Page 1 Plekhanov Russian Academy of Economics package for international students General Russia and Moscow Moscow is a vibrant, exciting and different experience! Spending time in Moscow can be a transforming process and is not for the faint-hearted. Even so, the city is safe and welcoming to international students. Moscow is picturesque, has magnificent architecture, many cultural events, art galleries and museums and a fantastic nightlife. It is a truly Russian city and it is fast becoming a European capital with all the challenges facing a city with over 10 million inhabitants. Transport Russian roads have always been subject of many jokes and anecdotes however, Moscow has one of the most developed and beautiful metro systems in the world, so it is easier to travel underground. It is possible to buy metro cards for 1, 5, 10 or more journeys. There is no restriction on journey length. However, each card is only valid for about 1 month from the first date it is used. Simply feed the card into the slot at the barrier on the right hand side don t forget to take the ticket before you go through. If the card is not valid a barrier will close the entrance. Students discount cards are available for all international students. Weather Moscow does have cold snowy winters with temperature falling 20 below zero so make sure you have the right clothes and shoes. The coldest months are from December to March, the best weather in Moscow is in May and September. Moscow
Page 2 about the Plekhanov Academy History In February 2007 the celebrated its 100 th anniversary. It was founded as the first Russian commercial school, financed by the private capital of Russian merchants in 1907. For more information about its history you should visit the Plekhanov museum of Russian Entrepreneurship. (Building 1 on the campus) The Academy offers various undergraduate and graduate programmes in a wide range of subjects from econometrics and computer science to public catering and hotel management. The Plekhanov Academy started the process of internationalisation quite early and has many partner schools in different parts of the world. Statistics show that employment opportunities for foreign students who completed their exchange studies here are much greater. International Business School (IBS-Plekhanov) International programmes have been offered by the Plekhanov Academy since 1992. In recognition of this, in 2001, the International Business School of the Plekhanov Russian Academy was created. The following programmes are offered: Undergraduate programme for a Bachelor of Economics degree Two graduate programmes leading to a Russian Specialist degree in Finance, Marketing Double Diploma IBS-Plekhanov currently has Double Degree agreements with a number of European institutions, namely, Hanzehogeschool of Groningen, Arnhem Business School, Haagsehoheschool and Utrecht Hogeschool (the Netherlands), EPSCI and Nancy-2 (France), Fachhochschule Wurzburg and Fachhochschule Dresden (Germany) ), Dunkirk, Grande Ecole de Commerce (France). ECTS credits IBS-Plekhanov operates a system of ECTS credits. In ECTS 60 credits represent the workload of one year of study, thus, normally 30 credits are given for a semester. Credits are awarded only when the course has been completed and all required examinations have been successfully passed. Campus The Plekhanov Academy is fortunate to have its campus in the very centre of Moscow, half an hour s walk from the Kremlin. The campus
Page 3 includes four buildings each with classrooms, offices and laboratories, a club and a students dormitory, which is only 5 minutes walk away from the other buildings of the Academy. Nearly all administrative offices, the library, information centre and the International office are located in the building number 3 of the Academy. The nearest Metro station is Serpukhovskaya (grey line), which is only 2 minutes walk away from the main building (# 3) Semester dates are: I semester: September 1 January 25 II semester: February 4 June 30 Christmas holidays are from December 31 st to 8 th January. Russian Christmas is January 7. International students wishing to go home at the end of December to celebrate Christmas must take into consideration that some exams are scheduled for December 24-30 and January and teachers may not be able to assess their knowledge of the subject before. In this case students will have to take exams in January. IBS teachers might also be short of time to check and grade international students course papers by December 20 in which case the Dean s office can only issue the Certificate and send it via regular post later in January. Other National holidays are: February 23 The Defender s of the Fatherland Day, March 8 International Women s Day, May 1 - Workers Day, May 9 Victory Day, June 12 Independence Day, November 4 Day of Agreement and Reconciliation. Student life With almost 12,000 students the Plekhanov Academy has lots of opportunities for making friends and socialising. Just check the information board and ask the Russian students when there is a party or any other event you are interested to attend. Don t forget you will be living in Moscow with its world famous theatres, art galleries, concert halls, and night-clubs and discos. Accommodation and living expenses Generally all international students, both full-time and exchange are accommodated in the dormitory of the Academy. The dormitory is situated 3 minutes walk from the main building. If you accept this option you will live in a double furnished room and share a bathroom and toilet with three other students. Students are provided with bed linen. Students share the kitchen facilities including an oven, fridges and basic utencils. There are 2
Page 4 washing machines. The dormitory is guarded 24 hours. Rent is paid on a monthly basis, no deposit is needed. Double rooms 110-130 euros per month per person (depending on the size of the room). There is no separate accommodation form, just a question to tick in the general application form. Average living expenses are about 400-500 euros per month, including accommodation. Meals vary from 2 to 7 euros per meal (depending on place). Hot and cold snacks can be bought in the Academy on each floor. Personal data and visa application We need the following personal information from in-coming students in order to enrol them in our study program and to apply to the migration services for their official invitation. full name date of birth sex citizenship passport number expiry date 1 readable photocopy of passport with a clear photo NB! If the student is not a citizen of the country the sending university belongs to, he/she has also to provide a copy of residence permit, otherwise he/she will have to apply for Russian entrance visa in his/her home country. the name and address of the home University the semester(s) you are going to study Whether you are doing Double Degree programme/exchange Transcripts of records from the home University duly signed and stamped 8 passport size matt photos (NB! not glossy!) If accommodation is required in the dormitory (NB! only double rooms are available) Please specify in which Russian Consulate (which city) you are going to apply for the Russian entry visa NB! Your passport must be valid for at least 18 months more on the day of arrival otherwise we will not be able to arrange an invitation for you through the state immigration service. Exchange Application Deadlines: Autumn term May 15 Spring term November 15 When we have all the above information we apply to the immigration services who in their turn issue an official invitation. The International Center then sends it to the respective school /university by express mail.
Page 5 This will be about 2-3 weeks before the actual arrival. When applying to the Russian consulate for the visa you should have: National passport 3 photos Insurance policy AIDS certificate When you receive your visa always check that the dates and information are correct. Validity of your visa usually starts 3-4 days before the beginning of semester: from August 29 and from February 3. Do not buy airplane/train tickets before you get your visa! NB! It is your entry visa, on arrival you must get registered at the International office (room 649) within 3 working days. This registration is a kind of multiple visa for the whole period of stay. This visa costs about 70 euros. Students are recommended to arrive 2 or 3 days before the semester starts. Expected Arrival Dates: August 29-31, February 1-3 As soon as you have bought your ticket you are requested to inform Plekhanov International Centre of the date and, in case you need a pick up service, also your flight/train number, arrival time, the city you are travelling to Moscow from and the name of the airport/railway station where you arrive in Moscow. Then we can arrange for you to be picked up at the airport/railway station. The cost of this service is 50 euros per person from the airport and 30 euros per person from the train station, paid on arrival at the International Office. At this office (room 649, main building) you will get registered and receive your student card. During the first days of each semester we hold an orientation meeting for you together with Russian students from the Students Council. Russian students will show you around and help you become familiar with Moscow life. Contact telephones If you need additional information or have some questions, please, contact International Office: telephone: +7 495 237 85 17 fax: +7 495 237 95 18, +7 495 958 28 32 Contact person: Natalia B.Kapotina, International Coordinator for Incoming Students, write to nkapotina@rea.ru