2026 University Admissions: New Rules and Key Dates
Starting in 2026, new rules for admission to higher education institutions will come into force in Russia. The key innovation will be the centralization of document submission through the Gosuslugi portal. Applicants will also face updated conditions for targeted learning and an increase in the minimum Unified State Exam (USE) scores for a number of subjects. Read a brief guide to the changes.
Digitization of Admissions
The main method for submitting applications will be the super-service «University Admission Online» on the Gosuslugi portal. However, alternative options — personal application to the admissions committee or sending documents by mail — will remain. The innovation is aimed at unifying and simplifying the procedure for graduates across the country.
Risks and Prospects of Digitization
This change has two sides, according to Alexei Nezhivoy, a representative of the independent trade union «New Labor». In a comment for Izvestia, he noted that the transition to Gosuslugi is associated with technical risks, the main one being the need for stable internet connection in the regions. In case of failures, access to the service may be limited.
At the same time, the expert emphasized the long-term advantages of digitization: equal opportunities for applicants from different cities, reduced financial burden on families, and the development of hybrid learning formats. In his opinion, the remote format can be effective for the theoretical part, while practice is advisable to be conducted in person.
Updated Rules
The changes will affect several aspects:
For college graduates: taking internal university exams will be possible only when applying for a specialty that matches the profile of secondary vocational education (SVO). The decision on correspondence will be made by the university.
Targeted admission: such spots will be strictly assigned to organizations with specified programs and forms of study. Unclaimed quotas will transfer to the general competition.
Minimum USE scores: The Ministry of Education and Science has raised the minimum threshold for foreign languages to 40 points. Also, requirements have been adjusted for other subjects.
Recognition of exams: results of tests taken in Belarus will be considered for Russian citizens.
The «bachelor» and «master» formats in Russia will be abolished from September 1, 2026, and instead, basic and specialized higher education will be introduced. Another 11 Russian universities have been included in the project to transition to the new system.
More details about each change are provided in a separate article.
Key Dates of the Admissions Campaign – 2026
The deadlines for document submission remain the same:
for programs with additional entrance examinations (creative, journalism, etc.): from June 20 to July 15. Exams will start from July 21;
based on USE results: until July 25;
competition lists will appear on July 27;
priority enrollment (without entrance exams, quotas): consent — until August 1, orders — August 3;
general competition: consent — until August 5, orders — August 7;
for paid training: document acceptance — from June 20 to August 18–21;
admission to master«s programs on a budget basis starts on June 20 and ends on August 20, on a contract basis — August 28.
The innovations still await schoolchildren as well as students. We have covered all upcoming changes in the education system in a separate article.
