Scholarships for AfricansScholarships for Africans
All scholarships
PhDVaries by award

Top 10 Universities In Russia

Heads up — this listing may be outdated. The dates and details below reference a year that has already passed and our editorial team has not re-verified this scholarship is still open. Always confirm the current intake on the sponsor's official website via the button below before you invest time in an application.

Top 10 Universities In Russia - Study in Europe, Post a Comment

Provider
Various
Host country
Russia
Deadline
Varies — check official site
Region
Europe
Official source

Topics

Eligibility & requirements at a glance

Top 10 Universities In Russia is open to African students applying to study in Russia at the PhD level, with varies by award funding. Below is a quick summary of who can apply, what's covered, and the key dates — full details are further down the page.

Who can apply
PhD · applicants for Russia
Funding
Varies by award
Study level
PhD
Deadline
Varies — check official site

Key eligibility criteria

  • Open to international students including Africans
  • specific eligibility (nationality, age, academic record, field of study) varies by program
  • see the official site for full requirements.

About the Top 10 Universities In Russia (2026)

Interested in studying in the world’s largest and fastest expanding economy? The latest [QS University Rankings: BRICS](https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/brics-rankings/2013), a rating of the top 100 universities in the five BRICS nations, reveals Russia’s top universities. Russian capital Moscow is a favorite destination for students because of its active and diverse nightlife, dynamic cultural scene, rich history, and apparently unlimited assortment of things to see and do. Affluent and luxurious, Moscow also has an underground culture, and the Kremlin’s distinctive red brick towers continue to draw tourists from all over the world. Saint Petersburg, Russia’s second-largest city, has a more Western European atmosphere with its canals and Italian baroque buildings. New ideas, innovation, and cultural interaction have made it one of Russia’s most cosmopolitan cities. Other major Russian student cities include Novosibirsk and Tomsk, each of which has one of Russia’s top ten universities: * * * Stay in the loop! Get weekly updates on new scholarships offerings here. * * * ![](https://i0.wp.com/scholarshipsforafricans.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/1223730.jpg?resize=840%2C418&ssl=1) ## Lomonosov Moscow State University Lomonosov Moscow State University is ranked first on the ranking of the best universities in Russia. It was founded in 1755 and is one of Russia’s oldest and largest universities, with over 40,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students. The majority of the university’s faculties are located about five kilometers from Moscow’s city center on the Sparrow Hills, which overlook the Moskva River and are among the city’s highest points. Lomonosov Moscow State University is ranked third overall in the QS University Rankings: BRICS. Most of the eight metrics used to produce the ranking are good for Moscow State University, with notably strong ratings for academic reputation, faculty-student ratio, employer reputation, foreign student enrolment, and proportion of staff with a PhD. When comparing Russian universities to BRICS institutions as a whole, research remains a somewhat weaker field, both in terms of publication rate and influence. ![](https://i0.wp.com/scholarshipsforafricans.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/unnamed-1.jpg?resize=512%2C341&ssl=1) ## Saint-Petersburg State University Saint-Petersburg State University, which some claim is Russia’s oldest university, has its roots in the previous Saint Petersburg Academy of Sciences, which was formed in 1725. It is significantly smaller than Lomonosov Moscow State University, with little more than 32,000 students taught over 20 faculties. However, it offers a remarkable array of cultural and athletic facilities as well as closeness to all of Saint Petersburg’s attractions. The school is located on the ancient yet contemporary Vasilyevsky island, which is connected by metro and tram lines. Saint-Petersburg State University, ranked 14th in the first QS University Rankings: BRICS, has many of the same strengths and weaknesses as Lomonosov Moscow State University, scoring highest for faculty-student ratio, international reputation among academics and graduate employers, the proportion of staff with a PhD, and international student representation. Yet, research production and impact are somewhat weaker sectors. ![](https://i0.wp.com/scholarshipsforafricans.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/1200px-Novosibirsk_view.jpg?resize=1024%2C695&ssl=1) ## Novosibirsk State University Novosibirsk State University, founded in 1959, is a relatively new university. It’s around 20 kilometers outside of Novosibirsk, Russia’s third most populated city after Moscow and Saint Petersburg. Its student body is very tiny when compared to the two universities mentioned above, and it provides courses in a wide range of areas, however, it is best recognized for focusing on sciences. Novosibirsk State University is ranked 22nd in the BRICS findings, with the highest ratings for foreign student ratio and academic faculty to student ratio – both of which typically appear as strong points for Russia’s best institutions when considered in the context of the BRICS group as a whole. ![](https://i0.wp.com/scholarshipsforafricans.