General practical information

The City of Tomsk

The city, one of the oldest in Siberia, was founded as a fortress in 1604. As one of the Siberian centers of science and education Tomsk has been known for more than a century. Alexandr II, the emperor of Russia, signed an order to establish the Siberian University in Tomsk in May, 1878. Many things changed since then, Tomsk has grown into a city with seven universities, many scientific research institutes and powerful industry. An access to higher education in Tomsk is one of the highest in the entire country (almost 200 students per thousand population compared with around 19 students per thousand population in Russia at large). It is now a major distribution center, a port on the Tom’ River and is linked with the Trans-Siberian Railroad. Electrical equipment, ball bearings, chemicals, and footwear are manufactured in the city. Population (2002 estimate) 491,100.

Traveling to Tomsk

Tomsk is the capital of Tomsk Oblast, which is located in southern Siberian Russia, almost the geographical center of the country. Novosibirsk is the closest to Tomsk international airport with regular airline connections to a number of countries. From Novosibirsk, it will take approximately 4 hours by car or bus to travel to Tomsk.

Major international airlines have regular flights to different Moscow airports. From Moscow it normally takes approximately four hours to reach Tomsk by plane (from Domodedovo airport) or two and a half days by train with the Trans-Siberian Railroad (from Kazansky Train Station in Moscow).

Weather in Tomsk

Climate in the region is of the continental type due to its geographical location. In Tomsk, in the West Siberian Plain, the average temperature in January is -21° C (-6° F), and the average temperature in July is 18° C (64° F). Nevertheless, temperature of 30°C is usual in the middle of summer, while for a few days in the middle of winter temperature can drop to -30°C. Even during those coldest days, it does not feel very cold because of the dry and windless air. The vast Siberian interior receives scant snowfall in winter; precipitation in summer is also usually light.

Study methods in TUSUR

In the majority of subjects, you will have timetabled classes for most of the week. However, in some of them, you may only have a few contact hours timetabled and will be expected to work independently for a substantial amount of time. While courses vary, many of them consist of a combination of the following teaching methods. Normally, any kind of classes last for two academic hours (45 minutes in each academic hour). Students often call one two-hour class a “pair” (pronounced as [PΛRΛ] in Russian language).

Lectures are large classes, where a lecturer talks about a subject and the students take notes. On some courses there can be over a hundred students in a lecture. There is usually little or no opportunity to ask questions during the lecture. Lectures are intended to guide students through the course material by explaining the main points of a topic; give the most up-to-date information that may not be included in textbooks; introduce new topics for detailed study in practical classes.

Practical classes are smaller classes where students and an instructor discuss a topic more thoroughly. These classes normally last the same time as lectures. Students know in advance what the topic is. Practical classes are usually intended to learn the ways of solving tasks and quizzes and encourage debate about an issue. This means different opinions will be expressed by the instructor and students. The aim is not for students to be told the "correct" answer, but to understand possible solutions and make judgment about their merits. Practical classes are usually intended to give practical experience of the theories you learn in lectures.

Laboratory works are practical workshops in laboratories on science and engineering courses. Students may work individually but more usually as a part of a group. Laboratory work is intended to develop practical skills.

Workplace practical training is training in a working environment, under the supervision of experienced staff (e.g. working in a computer lab or engineering company). Most of the study programs offer industry placements - an opportunity to spend time away from classes working in employment related to your program of study.

Independent study will be expected to be conducted on most of the courses. This usually involves working on your own (or sometimes in a small group with other students) to research a topic and produce written work, or make a presentation. Independent study is intended to develop your own ideas, skills in critical analysis and problem-solving, research skills. You will certainly be asked to produce some written work, including essays, assignment questions, projects or a dissertation. Written work is assessed and counted towards your overall grade for the course.

Individual consultations are usually intended to give students more focused guidance on a piece of work they are doing or have already completed. Lecturers will normally be available for consultations on a very limited basis outside timetabled classes. You may be able to see instructors during a designated time posted on their office. Outside this time, staff is likely to be out of office or occupied with something else.

