Founded in 1724, St. Petersburg State University is the oldest institution of higher education in Russia. During the 290 years of its existence University secured the right to be acknowledged as one of the best institutions of higher education in Russia: its rich history, modern large-scale research activities, development and innovations make University ahead of the curve in the field of Russian science.
At present, there are more than 32,000 students in University, receiving education in more than 323 specialties in 24 faculties. University's staff comprises almost 14,000 people, including nearly 6,000 teachers (1,000 Doctors of Science, over 2,000 Candidates of Science, 42 Academicians of state academies) who represent 289 academic departments. The University has everything to enjoy studies, hobbies and research: the richest Research Library named after Maksim Gorky, research institutes, museums, the big University publishing house, the University choir of students, graduates and teachers, clubs (from rugby and orienteering to the Ingria search party), etc.
In November 2009, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed a law granting St. Petersburg State University the special status of \"a unique scientific and education complex, an oldest institution of higher education in Russia being of a great importance to the development of the Russian society\". The right of giving its own diplomas with the official symbols of the Russian Federation has also been granted to University.
