About the University
From July 6 to 19, 2026, Ural Federal University will host the annual Summer University project, supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation. A total of 430 students from Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, China, Republika Srpska, Serbia, Sri Lanka, and South Africa will take part in the project.
You will visit the industrial "heart of Russia" — the beautiful, youthful, and dynamic city of Yekaterinburg. It is no coincidence that Yekaterinburg is considered Russia's third-largest city in terms of economic and industrial development.
Participation in the project is a unique opportunity to get to know one of Russia's leading universities, which also features in major world rankings. Ural Federal University is an institution with a history and traditions spanning over 105 years, keeping pace with the most advanced and innovative scientific, educational, and technological developments across all fields: engineering, natural sciences, humanities, economics, and, of course, computer science. Today, UrFU is home to more than 50,000 students from Russia and 110 countries worldwide.
UrFU has hosted Summer University participants three times — in 2023, 2024, and 2025 — with over 1,200 students from various countries visiting the university campus as part of the project.
During the Summer University, you will immerse yourself in vibrant student life filled with new knowledge from top-tier professors and experts, gain exposure to cutting-edge technologies and organizations, and of course take part in youth events.
Key partners of the project include the Rosatom State Corporation and the Obninsk Institute for Nuclear Power Engineering of MEPhI.
All expenses related to the Summer University educational program and the stay in Yekaterinburg — including travel tickets, accommodation, meals, and transfers within the program — will be covered by the project organizers.
Academic Module
The Academic Module is presented by some of the finest institutes within the broad academic and research family of UrFU and will include 8 core programs in Russian and English.
Global Trends in Nuclear Energy (Nuclear Technologies Track)
Participants in the nuclear technologies track will gain a unique opportunity to explore current trends and promising directions in nuclear energy, and will learn how raw materials can be utilized in the expanded reproduction of new nuclear fuel in fast neutron reactors.
Legal Framework for Nuclear Technologies in the Context of Technological Leadership (Law Track)
In this law track, participants will develop international competencies in providing legal support to entities engaged in international economic activities involving large-scale financial and energy resources, and will gain foundational skills in launching and establishing major business operations in a foreign jurisdiction.
Business of the Future: Digital, Data, and Innovation (Economics Track)
Participants in the economics and management track (delivered in Russian) will dive into the world of fintech, learn to transform raw data into management decisions, discover how digitalization is reshaping energy and other industries, test modern marketing tools, and learn to measure their effectiveness.
Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence (Computer Science Track)
Participants in the computer science track will gain knowledge and skills in software development, database design and management, and will be introduced to the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Sustainability and Development: Diplomacy for a New World (Social Sciences and Humanities Track)
This social sciences and humanities track prepares future leaders for integrated project management in the fields of green diplomacy and peaceful nuclear energy, where human capital, data security, and intercultural engagement are key. Participants will learn to harmonize the environmental, social, and international dimensions of territorial development, working with real-world cases — from satellite cities of nuclear power plants to global partnerships.
The Dosimetry of Absorbed Dose at the E-Beam Facility Utilized for Radiation Sterilization (Nuclear Technologies Track)
In this English-language nuclear technologies program, participants will study the theoretical and applied aspects of dosimetric control in radiation sterilization processes for medical devices at electron beam accelerator facilities.
Information Technologies & Artificial Intelligence (Computer Science Track)
Participants in the computer science track will gain knowledge and skills in software development, database design and management, and will be introduced to the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Sustainable Leadership & Impact Management, Creative Tech: ESG, AI & Communications (Economics and Management Track)
This English-language economics and management program is designed as a practice-oriented, expert-level course for future leaders and entrepreneurs. It brings together ESG principles (environmental and social governance) with advanced technologies, creative industries, modern PR strategies, and concepts of sustainable territorial development.
In addition to their core track classes, students across all tracks will attend a series of lectures on soft skills, social project design, and career trends. Participants in English-language programs will also have Russian as a foreign language classes taught by instructors from UrFU's preparatory department for international students.
Project Module
UrFU is one of Russia's leaders in project-based learning, actively promoting successful student employment through project development and implementation. The university has introduced a "Project Practicum" system that helps students carry out projects whose results go on to be further developed in industry, IT, or the socioeconomic sector. Projects are commissioned by partner organizations. In 2024, 75% of educational programs used project-based learning technologies, resulting in 4,158 completed projects, of which 2,090 were unique. Project-based learning outcomes at UrFU in 2025 showed steady growth: each year students complete around 5,000 projects in partnership with industry. The main emphasis is on digitalization and the involvement of external experts, with externally commissioned projects accounting for 80.5%.
We apply project-based learning within the Summer University as well — the best projects in each track will have the opportunity to present at the finals. The top Russian-language project and the top English-language project will be selected by experts from business and industry and awarded prizes.
Since 2023, Summer University participants have developed over 120 projects under the guidance of faculty and industry experts, including interdisciplinary ones.
The general partner of the project in 2026 will be Rosatom and the Obninsk Institute for Nuclear Power Engineering — a branch of the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI.
Industrial partners of the project in 2026 include: Kontur, Ural Center for Security Systems, Sima-Land, JSC "Institute of Reactor Materials," LLC "Zdravmedtekh – Ural," the Alterna furniture factory, and software companies: ASCON, SprutCam, among others.
