Military Higher Schools Admission (Russia)Военные училища

Overview

Russia has no single national military entrance exam. Each military educational organisation of the Ministry of Defence (and of some other ministries) admits its own cadets. The general route is the same everywhere: you apply through your local military commissariat, pass a preliminary selection and a professional selection, and your general academic level is judged from Unified State Exam (EGE) results.

The Ministry of Defence website, which would be the authority for these rules, could not be read when this page was reviewed. This page therefore rests on two official-looking local government and school pages that repeat the national rules, and it is marked as based on secondary reports. Confirm every detail with your military commissariat and the Ministry of Defence admissions pages before applying.

Who can apply

According to the sources, candidates must:

• hold Russian citizenship;

• have secondary general or secondary vocational education;

• be aged 16 to 22, counted on 1 August of the admission year (some schools take students after grade 9);

• be medically fit for the chosen speciality (fitness categories A and B are mentioned);

• reach the required level of physical fitness (the 100 m and 3,000 m runs, pull-ups and swimming are mentioned) and the required professional suitability category (first or second);

• have no criminal record or pending criminal case, and no administrative penalty for drug use.

The education obtained should be the candidate's first higher education.

Exam pattern

Two programme levels are available:

For higher education, the memo says the general academic level is judged only by EGE results. The subjects depend on the faculty:

• Command faculties: Russian, mathematics, social studies.

• Engineering faculties: Russian, physics, mathematics.

• Military-humanitarian faculties: Russian, history, social studies.

• Military medical academy: Russian, chemistry, biology.

Different schools may set their own minimum scores, so check the rules of each school you want.

Important dates

The sources say that candidate recruitment runs each year from 1 January to 1 April, or to 20 April for schools that do not require security clearance. Applicants go to the military commissariat by 20 April, or by 1 April for schools that require clearance. Documents are sent to the chosen school by 1 April, according to the memo. The sources are for the 2025-2027 period, so confirm the dates for the year you apply.

How to apply

1. Apply in writing to the military commissariat where you are registered (serving conscripts submit a report to their unit commander).

2. Submit the documents. The sources list a passport, a birth certificate copy, a handwritten autobiography, a reference from school or college, a school record, a medical examination card, a psychological testing card, photographs and any papers proving preferential rights or sporting or academic achievements.

3. Take the medical examination and psychological testing. The commissariat's commission decides whether you are suitable.

4. If the decision is positive, your papers are forwarded to the school. The school then runs the professional selection and confirms admission.

After the exam

Cadets are fully supported by the state, with pay, housing, food, medical care and uniform, and employment is guaranteed after graduation. The Orenburg school page says cadets sign a service contract after the first year of study. It also gives stipend figures, but they are undated, so check current amounts with the school.

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