European University at St. Petersburg (EUSP) is a private, postgraduate school in humanities and social sciences established in 1994 in Russia. EUSP now is a top research center on the political, social, and economic issues of modern Russia. The university includes five academic departments, twelve research centers, and an international team of professors, world-class scientists, and talented students making EUSP the most international university in Russia and the most Russian university in the world.
EUSP is a well-known destination for students from the United States, Europe, and Asia who are interested in all aspects of Russian and Eurasian studies. Russian Federation continues to be a major political and economic world power with a rich cultural heritage. Join one of our international programs to study Russia from A to Я, learn the language, get life experience in St. Petersburg - ‘scientific and cultural capital of Russia,’ and step ahead to your career in academia, mass media, public service or business.
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International Programs
The idea of a university breaking the mold of the usual state higher educational system in Russia was born at the end of the 1980s. That was a period of democratic revival and romantic inspiration in the country, when the Soviet Union was already in the twilight.
At that time several people in the academic circles of Saint Petersburg discussed the idea of a new, independent and free university, that would fill the gaps of the traditional Russian system of tuition in the social sciences and humanities. Such a university was also deemed to reverse the brain drain, a phenomenon that hit hard the Russian academia in the late Soviet - early post-Soviet period.
The suggestion of the name "European" belongs to Leo Klejn, professor of Archeology at Saint Petersburg State University, and a member of the group of enthusiasts who prompted the foundation of EUSP. At the end of the 1980s Russian and American politicians, statesmen and academicians would moot a foundation of the American University in Moscow that would receive support from American companies and private individuals. Leo Klejn thought that as soon as American funds had already been tapped into by Moscow, its historical rival Saint Petersburg, popularly known as Russia's "window on Europe",[7] should establish a "European University". That aspiration would bring together the best academic and financial resources from Russia and Western Europe.
At the beginning of the 1990s the concept of European University had taken a concrete form with active participation of Anatoly Sobchak, the first Mayor of Saint Petersburg, Boris Firsov, then the President of the Saint Petersburg Branch of the Institute of Sociology, Russian Academy of Sciences, and many other bright intellectuals prominent in cultural and academic life of the city. Since then the major events in the history of EUSP have been as follows.
On 28 November 1994, the University was registered with state authorities in Saint Petersburg. The Charter of the University and its Foundation Convention were formally agreed upon and produced.
In spring 1995 an agreement was reached between the University and the municipal authorities on allocation of funds from the city budget towards rental costs of the university building in 3 Gagarinskaya street (then Furmanova St.) and its maintenance.
In autumn 1995 EUSP started its first educational programme, the so-called open graduate courses, which was not leading to a degree. In December of the same year, under the HESP programme of Soros Foundation the University received funds to establish a computing room and the library.
In January 1996, the governing bodies of HESP, the Ford Foundation, and John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation decided to grant funds to EUSP towards opening the main academic programme. It started later that year, in September, when four departments - Economics, Ethnology, History, Political Science and Sociology - were licensed to admit students on the main academic course for the first time.
In 1998 EUSP launched the first one-year MA program in Russian and Eurasian Studies (IMARES) for international students with course selection and credit system common for students from the US and Europe. All the courses are in English. No prior knowledge of Russian is needed to enter the program.
Now students may choose between an intensive one-year IMARES program and a two-year IMARES Plus program with more time to learn the Russian language, conduct the research, do an internship, and spend a semester in one of our partner universities in Russia or abroad.
IMARES programs focus on Russia and the post-Soviet area. Students become immersed in the new Russia, its changing society, its political and economic development. You will study the past and analyze the most up-to-date events in Eurasia region. Topics include foreign policy dilemmas, political economy, and history, security issues, revolutions, democracy, reforms in Russia and neighboring countries.
Students interested in the energy affairs may choose Master’s degree programs in Energy Politics in Eurasia (ENERPO). One-year ENERPO and two-year ENERPO Plus programs are the only MA programs in Russia that focus specifically on Eurasian energy affairs. Together with other international students you will learn and discuss a variety of topics including Russian-European and Russian-Asian energy relations and challenges, an influence of energy sector on politics, and economics and social development in the post-Soviet space and the Middle East.
EUSP international programs provide an excellent foundation for a future career in public service, business, mass media or academia that requires broad area expertise.
There are easy steps to apply:
- Complete the Online Application Form. You will get the confirmation shortly after we receive your application form.
