Nizhny Novgorod State Pedagogical University named after Kuzma Minin (Minin University, NGPU) is a federal state budgetary educational institution of higher education located at Ulyanova Street, Nizhny Novgorod.[1] It is one of the largest pedagogical universities in Russia, founded in 1911.[2] Three quarters of the teachers in Nizhny Novgorod Region are graduates of Minin University.[1]

History

The university's history begins in 1911, when the Nizhny Novgorod Teachers' Institute was founded in Nizhny Novgorod.[2] In 1918 it was renamed the Nizhny Novgorod Pedagogical Institute.[2] In 1919 the institute merged with a teachers' seminary, resulting in the Institute of Public Education.[2] In 1921, by order of the People's Commissariat for Education (Narkompros), the institution regained its former name, the Nizhny Novgorod Pedagogical Institute.[2] In 1926 the institute became part of Nizhny Novgorod University as its pedagogical faculty, and in 1930 it regained independent status under the name Nizhny Novgorod (Gorky) State Pedagogical Institute.[2] In 1993 the institution was reorganized as a university, and in 2011, through a merger with the Volga State University of Engineering and Pedagogy, it received its current name: NGPU named after Kuzma Minin (Minin University). Since 2020 the university has been headed by Rector Viktor Sdobnyakov. According to an assessment by Russia's Ministry of Education, in the 2020s Minin University entered the top five pedagogical universities in the country and became a participant in the "Priority 2030" program.[5][2]

Structure and educational programs

The university has 11 faculties offering about 60 core educational programs.[2] The faculties include humanities, natural sciences, mathematical and computer sciences, management and social-technical services, design, fine arts and media technologies, psychology and pedagogy, and physical culture and sports.[1] The university trains subject teachers, primary school and preschool educators, psychologists, linguists, engineers, managers, artists, and designers.[1]

In 2026, 1,312 state-funded places were allocated for full-time study programs: 966 at the bachelor's level, 8 in the specialist program, and 338 at the master's level.[2] The average passing score for admission is 213; the highest score was recorded for the programs "Design / Environmental Design" and "Economics / Economics and Finance" at 244, and the lowest for the track "Pedagogical Education with Two Profiles / Social Studies and Fundamentals of Religious Culture and Secular Ethics" at 187.[2] Tuition starts at 165,000 rubles per year.[2] The university holds license No. 2357 dated August 30, 2016.[2]

Faculty, Students, and Research

Teaching and research at the university are carried out by 630 instructors, among them more than 50 doctors of science and about 240 candidates of science.[2] Every year, more than 80% of graduates find jobs in their field.[2] Currently, students from 27 countries study at the university, and international cooperation is actively developing. Minin University oversees a pedagogical district that includes the Ivanovo and Vladimir Regions: with the university's assistance, the opening of psychology and education classes and engineering classes is planned there.[5][1] The university conducts research jointly with other educational institutions, research centers, public organizations, and government bodies — primarily in the fields of pedagogy, education management, applied psychology, and philosophy.[1]

Links

Sources

  1. Zhivyom v Nizhnem — The university's rector is Viktor Sdobnyakov, who first headed the university six years before his reelection and received an absolute majority of votes in the repeat
  1. Newsroom24 — Since 2020, the university has been headed by rector Viktor Sdobnyakov.
  1. Vremya N — In October 2026, Viktor Sdobnyakov was reelected rector of Minin University, winning a majority of votes in the election. Also running for the position was
  1. informio.ru — Kozma Minin Nizhny Novgorod State Pedagogical University — Informio (archive)
  2. kp.ru — Minin University. Kozma Minin Nizhny Novgorod State Pedagogical University 2026: faculties, institutes, programs of study,… (archive)
  3. 2026.mininuniver.ru (archive)