Why ISU?

Despite the geographical distance from the capital of Russia, Moscow, Irkutsk and Irkutsk Oblast, a picturesque region of the country, nevertheless have a rich history, Siberian climate, and great opportunities for visiting students and residents alike.

1. The Irkutsk Oblast is located in the very heart of Siberia. Its capital is the city of Irkutsk. The distance from Moscow to Irkutsk is five thousand kilometres. The oblast ranks 6th out of the 20 political regions in Siberia in terms of area. The airport enjoys international status with connections to several nearby nations. 

2. The history of the Irkutsk Oblast takes its beginning in 1682 when the Domain (Voivode) of Irkutsk was formed which was then restructured into a province in 1719. In the whole of the oblast, there are 2.700.000 residents accounting for 30% of the entire population of Eastern Siberia. The main city of this territory is the city of Irkutsk, founded in 1661, and maintaining to this day more than 600,000 people.

3. The Irkutsk Oblast is characterised as having a sharply continental climate with very long and cold winters with little atmospheric precipitation. Nevertheless, the summers are rather warm and humid. The average yearly temperature doesn't excede 0ºC anywhere in the oblast.

In the coldest month of winter, January, the temperature ranges from -20 to -50ºC. In July, the warmest month, the average temperature is +18ºC with a maximum temperature of +37ºC. The longest season is winter, lasting on average 180-200 days. Particularly in winter do you have the unique opportunity to contemplate and enjoy the winter beauty of the city, region, and Baikal. Regarding the number of sunny days, Irkutsk and the southern part of the oblast are comparable to Southern California, averaging 300 days of sunshine per year.

4. Irkutsk today is a major industrial, academic, and cultural center. The city is fairly well situated on the banks of the Angara river, 65 km from lake Baikal.

Irkutsk is home to one of the branches of the Scientific Academy, maintaining eight institutes of science. There are ten universities, sixty-eight libraries, eighty schools, a drama theatre, musical theatre, puppet theatre, children's theatre, organ hall, entertainment venues, restaurants, and a multitude of cafes, all located in Irkutsk.

• Study at ISU is an opportunity to realize one’s dream and see the unique natural complex – lake Baikal.
• Study at ISU is an opportunity to conduct interdisciplinary research at lake Baikal
• Study at ISU provides one with the unique opportunity to make new friends from partner universities in Asia and Europe.
• Study at ISU gives one the opportunity to visit a multitude of tourist and cultural-ethnographic sites.