VCIOM: 87% of international students satisfied with teachers’ skills

The online survey covered 13,326 students at 298 Russian universities and branches.

According to a study by the VCIOM analytical center, 56% of respondents were fully satisfied with their teachers’ professional competencies and another 31% were somewhat satisfied. Together, 87% gave a positive assessment of this aspect of their studies.

Medical fields were studied by 23% of participants. Another 15% were enrolled in social sciences, 14% in education and pedagogy, and 13% in engineering and technology. Before entering a Russian university, 72% of respondents had not lived in the country.

Russian was the sole language of instruction for 56% of students, English for 6%, and both Russian and English for 32%. Another 5% studied in Russian and other languages, while 1% studied only in languages other than Russian or English. Overall, 87% said they found it comfortable, easy and clear to study in the languages used at their universities.

The online self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted from May 5 to June 10, 2026. It included students from 298 universities and branches across eight federal districts and Russia’s new regions.