Russia tempts foreigners with tailor-made courses

Russia is fast developing a new export industry - tailor-made courses in everything from cultural studies to business practices in the post-Communist world.

St Petersburg's North-West Technical University is offering customised courses in East-West business taught in English for foreign students keen to learn how to work in Russia's confusing but increasingly interesting commercial market.

The programme, which includes options in East-West trade, marketing in Russia, political affairs and Russian language courses, was designed to introduce undergraduates to business from the Russian rather than the western perspective.

Dmitry Raychuk, vice-rector for development at North-West Technical, said:

"The simple fact is that the best - and only - place to get acquainted with the Russian style of business is in Russia."

Courses are taught by Russian staff, with visiting lectures given by business people with experience of working within the country's market conditions.

St Petersburg State Technical University is also offering a range of courses in business, Russian studies and IT.

Such courses have one obvious attraction - low fees and Russia's cheap cost of living. At the State Technical University, average annual fees for bachelors courses are 46,000 roubles (£1,000) and for short courses, between 23,000 and ,000 roubles, including accommodation and meals.