Rostov-on-Don State University is an educational, scientific and production unit, consisting of 11 faculties: Biology and Soil, Geology and Geography, Mechanics and Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, History, Psychology, Philology and Journalism, Philosophy, Economics, and Law. There are 7 research institutes, including Biology, Geochemistry of Atmosphere, Mechanics and Applied Mathematics, Neurocybernetics, Physics, Physical and Organic Chemistry, and the Northern Caucasus Research Institute for Economic and Social Problems, the “Piezopribor” Scientific and Technology Design Office, a Computer Centre, a University Library, the University Press, an Institute for Retraining and Improvement of Teachers' Proficiency in Humanities and Social Sciences, an agricultural research centre, including an Experimental Farm, the fieldwork centre “ Nikel” (Adygeya), a summer recreation and sport camp ”Limanchick” on the Black Sea and many other teaching and research branch units.

The teaching staff of Rostov State University has high scientific and academic potential. There are currently 1007 teachers and 1120 researchers in the university staff including 12 Full Members and Associate Members of the Academy of Sciences, 178 Doctors of Science and Full Professors, more than 1912 Candidates of Science (Ph.D. equivalent), 11 National Prize - Winners, and 14 Distinguished Scientists of the Russian Federation.
The university students are trained in 26 specializations; Scientific Boards are fully accredited to award Candidate and Doctoral degrees in 30 specializations.

Rostov State University is traditionally known for its scholars’ contribution to research in various sciences. Their successes are especially evident in the field of analysis and synthesis of certain organic compounds, electronic and spatial composition of molecular structures, development of new highly effective ferroelectric materials and their production technologies, nondistructing control methods, theoretical and applied problems of mechanical engineering, construction and architecture, fundamental and applied problems of brain cybernetics, problems of artificial intellect, automatized medical and biological systems, development of new management concepts for market economy and the dialectics of material and spiritual culture.

International activities in Rostov State University include undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate training of international students, on both a scholarship and a tuition basis, joint research projects, and student and teacher exchange programs.

The “Internauka” Centre for International Academic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation was founded by Rostov State University together with other regional institutions of higher education The regional branch of the academic mobility service is being created on the basis of the Centre, together with other universities of the Northern Caucasus. In the “Russian Universities” research project of the State Committee for Higher Education of Russia, Rostov State University was designated the leading institution in the field of “The Integration of Russian Universities into the World System of Science, Education and Culture, with Special Attention to Regional Features and Peculiarities.” The university also heads the program in establishing the Rostov Innovation and Technology Centre.
The scholars of Rostov State University have strong and productive international contacts with scholars and researchers from the USA, Germany, Great Britain, France, Israel, Italy, Yugoslavia, Poland, China, Turkey, Bulgaria, Greece and other countries.

Rostov State University is taking part in a number of trans-European projects on education, including “TEMPUS-2”, “TACIS” and others. Included among its partners are the University of Dortmund (Germany), Strathclyde University (Glasgow, the UK), Purian University (Greece), New York University (USA) etc.
According to the Law on Education, Rostov-on-Don State University was accredited in all of its 26 specializations by the State Certifying Commission for Institutions of Higher Learning of the Russian Federation.