Moscow Aviation Institute (National Research University)

Key Highlights

• Founded on 20 March 1930
• Federal autonomous public higher-education institution
• Indefinite educational license and current state accreditation
• Aerospace-focused university with related computing, materials, energy, and management fields
• Official 2026 international-admissions page reports more than 20,000 students

Student Life & Environment

Student life is organized across an urban technical campus rather than a self-contained residential enclave. MAI’s official campus information lists nine dormitory buildings with cooking and laundry facilities, bicycle storage, and free Wi-Fi. For 2026 entry, more than 600 dormitory places were expected for eligible non-Moscow first-year students entering full-time, federally funded programs. The university says exact allocations appear in admissions ranking lists, so domestic applicants should not interpret general availability as a guaranteed room. International admissions material states that nearby hostel accommodation is provided to international students and quotes a charge of RUB 6,000 per month for the 2026 admissions cycle. Students must also satisfy specified medical-document requirements before moving into a dormitory. Availability and the applicable residence should be confirmed with the international office before travel. Outside class, MAI describes around 50 sports sections and several gyms, with options ranging from team sports and athletics to martial arts, swimming, skiing, climbing, and chess. Student programming also includes scientific conferences, aerospace events, creative competitions, celebrations, and student-union activities. International students can seek peer involvement through the Global Student Union and the student-ambassador program. The published English-language material is useful for identifying opportunities, but students should confirm which activities currently operate in English.

Location & Surroundings

MAI’s principal address is 4 Volokolamskoye Highway in Moscow. The main campus lies in the city’s northwestern sector, and the university identifies Sokol, Voykovskaya, and Shchukinskaya as nearby Metro stations. Academic buildings, laboratories, design facilities, food outlets, sports spaces, and several residences are distributed across the campus area. Official disclosures also list additional teaching and practical-training locations in Moscow and at partner organizations, while some programs operate through branches outside the central campus. This is an urban setting with access to Moscow’s extensive public-transport network rather than a secluded campus environment. Prospective students should check the location attached to the exact program because facilities and practical training may not all be at Volokolamskoye Highway. International applicants should also plan beyond ordinary commuting considerations: visa issuance, document legalization, payment arrangements, insurance, registration, and travel feasibility can change. MAI provides visa-invitation support after required admissions steps and prepayment, but applicants should verify current entry and financial arrangements before committing funds or booking travel.

Costs & Career Outcomes

Costs depend on program, language, level, and applicant route. For 2026 first-year Russian-medium study, the official fee table lists annual prices that vary by subject; examples include RUB 390,000 for Applied Mathematics, RUB 425,000 for Fundamental Informatics and Information Technology, and RUB 490,000 for Aircraft Engineering. Some listed programs have score-based discounts, and MAI says 2026 tuition is set for the full study period. The domestic paid-study page states that payment is made by semester. For the 2026 international cycle, the advertised aerospace portfolio charges RUB 440,000 per year for Russian-medium bachelor’s study, RUB 480,000 for Russian-medium master’s study, and RUB 500,000 for the listed English-medium bachelor’s or master’s programs. The same page quotes international hostel accommodation at RUB 6,000 per month and medical insurance purchased through MAI at RUB 10,000. It also requires a tuition prepayment before visa-invitation processing. Applicants should request a current contract because the page cautions that fees and requirements can vary. MAI’s Career Center provides career counseling, employer engagement, employment assistance, labor-market analysis, and alumni work. The university also maintains targeted-training, practice, and employment functions, and its official disclosures identify practical-training locations at aviation and aerospace organizations. These structures indicate strong industry orientation, but MAI does not provide a current, independently verified graduate-employment rate or salary figure on the selected sources; outcomes therefore should be evaluated by program and citizenship-related access to employers.