- Send us all the required documents. The majority of documents should be attached to your application form. Please have a look at the chosen program’s pages for the full list of required documents. We will check your application and remind you of the missing documents. Recommendation letters must be submitted by the application deadline. You must not have any involvement in drafting, writing or submission of the letters. Ask your referee, usually the professor who is closely acquainted with your academic work, to prepare the letter and e-mail. The full application package will be forwarded to our Admissions Committee.
- Attend an Interview (personal or via Skype) An interview in person or via Skype (or other video chat service) is mandatory for all two-year IMARES Plus and ENERPO Plus programs applicants.
- Receive your Letter of acceptance or notification of rejection. The admission decision is sent via e-mail. Please let us know if you have any specific deadlines for receiving the official notification.
- Confirm your intention to study at EUSP as soon as you receive your Letter of acceptance.
- Receive the Admission package. The package contains Visa Information, Accommodation and Payment details.
- Send us a completed Visa questionnaire. We need to provide this information to the State Office for Migration of the RF Ministry of Internal Affairs to issue your Visa Invitation Letter. It takes about 30 days to issue it.
- Receive the original of your Visa Invitation Letter. We use FedEx or similar courier services to deliver your Invitation as soon as possible.
- Apply for your Study Visa at the Russian Consulate.
- Choose and book your accommodation and tickets to arrive in St. Petersburg 1-2 days before the first day of the semester.
Russian State Accreditation
QS Top Universities Ranking in Sociology #251-300 in 2020
European University at St. Petersburg is a small postgraduate school and we are proud of it. We have 250 MA and PhD students and only about 50 in International Programs. It means you will feel familiar on our campus and friendly faces will always be near.
Though all International Programs are very intensive, we also have room to pursue diverse interests of our students.
We have open lectures, discussions, movies, concerts, lectures, parties, student meetings, language clubs and different type of athletic events. And when you leave our beautiful campus in the heart of St. Petersburg, you may discover all that the cultural capital and the second largest city in Russia may give you - museums, theatres, cimnemas, gyms, sport halls and lots more.
Student Office is always ready to provide you information about all the events at the University and in the city. The office also helps to save your budget. Ask Yulia Eremenko, Head of Student Office, about special rates and discounts for EUSP students.
Student Facilitator at EUSP International Office deals with the planning and organization of events and activities for International students. Please don't forget to suggest your own ideas!
Departments
European University has six departments:
- Department of Anthropology (before 2008 - Department of Ethnology)
- Department of History
- Department of Art History
- Department of Political Science
- Department of Sociology
- Department of Philosophy
- Department of Economics
International programs
European University at Saint Petersburg offers programs in English:
- For undergraduates
- Undergraduate Study Semester in Russia - 1 semester and up to 5 courses in Russian politics, economy, society, arts, and history
- For postgraduates
- IMARES - 1-year MA degree program in Russian and Eurasian studies
- IMARES PLUS - 2-year MA degree program in Russian and Eurasian studies with options in Russian culture, mandatory Russian (or English) language courses, and a workshop series
- ENERPO - 1-year MA degree program in Energy Politics in Eurasia
- ENERPO PLUS - 2-year MA degree program in Energy Politics in Eurasia with practical experience and mandatory Russian (or English) language courses
- PhD research affiliation
Research and training centers
- Archival Training Centre
- Center for Environmental and Technological History
- Center for European Studies
- Center for Field Ethnological Research
- Computing Centre
- Gender Studies
- Interdepartmental Center «Res publica»
- Interdepartmental Center «Petersburg Judaica»
- Language Centre
- Oral History Center
- The program "Executive Master of Philosophy"
- The program "Promoting Social Studies of Education in Russia"
- Science and Technology Studies (STS) Center
Here at EUSP International Programs, you may study in English and
- get a Master’s degree in Political Science to become an expert in Russian & Eurasian Studies or Energy Politics in Eurasia
- spend a vibrant undergraduate study semester abroad, or
- get our affiliation for your Doctoral degree research work.
You have to study hard to earn your degree at EUSP and we do our best to make your study process convenient for you:
- Small groups up to 10-15 students
- Individual guidance and personal attention with 3:1 student/faculty ratio
- The language of instructions is English (no prior knowledge of Russian is needed to study at International Programs)
- Course selection and credit system common to European and North American universities
- International atmosphere
- 24/7 staff assistance in English
Currency
EUR
GBP
KZT
INR
RUB