Saint Petersburg State Forest Technical University (SPSFU)

In 1803, by a decree of Alexander I, the Forest Institute, the first forest higher school in Russia, was established in Saint-Petersburg. Nowadays Saint-Petersburg State Forest Technical University (FTU) is realizing educational programs of secondary, higher, post-graduate and continued professional education for qualified specialists in industrial, scientific and pedagogical activities in the spheres of forestry, woodworking, pulp and paper, hydrolytic industry, carrying out fundamental and applied research. The FTU has always been a leading scientific and methodical centre of the forest-related higher education in Russia.

It comprises Centre of Expertise, International Centre of Forestry and Forest Industry (ICFFI), Department of Forest Production Technology of the World Technological University.   

Well-known Russian scientists worked there and made a great contribution into development of not only domestic, but also the world science and technology. World famous scientists I.P. Borodin, L.A. Ivanov, M.N. Rimskiy-Korsakov, M.E. Tkachenko, V.N. Sukachev, N.N. Nepenin, N.I. Nikitin, S.I. Vanin, S.F. Orlov, A.M. Goldberg multiplied scientific authority of the Forest Technical Academy, developed national system of forest education and trained talented successors.

 The University pays attention to international activity and it has been educating foreign students since 1953. More than 300 foreign specialists from 47 countries have been certified in the University, many of them occupy leading positions in the forest branch enterprises, scientific and educational institutions of forest complex. Today students from 42 foreign countries study at the University.

The University has 35 bilateral cooperation agreements with foreign universities-partners, scientific research institutions and companies. Annually the University realizes bilateral short–term and long-term student and professor exchange programs, joint seminars, conferences. There is a possibility to study at double-degree programs for Bachelors and Masters.

Educational Programs

The University has a fundamental educational and research basis. Today over 8000 students study at the University, study process is provided by qualified teaching stuff, 70% of which have PhD degrees. 48 departments and 7 faculties function at the University.

The University is training qualified specialists for all branches of forest industry: silviculture, forest protection, logging, transportation of wood, mechanical and chemical processing of wood and others. Course duration of bachelor degree programs is 4 academic years, specialist degree programs – 5 academic years and master degree programs – 2 academic years.

Training process is conducted in Russian language. For foreign students without or with insufficient knowledge of Russian language there is a preparatory department, where during 1 academic year students learn Russian language and main subjects for chosen program of education.