Founded in1804, Kazan University is the second oldest university in the Russian Federation associated with the names of famous public figure V.I. Ulianov-Lenin, great Russian writer L.N. Tolstoy, 7 Nobel Prize laureates and modern well-known statesman. University is located in a place where representatives of Islam and Christianity coexist for over 400 years. It is routinely listed among top 10 institutions of higher education in the country. In October 2009, the University received the high federal status.

KFU is a bright example of a classical university – source of fundamental knowledge and constant development. Nowadays Kazan Federal University is a dynamic modern University actively engaged into local and international cooperation and networking with academia and industry providing the region's human resources development as well as top-level research & innovation in unique subject areas. The University carefully preserves the traditions of its world renowned scientific schools of mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, and linguistics. Presently KFU prioritizes research in the following areas: pharmacy and biomedicine, oil extraction, refining and petrochemistry,cosmology, education.

KFU continues to serve as a leading national research centre, providing its students and staff, as well as academic visitors, with many laboratories, excellent museums, a botanical garden, research field stations, astronomic observatories and many other facilities. Our Lobachevsky Library, containing over five million works, is one of the largest and oldest in Russia. The University also has IT centers, publishing houses and a recreational centre that is at the heart of the cultural and sporting life of the city, as well as the 2013 World university games sport facilities.

The University is a recognized leader in international cooperation. Each year KFU members win dozens of grants from international foundations, involving themselves in projects with cutting-edge research centers in many countries. Our students and professors actively participate in bilateral research and exchange programs with partner institutions.