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/BMSS1.jpg.600x400_q85.jpg?resize=510%2C280&ssl=1) ## Bauman Moscow State Technical University Bauman Moscow State Technical University is Russia’s 33rd entry in the BRICS ranking. ‘Bauman MSTU,’ another of the country’s oldest and largest technical institutions, has about 20,000 students, including PhD candidates. It provides a diverse variety of engineering and applied science courses. Bauman Moscow State Technical University, like other elite institutions in Russia, performs very well in terms of academic faculty to student ratio — in fact, it ranks fourth among BRICS universities on this metric. According to QS’s main global polls, another noticeable strength is its reputation among graduate employers and academics. However, it does not rank as well as other major Russian institutes in terms of the proportion of personnel having a PhD or the international variety of its faculty. ![](https://i0.wp.com/scholarshipsforafricans.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/MGIMO-University.jpg?resize=927%2C740&ssl=1) ## Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO-University) The Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO-University), which was previously part of Moscow State University, became an autonomous university in 1944. It has a relatively modest enrollment of roughly 6,000 students at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and as the name suggests, it focuses on humanities courses such as international diplomacy, journalism, and law, as well as teaching an astonishingly varied range of languages. Moscow State Institute of Worldwide Relations, ranked 37th in the QS University Rankings: BRICS, continues the national pattern of receiving a very high score for its ratio of academic faculty members to students, while also receiving very high scores in international reputation surveys. However, its most outstanding ratings are for the percentage of personnel with a PhD and foreign student enrollment – it ranks third and twelfth among BRICS universities on these parameters, respectively. ![](https://i0.wp.com/scholarshipsforafricans.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Saint-Petersburg-State-Polytechnic-University.jpg?resize=634%2C443&ssl=1) ## St. Petersburg State Polytecnical University St. Petersburg State Polytechnical Institution, another reasonably large university, with little over 30,000 students enrolled in over 406 undergraduate and postgraduate programs. It has a big campus in St. Petersburg and offers courses in a wide range of areas, with the greatest enrollments in engineering, economics, and management courses. St. Petersburg State Polytechnical University, ranked 47th in the inaugural BRICS ranking, performs particularly well in terms of faculty-student ratio and percentage of staff certified to PhD level. It also compares highly with other BRICS institutions in terms of foreign student enrollment, albeit not so well in terms of international faculty recruitment. ![](https://i0.wp.com/scholarshipsforafricans.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/1546774582538.jpg?resize=988%2C556&ssl=1) ## National Research University – Higher School of Economics (HSE) Beginning as a school of economics in 1992, the National Research University – Higher School of Economics (HSE) has quickly acquired a solid reputation as a multi-field research university — both within Russia and internationally. With a student body of nearly 20,000, its main site is in Moscow, but the institution also has campuses in St. Petersburg, Nizhniy Novgorod, and Perm. HSE is ranked 50th in the first edition of the QS University Rankings: BRICS, with the best ratings for faculty-student ratio and staff with a PhD (15th and 31st respectively among BRICS universities). In terms of foreign student enrollment, it trails behind other elite institutions in Russia, although it has already been quite successful in drawing global professors. ![](https://i0.wp.com/scholarshipsforafricans.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/RUSVUZ_MIPT2-1024x682-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1) ## Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology State University The Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology State University, often known as PhysTech, specializes in applied mathematics, physics, and related sciences and is frequently referred to as the “Russian MIT.” Its main campus is in Dolgoprudny, a northern Moscow neighborhood, and it has a relatively small student population of slightly over 5,000. Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology State University, ranked 55th in the first BRICS ranking results, joins other top universities in Russia in receiving a very strong score for faculty-student ratio, and also performs well in internationalization indicators, with high proportions of both overseas faculty and overseas students. As for most Russian universities (there are some notable exceptions), its weakest points are the indicators for research papers published per faculty member, and research citations. ![](https://i0.wp.com/scholarshipsforafricans.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/tomsk.