Russian Universities

Moscow University

The Lomonosov Moscow State University lays claim to the title of the oldest Russian university.  It was founded as Moscow State University.  It was re-named in 1940 in honor of its founder, Mikhail Lomonosov.  Moscow University is proud to own the tallest educational building in the world. The university has campuses located in Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. More than 47,000 students are enrolled at the University. Moscow State University is the largest university in Russia.

Ivan Shuvalov and Mikhail Lomonosov founded this university by order of the Empress Elizabeth on January 25, 1755.  This date is still celebrated as Student’s Day in Russia.  Since that day, Moscow State University has enjoyed a rich and complicated history. It was even once closed by the Tsarist regime. The University has 39 faculties and 15 research centers.

St. Petersburg University

St. Petersburg State University is one of the most respected universities in Russia. It is has 22 specialized faculties. It has 3 research institutes. In the year 2010 it employed a staff of 6,855 people. This university has two campuses. One is on Vasilievsky Island and one is in Peterhof. St. Petersburg University was known by a different name for a time. During the Soviet era it was called the Leningrad State University.

There is some dispute between St. Petersburg University and Moscow University over which school  is older.  St. Petersburg has been in operation since 1819.  Moscow State was founded in 1755.  But St. Petersburg claims to be the successor of the universities founded in 1724.

Lobachevsky University

Lobachevsky University was established in 1916 as a People’s University. The university’s proper name is N. I. Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod (UNN). Nizhny Novgorod is a city. From 1932 until 1990 it was called the City of Gorky. The university was called The State University of Gorky from 1932 until 1956. It was renamed the N.I Lobachevsky State University of Gorky. The university is named after the highly recognized mathematician Nikolai Lobachevsky. Lobachevsky University is considered by the Russian people to be one of the best classical universities in the country. It has won international recognition for its excellence in innovation in the fields of research and higher education.