how to apply

School of Advanced Studies (SAS) is an elite honors college that features the most talented and highly motivated students from Russia and abroad in dialogue across the social sciences, humanities, and IT. It is a key institution at the University of Tyumen (UTMN). At SAS, we provide a unique opportunity of getting an innovative international undergraduate degree taught by professors from around the world fully in English.

why a Bachelor’s degree at SAS?

SAS offers a unique educational experience:

  • Curriculum spanning the humanities, IT, and the social sciences;
  • International professors, most of whom received their PhDs from the world’s top 100 universities;
  • Interactive classes with less than 20 students;
  • Instruction in English.

During the first two years of study, you will take a mixture of required core courses covering a wide range of disciplines that will give you a broad base for your future study and career.

Every quarter, you will also freely choose 1-2 elective courses to pursue your interests. In years 3 and 4, you will complete coursework in your preferred major and minor. Currently, SAS offers:

  • 7 majors (Information Technology and Systems Analysis, Cultural Studies, Economics, Film and Media Studies, Sociology and Anthropology, International Relations under Uncertainty, Philosophical Dialogue in a Deglobalizing World);
  • 7 minors (the same as majors above).

Additionally, SAS offers access to a network of 20+ study abroad opportunities. SAS graduates will be positioned to continue their education in competitive Master’s and Doctoral programs globally.

Are you the person we are looking for?

The ideal candidate has broad intellectual interests and readiness to work hard on developing their pathway through the world of education and beyond. We are looking for talented students who value the opportunity of close interaction with research-active faculty.

full scholarships

In 2024, SAS will award 3 scholarships that cover the full tuition fee for the four-year BA program. We will guide you on how to get a student visa and health insurance as well as make sure you will get a room in a modern, comfortable, and affordable dormitory. Additionally, you will be eligible for merit scholarships.

Step 1. Read “how to apply” and check the requirements.

If you have any questions please contact us. However, we encourage you to read our FAQ section first.

Step 2. Prepare and submit the application.

Make sure you apply not later than April 20, 2025.

Step 3. Receive an invitation for an interview.

After the application is submitted, the SAS Expert Board reviews all applications and selects the finalists for an interview.

Step 4. Do the interview.

The interview is conducted by at least two members of the SAS Expert Board and is focused on your English language skills, interdisciplinary mindset, and broad interests.

Step 5. Receive a decision on your application.

In April 2025, the SAS Expert Board will inform successful candidates that they are recommended for the scholarship. The Board will also create a waiting list according to the results of the interviews.

The scholarship award is conditional upon successful completion of the entrance exams (online or on-campus). If a person recommended for the scholarship fails them, the scholarship might be transferred to the next candidate on the waiting list.

Step 6. Take the entrance exams and receive results.

You need to neither know Russian nor pass exams in Russian to apply to SAS, as opposed to most Russian universities. In April 2025, you will be invited to take the entrance exams in English (online or on-campus) — 1) The English language test, 2) Essay, 3) Interview

Reminder: All students take the same courses during the first two years of Bachelor’s degree. Аt the end of the second year, you will be able to declare your major. Your major is going to determine the type of BA diploma you are going to receive upon successful completion of all courses. E.g. If you choose to major in IT, your diploma is going to state “Bachelor in Information Technologies”.

In case the entrance exams are successfully passed, you will receive confirmation about the scholarship award.

Please note that you cannot continue participating in the contest if the entrance exams are failed, so the scholarship might be transferred to the next candidate on the waiting list.

Step 7. Accept the scholarship award and wait for the order for admission to be issued.

We expect you to accept the scholarship award within three working days; otherwise, it might be transferred to the next candidate on the waiting list. Please note that the order for admission will be issued in August, 2025, i.e., when the official admission campaign starts (June — August 2025).

Step 8. Prepare for your arrival in Tyumen.

