The primary goal of USU international activities is the extension and development of scientific and cultural relationships with international partners. The university supports existing relationships and establishes new contacts with higher education institutions and organizations in the USA, Germany, France, China, Czech Republic, Japan, and CIS countries.
Currently, among the partners of USU, there are about 25 universities from far and near abroad.
Within the framework of cooperation with US universities, the International Faculty of USU is implementing a "double degree" program in economics in cooperation with Wesleyan College (Macon, Georgia, USA) and ILAC College (Toronto, Canada).
There is a cooperation with the Fulbright Program in Russia, which provides for the work of a scholar of the program at USU, holding English classes for students of the Institute of International Relations.
Under the cooperation agreements between USU and German universities, they carry out joint academic programs, during which students of the International Faculty can get "double degrees". USU partners in Germany include: the University of Duisburg-Essen (Duisburg, Essen), the University of Osnabrück (Osnabrück). Osnabrück), Hochschule Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences (Krefeld), Furtwangen University (Furtwangen).
Within the framework of cooperation with the Higher School of Niederrhein, the university holds annual German-Russian seminars in the field of business with the participation of students of the Russian-German Faculty of USU and the Nizhny Novgorod State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering.
Together with the Higher School of Niederrhein, the University annually organizes international seminars-hackathons "jHack", which are attended by students studying programming at the Faculty of Mathematics, Computer Science and Aviation Technologies of USU.
Cooperation with the Representative Office of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) provides for the work of a German lecturer based on the USU to conduct German language classes, consultations on training and research opportunities in Germany, seminars for German language teachers, and cultural events.
The Russian-German Center for Culture, Education, Science and Innovation, which operates at USU, is formed to increase the attractiveness of the German language and increase interest in relations with Germany. The center's partner in the field of language and culture is the Goethe German Cultural Center.
The International Linguistic and Cultural Center named after Antoine de Saint-Exupery also operates at USU, it`s purpose is to implement activities aimed at learning the French language and getting acquainted with the culture of French-speaking countries, conducting scientific research, organizing project activities in the field of intercultural communications.
Among USU partners are about 10 Chinese higher educational institutions, and cooperation with them includes the implementation of joint educational projects: organization of exchanges of students, teachers and scientists, seminars, Olympiads, symposiums and scientific conferences for students and young scientists of the two countries.
Joint activities with Handan University (Handan, Hebei province ) are also actively developing in the field of health-saving technologies that preserve health, in particular, in the field of popularization of ancient Chinese health practices, as part of the work of the International Academy of Qigong and Taijiquan in the Russian-Chinese Center for Strategic Partnership of USU.
In 2019, USU for the third time carried out the Russian-Chinese Youth Business Incubator - a unique project that has been implemented in the Russian Federation since 2016 to establish business relations at the international level.
The University is also a co-organizer of major international scientific events. Together with the Government of the Ulyanovsk Region and the Scientific Center of Neurology of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, the All-Russian Scientific and Practical conferences "Nexus Medicus" on neurology, phlebology, angiology, cardiovascular medicine, surgery, gynecology, and urology are held annually with the participation of representatives of the Mayo Clinic (USA) and leading European clinics.
In addition, under the auspices of the World Association of Phlebologists, an international training course "Academy of Advanced Areas of Phlebology" is held under the auspices of the World Association of Phlebologists, with the participation of leading specialists from Brazil, Italy, Spain, Argentina, and India.
To promote academic exchange, the university holds regular meetings for students, postgraduates and teachers with the coordinators of such international educational organizations as DAAD, Fulbright.
Currently, about 2490 foreign citizens from 41 countries of the world are studying at USU.