Herzen University

Herzen University is a higher education institution in central Saint Petersburg that occupies several historic buildings and includes twenty academic faculties along with more than one hundred departments. These structures are scattered throughout the city center, forming a large educational complex.

Emperor Paul I founded the institution in 1797 as the Saint Petersburg Orphanage, which later evolved into a pedagogical university through several transformations. An educational program for deaf children was established as early as 1806, marking an early commitment to inclusive teaching.

Collections of 18th-century scientific instruments are now housed in specialized museums across the institution, showing how early research and teaching took place in daily practice. Geological specimens and teaching materials from that period offer a window into academic methods of past centuries.

International students can apply for Russian government scholarships that cover tuition fees and provide monthly stipends for living expenses. Campus buildings are located in the city center and are easily accessible by public transport.

The first educational program for deaf children in Russia was established here in 1806, reflecting the institution's early commitment to accessible education. This step was groundbreaking at the time for the development of inclusive approaches in the country's education system.