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&ssl=1) ## Tomsk State University Tomsk State University, Siberian Russia’s first university, was founded in 1888. In the historic and student-centered town of Tomsk, it now boasts 23,000 students enrolled in 23 departments. It has been designated as a National Research University, as have the most of Russia’s leading institutions, and it has some of the most comprehensive library archives in the country. Tomsk State University is ranked 58th in the BRICS rankings, with the largest percentage of international professors among Russian institutions and 28th among BRICS universities overall. It performs almost as well in terms of foreign student enrolment and the percentage of faculty having a PhD, but falls short in terms of research productivity and impact when compared to other BRICS universities. ![](https://i0.wp.com/scholarshipsforafricans.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/national_univercity1_1.jpg?resize=800%2C531&ssl=1) ## National Research Nuclear University (MEPHI) The National Research Nuclear University (MEPHI), founded in 1942, is noted for its specialization in the nuclear industry and instruction in the subjects of physics, engineering, and mathematics. It’s in Moscow, near Kolomenskoye Park, which overlooks the Moskva River and is home to the royally owned “wooden palace.” The National Research Nuclear University (MEPHI), ranked 65th in the first QS University Rankings: BRICS, is Russia’s leading light in the worldwide research community: it ranks first among all BRICS institutions in terms of the frequency with which its research articles are referenced. Given the importance of its research, it’s probably surprising that it doesn’t rank higher in worldwide academic and employer polls (it’s just outside the BRICS top 100 in both cases). It, like other elite institutions in Russia, has a high faculty-to-student ratio and a high percentage of employees with a PhD. * * * _brought to you by Scholarships for Africans_ [**Scholarships for Africans**](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/) is a premier scholarship information blog committed to bringing more opportunities for Africans globally. They are part of the African Scholar Initiative, powered by Scholarship Hippo. Be a part of our growing community! **JOIN:** [Scholarships for Africans Facebook group](https://www.facebook.com/groups/ScholarshipsforAfricans) **LIKE:** [African Scholar Initiative Facebook page](https://www.facebook.com/AfricanScholarInitiative) **FOLLOW:** [Scholarships for Africans Instagram page](https://www.instagram.com/african_scholar/) ### Share this: - [Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Facebook](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/top-10-universities-in-russia/?share=facebook&nb=1) - [Share on X (Opens in new window)X](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/top-10-universities-in-russia/?share=twitter&nb=1) - [Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)WhatsApp](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/top-10-universities-in-russia/?share=jetpack-whatsapp&nb=1) - [Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)LinkedIn](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/top-10-universities-in-russia/?share=linkedin&nb=1) - [Share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Telegram](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/top-10-universities-in-russia/?share=telegram&nb=1) - [More](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/top-10-universities-in-russia/#) - [Print (Opens in new window)Print](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/top-10-universities-in-russia/#print?share=print&nb=1) - [Share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Reddit](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/top-10-universities-in-russia/?share=reddit&nb=1) - [Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)Tumblr](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/top-10-universities-in-russia/?share=tumblr&nb=1) - [Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Pinterest](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/top-10-universities-in-russia/?share=pinterest&nb=1) ### Like this: LikeLoading... ### _Related_ [Bilateral Education Agreement Scholarship for Nigerian Students](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/bilateral-education-agreement-scholarship-for-nigerian-students/ "Bilateral Education Agreement Scholarship for Nigerian Students") [Top Universities in The Netherlands – QS World University Rankings 2021](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/top-universities-in-the-netherlands-qs-world-university-rankings-2021/ "Top Universities in The Netherlands – QS World University Rankings 2021") [Top Universities in Australia – Times Higher Education](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/top-universities-in-australia-times-higher-education/ "Top Universities in Australia – Times Higher Education") In[Study in Europe](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/tag/study-in-europe/), [study in russia](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/tag/study-in-russia/), [top 10 universities](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/tag/top-10-universities/) ## One thought on “Top 10 Universities In Russia” 1. Pingback: [Top 10 Universities In Russia – Scholarship Hippo](https://scholarshiphippo.com/top-10-universities-in-russia/)

