ONLINE PORTAL FOR INCOMING EXCHANGE and visiting STUDENTS
Dear student! Welcome to Lomonosov Moscow State University! We keep open the University doors to anyone who strives for new discoveries, creativity, and self-improvement, and we do our best to provide exchange and visiting students with an outstanding experience. On this page you will find all the information you might need to come on international student mobility program to MSU.
General information
The entry of foreign citizens into the Russian Federation is regulated by the legislation of the Russian Federation. Please, follow the algorithm of entry.
international student mobility PROGRAM
International student mobility program is available for:
1) Undergraduate and graduate students from MSU partner universities who intend to spend 1 or 2 semesters in MSU. Tuition fee is usually waived in the framework of inter-university agreements.
2) Undergraduate and graduate students from non-partner universities (free-movers) who intend to spend 1 or 2 semesters in MSU. Free-movers can study in MSU based on the agreement, which is concluded between the free-mover and Lomonosov Moscow State University. The tuition fee is charged according to the contract.
1) Undergraduate and graduate students from MSU partner universities who intend to spend 1 or 2 semesters in MSU. Tuition fee is usually waived in the framework of inter-university agreements.
2) Undergraduate and graduate students from non-partner universities (free-movers) who intend to spend 1 or 2 semesters in MSU. Free-movers can study in MSU based on the agreement, which is concluded between the free-mover and Lomonosov Moscow State University. The tuition fee is charged according to the contract.
How to Apply
DATES AND DEADLINES
- Application deadline: April 30, 2023
Study period: September 1, 2023 — January 24, 2024
Winter exam session: January 3 — January 24, 2023 - Application deadline: November 15, 2022
Study period: February 7, 2023 — June 24, 2023
Summer exam session: June 1 — June 24, 2023
Some Master's programs have their own schedule, which is connected with the specifics of the study field. We recommend that you check your study calendar with the mobility coordinator.
Note: Please, note that there is an opportunity to arrive to Moscow a few days before the study semester starts.
Note: Please, note that there is an opportunity to arrive to Moscow a few days before the study semester starts.
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Step 1. Download the application form in Excel-format here;
Step 2. Fill in the application form;
Step 3. Upload your documents to any cloud storage (e.g. Google Drive, Mail.ru, Yandex Cloud, etc.);
Step 4. Send an e-mail to GorbushkinaAA@my.msu.ru with the application form and the link to the folder with your documents attached.
Please put your full name into the subject line of the e-mail.
Step 2. Fill in the application form;
Step 3. Upload your documents to any cloud storage (e.g. Google Drive, Mail.ru, Yandex Cloud, etc.);
Step 4. Send an e-mail to GorbushkinaAA@my.msu.ru with the application form and the link to the folder with your documents attached.
Please put your full name into the subject line of the e-mail.
To be eligible for a study as an exchange or a visiting student at MSU, student must have:
✓ Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0-point scale, or the equivalent;
✓ English language level (to take subject courses in English) equivalent to IELTS 6.0 (except for native English speakers);
✓ TORFL-II / B2 level of Russian language: to take subject courses in Russian;
✓ TBL / A2 level of Russian language: to study Russian language.
✓ Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0-point scale, or the equivalent;
✓ English language level (to take subject courses in English) equivalent to IELTS 6.0 (except for native English speakers);
✓ TORFL-II / B2 level of Russian language: to take subject courses in Russian;
✓ TBL / A2 level of Russian language: to study Russian language.
1. Photocopy of a Passport:
✓ Scanned copy of passport pages with "photo" and "personal information" (in PDF / JPG / JPEG format);
✓ The validity of the passport must be at least 18 months (1.5 years) from the date of visa issue;
✓ The passport must have a minimum of 4 pages (2 consecutive pages) for pasting the visa and entry and exit stamps. If there are not enough blank pages, you may need to order more pages from your national passport service, or get a new passport;
2. Motivation Letter (Statement of Purpose):
✓ Maximum 2 pages (in PDF format);
✓ Written in Russian or English;
✓ Please, explain in detail what you expect to receive and what courses you would like to study during the period of international student mobility at Moscow State University;
3. CV (in PDF format);
4. Official Transcript of Academic Records (in PDF format):
✓ All disciplines with corresponding marks studied in the program you are currently enrolled in must be included;
5. Recommendation Letter (maximum 1 page in PDF format):
✓ Written in Russian or English;
✓ The letter may be written by a faculty member or academic advisor and must contain evidence-based information about the student's academic ability and qualities that are important to the implementation of an International student mobility program;
