Students' Guide

Application procedure
To become a NovSU student you must apply to the International Students' Office. Exchange students are selected by their home universities. Applications for admission have to include an endorsed copy of the Certificate of Secondary or Higher Education, a medical certificate, a copy of the birth certificate. 

 Registration 
Where preliminary registration is indicated, you will receive a letter of confirmation for the course you have applied to and are eligible for. The final registration will be undertaken after your arrival to the University by specialists at International Students’ Office.    

Documentation 
After you have successfully completed your course, a transcript of records, listing all the courses taken can be obtained from the specialists of the International Students’ Office.   

 Host country formalities 
To enter Russia foreign citizens need to receive an entrance visa for their national passport. Application should be made at the Russian Embassy/Consulate in your home country. When you apply you must be prepared to submit the following documents:
- international passport 
- a letter of acceptance from NovSU 
- visa support letter from the Russian Internal Affairs Ministry. 

 To receive the visa support letter you must send a copy of your international passport and your home address to the NovSU International Students’ Office. You will receive the required document at the earliest convenience. Do not forget to bring your passport and visa and remember that it must be valid for the duration of your stay.

National passports must be registered at the internal affairs authorities during 3 days after your arrival. Apply for that to the International Students’ Office. Make sure that all your documents are originals since photocopies are not accepted. This application process may take some time, so make sure that you apply in time.   

Scholarships 
Scholarships to study in Russia are available at the Ministry of Higher Education of the Russian Federation. You can apply for such scholarship through the Ministry of Higher Education in your home country or through another relevant organisation.   

Smoking and Alcohol 
Smoking is only allowed in special designated areas within the university precincts. It is forbidden to attend courses in the state of alcohol intoxication. 

Health Insurance 
Novgorod State University has a contract with the insurance company "Allianze" (www.allianze.ru). Foreign students must sign life insurance contracts. The cost of the service is 200$ per year. The program of health insurance includes only basical medical services (consultations, a number of medical tests, emergency help, etc). The program of health insurance does not include dental services.

Safety Regulations  
With your safety in mind, we suggest the following guidelines: 
1.Do not leave the dormitory after dark (you are not allowed to go out of the dormitory from 00.00 to 6.00). 
2.Do not go to pubs during the first year at the University. 
3.Be careful in deserted areas. Avoid contact with large groups (of teenagers). 
4.Do not carry large sums of money, a bank card, or a passport. In Veliky Novgorod it is enough to have a certificate, a copy of the passport or the student's ID. 
5.Carry your passport and money in internal pockets of a jacket. Never put the passport or other valuables from in trouser back pockets! 
6. Be very attentive of those around you when withdrawing money in ATM machine.   

Rules for Visas and  Registration  
While studying at the University you should have a stamp in your passport (permit for residence in Veliky Novgorod).You should renew your registration every year.All foreign students will be required to register with the police within 3 days of arriving inRussia. You will need to go to the Visa and Registration Department. You will need to take your passport, three passport-sized photographs. The cost is 40 rubles. Your passport will be sent to the immigration office and returned to you after 2 weeks. You will be given a certified copy of your passport and certificate. For extension of your registration you should bring the passport to «The Visa and Registration Section» at least 10 days prior to the expiration of your registration (See the stamp in your passport). Cost of registration extension is 20 rubles. Failure to follow these rules results in a fine of 2000 rubles ($ 70 USD) If you want to spend holidays at home, you must apply for an exit and entry visa. This takes 3 weeks. You will need to supply your passport and 3 passport-sized photographs (4x5 cm, black and white). The cost of an exit and entry visa is 360 rubles.   

Educational Information   
You should learn your teachers' names. On the first day of classes write down their First Name, Middle name (Patronymic Surname) and Last name (For example: Irina Petrovna Ivanova). Attendance of all classes (lectures, seminars, laboratory tests, etc.) is compulsory at Russian universities. In case of illness, you must submit official doctor's certificate to the Preparatory Department. Without a certificate, missed classes will not be excused. If you have unexcused absences, you are obliged to make them up and pay for your teacher's work overtime ($ 5 per hour). Tardiness is considered a breach of discipline. In case of repeated tardiness, the teacher will not admit the student to class. Such classes are considered unexcused absences.   

Accommodation 
International students live in one of the University dormitories. They are accommodated in rooms for two persons (or in a single room at extra fee). There is a canteen, and a gym in the student’s dormitory. It is also possible to rent an apartment privately.    

Dormitory Rules  
The University administration asks you to observe the following rules of residence in the dormitories. Non-observance can result in expulsion from the dormitory, at the University's discretion. Students must: 
1. Show a pass to the person on duty when entering the dormitory. 
2. Keep all noise to a minimum 
3. Take care of the furniture. Furniture damages are double the cost of repair/replacement 
4. Keep the kitchen, toilet and shower clean. 
5. Observe fire regulation. Smoking is allowed only in designated areas. 
6. 0bserve quiet hours after 23.00