The University was founded on the principle of integrating two models: the modern research university, participating in an international exchange of the most advanced research and expertise, and the entrepreneurial university, providing the training for competitively developing sectors of the national economy.

These goals are met at our single-campus University, which includes the recreational opportunities of Russky Island’s forests and comfortable, safe 800,000 square meter campus as a space for creative thinking and meaningful communication. Thanks to the innovative nature of FEFU’s educational and research centers, the flexible organization of training activities, the a wide range of educational programs based on standards set by the world's leading universities, and a faculty trained and versed in creating small innovative enterprises, the university occupies a worthy position in the international rankings. In accordance with the University’s Development Program, FEFU expects that by 2019 it will enter the top three hundred universities in the world, as ranked by the internationally recognized QS Quacquarelli Symonds educational specialists. 

FEFU participates in the 5top100 Academic Excellence Project, which is designed to stimulate emergence of Russia’s new advanced university leaders with effective management structure and international academic reputation, capable of setting the development trends of the international higher education industry.

FEFU Alumni Association is an organization that brings together FEFU alumni of all generations.

FEFU Endowment Foundation is one of the largest endowments amongst the Russian federal universities, which was established to promote relations of the University with the industry and alumni.