National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University
Национальный исследовательский Томский политехнический университет
Siberia's oldest engineering university, strongest in oil and gas, nuclear technology and energy.
- International
- 22%
- of students
- Tuition
- RUB 337.2K
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1896
- QS World Ranking
- 741-750
- 2027 edition
About TPU
Tomsk Polytechnic University was founded in 1896 as the Tomsk Technological Institute and began classes in 1900, making it the first engineering school in the Asian part of Russia. Its main building on Lenin Avenue dates from 1897-1907, and the university says more than 180,000 engineers have graduated since. It is now a national research university in Russia's Priority 2030 programme.
TPU is organised into engineering and research schools, including Nuclear Science and Engineering, Earth Sciences and Engineering, Energy and Power Engineering, Computer Science and Robotics, Non-Destructive Testing, Advanced Manufacturing Technologies, High-Energy Physics, Chemistry and Applied Biomedical Sciences, Business and Social Sciences. It has its own research nuclear reactor, and its best-known strengths are petroleum engineering, nuclear physics and technology, power engineering and chemical technology. The university reports more than 13,000 students, over 22% of them international, and more than 1,100 research and teaching staff.
Bachelor's degrees are taught mainly in Russian, so most international students start with a pre-university year of Russian and subject study in Tomsk. TPU suits students who want a hands-on engineering degree tied to Russia's energy and nuclear industries, at fees well below Western levels, and who are ready for a Siberian winter.
Why students choose TPU
TPU says it ranks 30th in the world and 1st in Russia for petroleum engineering in the QS subject rankings.
It runs a research nuclear reactor and a School of Nuclear Science and Engineering, with Nuclear Physics and Technology among its bachelor's degrees.
Winners of the Open Doors olympiad can study tuition-free, with a free year of Russian language training for Russian-taught programmes.
A one-year pre-university course teaches Russian alongside maths, physics, chemistry or economics before the bachelor's starts.
Admissions
2027-28 entry (2026 dates shown as the latest published)
Selectivity
TPU does not publish an acceptance rate. International applicants are admitted on the basis of their school documents and TPU's entrance tests in language and core subjects; state-funded places for foreigners come through the Russian government quota or olympiads such as Open Doors.
Typical entry requirements
| Secondary school certificate (international applicants) | Completed secondary education with transcript; the original must be legalised and translated into Russian with a notarised copy on arrival, plus passing TPU's language and subject entrance tests |
|---|---|
| Pre-university course | Secondary school certificate and passport copy; one-year Russian-language foundation in technical, economics, humanities, biomedical or natural science tracks |
Deadlines
- Paid bachelor's places (2026 cycle) Non-binding Passed15 August 2026
Applications opened 20 June 2026; contracts had to be signed by 17 August and enrolment orders were issued on 21 August. The 2027 calendar has not been published yet.
- Additional intake for holders of foreign school certificates (2026 cycle) Non-binding Next deadline · In 55 days30 November 2026
Held only if paid places remain vacant, by decision of the admissions committee; must finish by 30 November.
These are TPU's 2026 dates, the latest published; expect similar dates for 2027. Apply early if you need a visa and a pre-university course.
How to apply
Fill in TPU's online application form, then email a passport copy and your school certificate with transcript (in English or Russian) to the International Admission Office (omrs@tpu.ru). TPU replies within two weeks; admitted students receive a visa support letter and admission letter within two months, apply for a student visa, and legalise and translate their documents. On arrival you submit the originals, photos and medical certificates, sign a contract and pay the first year's tuition by bank transfer. Russian citizens apply through Gosuslugi, in person or by post.
What admissions looks for
- A completed secondary education, with transcripts listing subjects and grades.
- Passing results in TPU's entrance tests in the language of instruction and the core subjects of the chosen programme.
- Correctly legalised and notarised documents, with names spelled as in your visa.
- For olympiad routes such as Open Doors, a place in the top 25% of participants over two stages.
Tips for applying to TPU
- 1 Plan for a pre-university year: bachelor's programmes are mainly taught in Russian, and TPU's foundation course combines Russian with maths, physics, chemistry or economics.
- 2 Enter the Open Doors olympiad if you are strong academically; winners in the top 25% get tuition-free study.
- 3 Have your documents translated and notarised at a Russian embassy, and make sure the name spelling matches your visa.
- 4 Email your arrival details at least a week in advance to use TPU's free airport pick-up.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in RUB
International students can win tuition-free places through the Open Doors olympiad (organised by the Association of Global Universities with Russia's Ministry of Science and Higher Education and Rossotrudnichestvo) or the Russian government quota. TPU has approved fee reductions for some 2026 entrants. Fees are paid to the university's bank account by bank transfer.
