Getting into a Russian university could soon come with a new financial hurdle for some students: paying a full semester’s tuition upfront

Russia’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education has proposed requiring tuition-paying university students to pay for their first semester before enrolling, according to a draft ministry order.

Under the draft, applicants would have to sign an enrollment contract and pay for at least one semester to enroll as tuition-paying students.

The ministry’s press office previously said the initiative was “aimed at addressing the problem of ‘phantom’ competition for places.” Applicants can currently sign contracts with several universities at once, “reserving several places for tuition-paying students during admissions and making them unavailable to other applicants.”

“Advance payment will commit applicants to their choice and make the admissions process for tuition-paying students clearer and fairer for everyone involved,” the ministry said.

The proposed rules would take effect on March 1, 2027.

The ministry has also proposed barring expelled students from reenrolling at the same university for five years. The restriction would apply to students expelled “as a disciplinary penalty.”