Currently, SSU is one of the biggest educational, scientific and cultural centers in Russia. As a result of 1998 integration process, several new institutions became parts of SSU structure. These institutions include:

• Saratov Pedagogical Institute with its 6 departments: Foreign Languages, Russian Philology, Music and Pedagogy, Correction Pedagogy & Special Psychology, Elementary Education, Exercise & Sport Science;
• Balashov affiliation of SSU with its departments: Physics & Mathematics, Philology, Psychology & Social Sciences, Ecology & Biology, Pedagogy, Economics, Foreign Languages;
• Yablochkov College of Radioelectronics including its departments: Machine Building, Radioelectronics and Technology Department
• Geology College with its 3 departments: Economics & Law, Topography, Oil Industry Management; and
• College of Administration and Service.

The new consolidated university has 28 departments offering specializations in more than 90 fields. It provides a broad variety of learning experiences. The Classical University includes 13 departments: Physics, Nonlinear Processes, Mathematics & Mechanics, Computer Sciences & Information Technologies, Geology, Geography, Biology, Chemistry, History, Philology, Social & Humanitarian Sciences, Philosophy and Sociology. There is also a Preparatory department at the Classical University that provides special preparation for those entering the university and/or its affiliations. The Preparatory department also provides Russian language and literature classes for international students.

SSU integrates 4 scientific research institutes: Institute of Mechanics & Physics, Institute of Chemistry, Institute of Geology, and the Physics of Nonlinear Systems Institute. Additional resources include the Volga Region Center for New Innovative Technologies, Institute of Additional Professional Education, Botanic Garden, Regional Scientific Library, Language and Culture Center, the "Slovo" Center of Public Relations, Publishing and Poligraphy department, Testing Center, School of Young Journalists, and Student Club.

The V.A. Artisevich Regional Scientific Library is the special pride of the university. It was founded at the same time as the university, in 1909. It is one of the largest libraries in Russia. At present there are about 3 million books and other printed materials, including more than 50,000 samples of rare books with collections of manuscripts, West European inculabuli and paleotypes, the first publications in Slavic languages, 18th century publications & books autographed by outstanding writers. In addition to its extensive archives, the library contains a wide array of computer technologies that provide full-text access to electronic printed resources, catalogs of books and periodicals, including access to specialized scientific and technical journals.

Famous scholars and scientists who have been affiliated with SSU include the biologist & geneticist N.I.Vavilov, worldknown mathematicians I.G.Petrovsky, A.Y. Hinchina, A.G.Kurosh, V.V.Vagner, philologists V.M.Zhirmunsky, A.P.Skaftimov, J.G.Oksman, V.N.Shevchik, chemists V.V. Chelintsev, I.C.Mustafin, N.A.Shlezinger, A.A.Ponomarev, H.V.Mertslin, biologists A.A.Rihter, N.A.Maksimov, D.K.Zernov, and geologists B.A.Mozharovsky and A.I.Olli.

SSU prioritizes the following areas of scientific study:

• Biophysics, Biochemistry & Physiology of Man & Animals, Genetics, Cytogenetics, Microbiology, Plant & Animal Ecology, Zoology;
• Engineering Psychology, Economics;
• Landscape Geography, Meteorology, Geodesy, Paleonthology, Petrophysics, Mineralogy, Geophysical Methods of Exploration, Hydrogeology & Geological Engineering, Archeological Excavations in Saratov & the Volga Area;
• History of the Independence Movement in Russia, History of Russian, Soviet & Foreign Literature; Problems of Verbal & Literary Communication, History & Theory of Literary Criticism, Russian Folklore, Modern Russian, Theoretical Problems of Language Studies;
• Theoretical & Applied Mathematics, Mathematical Cybernetics, Computing Experiment in Mechanics;
• Nonlinear Dynamics, Science of Waves, Radiophysics, Electronics, Nuclear Physics, Solids-state Physics, Semiconductor Physics, Optics, Astronomy & Space Science, Spectroscopy;
• Solids-state Chemistry, Chemical Resources of Current, Wastewater Treatment, Organic Semiconductors, Composites, High-temperature Superconductivity.

SSU is actively involved in national and international scientific research. A considerable amount of money is received through grants from Russian and international funds. During the last 5 years, SSU professors have received over 200 grants for scientific research.

There are 15 specialized dissertation councils, including 12 specialized councils for defending doctoral degrees and 3 specialized councils for defending candidate’s degrees. In the recent 5 years University faculty have matriculated more than 500 candidates with doctoral degrees and published 316 monographs. A large number of University teachers and students have been honored with the titles of Soros Professor, Soros Associate Professor, and Soros Student.

The faculty and the students have collaborated in designing the following international educational programs:

• The Tempus Tacit Program, “MOCT-MOST”with participants from Salford University (Great Britain), Hanover University & Magdeburg University (Germany) and Saratov University (Russia));
• The “University Management & Financial Reform” program in cooperation with Wyoming University;
• The “Partnership for Improvement of Education” program in cooperation with East Carolina University.

In February 1998, SSU and Blaise Pascal University (France, Clermont-Ferrand) agreed to begin an exchange program. SSU and Wyoming University have also awarded certificates to their project participants.

Recently, SSU has launched a student exchange project in collaboration with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (USA) & Western Michigan University (USA). This exchange includes a Summer Camp for Russian-language study by foreign students, with certificates awarded to those completing the course.

In 1998, the Open Society Institute of the Soros Foundation supported the establishment of the University INTERNET Center. It functions as a unified structure open to all, and allows access to domestic and foreign information resources.

Also in 1998, the Saratov International Center for Perspective Research began under the auspices of the Soros Program, “Intellectual Bridge West-East for Russian Regions.” The College of Applied Sciences was established in 1992. It is a two-level structure combines both secondary and higher levels of education, and contains a unified teaching and methodology system.

In 1991, the University founded the Volga scientific and technical park, which ranks 3rd in Russia and unites 23 educational, scientific & industrial organizations in the Saratov region. The State Publishing Center at Saratov has its own editing and publishing complex which gives researchers the opportunity to publish their research works, teaching and methodology brochures, and manuals. The Center publishes the nationally distributed scientific and technical journal, Bulletin of Higher Educational Institutions for Applied Nonlinear Dynamics.

In November 2001, Saratov Inter-Regional Institute of Social Sciences (MION) was founded, as part of the Inter-Regional Studies in Social Sciences framework. The main purposes of the Saratov branch are to support individual researchers /research groups, to stimulate participation in research projects launched by MION, and to build professional and research community partnerships in provincial cities and towns of Russia. MION is a new form of organization of fundamental and applied humanities studies conducted by SSU scholars as well as scholars from other Russian universities of Russia.

The SSU botanic garden is a complex, which is unique not only for the Low Volga area but also for the whole Southeast region of Russia. Its uniqueness is based on the fact that it borders on 3 botanic and geographic zones: semi desert, steppe & forest-steppe zones, which are characterized by dynamic development processes. The main objective of research conducted by its faculty is to improve plant growth and plant bearing. The genofund of the garden numbers 2,200 species of plants.

On obtaining professional and practical skills in various areas, SSU graduates find employment in higher educational institutions, research centers, big industrial companies, computer centers, laboratories & design bureaus, participate in various expeditions, meteorology stations, banks, etc. The most talented SSU graduates are given the opportunity to take postgraduate courses and receive Master’s or Doctor’s degrees.

University education is still immensely prestigious in Russia. It offers social protection and support to the younger generation. A Saratov University graduation certificate is a pass allowing entrance into the challenging and dynamic life of modern Russia.