6. Russian Language Certificate (only if you want to attend courses in Russian at MSU Faculties).
✓ Scanned copy of passport pages with "photo" and "personal information" (in PDF / JPG / JPEG format);
✓ The validity of the passport must be at least 18 months (1.5 years) from the date of visa issue;
✓ The passport must have a minimum of 4 pages (2 consecutive pages) for pasting the visa and entry and exit stamps. If there are not enough blank pages, you may need to order more pages from your national passport service, or get a new passport;
2. Motivation Letter (Statement of Purpose):
✓ Maximum 2 pages (in PDF format);
✓ Written in Russian or English;
✓ Please, explain in detail what you expect to receive and what courses you would like to study during the period of international student mobility at Moscow State University;
3. CV (in PDF format);
4. Official Transcript of Academic Records (in PDF format):
✓ All disciplines with corresponding marks studied in the program you are currently enrolled in must be included;
5. Recommendation Letter (maximum 1 page in PDF format):
✓ Written in Russian or English;
✓ The letter may be written by a faculty member or academic advisor and must contain evidence-based information about the student's academic ability and qualities that are important to the implementation of an International student mobility program;
6. Russian Language Certificate (only if you want to attend courses in Russian at MSU Faculties).
Step 1. Ask the international coordinator at your home university:
— to nominate you for international mobility program at MSU (if you study at MSU partner university);
— to approve your desire to study on international mobility program at MSU as a free-mover or to apply for signing a cooperation agreement with MSU.
Step 2. Prepare the documents (see the list above) and fill in the online-application.
Step 3. Upon receiving your nomination and online-application, MSU Department for Internationalisation will assess your submitted application and will send it for approval to a particular Faculty.
Step 4. Once MSU Faculty approves your application and provisional study program, MSU mobility coordinator will send you a formal acceptance e-mail with all the information. If there are any issues with your application, you will be informed about that.
For further information on the nomination process, please, ask the international coordinator of your home university to contact MSU mobility coordinator.
— to nominate you for international mobility program at MSU (if you study at MSU partner university);
— to approve your desire to study on international mobility program at MSU as a free-mover or to apply for signing a cooperation agreement with MSU.
Step 2. Prepare the documents (see the list above) and fill in the online-application.
Step 3. Upon receiving your nomination and online-application, MSU Department for Internationalisation will assess your submitted application and will send it for approval to a particular Faculty.
Step 4. Once MSU Faculty approves your application and provisional study program, MSU mobility coordinator will send you a formal acceptance e-mail with all the information. If there are any issues with your application, you will be informed about that.
For further information on the nomination process, please, ask the international coordinator of your home university to contact MSU mobility coordinator.
Before mobility program
COURSE CHOICE
Depending on whether your home university has an exchange agreement with a specific Faculty or a university-wide exchange with Moscow State University, you can choose courses at a particular Faculty or across the entire university (at different Faculties).
Most courses are conducted in Russian, some in English and Chinese. Please check the language of instruction in course catalogues (please see below).
Please note that if you want to take a subject course that is conducted in Russian, you must have a TORFL-II / B2 level of Russian language. If you want to take a course that is conducted in English, you must have the level of English which is equivalent to IELTS 6.0.
Most courses are conducted in Russian, some in English and Chinese. Please check the language of instruction in course catalogues (please see below).
Please note that if you want to take a subject course that is conducted in Russian, you must have a TORFL-II / B2 level of Russian language. If you want to take a course that is conducted in English, you must have the level of English which is equivalent to IELTS 6.0.
COURSE CATALOGUES BY FACULTY:
Business School
Faculty of Biology
Faculty of Computional Mathematics and Cybernetics
Faculty of Economics
Faculty of Foreign Languages and Area Studies
Faculty of Global Studies
Faculty of History
Faculty of Journalism
Faculty of Law
School of World Politics
Graduate School of Public Administration (Faculty)
Faculty of Psychology
Faculty of Philology
Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics
Faculty of Sociology
Faculty of Biology
Faculty of Computional Mathematics and Cybernetics
Faculty of Economics
Faculty of Foreign Languages and Area Studies
Faculty of Global Studies
Faculty of History
Faculty of Journalism
Faculty of Law
School of World Politics
Graduate School of Public Administration (Faculty)
Faculty of Psychology
Faculty of Philology
Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics
Faculty of Sociology
VISA
The majority of international students enter Russia with a foreign passport and a study visa. Study visa is not required for students coming to Russian universities from the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Abkhazia, the Republic of South Ossetia, the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Moldova, the Republic of Tajikistan, Ukraine, the Republic of Armenia, the Republic of Uzbekistan.
With internal (national) passports, only citizens of the Republic of Armenia, the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the Kyrgyz Republic can enter Russia. Students from other countries can enter Russia only with international passports.
With internal (national) passports, only citizens of the Republic of Armenia, the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the Kyrgyz Republic can enter Russia. Students from other countries can enter Russia only with international passports.
Students coming on mobility programs can enter Russia only by the invitation of MSU and with the following type of visa: purpose of the trip is "Study", "educational" visa type. Students cannot enter Russia with a "Tourism" visa or any other types of visa.
