Russian language courses

For those who are interested in Russia and Russian culture, it only makes sense to get to know the country in its original language — Russian — which is a phenomenon of its own. Russian is considered one of the most studied languages in the world, and the interest in it has been consistently rising in the last several years. You definitely need to know Russian if you want to study or work in Moscow; and in order to get Russian citizenship, knowledge of Russian is a requirement.

Moscow is home to numerous courses of Russian as a foreign language. The main idea is to first figure out what level of Russian you want to attain. If you want to communicate on a day-to-day basis, basic Russian would be sufficient. But if you are planning to study or work in Russia, you need a more advanced course. Meanwhile, if you already have some training in Russian, you may want to choose a course to improve the language skills you already have.

You can find Russian language courses in any form (private lessons or group classes, at home or in an office, corporate courses, personnel training, etc.) and at any level: from elementary to advanced.

The Education and Science Ministry of Russia has approved four levels of state educational standards for proficiency in Russian as a foreign language. Foreigners who have attained the desired level of proficiency in Russian can take a test (TORFL) at one of the State Testing Centres and receive a Certificate of proficiency in the Russian language. This can be done at the Moscow State University, which prepares students for a test in Russian and the TORFL.

Other training courses and language centres issue certificates upon the completion of a course.

Certificate of Attendance of Russian Language Centre (RLC) issued by Moscow State University

Each student of RLC, upon completion of the course and after passing the Russian test, receives a certificate confirming their study of Russian at RLC. If necessary, the certificate is issued with a special supplement that specifies the number of hours of each subject in Russian, grades and the proficiency level in Russian determined by tests. The certificate and its supplement can be issued in both English and Russian.

Supplement to Certificate of the Russian Language Centre (RLC) issued by Moscow State University

If a student requires a supplement to the Certificate of the Russian Language Centre issued by the Moscow State University, he/she can receive such a supplement specifying the number of hours of study and the specific subjects.

Test of Russian as a Foreign Language, TORFL

The Russian Language Centre (RLC) of the Moscow State University provides language courses for foreigners and prepares them for taking the Test of Russian as a Foreign Language (TORFL). The four levels of proficiency in the Russian language have been determined by the Russian state system for testing of foreign citizens and approved by the Education and Science Ministry. Foreigners who have attained the desired level of proficiency in Russian and wish to receive a state Certificate can take the test (TORFL) at one of the State Testing Centres and receive a Certificate of Proficiency in the Russian Language.

List of federal and Moscow educational establishments to study and test levels of competence in Russian

Academy of Labour and Social Relations 
Lobachevsky Street, 90, 119454, Moscow, Russia
Phone: +7(495) 432-29-87, +7(495) 430-81-29

Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas 
Leninsky Prospekt, 65, 117917, Moscow, Russia
Phone: +7(495) 135-85-76; Fax: +7(495) 135-88-95

Moscow State Institute of International Relations (University) of MFA of Russia  (MGIMO)
Prospekt Vernadskogo, 76, 119454, Moscow, Russia
Dean’s Office Phone: +7(495) 434-91-55, 434-92-62; Fax: +7(495) 434-90-74
Rector’s Office Phone: +7(495) 243-00-89; Fax: +7(495) 434-90-66

Moscow State Automobile & Road Technical University  (MADI)
Leningradskiy Prospekt, 64, 125829, A 139, GSP, Russia, Moscow
Department of Russian as a Foreign Language, Phone: +7(495) 155-03-53
Dean’s Office Phone: +7(495) 155-04-88; Fax (495) 151-06-91
Pro-rector on International Relations Fax: +7(495) 151-39-91

Moscow Power Engineering Institute (Technical University)  — MPEI
Krasnokazarmenaya Street, 14, E 250, 105835, Moscow, Russia
Department of Russian as a Foreign Language, Phone/Fax: +7(495) 362-72-67
Phone: +7(495) 362-73-75
Pro-rector on International Relations Phone: +7 (495) 362-56-45
Fax: +7(495) 362-89-18

Moscow State Technical University n. a. N.E. Bauman  (MSTU)
2-nd Baumanskaya Street, 5, 107005, Moscow, Russia
Department of Russian Language Phone: +7 (495) 263-64-76
Fax: +7(495) 267-98-93

Moscow State University of Railway Engineering 
Obraztsova Street, 15, GSP-4, 101475, Moscow, Russia
Rector’s Office Phone: +7(495) 262-49-03; Fax: +7(495) 284-54-91
Dean’s Office Phone: +7 (495) 284-21-44
Russian Language Department Phone: +7(495) 284-23-29

Moscow State Regional University 
Radio Street, 10a, 107005, Moscow, Russia
Russian Language Department Phone: +7(495) 261-15-11, 261-16-59; Fax: +7(495) 261-22-28

Moscow State University n. a. M. Lomonosov  (MSU)
Leninskiye Gory, GSP-3, V—234, 119899 Moscow, Russia
Pro-rector on International Relations Phone: +7(495) 939-38-89; Fax: +7(495) 939-08-47
Testing Centre Phone: +7(495)939-42-67; Fax: +7(495) 939-42-60
Center for International Education Phone: +7(495) 124-71-44; Fax: +7(495) 125-44-61

Pushkin State Russian Language Institute 
Volgin Street, 6, 117485, Moscow, Russia
Phone: +7(495) 330-85-01; Fax: +7(495) 330-85-65

People’s Friendship University of Russia 
Moscow Miklukho-Maklaya Street, 6,117198, Moscow, Russia
Main Testing Centre Phone/Fax: +7(495) 434-53-45
Phone: +7(495) 434-26-01
International Testing Center — 402 Bld.
Phone/Fax: +7(495) 433-06-00, 434-53-06

Plekhanov Russian Academy of Economics  (only in Russian)
Stremyannyi Lane, 36, 113054, Moscow, Russia
Language Training Centre Phone: +7(495) 958-20-65
Russian Language Department Phone: +7(495) 237-85-15

Moscow State Mining University  (only in Russian)
Leninsky Prospekt, 6, GSP, 117035, Moscow, Russia
Phone: +7(495) 236-95-05; Fax: +7(495) 237-31-63

Russian State Agrarian University  (MTAA)
Timiryazevskaya Street, 49,127550, Moscow, Russia Phone: +7(495)455-77-55; Fax: +7(495) 976-04-28

Useful links

The Moscow City Education Department  (in Russian)
Education in Russia for Foreigners  A specialized multilingual web-site presents main educational establishments based in Moscow, educational programs, covers financial issues and other practical tips. Apart from the general information about ways of getting education in Russia, the data about almost 80 Moscow universities including the lists of faculties, description of the requirements for university entrants, learning environment and additional charges is presented on the web-site.