QS Best Student Cities ranking: 66th
Up 10 places in the Best Student Cities ranking this year, Russia’s second-largest city, St. Petersburg is noted for being at the forefront of much political and social change during its 300-year history. It’s been known as Petrograd and Leningrad, and home to many major events and historical figures.
Many students will be keen to visit iconic sights such as the Church of the Savior on Blood (pictured above), the Winter Palace (the official residence of Russian monarchs from 1732 to 1917), the Hermitage Museum (one of the largest art museums in the world), and the city’s beautiful cathedrals, such as the impressive Kazan Cathedral, which is dedicated to Our Lady of Kazan, possibly the most venerated icon in Russia.
St. Petersburg is probably Russia’s most westernized city, and is also considered one of the most attractive cities in Europe. Nicknamed “The Venice of the North”, the city’s northern location means that it experiences the ‘White Nights’ phenomenon, in which the sun barely dips below the horizon (peaking in mid-June), giving its name to the annual White Nights of St. Petersburg music festival.
Other cultural activities you could enjoy in St. Petersburg include opera and ballet shows at the historic Mariinsky Theatre, visits to one of its 200-or-so museums, and its lively nightlife, with sophisticated live-music joints, dance clubs and English- or Irish-style pubs. It’s also ranked in the top 5 of the Best Student Cities ranking for affordability (up seven places this year) with low tuition fees and fairly affordable living costs.
Known for its longstanding tradition in literature, the city is also home to a number of Russia’s most prestigious universities, including Saint Petersburg State University, the oldest and one of the largest in the country as well as being Russia’s third highest ranking university.
Internationally ranked universities in St. Petersburg
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Saint-Petersburg State University; Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University; ITMO University |
More about St. Petersburg
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Number of universities ranked by QS |
3 |
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Top ranked institution |
Saint-Petersburg State University (joint 234th in the world) |
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Population |
5,352,000 |
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Average international fees (at ranked unis) |
US$2,600 |
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Desirability rank |
99th |
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Employer Activity rank |
81st |
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Affordability rank |
=4th |
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Student View rank |
81st |
To find out how each of the above categories is calculated, view the methodology.
