On the first day each new student takes an initial test to determine his/her mastery of Russian. On the basis of the test results we can define a group of the appropriate level. The majority of groups consist of students from various countries. There may be students from Japan, the USA, Italy, Sweden, etc... in the same group. This makes students communicate in Russian during and after the classes, providing extra speaking practice to reinforce what students learn in class. Our professors use modern teaching methodologies which concentrate students on conversational practice as well. All subjects (Grammar, Phonetics, Newspaper reading, Speaking practice) are taught in Russian.

Center of Russian Language and Culture of Saint-Petersburg State University accepts foreigners of all levels all the year round. We also conduct seminars for foreign teachers of Russian and translators. At any given time several hundred students are studying at the Center, and this allows us to find an appropriate group for almost every newcomers. In some rare cases a beginner may have several private classes to catch up to the group of the lowest level and then continue studying in this group. The majority of students come June through September, the warmest and the most beautiful season in Saint Petersburg - the season of the famous white nights and raised draw bridges. In summer we start new groups every Monday.

Our programs correspond to the academic credit systems of many American, European and Japanese universities. If you need certified credits, please let us know beforehand. At the end of the program students get a certificate of attendance.

Students may take the TORFL (Test of Russian as a Foreign Language) while studying at the Center. Our Center is certified by the Ministry of Education to conduct this test and has the corresponding license.

After the initial language test a student is to sign a study contract.

Contract. Where and how to pay.

The contract is written in Russian and English.

Program coordinator calculates the total amount of the whole study program which includes:

1. tuition fee
2. accommodation fee
3. visa support fee
4. additional services fee (pick-up, courier mail).

The total amount is calculated in a foreign currency. Payment is in rubles according to the official Russian Central Bank exchange rate on the day of contract signing. Our cashier's office accepts cards as well (Visa, Mastercard, Maestro). If a student pays by card there is a bank commission 3.5 %.

Foreign currency (US dollars, euros and other) can be exchanged into rubles at any Russian bank. Different banks and exchange points offer different exchange rates which usually less than at Russian Central Bank.

Payments are done either in cash in rubles or by card at the cashier's office of the Center. Program coordinator gives a student the payment papers which should be presented to the cashier. Upon paying a student receives a receipt. A student should keep it till the end of the program.