Scholarships in Belarus

A scholarship to study is possible! Foreign students willing to get higher or vocational education in Belarus can apply for a scholarship and study for free. But travel expenses, visa and registration, medical insurance, accommodation and meals have to be covered by the student. So you don't happen to get a certain sum of money on hand, but you won't have to pay about $2500 every year — which is a lot, so the scholarship is worth applying for. The application is organized in 3 stages.

Stage 1 — The candidate applies for admission to the study programme

Until the 20th of February, our diplomatic missions all over the world accept application packages from foreign citizens willing to apply for the scholarship. You can check, whether there is a Belarusian diplomatic mission in your country, on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If there is no Belarusian Embassy or Consulate General in your country, don't panic and check the neighbouring countries. They may happen to have one, and you can make a trip there to apply. 

Belarusian diplomatic mission will require the following documents from you:

• application for admission (there is no strict form, just write it the way you feel it and make sure you state substantial arguments for the chosen major and why you have to be admitted);
• copies of the document for travelling abroad and (or) ID document (usually it's a passport or national and international passports);
• copy of the educational certificate (in case you're still studying, a certificate from your school stating that you are their student and signed by the head, with a list of current marks on all subjects)
• copy of a document stating the level of your Russian or Belarusian language command;
• copy of a medical certificate stating that you are able to study the chosen major and a certificate stating that you have no HIV;
• a reference letter from your school (if you're still a student);
• documents prooving your Belarusian origin (in case you/your parents/your grandparents were born or resided on the modern territory of the Republic of Belarus.

If your documents are concluded in a foreign language, you have to provide their notarized translation in Russian or Belarusian as well.

For those who want to get a competitive edge, here's who to prioritize (and yes, order is important):

• If you have once taken first or second place in international scientific competitions in subjects corresponding to the major subject of the first trial in your chosen specialty.
• Did you work in practice in your specialty for two years after your studies? This experience also counts.
• Have you taken high places at international competitions or other events organized by Belarusian educational institutions, or made presentations at such conferences? This is also a weighty argument in your favor.
• If you have publications of scientific works, inventions, research reports or diplomas of victories in international Olympiads - do not forget to show them (this subject must be a profile).
• Finally, if you have already undergone special training for admission to Belarusian educational institutions and it was not in this year, this is also taken into account.

The preliminary lists of candidates will be formed by 15 March by the Diplomatic Mission of the Republic of Belarus and will be submitted to the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus.

Stage 2 — Formation of candidate lists

The interdepartmental commission considers preliminary lists of candidates and copies of submitted documents, forms the candidate list. Further educational institutions receive lists of candidates from the interdepartmental commission and organise work on conducting interviews with candidates.

After your application reaches the Ministry of Education, it will be reviewed by a special committee. Members of the committee pay a great deal of attention to the academic performance of each candidate. In order to pass stage 2 successfully, you have to make sure that the average sum of your marks is no less than 7.5 (in accordance with the Belarusian ten-point marking scale). In case you have a different marking system, then you will be required to have a 75% academic performance out of 100%.

By the 1st of May, the committee will conclude the lists of selected candidates and forward them to the educational institutions.

Stage 3 —Interviews and candidate lists

All educational institutions have to organize an interview with their selected candidates. They will check the level of the Russian or Belarusian language command, and in case the candidate is applying for a creative major, like "Art and Design" or "Music Studies", he will be required to provide samples of his creative works (in a digital form).

If you get to stage 3, you will be contacted by your university before the 20th of May. They will set the date for your interview, which can be conducted distantly.

Educational institutions will be considering the candidates until the 20th of June. After the decision is taken they notify the winners right away and send them invitation letters.

If during the interview university representatives consider that your level of Russian/Belarusian is unsatisfactory, don't be upset. The rules allow you to take a course at the Preparatory Department using your own money. And after you improve your language skills you will be able to start your free of charge studies in the next academic year. 

Good luck!