Why Choose Vernadsky CFU?
V.I. Vernadsky Crimean Federal University (CFU) offers a plethora of opportunities for its students. By choosing Vernadsky CFU, you join the largest university in Crimea and one of the largest in southern Russia, boasting a well-established reputation for teaching and research excellence that spans over a century.
Learning at Vernadsky CFU
Our programs are tailored to meet the needs of the modern workplace and are delivered by highly qualified, skilled, and dedicated academic staff. Vernadsky CFU students benefit from an excellent learning experience facilitated by our diverse faculty, which includes internationally recognized researchers and expert practitioners. Notably, two of our former staff members, Igor Tamm and Ilya Frank, have been awarded the Nobel Prize.
The quality of education and training at Vernadsky CFU is evident from our students' frequent success in major regional, national, and international academic competitions. Our graduates also enjoy successful careers across various fields. We offer a vast range of programs, including several English-taught options, ensuring that you find the perfect fit for your interests. Check out our list of programs and tuition fees for more information.
**International Student Community**
With over 60 years of experience in welcoming international students, Vernadsky CFU is home to about 2,500 international students from more than 30 countries. Our university offers a diverse and truly international environment, providing robust support for students to learn and grow. You'll join a vibrant, close-knit community of people from various backgrounds, making the adjustment period smoother. You may even meet peers from your home country!
**Student Life Experience**
At Vernadsky CFU, you'll experience a student life that you'll never forget and make friends for life. Alongside excellent education, you'll also be encouraged to develop personal and social skills that will benefit you throughout your life. We offer a wide array of extra-curricular activities, such as sports, art, music clubs, student communities, and societies. There's something for everyone, ensuring you'll meet people with similar interests and also discover new ones. Our university nurtures students with diverse talents and interests, offering numerous opportunities for growth and success.
**Research Excellence**
Research is a core activity at Vernadsky CFU. Our modern, well-equipped research facilities enable students and staff to carry out ambitious and cutting-edge work. We continue to develop our research infrastructure and invest in research to maintain our strong reputation. Our staff and students have received numerous grants for their projects, including several mega-grants from the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
**Hands-On Training**
Our programs provide diverse opportunities for hands-on learning. Students can enhance their training experience through placements at various institutions and companies, working side by side with established professionals to develop practical skills essential for their chosen careers.
**Fantastic Location**
Located in one of the most picturesque places in the world, our peninsula enjoys a mild climate and stunning scenery. Crimea also holds great geopolitical significance and has a rich history. Our students have numerous opportunities to immerse themselves in the history, culture, heritage, values, and lifestyles of this beautiful land.
History of the University
V.I. Vernadsky Crimean Federal University is a prestigious higher education institution located in Simferopol, and is one of the ten federal universities in the Russian Federation.
The university's origins date back to Taurida University, the first institution for higher learning in Crimea, founded in 1918 under the initiative of Solomon Krym. Lectures began at the Departments of Physics and Mathematics and Medicine in Yalta in May 1918. By autumn 1918, all five departments—History and Philology, Physics and Mathematics, Law, Medicine, and Agronomy—were relocated to Simferopol. They were housed in various buildings, including a former military hospital, a women's diocesan school, a seminary, and several private properties.
Scholars from Kiev University were instrumental in establishing Taurida University, with the first Board headed by Professor Roman Gelvig, a renowned figure in medical science. After his death on October 13, 1920, the esteemed Vladimir Vernadsky, a member of the Academy of Sciences, was elected as the university's rector.
Following the establishment of the Soviet state, the university underwent significant changes. On February 1, 1921, it was renamed M.V. Frunze Crimean University. Throughout the 1920s and early 1930s, it became a foundation for three higher education institutions: the teacher-training institute, the medical institute, and the agricultural institute.
The university gained international recognition due to the many renowned researchers and scientists who studied and worked there. Notable alumni include academicians Dmitry Shcherbakov (1922) and Igor Kurchatov, Member of the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences Kirill Sinelnikov (1923), and Corresponding Members of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR Gleb Frank (1925) and Kirill Shchyolknin (1932).
Throughout its history, many of Russia's most distinguished scientists have worked at this peninsula's first higher education institution. Among them were Vladimir Vernadsky, Vladimir Obruchev, Aleksandr Baikov, Vladimir Palladin, Abram Ioffe, Igor Tamm, Igor Kurchatov, Kiril Shchiolkin, Gleb Frank, and others.
On August 4, 2014, a decree was issued to establish V.I. Vernadsky Crimean Federal University. The new university emerged from the merger of leading Crimean research and educational institutions, effectively re-establishing the original structure of Taurida University from 1918. It took a century to reunite the main branches of higher education on the peninsula.
Today, V.I. Vernadsky Crimean Federal University consists of 30 units and 12 branches located across Crimea, including 14 academies and institutes, 5 technical colleges, and 10 research units and branches. It offers over 250 study programs and hosts more than 30,000 students from Russia and abroad.
