechanism for establishing a quota in order to ensure maximum efficiency of its use," added the ministry.

It is also noted that international students coming to Russia to pursue higher education at the quota expense have to bear the costs associated with travel, accommodation, food, medical insurance. And these additational expenses make some foreign citizens give up studying in the Russian Federation due to their low financial standing.

"In this regard, the bill is expected to expand the list of financial costs covered by the budget allocations on a quota," specified in the ministry.

According to the Russian government legislative plan for 2020, the bill should firstly be submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers in October and then to the State Duma in January 2021.