RUSSIA · MOSCOW
Moscow State University
public · Founded 1755 · Languages: ru, en, zh, ko, ja, ar
In short
Moscow State University, founded in 1755, is Russia's oldest and most prestigious university, offering strong programs in sciences and humanities with affordable tuition and living costs.
Key facts
- Type
- Public
- Founded
- 1755
- Students
- 38,150
- International students
- 5,000
- Acceptance rate
- 25%
- Tuition (intl)
- €4–9k/yr
- Languages
- RU, EN, ZH, KO, JA, AR
- Location
- Moscow, Russia
Lomonosov Moscow State University (MSU), founded in 1755, is Russia's oldest and most prestigious university and consistently the country's top-ranked institution in global league tables. Home to 43 faculties, 15 research institutes, and over 40,000 students, MSU is renowned worldwide for its strengths in mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, and computer science. Its alumni include 13 Nobel laureates and 6 Fields Medal winners, and its rigorous theoretical training tradition continues to produce world-class researchers and professionals.
Why study here
- Access to deep theoretical knowledge combined with practical and research work under expert faculty guidance.
- Opportunities to work in diverse sectors including academic institutions, government, finance, and leading IT companies.
- International cooperation agreements and student exchange programs with universities worldwide.
- Engagement with cutting-edge research, including in fields like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and complex materials science.
- Affordable tuition and low on-campus living costs relative to comparable research universities in the West.
Student life
MSU offers a vibrant student life with numerous opportunities for engagement beyond academics. The sprawling campus on Sparrow Hills includes student dormitories housing over 12,000 students, sports complexes, theatres, museums, and restaurants. Students participate in cultural events, KVN competitions, scientific societies, and art festivals. The university's proximity to central Moscow gives students unparalleled access to world-class museums, concert halls, and professional networks.
Fees
InternationalInternational students pay approximately RUB 350,000–800,000 (EUR 3,800–9,000) per year depending on the faculty and program level.
HomeRussian citizens who pass entrance exams with sufficient scores may study on state-funded (free) places; others pay tuition in the same range as international students.
LivingMoscow living costs run approximately EUR 500–900 per month, covering university dormitories (EUR 30–100/month), food, and transport.
Fees are denominated in Russian Rubles and are subject to annual revision. Citizens of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and the Kyrgyz Republic may have special fee arrangements under bilateral treaties.
Admissions
General Document SubmissionSubmit application, questionnaire, consent to personal data processing, copy of passport, and copy of higher education diploma or student certificate.
Entrance ExaminationsProgram-specific written or oral entrance exams are required for most faculties.
B2 or equivalentRequired for English-taught programs at Joint MSU-BIT University in Shenzhen
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 202587
Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025201-250
National Ranking (Russia)1
University scholarships
Russian Government ScholarshipFull tuition waiver plus stipend for qualifying international students
MSU Rector's ScholarshipSupplementary stipend for high-performing students
Accreditation
Moscow State University is accredited by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation.
Programs
a selectionMoscow State University · Russia
Adsorption in Inorganic Materials Technology
This course focuses on the fundamental concepts of adsorption theory and its application in inorganic materials technology. It covers the principles of industrial adsorbents, adsorption equilibrium, and kinetics. The course also delves into heat and mass transfer within adsorption processes. Students will explore the technology of adsorption processes, including methods for adsorbent regeneration and classification of processes based on regeneration techniques. Cyclic processes, construction of cyclograms, process organization, and adsorbent selection will be discussed with practical examples. The course details various types of adsorption processes, such as gas drying with thermal regeneration, focusing on schematic diagrams, technology, adsorbent types, and equipment. It also covers short-cycle adsorption (KSA) processes with non-thermal regeneration for gas drying and air separation, highlighting their technological and operational features.
Master's
Level
—
Tuition
—
Duration
Moscow State University · Russia
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: Neural Networks and Deep Learning
This program focuses on deep learning, a powerful set of AI techniques based on neural networks that have significantly improved performance in areas like computer vision, speech recognition, natural language processing, reinforcement learning, and bioinformatics. It covers the fundamentals of supervised and unsupervised learning within deep architectures, with a detailed look at convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and recurrent neural networks (RNNs). The applied part of the program emphasizes computer vision and natural language processing tasks. A strong practical component is integrated through numerous assignments.
Master's
Level
—
Tuition
3 mo
Duration
Moscow State University · Russia
Bachelors in Philosophy
This Bachelor's program in Philosophy is designed for high school graduates interested in contemporary intellectual movements, the history of thought, and the general laws governing the development of nature, society, and consciousness. Students will receive a comprehensive education encompassing humanities, natural sciences, economics, and specialized philosophical disciplines. The program equips graduates with skills for pedagogical, research, and organizational-management activities. Key areas of study include logic, ontology, theory of knowledge, social philosophy, history of philosophy, philosophy and methodology of science, ethics, aesthetics, philosophy of religion, philosophy of scientific disciplines, theory and practice of argumentation, philosophical anthropology, philosophy of language, philosophy of politics and law, and philosophy of education.
Bachelor's
Level
€6k
Tuition
—
Duration
Moscow State University · Russia
Biological Basis of Hunting Management
This Master's level course, "Biological Basis of Hunting Management," is designed for first-year master's students. It provides an in-depth understanding of the biology of game animals, principles of rational natural resource management, and the relevant legal framework. The program emphasizes practical applications of hunting science and the specifics of scientific and practical work within various hunting estates. The course aims to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges, approaches, and operational structures of hunting management in the context of current legislation and intensive animal resource utilization. A key objective is to foster an understanding of sustainable resource management, hunting grounds, and hunting science, along with methods for organizing hunting estates in the Russian Federation. Practical tasks and simulations of hunting estate management are integral parts of the curriculum.