- RUB 5,500, non-refundable
- Application fee (as listed on TPU's international admission policy page)
- About RUB 10,000-20,000 a month (TPU estimate)
- Rent for a one-room flat in Tomsk
- About RUB 3,000 (TPU estimate)
- Weekly supermarket shop
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters
Petroleum Engineering
TPU's flagship area, 30th in the world in QS subject rankings by TPU's account; RUB 445,000 a year for foreign applicants in 2026-27.
Nuclear Physics and Technology
Taught by the School of Nuclear Science and Engineering, which uses the university's research reactor.
Power Engineering and Electrical Engineering
Run by the School of Energy and Power Engineering, one of TPU's core engineering fields.
Chemical Technology
TPU reports ranking first in Russia for chemical technology and energy in RAEX subject rankings.
Software Engineering and Informatics
School of Computer Science and Robotics programmes, at RUB 228,800 (standard) or RUB 379,100 (foreign) a year.
Geology
Linked to TPU's Center for Geological Training in Khakassia and its Earth sciences school.
Research
- TPU operates its own research nuclear reactor.
- It lists 67 research laboratories, a science park and a business incubator.
- Its Center for Geological Training in Khakassia supports field training for Earth sciences students.
Schools & faculties
- School of Nuclear Science and Engineering
- School of Earth Sciences and Engineering
- School of Energy and Power Engineering
- School of Computer Science and Robotics
- School of Non-Destructive Testing
- School of Advanced Manufacturing Technologies
- Research School of High-Energy Physics
- Research School of Chemistry and Applied Biomedical Sciences
- Engineering School Smart Energy Systems
- School of Business
- School of Social Sciences
TPU describes itself as a partner university of Gazprom, Rosatom, Rosneft and other high-tech companies.
Student life
TPU's historic buildings were built within walking distance of each other at the turn of the 20th century, and the university calls this quarter Tomsk's first student campus. It has 15 residence halls housing more than 6,000 students, with 24-hour security and rooms for one to three people, several with their own gyms and clubs. Non-local students on paid places are offered dormitory places. There are 9 sports clubs, sports grounds and a stadium, an International Culture Center and 15 student organisations. Many students work part-time in cafes, labs and libraries.
- 15 residence halls for more than 6,000 students.
- An International Culture Center for students from abroad.
- 9 sports clubs, 8 sports grounds and a stadium.
- Free airport pick-up for new international students who send their arrival details a week ahead.
Housing. TPU has 15 residence halls with rooms for one to three people, and dormitory places are provided to non-local students admitted to paid places.
Location
Tomsk is a Siberian university city of about 544,000 people on the Tom River, founded in 1604 and home to six universities with over 100,000 students. TPU, citing Numbeo, says consumer prices are about 17% lower than in Moscow and rents 66% lower; a canteen lunch costs around RUB 300. Winters are long and cold. Tomsk Kamov Airport, named after TPU graduate Nikolay Kamov, is about 20 km from the centre.
Nearest airport: Tomsk Kamov Airport (TOF)
Notable alumni
- NK Nikolay KamovHelicopter designer and founder of the Kamov design bureau; engineering graduate (1923)
- KS Kanysh SatpayevKazakh geologist and first president of the Kazakhstan Academy of Sciences; graduated 1926
- NU Nikolay UrvantsevGeologist and Arctic explorer, co-discoverer of the Norilsk ore deposits; graduated 1918
- NN Nikolai NikitinStructural engineer behind Moscow's Ostankino Tower; graduated 1930
- AK Alexander KazantsevScience fiction writer and chess composer; TPU graduate
- AP Antonina PirozhkovaCivil engineer who worked on the Moscow Metro, and writer; graduated 1930
- VR Vladimir RottElectrical engineer and author; undergraduate and graduate degrees in electrical engineering
- MM Mikhail MilHelicopter designer; studied at the Siberian Technological Institute in Tomsk (1926-1928) before transferring
Frequently asked questions
How much does Tomsk Polytechnic University cost for international students?
For 2026-27, first-year full-time bachelor's fees on TPU's foreign-applicant fee lines are RUB 337,200 to 445,000 a year; most engineering and IT programmes cost RUB 379,100.
Are TPU bachelor's programmes taught in English?
Bachelor's programmes are mainly taught in Russian. TPU offers a one-year pre-university course in Russian and core subjects for international students.
Can I study at TPU for free?
Yes, if you win a state-funded place, for example through the Open Doors olympiad or the Russian government quota; Open Doors winners also get a free year of Russian.
When is the TPU application deadline?
In 2026, paid bachelor's applications ran from 20 June to 15 August, with an extra intake for foreign-certificate holders possible until 30 November. The 2027 dates are not yet published.
What is TPU best known for?
Petroleum engineering, nuclear physics and technology, power engineering and chemical technology; TPU reports being 30th in the world for petroleum engineering in QS subject rankings.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
Explore nearby in the world top 100
Universities ranked close to TPU in the QS World University Rankings 2027.