Going to university: Russian graduates choose engineering
In 2026, for the first time in several years, engineering faculties became more attractive to Russian applicants than IT fields, data from universities and career guidance studies showed. Mechanical engineering, energy, physics, materials science, as well as specialties at the intersection of technology and medicine are emerging as leaders. Experts attribute the change of vector to the growing demand for specialists in industry and believe that the new trend will continue for at least another five years. Why young people are interested in engineering again is in the Izvestia article.
Where do students go to school
Applicants are increasingly choosing specialties related to engineering, energy, materials and production processes, Russian universities told Izvestia. At the same time, students' interest in engineering professions is formed long before they enter the institute. According to the Ticket to the Future project, the professions of an energy engineer, a thermal engineer, an electrical engineer, an engineer for control and measuring devices and automation, as well as a design engineer are among the most attractive areas for students.
For example, interest in mechanical engineering has unexpectedly increased at Tomsk Polytechnic University, Acting Rector Leonid Sukhov told Izvestia. The passing score for this faculty has increased by 60 points in three years — the competition has more than doubled.
— There is a growing demand for graduates from the industry. Enterprises are in dire need of technologists and designers. After graduation, you can work in absolutely any field with a high salary — from the oil and gas and nuclear industries to medical production," he explained.
Novosibirsk State Technical University also records an increase in interest in applied engineering areas and specialties related to technology development.
— Physics is one of the areas showing significant growth compared to previous periods. In two years, we have recorded an almost twofold increase in the number of applications, which indicates the formation of a sustained interest in fundamental science as the basis for a technological breakthrough," said Igor Marchuk, Acting Rector of the University, Professor of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Physico—Mathematical Sciences.
According to him, the record holder in terms of growth rates is the field of Materials Science and Technology of Materials. Even at the interim stage of the current campaign, the number of applications exceeds the totals of two years ago.
Increased interest in engineering specialties has been recorded for several years at Ural Mining University, Siberian Federal University, Far Eastern Federal University, National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, Perm Polytechnic University. The trend is also reflected in the choice of subjects for the Unified State Exam: in Russia, the number of schoolchildren who successfully passed the physics exam has increased, Alexey Egorov, Deputy Executive Secretary of the Admissions Committee of the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, told Izvestia.
Margarita Kuznetsova, head of the new enrollment office at SibFU, noted that in the Krasnoyarsk Territory the number of graduates who passed the Unified State Exam in physics increased by 16.8% compared to last year.
Novosibirsk State University and Ural Federal University note a high interest in both IT and engineering fields. In addition, artificial intelligence-related programs were in high demand at UrFU this year.
The popularity of technological specialties is also noted at the Siberian Medical University. There is now an increased demand for the areas of "Medical Biophysics", "Medical Biochemistry", "Pharmacy".
— The average EXAM score in these areas increased by 20-25% in 2025 compared to 2024. In 2026, we see an increase in this trend," said Ekaterina Sannikova, Executive Secretary of the admissions Committee of the Medical University.
At the Bauman Moscow State Technical University, this trend was noticed back in 2024: engineering areas began to be in greater demand than IT.
— It is too early to draw conclusions about the popularity of destinations in 2026. However, in terms of the total number of applications, we are already significantly ahead of the previous year's figures," the university stressed.
According to a SuperJob study and the Ticket to the Future project, 15% of schoolchildren chose to study engineering this year. And the IT areas that were leading before were selected by only 12% of graduates.
What other specialties are popular
In addition to IT and engineering, HSE also requires training in economics and management, as well as media, Alexander Chepovsky, Director of Strategic Work with applicants, told Izvestia. And Perm Polytechnic maintains a high interest in "Public Relations and advertising."
At the Far Eastern Federal University, many applicants choose faculties related to the study of Oriental languages and culture of these countries. And at Altai State University, the programs of the natural science cycle and the social profile are of great interest.
The Lobachevsky National Research Nizhny Novgorod State University also noticed a shift in interest away from IT: this year, the most sought-after profile here was Law.
— In general, the most popular destinations have maintained their positions for three to five years. We can single out economics, law, information technology and journalism," said Pavel Agrba, Head of the Department of Career Guidance and Admission of university Applicants.
"Jurisprudence" turned out to be in the top at Tomsk State University. In previous years, Applied Computer Science and Engineering was the leader. The university also noticed an interest in the fields of Biology and History.
High competition for biology-related fields is expected at MIPT.
—The trend in 2026 is to move away from mass "pure" specialties in favor of applied engineering and natural science fields, which indicates a more conscious and pragmatic choice of young people," explained Anna Korshunova, head of the TSU New recruitment Department.
This year, applicants are showing interest in professions at the intersection of technology and other fields in order to further solve professional problems, including in the digital environment, Tatyana Bondarenko, Associate Professor of the Department of Finance for Sustainable Development, Deputy head of the Higher School of Finance at Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, told Izvestia.
"First of all, this is due to the digitalization of the economy and the development of artificial intelligence technologies, which create a steady demand for relevant specialists," she stressed.
Why choose engineering professions
Over the past 10 years, IT specialties have traditionally been associated with high salaries, privileges, remote work and other bonuses, noted the Bauman Moscow State Technical University. However, now the labor market in this area is undergoing a radical transformation.
At the same time, graduates of classical engineering fields become leaders in terms of salary, Boris Ilyukhin, senior researcher at the Center for Economics of Continuing Education at the Presidential Academy, told Izvestia.
—Universities work closely with employers, offer students opportunities for internships and internships, and upon graduation, graduates receive a sought—after profession in the energy, communications, manufacturing or nuclear industries, and often a virtually guaranteed job offer," he stressed.
Mining engineers, for example, even at the start receive about 117 thousand rubles a month, Gleb Batrak, rector of the Ural State Mining University, told Izvestia.
According to Pavel Agrba, the growth in the number of applications for engineering and natural sciences specialties will continue for quite a long time.
"Until the labor market becomes saturated, and then the focus will shift to other engineering industries," he stressed.
The trend will continue to grow for at least another five years, as it is driven not by fashion, but by structural changes in the economy: the transition to technological sovereignty, a shortage of personnel in the real sector and long-term government programs, Anna Korshunova believes. Igor Marchuk shares a similar opinion.
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