MOSCOW (Realist English). Interest in pedagogical education in Russia continues to grow. The number of applications to teacher training universities in 2026 increased by 185,000, or 35%, compared to the same period last year. This was announced on 12 August by Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko, presenting interim results of the admissions campaign.
According to him, a total of more than 714,500 applications have already been submitted to pedagogical programmes at universities under the Ministry of Education – compared to 529,500 last year. Thus, the increase amounted to exactly 185,000 applications.
‘Choosing a profession is choosing a destiny’
Chernyshenko attributed the growing popularity of teaching to systematic support measures for educators.
“Today, to improve teachers’ working conditions, infrastructure is being upgraded under the national project ‘Youth and Children’, the ‘Zemsky Teacher’ programme is operating, and educational forums and events are being held,” the deputy prime minister noted.
He recalled that at a meeting with schoolchildren in Novosibirsk, President Vladimir Putin emphasised: “Choosing a profession is choosing a destiny.”
Education Minister Sergei Kravtsov added that the key factor behind the rising interest in the profession was the president’s signing of a decree on the special status of teachers. “The document enshrines support measures for educators and opens up new opportunities for career growth and social protection,” Kravtsov said.
Competition grows, Olympiad winners prioritised
The competition for state‑funded places in pedagogical universities has noticeably increased. Last year, there were 12 applications per place; this season, the figure has reached 15.
A total of 133 applicants have already been admitted to bachelor’s and specialist programmes without entrance exams – they are winners and prize‑winners of Olympiads that grant the right to admission out of competition. Another 11 people were admitted using the right to have their Unified State Exam score of 100 counted in a core subject.
Top 5 pedagogical universities
In terms of the number of applications submitted, five universities are leading:
- Moscow State Pedagogical University
- Herzen Russian State Pedagogical University (St. Petersburg)
- Ural State Pedagogical University (Yekaterinburg)
- Novosibirsk State Pedagogical University
- Kozma Minin Nizhny Novgorod State Pedagogical University.
The admissions campaign for pedagogical universities is not yet over, but it is already clear: interest in the teaching profession in Russia is on the rise. The government attributes this trend to the growing prestige of pedagogical work and systemic support measures.
The question is whether the rising interest among applicants will translate into a real influx of qualified personnel into schools – and how quickly this will be reflected in the quality of education in the country.
