MGIMO University
Московский государственный институт международных отношений (МГИМО) МИД России
The Russian Foreign Ministry's university for international relations, law and economics, teaching 56 foreign languages.
- Tuition
- RUB 750K
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1944
- QS World Ranking
- #639
- 2027 edition
- Campus
- Urban
About MGIMO
MGIMO, the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, was founded on 14 October 1944 on the basis of Moscow State University's School of International Relations, and is run by Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It was set up to train diplomats and has since grown into a university covering international relations, economics, law, business, political science, journalism and other social sciences and humanities.
The university has 14 schools and institutes and four campuses: its main site on Vernadsky Prospekt in south-west Moscow, a branch in Odintsovo outside Moscow, and branches in Tashkent and Astana. It offers more than 60 programmes across 18 fields of study, eight of them fully in English, and holds a Guinness World Record for the number of foreign languages taught; the Russian government's study portal gives the figure as 56.
Most bachelor's teaching is in Russian, with English-taught options such as Politics and International Relations and joint degrees with the Swiss School for International Relations in Geneva. The university reports about 1,300 foreign students, from more than 90 countries. It suits students who want a language-heavy education in diplomacy, international law or economics and are comfortable studying in Russian, or who are aiming for one of the English-taught tracks.
Why students choose MGIMO
Language training is central: the university teaches 56 foreign languages, a Guinness World Record according to the Russian government's study portal.
English-taught bachelor's programmes include Politics and International Relations, and Government, International Politics and Law, with joint MGIMO-Geneva degrees in Multilateral Diplomacy, International and Comparative Law, and International Finance and Investment Management that award two diplomas.
Winners of the MGIMO International School Olympiad for foreign citizens can study free of charge on a bachelor's or preparatory programme.
Graduates listed by the university include 3 presidents, 8 prime ministers and 10 foreign ministers.
Admissions
2027 entry (bachelor's, academic year 2027/28)
Selectivity
MGIMO does not publish an acceptance rate for international applicants. International applicants are admitted through a general competition based on entrance tests or education documents, through the Russian Government quota, or through olympiad results.
Typical entry requirements
| National secondary school certificate (international applicants) | International students are admitted on the basis of their national school-leaving certificate plus MGIMO's entrance examinations; submit the certificate with a supplement listing subjects and grades (notarised translation). |
|---|---|
| MGIMO International School Olympiad | Winners can study free of charge on bachelor's or preparatory programmes; prize-winners get priority for fee-paying places and discounts. |
| English language | No IELTS/TOEFL minimum is published on the pages consulted; English-taught bachelor's applicants take MGIMO's own English language test. Most programmes are taught in Russian, and MGIMO runs a preparatory Russian language course. |
Deadlines
- MGIMO International School Olympiad: registration Non-binding Next deadline · In 25 days31 October 2026, 14:00 Moscow time
Registration runs 1 September to 31 October 2026 (to 10 October in China). Qualifying round online in November 2026; final round February to March 2027; results April 2027.
- Russian Government quota (Education in Russia portal) Non-bindingGenerally September to December 2026
Exact dates are set by the Rossotrudnichestvo office in each country.
- General competition (online application) Non-bindingNot yet published for 2027 entry
In the 2026 cycle, applications from foreign bachelor's applicants opened on 10 February 2026 and the first wave of entrance exams was in April 2026. Decisions are made on a rolling basis.
The 2026-cycle dates (applications from 10 February 2026, first exams in April 2026) are past. MGIMO had not published 2027 general-competition dates on the pages consulted; the olympiad timeline is for the 2026/27 season, which leads to 2027 entry.
How to apply
International applicants register at MGIMO's online admissions platform (int-adm.mgimo.ru), fill in the applicant form and upload documents: passport, school certificate with grade supplement (notarised translations), medical certificates and a photo. Once the admissions committee has checked them, applicants are invited to entrance examinations, which are held online. Alternative routes: the Russian Government quota (apply via the Education in Russia portal, education-in-russia.com) or the MGIMO International School Olympiad.
What admissions looks for
- Results in MGIMO's entrance examinations, e.g. a World History essay and an English test for the English-taught politics programmes.
- A complete application: incomplete files or files sent after the deadline are not considered.
- For olympiad entrants, top performance in Russian or English and interdisciplinary testing.
Tips for applying to MGIMO
- 1 Apply early: MGIMO says decisions are made on a rolling basis, and you can upload documents in parts, e.g. adding your final school certificate later.
- 2 If you are still at school, register for the International School Olympiad by 31 October 2026: winners study free.
- 3 If you want a funded place, check your country's Russian Government quota selection on the Education in Russia portal in autumn.
- 4 Plan for the medical certificates (HIV, hepatitis B and C, tuberculosis) required with your documents.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in RUB
International students can study tuition-free through the Russian Government quota (competitive selection via the Education in Russia portal) or by winning the MGIMO International School Olympiad; olympiad prize-winners get priority for fee-paying places with discounts.
- Free tuition on a bachelor's or preparatory programme
- International School Olympiad winners
- 3 dormitories, more than 2,300 places; places for out-of-town students subject to availability
- Dormitories
Academics
Politics and International Relations (BA, in English)
English-taught; admission by a World History essay and an English test, with applications from December.
