Saint Petersburg State University (SPbGU)

The Saint Petersburg State University (SPbGU) is one of the oldest and largest higher education institutions in Russia. It is one of the two Russian establishments featured in international rankings of the world's top universities. Since its old days as a capital-city university, the SPbGU continues into the present today as one of the central pillars of the nation's academic life, attracting large numbers of students from all over Russia, as well as foreign students.

The history of SPbGU begins in 1724, when Peter the Great signed the decree which laid the foundations for a new system of science and education in Russia. After going through numerous transitions, the university was re-established in 1819 and has continued to operate uninterrupted ever since - even during the blockade years of World War II. Over the course of its existence the university has educated a plethora of famous scientists, writers, statesmen, and athletes. The periodic table of chemical elements was created by Dmitri Mendeleev during his years working at the SPbGU. Among its famous alumni are seven Nobel prize laureates and two recipients of the Fields Medal in mathematics, including Grigori Perelman. The roster of outstanding personalities continues with names such as Peter Stolypin (Russian Prime Minister, leader of the Third Duma), Vladimir Lenin (Russian revolutionary leader), Ivan Turgenev (famous novelist), Alexander Blok (Russian poet), and Mikhail Vrubel (famous artist).

Today, the educational and scientific university complex is comprised of 24 special departments, along with the Military Education department, the Pan-university Physical Education and Sports section, the Medical College, and the Physical Education, Sports, Economics and Technology College. There are 98 Bachelor of Science programs, 83 specialist training programs, and 157 Master's Degree programs. As is consistently pointed out in international university rankings, the SPbGU is particularly famous for its educational and research efforts in the fields of mathematics, physics, astronomy and chemistry.