Housing in Russia during your studies
Housing is a student’s second biggest expense after tuition, and it is also the subject with the most myths around it. Here is what a place in a Russian university residence actually covers, and when a shared flat starts to make sense.
University dorm or shared flat
University housing is the default and by far the cheapest option: from €30 a month in regional cities to €90 a month in Moscow. A shared flat starts around €100 in the regions and €280 in Moscow.
Beyond price, the residence has a decisive administrative advantage in year one: it handles your migration registration, a mandatory formality that is painful to manage alone before you speak Russian.
What the residence provides
- A room, most often shared with two or three students
- Basic furniture: bed, desk, chair, wardrobe
- Shared kitchen and bathrooms per floor or block
- Central heating included in the rate — not to be underestimated in winter
- Controlled access with security on site
What to bring and what to buy locally
Bed linen, crockery and small equipment cost far less bought locally than the excess baggage fee to fly them over.
Do bring your usual medication with a translated prescription, your original documents, and enough to cover the first two weeks before your bank account opens.
House rules worth knowing
- Entries and exits are logged, and outside visits follow set hours
- Any change of address must be declared: your migration registration is tied to your housing
- Residences apply strict rules on cooking appliances in rooms, for fire safety reasons
- A place is allocated for the academic year and renewed — it is not automatic
Frequently asked questions
Is the room private?
Rarely. Rooms are usually shared between two or three students. Some universities offer a limited number of single rooms at a higher rate.
Can I take a flat in my first year?
Possible but rarely advisable. In year one, the residence simplifies migration registration and settling in. A shared flat makes sense from year two, once you know the language and the city.
Is housing booked before I arrive?
Yes. Your room is pre-booked before departure and a tutor takes you there from the airport — you never arrive without a housing solution.