Russia has three scholarship entries on this site, and they work differently. The Open Doors Scholarship is a competition with a fully online process. The Russian Government Scholarship is a fully funded route into federal universities. The StudyInRussia portal is the official gateway that points you to university admissions and state quotas. Together they suit Pakistani students who want a funded degree without sitting IELTS, at Bachelor's, Master's or PhD level.
The table below lists all three with a link to each full guide. The sections after it explain how they differ and which one to start with.
Russia scholarships at a glance
| Scholarship | Funding | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Open Doors Scholarship (Russia) | Fully Funded | Portfolio deadline November 16, results November 28 |
| Russian Government Scholarship | Fully Funded | January 15, 2026 |
| StudyInRussia Russian Government Scholarship Portal | Full / Partial | June to October, varies by university and entry mode |
The competition route: Open Doors
The Open Doors Scholarship (Russia) is described as Russia's flagship international scholarship competition, with 6,300+ fully funded seats globally. The whole process is online. There is no IELTS requirement and no application fee. It is open to Bachelor's, Master's and PhD applicants from any country, so Pakistani students compete in the same pool as everyone else. You can read the full details on its scholarship page, where the status is listed as Opening Soon.
Selection has three parts. The First Stage is a Subject Test, and you get 3 attempts at it. The Second Stage is an exam. The third part is a portfolio of extracurricular achievements. That structure rewards preparation over paperwork. If you are strong in your subject and have activities to show, this is the entry with the clearest path on paper. The dates in the data are a portfolio deadline of November 16 and results on November 28, so the timeline is tight and you should start gathering portfolio material now.
The government route: Russian Government Scholarship
The Russian Government Scholarship is fully funded and offers thousands of seats each year for international students at federal Russian universities. It covers tuition, accommodation and a monthly stipend, across all major fields. No IELTS is required. See the full details for the scholarship page.
The deadline listed is January 15, 2026. Because deadlines for this scholarship recur by cycle, check the guide and the official source for the current intake before you plan around that date. For a Pakistani student who wants tuition, housing and living costs all covered, this is the most complete package in the list.
The gateway: StudyInRussia portal
The StudyInRussia Russian Government Scholarship Portal is not a single award in the same way. It is the official gateway of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation for international students. It gives guidance on university admissions, state quotas, online application tracks and study opportunities. Funding is listed as full or partial, and the deadline runs from June to October, varying by university and entry mode. Read the full details before assuming a date.
Because the dates vary, this is the page to use when you already have a university in mind and need to see which entry mode and quota apply to you.
Choosing between the three
- If you want a funded seat decided by your own exam results and portfolio, start with Open Doors. It has no application fee and no IELTS.
- If you want tuition, accommodation and a stipend together at a federal university, read the Russian Government Scholarship guide first.
- If you are comparing universities or need to understand quotas and entry modes, use the StudyInRussia guide as your map.
These are not mutually exclusive. The portal can help you understand admissions while you prepare for the competition. Funding on the portal can be partial, so check the amount before you commit to a university.
Preparing your documents
Start with transcripts, degree certificates, your passport and any proof of achievements. For Open Doors, the portfolio matters, so collect certificates and records of extracurricular work early. Our documents checklist for international scholarships covers what Pakistani applicants usually need, and the general scholarships guide for Pakistani students explains the wider process.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need IELTS for Russian scholarships?
The Open Doors Scholarship and the Russian Government Scholarship are both listed with no IELTS requirement.
Which Russian scholarship is fully funded?
Open Doors and the Russian Government Scholarship are both listed as fully funded. The StudyInRussia portal lists full or partial funding.
Is there an application fee for Open Doors?
No. The data lists no application fee for the Open Doors Scholarship.
What levels of study can I apply for?
Open Doors is open to Bachelor's, Master's and PhD applicants from any country. The Russian Government Scholarship covers all major fields at federal Russian universities.
When is the StudyInRussia deadline?
It varies by university and entry mode, and runs from June to October.
Where to go next
Open the individual guide for the scholarship that fits you, and confirm every date and requirement on the official website before you apply.