Belgorod State University (BelGU) is one of the largest universities in the Belgorod region, with around 30,000 students and a campus in the southern part of the city centre. The university was founded in 1876 as a teacher's institute and has grown significantly since Soviet times. Its presence gives the city a noticeably younger energy and a better cafe and restaurant scene than most comparable Russian provincial cities.
The university's main building is a large modern complex visible from much of the southern city. For visitors, BelGU matters mainly as context — it explains the relatively cosmopolitan character of Belgorod and is the reason the city has decent cultural amenities. The campus gardens are open and pleasant to walk through in good weather.