Russia’s government plans to eliminate 45,000 state-funded university slots in the 2026–27 academic year, Education and Science Minister Valery Falkov said Monday, citing concerns about teaching quality and a mismatch between graduates’ skills and labor market needs.
The fully subsidized slots, known in Russia as “budget places,” would be cut by roughly 13% nationwide, Falkov told the state television channel Rossia 24. He said private universities would be disproportionately affected.
“Some universities, particularly private institutions, may not survive without their low-quality paid programs,” he said.
The move is aimed at curbing what officials describe as an oversupply of graduates in around 40 fields with low demand, including economics, law, management and public administration.
Earlier this year, the government granted itself the authority to regulate the number of tuition-free slots at both public and private universities, expanding oversight beyond state-funded enrollments.
The new powers followed directives from President Vladimir Putin to bring higher education into closer alignment with Russia’s economic and technological priorities, with greater emphasis on engineering and technical disciplines. His calls to channel more students into industrial fields amid labor shortages have coincided with sharp increases in tuition fees.
Falkov said that mechanical engineering was the most popular state-funded major nationwide in 2025.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