Top 10 Universities In Russia eligibility for Russia applicants

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

  • Open to international students including Africans
  • specific eligibility (nationality, age, academic record, field of study) varies by program
  • see the official site for full requirements.

Documents required for the Top 10 Universities In Russia application

A planning baseline drawn from how 90%+ of African scholarship sponsors structure their checklist. The sponsor's portal is the source of truth for any single application.

  • Valid international passport (bio page scan)
  • Most recent academic transcripts (sealed or e-verified copies)
  • Curriculum vitae / résumé (1–2 pages, reverse-chronological)
  • Personal statement or motivation letter (500–1,000 words, tailored to the sponsor)
  • Two to three reference letters (academic for students, professional for working applicants)
  • Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo) — Medium-of-Instruction letter may substitute for Anglophone-Africa graduates
  • Passport-sized photograph meeting ICAO biometric standards
  • Research proposal or statement of purpose (500–2,000 words for PhD)
  • Published or unpublished writing sample (PhD and research-led Masters)
  • Country-of-origin proof (national ID or birth certificate) — required by many Africa-focused funders

How to apply for the Top 10 Universities In Russia 2026

A practical, sponsor-agnostic sequence used by >95% of international scholarship applicants. Adapt to the sponsor's specific portal — the order rarely changes.

  1. 1
    Confirm eligibility on the official site

    Open https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/top-10-universities-in-russia/ and verify the sponsor's stated criteria match your profile — currently: "Open to international students including Africans; specific eligibility (nationality, age, academic record, field of study) varies by program — see the official site for full requirements.". Sponsor rules change between intakes, so always confirm against the live call.

  2. 2
    Secure a study place or admission offer

    Identify a supervisor whose research aligns with yours, exchange emails, and either obtain a conditional offer or confirmation that they will host your project. Many Various awards require this before the funding application opens.

  3. 3
    Sit required tests and gather documents

    Register for IELTS / TOEFL / Duolingo (or SAT / GRE where required), request official transcripts, brief two or three referees, and prepare passport and identity documents at high resolution.

  4. 4
    Draft your essays and statements

    Write a focused 1,000–2,000-word research proposal and a separate personal statement. Tailor every paragraph to the sponsor's stated priorities — generic recycled essays are the most common reason strong applicants are rejected.

  5. 5
    Complete the online application

    Create an account on https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/top-10-universities-in-russia/, fill in every field, and upload the required documents in the formats specified (PDF, max file size, single-file vs multi-file). Save progress frequently — most portals time out after 30–60 minutes.

  6. 6
    Submit by Varies — check official site (aim 7 days early)

    Sponsor portals routinely slow or fail in the final 24 hours. Submit early, download the confirmation receipt, and screenshot the submission timestamp. Late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.

  7. 7
    Prepare for shortlist interviews

    If shortlisted, Various will contact you within 4–12 weeks. Re-read your essays, rehearse 3–5 likely questions out loud, and confirm your time zone for any video interview.

Top 10 Universities In Russia deadline & application timeline

The sponsor has not published a fixed deadline yet. Use the milestones below as a generic 12-month plan; substitute dates once the intake window opens.

  1. 12 months out

    Register for tests (IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/GRE), shortlist 3–5 universities, identify referees.

  2. 6 months out

    Sit your tests, draft a personal statement, request transcripts and confirm reference letters.

  3. 3 months out

    Finalise essays, upload supporting documents, complete the online application portal.

  4. 1 month out

    Final review, double-check uploaded files, submit a week before the deadline to avoid portal issues.

  5. Application deadline

    Submit by 23:59 in the sponsor's stated time zone — usually local to the sponsor, not your country.

Ready to apply?

Cross-check the latest eligibility rules and deadline on the sponsor's official portal before you start your application.

Visit official site

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the Top 10 Universities In Russia?+

Applicants must be eligible African nationals applying at the PhD level, meet the academic and English-language requirements set by Various, and be able to relocate to Russia for the duration of the programme.

Is the Top 10 Universities In Russia fully funded?+

Funding model: Varies by award. Where listed as fully funded, the award typically covers tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance and round-trip airfare. Always confirm the latest funding breakdown on the sponsor's official page.

When is the application deadline?+

The application deadline is Varies — check official site. Submit at least one week early — sponsor portals frequently slow or fail in the final 24 hours, and late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.

What documents do I need to apply?+

At minimum: passport bio page, academic transcripts, CV, personal statement, two to three references, and an English-language test score (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo). Research-led Masters and PhD applications also require a research proposal and a writing sample.

How can I improve my chance of winning?+

Apply early, tailor every essay to the specific sponsor (do not recycle a generic statement), secure at least one reference who knows your work in detail, and apply to two or three additional scholarships in parallel — never rely on a single application.

Guides for this scholarship

Next steps & guides

Pick the guide that matches where you are right now.

Explore related programmes

Long-form sponsor guides, country pages and category pages connected to this scholarship.

Browse by category & country

Read next