International Relations (BA)
The founding discipline of the School of International Relations, which the university grew out of in 1944.
Multilateral Diplomacy (BA, with the Swiss School for International Relations, Geneva)
Joint MGIMO-Geneva programme awarding a Russian and a Swiss diploma; interviews in Russian and English.
International and Comparative Law (BA, MGIMO-Geneva)
Joint programme of the School of International Law and the Swiss School for International Relations, with two diplomas.
International Relations and Energy Diplomacy
Taught by the International Institute of Energy Policy and Diplomacy, which also runs a master's with Rosneft.
Research
- MGIMO lists 8 research centres.
- The University of Pennsylvania's Global Go To Think Tank Index (January 2021) ranked MGIMO 8th among university-affiliated think tanks.
- An educational platform in Geneva (Swiss School for International Relations) runs joint degree programmes.
Schools & faculties
- School of International Relations
- School of International Law
- School of International Economic Relations
- School of International Journalism
- School of International Business
- School of Governance and Politics
- International Institute of Energy Policy and Diplomacy
- Institute for International Trade and Sustainable Development
- School of Government and International Affairs
- MGIMO-Odintsovo
- MGIMO-Tashkent
- MGIMO-Astana
The MGIMO Career Center works with Russian ministries and agencies and with companies; 85% of the vacancies it lists include direct contacts for sending CVs. Employers named include the Russian Foreign Ministry, VTB Bank, Rosneft, Huawei and UNDP.
Student life
MGIMO's main campus is in Moscow's university district, with teaching buildings, a library, a medical centre, a swimming pool, gyms, a canteen and an apart-hotel for international students and guests. The university lists more than 100 student organisations, 22 sports sections and 10 cultural clubs, and a Buddy Program pairs Russian students with international students. Students volunteer at large international forums and conferences. The Moscow International Model United Nations is one of the best-known student activities.
- More than 100 student organisations, 22 sports sections and 10 cultural clubs.
- The MGIMO Buddy Program pairs Russian and international students.
- Moscow International Model United Nations (MIMUN), named after Vitaly Churkin since 2017.
- Over a thousand international students from 90+ countries, with national clubs and regional associations.
Housing. There are 3 dormitories with more than 2,300 places; out-of-town full-time students get a room if places are available, check-in opens on 25 August, and international students must show a Russian medical insurance policy.
Location
MGIMO's main campus is at 76 Vernadsky Prospekt in south-west Moscow, in a residential university district. Moscow is Russia's capital and largest city, with long, cold winters. The Odintsovo branch is in the Moscow region, and further branches are in Tashkent (Uzbekistan) and Astana (Kazakhstan).
Nearest airport: Vnukovo International Airport (VKO)
Notable alumni
- KT Kassym-Jomart TokayevPresident of Kazakhstan; graduated from MGIMO in 1975, where he studied Mandarin
- IA Ilham AliyevPresident of Azerbaijan; entered MGIMO in 1977 and continued there as a postgraduate
- IB Irina BokovaDirector-General of UNESCO (2009 to 2017); graduated in international relations in 1976
- MŠ Maroš ŠefčovičSlovak diplomat and European Commissioner; studied at MGIMO from 1985 to 1990
- ML Miroslav LajčákSlovak Foreign Minister (2009 to 2010, 2012 to 2020); master's in international relations
- SL Sergey LavrovRussian Minister of Foreign Affairs since 2004; graduated in 1972
- VP Vladimir PotaninBusinessman and founder of Interros; graduated from the School of International Economic Relations in 1983
Frequently asked questions
Can international students study at MGIMO in English?
Yes. MGIMO offers English-taught bachelor's programmes such as Politics and International Relations, and Government, International Politics and Law, plus joint MGIMO-Geneva degrees. Most other programmes are taught in Russian.
How do international students apply to MGIMO?
Register on MGIMO's online admissions platform, upload your documents and take the online entrance exams. You can also apply for a Russian Government quota place via the Education in Russia portal, or enter through the MGIMO International School Olympiad.
Can I study at MGIMO for free?
Winners of the MGIMO International School Olympiad study free on a bachelor's or preparatory programme, and Russian Government quota places are tuition-free. Registration for the 2026/27 olympiad closes on 31 October 2026.
How much does MGIMO cost?
For foreign citizens starting a bachelor's degree in 2026/27, MGIMO's fee order sets annual tuition from RUB 750,000 to RUB 1,386,000 depending on the programme; most Russian-taught programmes cost RUB 830,000-1,040,000 a year and the English-taught Politics and International Relations RUB 1,115,000. 2027/28 fees had not been published.
What entrance exams does MGIMO use for English-taught programmes?
For Politics and International Relations, and Government, International Politics and Law: an essay in World History and an English language test. The joint MGIMO-Geneva programmes use online interviews.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
- QS World University Rankings 2027 (topuniversities.com)
- QS TopUniversities: MGIMO University profile (university description)
- THE World University Rankings 2026
- ShanghaiRanking ARWU 2026
- Study in Russia (Russian government portal): MGIMO, About the University
- Study in Russia: MGIMO admission rules for foreign applicants
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