Baikal State University was found in 1930. The university is one of the strongest educational institutions in Russia in the field of Law, Economics and Management thanks to its highly qualified teaching staff and a powerful research base.

During its 90-year history, the university has made a significant contribution to the development of Russian economy, law and management.

Baikal State University has the unique geographical location and infrastructure. The university is situated in close proximity (60 km) to World Natural Heritage site – Lake Baikal. Moreover, its campus is located in the historical center of Irkutsk – within walking distance from the main attractions of the city.
In this regard, Baikal State University is a center of attraction for foreign students, as well as a key link in internationally oriented education in the region.

The main goal of the university is to train highly qualified specialists whose professionalism, knowledge of foreign languages and managerial skills allow them to be in demand and occupy leading positions both in Russia and abroad.

Today Baikal State University has:

– the modern campus located in the historic center of Irkutsk;
– 4 comfortable dormitories;
– the Khudozhestvenny movie theater and culture and leisure center;
– 10 scientific journals, a publishing house;
– media center, a TV studio
– the university library with a unique bookstock (over 1 billion items);
– the sports center.
International cooperation

Baikal State University is a recognized brand in the global academic space. This fact is a result of progressive implementation of the main university's goal – namely, the training of highly qualified specialists, whose professionalism and managerial skills allow them to be in demand and occupy leading positions not only in Russia, but also abroad.

The main areas of international activity of BSU are educational services for foreigners, interuniversity cooperation in scientific and educational spheres, participation in various international grant programs, as well as academic mobility.

One of the important areas of international activity of BSU is cooperation with leading universities in China. Among our partner universities are Dalian University of Foreign Languages, Beijing University of Foreign Economy and Trade, Jilin University of Economics and Finance, Liaoning University, Harbin State Commercial University, Shandong Professional Institute of Foreign Languages, Tianjin University of Foreign Languages, etc.
In cooperation with Shenyang Polytechnic University and Beijing University of Foreign Economy and Trade, BSU implements double degree programs for Russian students. International educational programs are being implemented for Chinese students in collaboration with Manchurian Institute of Inner Mongolia University and Zhongnan University of Economics and Law.
Most students studying Chinese have the opportunity to train at Chinese universities under different grants of the PRC's Government. Teachers from Chinese universities, as well as numerous Chinese students studying at BSU, help to make the process of mastering the language more successful and interesting.

BSU is actively cooperating with French universities. Joint research and educational projects are being implemented within the framework of long-term cooperation with the oldest university in Europe, Sorbonne University (Paris). For 15 years, partnerships have been developing with the University of Côte d'Azur (Nice) – international scientific conferences are regularly held, applicants are in demand for double diploma programs, within which training at a partner university is provided for a semester. Every year the University of Cote d'Azur hosts summer language internships for BSU students of any field of study.

For more than 70 years, BSU has been successfully training domestic labors for Mongolia. In recent years, relations between our university and Mongolia have moved to a new level. Cooperation with Mongolian Academy of Sciences, Mongolian Association of BSU Alumni, Mongolian State University, Mongolian State University of Science and Technology, etc. is being implemented nowadays.

Baikal State University also actively cooperates with educational and scientific organizations in Germany – the University of Potsdam, Zittau/Görlitz Graduate School of the University of Applied Sciences and Passau University. BSU students have the opportunity to study in all undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate programs implemented by the University of Potsdam during the semester.

Within the framework of cooperation with Austria, BSU together with Vienna University of Applied Sciences with the support of ERASMUS + is implementing English-language master's program majoring in "Banking and Finance". Students who have passed the competitive selection are sent to study at a partner university for one semester.

Since 2005, the Canadian business school Richard Ivey at the University of Western Ontario (Canada), within the framework of the LEADER Project program, annually conducts training seminars for students in Business Administration at BSU. Based on the results of the classes, students receive a certificate from Richard Ivey Business School.

Membership in International Associations

Baikal State University is partnering with educational and scientific organizations from more than 20 countries. It is a member of the following international scientific and educational associations as:
– Eurasia-Pacific University Association;
– University Alliance of Silk Road;
– Russian-Chinese Association of Economic Universities;
– Eurasian Association of Universities;
– AlpeSibérie Association;
– Eurcasia Association.

BSU graduates are in great demand in Russian and international labor markets. The main business partners of BSU are Russian and international employing companies, as well as authorities of the municipal, regional and federal levels. BSU is included in the TOP of the best Russia's universities in terms of the salary level of young specialists in the field of economics, finance and management.
Baikal State University has been allocated 90 quota places for undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate programs for the 2021/2022 academic year. A wide range of scholarships and other forms of motivation is available to foreign students at BSU. All the foreign students enrolled to the state-funded places within the framework of quotas, allocated by the Government of the Russian Federation, receive monthly scholarships (regardless of the candidates' success).

A preparatory faculty for foreign citizens (with various levels of Russian language proficiency) functions at BSU. It successfully implements the educational program "Russian as a foreign language", after which students are given the opportunity to take state certified testing (TORFL) and get a certificate confirming the level of Russian language proficiency as foreign. BSU organizes summer and winter language schools for foreign students, the main focus of which is speaking practice, study of regional geography and Russian culture, thematic international and national cultural student events and competitions with the participation of Russian students. The training program also includes guided tours around Irkutsk and Lake Baikal.

The modern system of distance and hybrid learning has been implemented at BSU; the campus and dormitories have access to the high-speed Internet. All the classes are conducted by highly qualified teachers with good experience in training of foreign citizens.