Stay in Tunisia or leave for Russia?
This is the real question, the one that comes before choosing a country. Leaving is not always the right decision, and we say so plainly: if your orientation score opens the programme you want at a Tunisian public university, stay. This page is for every other case.
The three options compared
| Criterion | Leaving for Russia | Staying in Tunisia |
|---|---|---|
| Access to the programme you want | Admission on academic record, no eliminatory score | Conditional on the orientation score, highly selective in medicine |
| Annual tuition | From €2,200 to €3,500 depending on the programme | Public university nearly free; private school often far more expensive |
| Cost of living | From €140 to €260 a month, residence housing €30 to €90 | Often reduced by living at the family home |
| Language | Russian after a preparatory year, or English on some programmes | French and Arabic, no additional language to learn |
| Admission sessions | Main intake plus a complementary intake in February | A single annual session through national orientation |
| International exposure | International degree and experience, a network abroad | National programme, mobility to be built after graduation |
The Russian figures are those applied at our partner universities. Costs in Tunisia vary widely between public and private: compare with the actual fees of the institution you are considering.
Stay in Tunisia if…
- • Your orientation score opens the programme you want in the public system — the best option by far
- • You do not wish to be away from your family for several years
- • Your career plan is strictly national and requires no mobility
- • Your personal or health situation makes a long stay abroad difficult
Consider Russia if…
- ✓ Your score does not open the programme you want, particularly in medicine
- ✓ The only local alternative is a private school costing more than a full programme in Russia
- ✓ You are ready to learn a language and take on an international experience
- ✓ You want to avoid a lost year: the February intake allows a mid-year departure
Our position, stated plainly
We support departures to Russia, so we have an obvious interest. That does not stop us saying it: a place in medicine at a Tunisian public university is worth more than leaving. Russia becomes relevant when the local door is closed, or when private schooling costs more for an equivalent degree.
Frequently asked questions
Should I leave if my score is insufficient?
Not necessarily: first compare the real cost of a Tunisian private school in the same specialty with the full budget of a programme in Russia, housing and living included. The figures often settle it.
Can I leave after starting my studies in Tunisia?
Yes. Students already enrolled do change direction, often through the February intake, which avoids waiting for the end of the academic year.
Will a Russian degree let me come back and work in Tunisia?
A state diploma from an accredited Russian university follows an established recognition procedure. For health professions, expect an additional validation step before practising.