Host country formalities

Any adult visitor to Russia is expected to obtain Russian visa. TUSUR will provide foreign students with a formal invitation to study in Tomsk, which is considered sufficient to obtain visa valid for the continuation of their studies. You can find out from the Russian embassy in your home country whether any additional documents are required in certain circumstances. Application for the visa should be made as early as possible to allow time for processing, which may differ from country to country. You should under no circumstances enter the country on a tourist visa, since this can not be converted in Russia.

Within three days after arrival, all foreign citizens are supposed to register / obtain residence permit at the local office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia. Assistance in this endeavor will be provided by the Division of International Cooperation of TUSUR. For the purposes of registration, you need to bring the following documents upon arrival: passport and Russian visa, four recent photographs of the document size, proof of AIDS test. Russian regulations require that all foreigners planning to stay in the country for longer than a month must prove that they tested negative for the AIDS within the last 30 days.

Financing your stay

TUSUR normally charges foreign students tuition fees for their studies. However, the cost of living in Tomsk is rather low compared to the majority of western countries. Some opportunities for full or partial support of studies and stay exist within the framework of the Erasmus Mundus program, or other exchange agreements as well as national scholarships. Information about these can be obtained at the Division of International Cooperation of TUSUR.

The possibility of working alongside studying is subject to certain limitations. Foreign students should be clearly aware that they are allowed to work part-time at the University mostly as teaching assistants without applying for the work permit. Working outside the University may be arranged in exceptional circumstances through the office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. If needed, ask the Division of International Cooperation for Assistance.

Accommodation

Foreign students are advised to reside in the University dormitories. It is more convenient and less expensive at the same time to stay in one of the students’ residence halls. There are four students’ hostels / dormitories conveniently located close to the university lecture halls. Students of each faculty usually leave in the same building. All residence halls have Laundromats, general access TV/video rooms, fitness rooms, computer classes, and provide Internet access from student rooms for a little access fee.

University dormitories provide single and shared rooms. Prices for a standard room start at 1500 rubles per month. As an exchange student, you can stay there for a maximum of 12 months. Students who come to Tomsk through a cooperation agreement and wish to be placed in one of the students’ dormitories should apply directly to the Division of International Cooperation.

Some students may wish to stay at a hotel outside the University. There are many opportunities for it in Tomsk. Prices for a single room start at 1,000 Rubles per night.

Afterwards, you may want to find private accommodation. Prices range from 4000 Rubles per month and higher for a studio in the central part of the city.

Admission and Application

International students can apply to TUSUR both for a complete course of study as well as for a shorter period (e.g. one or two semesters). In the first case, you become a full-time student and are enrolled like any other Russian students. Upon completion of the study program, you can obtain Russian university diploma of the state standard on the chosen degree and speciality. Application forms can be obtained either from the Division of International Cooperation of TUSUR or from embassies and consulates of the Russian Federation in your countries. With your application form you must enclose authenticated copies of your secondary school certificates and, where appropriate, certificates of higher education along with transcripts of records, as well as evidence of your knowledge of Russian. All documents issued in a language other than Russian or English must be accompanied by an official translation into Russian. Further details on the application and admission procedure in this case can be obtained at any time from the Division of International Cooperation of TUSUR.

In the second case, you become an exchange student. Exchange students have possibility to study at TUSUR for one or two semesters and to take examinations, which their home institution will later acknowledge, depending on the respective co-operation agreement. Exchange students can either compose their own program of study or the sending institution may tell them exactly which courses they have to take. Home university shall establish the requirements, which students have to fulfill while in Tomsk. Exchange students apply to the Division of International Cooperation of TUSUR by sending their curriculum vitae along with the application form, transcript of records and learning agreement. Application deadline for the Fall semester is 1 July, for the Spring semester is 1 December. For exchange students only basic language abilities are required. It is not required to take the Russian language test for foreign students (Test of Russian as a Foreign Language).

Examinations and assessments

Many different forms of assessment are used in TUSUR, including:

"closed" examinations, where you are not allowed to refer to books or notes and have a specific time to complete a certain number of questions;
"open" examinations, where you can refer to books and notes and may even be able to take the question paper away and return it by a certain time;
assessed essays, individual projects and dissertations;
group work projects;
practical assessments (e.g. in laboratories).

Some courses are "continuously assessed" using so-called Rating System, meaning that instead of examinations or together with examinations at the end of the semester, your progress is assessed and marked throughout the semester.