IT-Focused School Programs Gain Popularity Across Russia
Russia is seeing a rapid rise in interest in school-level IT education, with thousands of students choosing specialized technology programs
In Russia, interest in school‑level IT education is rapidly growing. New statistics were shared by Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, noting that about 10,000 students are now enrolled in specialized IT classes. Over six years, this number has increased tenfold.
A total of 178 IT classes have been opened in the Russian capital. Ninety percent of graduates continue into technology-focused universities such as MEPhI, ITMO, the Higher School of Economics, and others. IT specialties were the most popular choice among Russian graduates in 2025.
According to the mayor, students in these advanced classes study physics, mathematics, and computer science in depth. They learn programming, work with big data, design digital twins, and build 3D models. Modern IT classrooms function as full practical laboratories equipped with everything needed for advanced training—from robotics kits to microprocessor hardware.
From Competitions to Real-World Practice
Across Russia, a large number of tournaments and Olympiads are held throughout the year to identify the strongest young talents in programming, robotics, and other IT fields.
Students develop practical solutions for requests from technology companies. Winners can receive extra points toward university admissions, meaning the educational system emphasizes not only academic success but also future career potential. This helps build strong technical talent starting from school.
