The article discusses various aspects of internationalization, organization and development of the international activities in SPbPU and assesses the impact of these processes on the international competitiveness of the university. The internationalization process includes components such as the development of international academic partnership with foreign universities, research institutions, high-tech companies; development of international academic mobility; internationalization of the composition of academic staff and students; development and implementation of international educational programs. Based on the analysis of the university’s performance, we have demonstrated the effectiveness of the mechanisms that are used in SPbPU for the sustainable development of international activity, which contributes to the university’s reputation in the international academic and business communities and allows the Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University retain its place among the world's leading universities.