Master's
Level
—
Tuition
12 mo
Duration
Moscow State University · Russia
Chemical Sciences Programs at Moscow State University
Moscow State University offers programs in Chemical Sciences that provide a strong foundation in theoretical and practical chemistry. The curriculum is designed to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of chemical principles, research methodologies, and their applications. Students will engage with fundamental concepts and advanced topics, preparing them for diverse career paths in scientific research, industry, and academia. The university emphasizes a rigorous academic environment coupled with opportunities for practical experience and engagement with cutting-edge scientific advancements.
Bachelor's
Level
—
Tuition
—
Duration
Moscow State University · Russia
Chemistry Program
This program delves into the fundamental concepts of inorganic chemistry, focusing on the classification and properties of the most important classes of inorganic substances. You will explore simple substances (metals and non-metals), oxides (acidic, basic, and amphoteric), hydroxides (acids, bases, and amphoteric hydroxides), and salts. The curriculum emphasizes understanding the classification criteria for these substances and how they relate to their chemical properties. The program covers the characteristics of metals, their reactions with non-metals and oxides, and their behavior in acidic solutions. It also details the definitions and properties of various types of oxides, including those that form salts (salt-forming) and those that do not (non-salt-forming). The structure and properties of acids and bases are examined, followed by a detailed look at salts, including acidic, neutral, and basic salts. Throughout the program, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the relationships between different classes of inorganic compounds and their roles in chemical reactions. The program aims to provide a solid foundation in inorganic chemistry, preparing students for further study or research in the field.
Bachelor's
Level
—
Tuition
—
Duration
Scholarships
for Russia
full fundingSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)
Skoltech University Scholarships
Open to international students of all nationalities applying to a full-time Master's (2 years, 120 ECTS) or PhD (3 to 4 years, 240 ECTS) programme at Skoltech in Moscow. Applicants need a strong academic record with research potential, must enrol full-time, and Master's applicants are required to pass an online subject test as part of selection. Scholarship renewal is subject to an annual academic performance review.
full
Funding
€20k
Max
Apr 28, 2027
Deadline
full fundingSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)
Skoltech Graduate Scholarships
Open to international and domestic students for fully funded Master's (MSc) and PhD study at Skoltech in Russia. Master's applicants need a relevant Bachelor's degree or equivalent from an accredited institution and a strong academic record; PhD applicants need a relevant Master's degree or equivalent and a strong research proposal aligned with Skoltech's objectives. All applicants must demonstrate English proficiency with a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 72 or equivalent. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
full
Funding
€8k
Max
-25d left
Deadline
tuition only fundingAssociation of Global Universities of Russia
Open Doors: Russian Scholarship Project
For prospective international master's and doctoral students who win the Open Doors olympiad. Winners gain the right to enrol at a participating Russian university without entrance examinations and to study tuition-free (on a state-funded basis). Applicants register online and compete in subject tracks.
tuition only
Funding
€6k
Max
Nov 1, 2026
Deadline
full funding
Wellcome Trust
Wellcome Trust Fellowships and Grants (for international researchers)
For researchers at different career stages working on health-related science. Wellcome funds a family of fellowships and grants — early-career, career-development, and discovery awards, plus team and translational funding — each with its own eligibility, value, and call deadline. There is no single scholarship application; you apply to the specific scheme that fits your stage and project.
full
Funding
€3000k
Max
Rolling
Deadline
full funding
Wellcome Trust
Wellcome International Training Fellowships
For early-career researchers based in low- and middle-income countries (outside the high-income world) who want protected time and support for research training in health, often including a PhD or postdoctoral research. Wellcome's scheme names and exact criteria change over time, so applicants should check the current relevant Wellcome funding scheme.
full
Funding
€150k
Max
Rolling
Deadline
full funding
European Commission - European Research Executive Agency (REA)
Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowships
Open to researchers of any nationality who hold a PhD (or will have defended their doctoral thesis by the call deadline) and have at most 8 years of full-time-equivalent research experience after the PhD. Applicants apply jointly with a host organisation - a university, research institution, business, SME, or other body based in an EU Member State or a country associated to Horizon Europe. European Postdoctoral Fellowships are open to all nationalities for a project inside the EU or an associated country; Global Postdoctoral Fellowships are reserved for EU nationals or long-term residents who carry out a phase in a third country before returning to Europe. Researchers who have been displaced by conflict and those restarting a research career after a break are explicitly encouraged to apply.
full
Funding
€100k
Max
Sep 10, 2026
Deadline
Frequently asked questions
What are the tuition fees for international students at Moscow State University?
+
International students can expect to pay approximately RUB 350,000–800,000 (EUR 3,800–9,000) per year. These fees vary depending on the faculty and program level and are subject to annual revision.
What are the living costs for students in Moscow?
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Living costs in Moscow are estimated at EUR 500–900 per month. This typically covers accommodation in university dormitories (which cost EUR 30–100/month), food, and transportation.
What are the main admission requirements for international students at MSU?
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Most programs require proficiency in Russian (at least B2 level), and applicants must submit general documents and pass program-specific entrance examinations. Some English-taught programs are available at the Joint MSU-BIT University in Shenzhen.
Does Moscow State University offer any scholarships for international students?
+
Yes, MSU offers the Russian Government Scholarship, which provides a full tuition waiver and stipend for qualifying international students. Additionally, the MSU Rector's Scholarship offers supplementary stipends for high-performing students.
What makes studying at Moscow State University unique?
+
MSU offers deep theoretical knowledge combined with practical research under expert faculty, and opportunities for engagement with cutting-edge research in fields like AI and quantum computing. It also provides access to a rich cultural environment in Moscow.
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