Development studies often aim to prepare students to perform a deep investigation of the developing world. To this end, an academic program in this discipline might engage with any number of issues facing developing economies and societies.

Russia (Russian: Россия) is by far the largest country in the world, covering more than one-eighth of the Earth's inhabited land area. The former State Committee for Higher Education in Russia financed 240 universities, academies and institutes, making Russia a solid country to study in.