Structure of the project component (2 weeks):
- Specialized Module (Week 1): Training in single-discipline groups across 8 tracks (from law to nuclear physics, in Russian and English). The goal is deep subject immersion and the development of applied skills for the upcoming project.
- Interdisciplinary Intensive (Week 2): Formation of mixed international teams. Solving a complex project case from Rosatom that requires integrating the knowledge of all team members.
Key project-based learning approaches:
- Knowledge Integration (STEM + Social): tasks are designed so that success requires both technical calculations (physics, IT) and managerial decisions (economics) as well as humanities expertise (law, international relations).
- Real Client (Rosatom State Corporation): an "intensive design" methodology with a real industry case, simulating work in a corporate environment.
- Role Modeling: a role-distribution approach within teams, where each participant applies their area of expertise (for example: a physicist calculates neutron flux, an IT specialist visualizes data, an economist handles budgeting, a lawyer verifies international regulations).
- Cross-Cultural Communication: working in multilingual teams (Russian/English) to develop international collaboration skills.
- Outcome: a project defense where not only the overall solution is evaluated, but also each specialist's individual contribution to the shared task.
Cultural and Leisure Module
As part of the Summer University 2026 project at UrFU, all participants will enjoy a cultural and entertainment program featuring several types of activities.
Excursion Program
City Tour
Yekaterinburg is a city with a 300-year history. Participants will have the opportunity to explore the history of Yekaterinburg across the eras of the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union, and modern Russia by walking the Red Line and seeing key landmarks past and present. The excursion combines a bus ride from UrFU's main academic building along Lenin Avenue to the Central Stadium. During the bus tour, participants receive information about the city and see examples of constructivist architecture and major landmarks. The walking portion follows the famous Red Line along the dam and the Literary Quarter, ending at the Church on Blood.
UMMC Military and Automotive Museum
The Ural Mining and Metallurgical Company is one of Yekaterinburg's key enterprises and makes an enormous contribution to the city's infrastructure development. The company has opened one of the world's largest museums of military and automotive equipment and history. The UMMC Museum houses around 12,000 exhibits of military equipment, foreign automobiles, bicycles, and other vehicles. New pavilions are added every year, and the collection continues to grow.
Campus Tour
Novokoltsovsiky Campus: participants will be given tours of the university's new campus, where volunteers will show them the campus infrastructure, transport stops, sports facilities, the aquatics palace, the avenue of flags, and other notable sites.
Mayakovsky Park
Mayakovsky Park is one of Yekaterinburg residents' favorite leisure spots, hosting a wide range of outdoor events in summer. Participants will also be able to play chess, visit the community garden, and enjoy the open-air cinema.
Park of Fairy Tales, Aramil
Just 20 kilometers from Yekaterinburg, a real fairy tale comes to life: characters from Russian folk tales open their doors to visitors. At the Park of Fairy Tales you can ride on a traditional Russian stove, craft amulets with Danila the Master, try delicious pirozhki, and feed animals at the farmyard. The main stage hosts an entertainment program where visitors young and old learn traditional Russian games. The park grounds offer a leisurely stroll, a chance to sit by the river, and the feeling of being in a real Ural forest. It is also a wonderful opportunity to meet the characters from the tales of the renowned Ural writer Pavel Bazhov.
Excursion to the Europe–Asia Border Stele
Participants will visit the famous Europe–Asia border marker located near Yekaterinburg — a symbolic monument where you can stand with one foot in Europe and the other in Asia. The excursion offers a memorable experience at one of the Urals' most iconic landmarks.
Sports Workshop "The Great Race"
The UrFU Sports Club will host "The Great Race" team sports competition, where every team member can shine regardless of their athletic background or experience.
National Hospitality Evening
The National Hospitality Evening is an opportunity for participants to introduce their country's culture to the audience, showcase national costumes, and offer traditional cuisine. This vibrant evening is filled with dances and songs in different languages, highlighting the remarkable diversity of countries represented in the program.
Interactive Quiz
Summer University volunteers will form teams of participants to take on a fun quiz featuring music rounds and trivia.
INNOPROM Exhibition
INNOPROM is an industrial exhibition that brings together manufacturers and buyers from around the world. Participants will visit the exhibition, explore the stands, and meet representatives of various industrial companies from Russia and other countries. In 2026, the partner country of the event will be the Republic of Indonesia.
Visit to the Boris Yeltsin Museum
A guided tour of the exhibition dedicated to Russia's first president immerses participants in the past: here you can encounter the perestroika era, see a recreated Soviet-era shop counter, and visit the Ostankino room. The museum inspires not only through its history but also through its concept as a modern interactive exhibition. The building is located in the city center and offers a beautiful view.
Events
In the evenings, a variety of activities organized by the volunteer team and partners will be available for participants on campus:
Workshops by Participants and Partners
A selection of creative workshops organized for participants by our talented volunteers and partners.
Morning Workouts by Participants
A morning jog and dance workout on the stadium on sunny days — a great way to start the day (held weather permitting).
Board Games
We have gathered the most popular board games for participants to play on their own. On board game night, different stations will be set up with games and a host, so you can gather a big group and play your favorite game.
Chess Tournament
An annual tradition for chess enthusiasts to compete in an international match.
Guitar Evening
Singing together in different languages creates an atmosphere like no other. Even if you don't play or sing, come just to listen!