Published on: 2026-10-06
Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –
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In 2026, interest in postgraduate studies at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University more than doubled. For 72 scientific specialties, 5,831 applications were submitted by 1,479 candidates. As a result of the 2026 competition campaign, 273 people were admitted to budget-funded places. Another 50 Russian citizens became postgraduates at the Polytechnic on a contract basis.
The growth in interest is linked not only to certain in-demand specialties but also to areas that align with the long-term scientific and technological agenda of Polytech. The university’s Development Program for 2025–2036 highlights three key scientific and technological directions: “System Digital Engineering,” “New Materials, Technologies, Production,” and “Artificial Intelligence for Solving Cross-Industry Tasks.” A significant portion of demand clusters around these: artificial intelligence, information security, and new informatics form the digital contour; mechanical engineering, robotics, materials science, radio engineering, and microelectronics; mathematical modeling, economics, and management.
One of the main centers of attraction was the Institute of Computer Science and Cybersecurity. The specialty 1.2.1 “Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning” received 314 applications: 227 for state-funded and 87 for tuition-paying places. This is the second-best result among all scientific specialties of the Polytechnic postgraduate programs. Another 207 applications were submitted for specialty 2.3.6 “Methods and Systems of Information Protection, Information Security.” High figures in these two areas indicate that applicants associate their research careers both with the development of intelligent systems and with ensuring their reliability and security.
Also, one of the leaders in the number of applications was the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials, and Transport. Its programs received 693 applications.
The Institute of Physics and Mechanics received 517 applications. The leader was the “Mathematical Modeling” program — 191 applications. There is also a strong interest in the classic fundamental programs that form the basis of the Polytechnic engineering school.
The Institute of Electronics and Telecommunications received 211 applications. This result confirms the sustained interest of young researchers in microelectronics, photonics, telecommunications, and the development of the electronic component base.
Among the construction fields, the leading specialty is 2.1.1 “Building Structures, Buildings, and Facilities,” which received 143 applications. This result confirms the overall trend: applied engineering research and design remain one of the main pillars of the Polytechnic postgraduate program, combining fundamental training with solving practical industry problems.
Consistently high interest remains in the scientific specialties of the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics, and Trade. For 5.2.3 “Regional and Sectoral Economics,” 343 applications have been submitted, and for 5.2.6 “Management” — 313. “Regional and Sectoral Economics” became the leader of the entire campaign, and “Management” took third place, which confirms the demand for research at the intersection of economics, management, and digital transformation of industries.
In 2026, the list of scientific specialties for postgraduate studies at Polytech was expanded from 68 to 72.
The most notable launch was the new specialty 2.3.8 “Computer Science and Information Processes.” It received 179 applications: 126 for budget places and 53 for paid places. In its very first year, the program became one of the most sought-after at the university and confirmed the high demand for research in the field of theoretical computer science.
The new group 2.10 “Technosphere Safety” confirmed the applicants’ interest in practice-oriented programs even in the absence of budget-funded places. For six paid places across three specialties, 46 applications were submitted: 18 for environmental safety, 16 for occupational safety, and 12 for fire safety.
The Polytechnic’s graduate program combines a fundamental academic education with research demanded by the real sector of the economy. In the 2026 admissions campaign, specialists from three major scientific and production organizations chose the industrial trajectory: JSC “Central Research Institute ‘Electron'”, LLC “Gazprom VNIIGAZ”, JSC “Production Association ‘Ural Optical and Mechanical Plant’ named after E. S. Yalamov”
In 2026, the university for the first time piloted a competition of scientific achievements for prospective graduate students. The mechanism was designed for final-year specialist and master’s students, as well as recent graduates of Russian universities. Selection was conducted in six scientific specializations. A total of 59 applications were received for the competition.
As a result of the selection, 26 people were recognized as winners. According to the contest rules, they were equated to applicants who received the maximum score for entrance exams, which guaranteed them admission to budget-funded places.
The first experience of the competition shows that early selection can work not only as an admission tool but also as a way to see candidates with an already formed research portfolio in advance.
The early admission format has proven to be effective: we have seen a noticeable surge of interest from strong applicants who already have publications, projects, patents, and clear research motivation. For Polytech, this is an opportunity to establish a scientific trajectory with the candidate for postgraduate studies earlier, and for the applicant — to become acquainted with Polytech’s fields of study. In the future, we plan to hold the scientific achievements competition on a regular basis and expand it to cover more scientific specialties related to the university’s development priorities, noted Ksenia Kuzmina, Head of the Department of Scientific Certification and Training of Highly Qualified Personnel.
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