Before you come to Tyumen, you must make sure you have a full set of documents ready and in hands. You are expected to be in Tyumen before the start of academic year (September, 1).

how to apply

The application deadline is April 20, 2025. The review of applications will begin immediately. The applicants must submit all the following required documents to apply_sas@utmn.ru:

  • A scanned copy of your passport (valid for at least 1.5 years after the supposed date of your arrival);
  • A high school diploma (or an academic certificate confirming you are this year’s graduate) as well as the official transcript of records (both translated in English);
  • Motivational letter;
  • Your CV;
  • An 500-word essay answering one of the topic questions.
    Topic questions
    • Can media products accurately represent reality? Give three main reasons why it can and three main reasons why it cannot.
    • What do you understand by a "Rational Person"? Is this notion important for economics and why?
    • Why does inequality (among social groups or countries) still exist and is there a way out of it?
    • Do historians reveal the truth of the past, or do they make it?
    • Imagine one gender/sex has disappeared from earth, what would be the future of humanity?
    • Discuss the influence of social networks on human society.
  • Proof of English Language proficiency: Academic IELTS band score not lower than 7.0, TOEFL iBT band score not lower than 94 or another language certificate—not lower than B2 level according to the CEFR (if English was not the language of instruction in your high school).

For more information about SAS, please check our Rutube channel or send an email to apply_sas@utmn.ru.

on a self-funded basis

Step 1. Check what majors SAS offers.

SAS offers seven educational tracks, which correspond to contemporary practices in relevant disciplines at world-class universities.

Step 2. Check the admission requirements.

Entrance exams: You need to neither know Russian nor pass exams in Russian to apply to SAS, as opposed to most Russian universities. From March to July 2025, you will be able to take the entrance exams in English (online or on-campus) — 1) The English language test, 2) Essay, 3) Interview

Reminder: All students take the same courses during the first two years of Bachelor’s degree. Аt the end of the second year, you will be able to declare your major. Your major is going to determine the type of BA diploma you are going to receive upon successful completion of all courses. E.g. If you choose to major in IT, your diploma is going to state “Bachelor in Information Technologies”.

Tuition fees: The tuition fee is the same for all majors 340 623 RUB per year (~3 700 USD). Every six months, SAS chooses its best students. According to the place on the rating, students can receive a 100 or 50-percent discount for the next six months of their studies.

Step 3. Prepare and submit your application.
Application deadlines: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with no admission fee from December 1, 2024 to July 15, 2025.

The applicants must submit all the following required documents to apply_sas@utmn.ru:

  • A scanned copy of your passport (valid for at least 1.5 years after the supposed date of your arrival);
  • A high school diploma (or an academic certificate confirming you are this year’s graduate) as well as the official transcript of records (both translated in English).
Step 4. Receive a decision on your application.

The Admission Committee checks if your documents are in order. In case they are, you are invited to take entrance exams.

Step 5. Take the entrance exams and receive the results.

See Step 2 and FAQ: What minimum amount of points must I receive for the entrance exams to be enrolled?

If a) you have taken entrance exams between February 1 and June 15, 2025 and b) you have got enough points to study at SAS, you will receive a conditional offer of admission.

FAQ: What is a conditional offer of admission?

Step 6. Pay for your studies to be enrolled.

After the conditional offer of admission is accepted, you must pay for your studies. Please note that the order for admission will not be issued until you pay for at least six months of your studies. Orders for admission are not issued after August 31, 2025.

Step 7. Prepare for your arrival in Tyumen.

Before you come to Tyumen, you shall prepare a full set of documents for the enrollment ready and in hands. You are expected to be in Tyumen before the start of academic year (September, 1).

city of Tyumen and SAS facilities

SAS offers state-of-the-art facilities in the heart of the city of Tyumen. All classes will be held in an award-winning building where you will spend most of the day, being busy with classes, teamwork and challenging projects. Here, you will develop and improve your professional and life skills as well as integrate into the international community and grow every day academically, professionally, and personally. You will appreciate our vibrant atmosphere and stylish design of the venues, as well as delicious food and coffee at our cafeteria. You can find out more details about the SAS facilities here.

We are pleased to offer accommodation in shared rooms in the brand-new dormitory of the University of Tyumen. This modern and comfortable residence is only a 15-minute walk from the SAS building. You can find out more details about the dormitory from our tour video.

Tyumen is one of the great small cities of Russia with a high quality of life, highly developed infrastructure and dynamic business and student life. Despite its size, the city is compact and easy to move around. 

Tyumen has a lot to offer, from unique Siberian experiences (such as hot tubs in the open air and exciting winter activities) to various social life activities, including historical places within a walking distance, theatres, sports clubs, great shopping, and dynamic nightlife. The historic center is full of architectural and cultural gems which are authentic to this region and which you will enjoy discovering. The costs of living here are lower, compared to Europe, the U.S., as well as capital cities such as Moscow.

contacts

If you have any additional questions or concerns please contact Admission Managers at apply_sas@utmn.ru. We will be happy to answer any question of yours regarding the admission process.