Step 1. If you need a visa, upon the approval of your application and provisional study program MSU Department for Internationalisation
will send your documents to issue an invitation.
Issuing an invitation usually takes from 25 to 45 calendar days, depending on the country of departure.
Step 2. Wait until you receive an email from MSU Department for Internationalisation with an electronic invitation attached. Print the invitation before contacting the Visa Application Center or the Consulate of the Russian Federation.
Step 3. Contact the visa center or the Embassy/Consulate of the Russian Federation in your country, in the city you specified in the application form, and apply for a visa (a list of consular offices can be found here).
Step 4. Having received a passport with a visa, be sure to check that all the information in the visa is correct. If you find an error, please, immediately contact the employee of the Visa Application Center or the Consulate of the Russian Federation where you received your visa. After the error is corrected, you should make sure once again that there are no more remaining errors in the data.
Step 5. Send a scanned copy of the visa you received to MSU mobility coordinator.
Note: Please, note that foreign citizens who come to Moscow State University for the first time are issued a single-entry study visa for a period not exceeding 90 days. If your actual study period is longer than 90 days, you will need to extend your visa. In the autumn semester visa is usually extended till January, 31. In the spring semester visa is usually extended till June, 30.
will send your documents to issue an invitation.
Issuing an invitation usually takes from 25 to 45 calendar days, depending on the country of departure.
Step 2. Wait until you receive an email from MSU Department for Internationalisation with an electronic invitation attached. Print the invitation before contacting the Visa Application Center or the Consulate of the Russian Federation.
Step 3. Contact the visa center or the Embassy/Consulate of the Russian Federation in your country, in the city you specified in the application form, and apply for a visa (a list of consular offices can be found here).
Step 4. Having received a passport with a visa, be sure to check that all the information in the visa is correct. If you find an error, please, immediately contact the employee of the Visa Application Center or the Consulate of the Russian Federation where you received your visa. After the error is corrected, you should make sure once again that there are no more remaining errors in the data.
Step 5. Send a scanned copy of the visa you received to MSU mobility coordinator.
Note: Please, note that foreign citizens who come to Moscow State University for the first time are issued a single-entry study visa for a period not exceeding 90 days. If your actual study period is longer than 90 days, you will need to extend your visa. In the autumn semester visa is usually extended till January, 31. In the spring semester visa is usually extended till June, 30.
accommodation
MSU makes every reasonable effort to assist exchange and visiting students in finding accommodation. Exchange and visiting students are provided with all the conditions for comfortable stay, self-study, scientific work, recreation, and doing sports.
International students usually live in the Student Residence Hall on Leninskie Gory (DS, MSU Main Building), which is a set of dormitories for students, PhD students and professors' flats. It is possible to get by foot from the dormitories of the student residence hall to most of the faculties in a few minutes.
International students usually live in the Student Residence Hall on Leninskie Gory (DS, MSU Main Building), which is a set of dormitories for students, PhD students and professors' flats. It is possible to get by foot from the dormitories of the student residence hall to most of the faculties in a few minutes.
The Main building has all the necessary conditions for studying and working: classrooms, laboratories, libraries, co-workings, and museums. There are a Cultural center, a sports complex, a pool in the MSU Main Building. Stadium, sports grounds, tennis courts, baseball stadium and sports halls for track-and-field athletics are located in the surrounding area. A housekeeping house provides a wide range of services: repair of clothes and shoes, photo studio, barbershop, beauty salon, laundry. There are also a post office, shops and stalls. In the building there are several dining rooms, their opening hours include evening hours and the weekends. In the dormitory there are Wi-Fi access points, which allow connecting to the Internet and a local dormitory network.
The building has several options for rooms' arrangement, while the most typical are a block with two rooms of 8 square meters and a block with two rooms of 12 square meters. There are also blocks with one room and with rooms of a larger space. There are from 36 to 60 blocks, two kitchens and lobbies on each floor of the residence hall.
The building has several options for rooms' arrangement, while the most typical are a block with two rooms of 8 square meters and a block with two rooms of 12 square meters. There are also blocks with one room and with rooms of a larger space. There are from 36 to 60 blocks, two kitchens and lobbies on each floor of the residence hall.
Accommodation fees depend on the provisions of inter-university agreements. The cost of living depends on living conditions.
To apply for housing, please, contact MSU mobility coordinator. Please, note, that the dormitory should be booked in advance.
Moscow, 1 Leninskie Gory, the Main building of Lomonosov Moscow state University, sectors: Б, В, Г, Д, Е, Ж.
Getting here:
Getting here:
- "Universitet" metro station, then take buses 1, 113, 119, 661 or shuttle buses 572, 464 to the stop "DK MGU", or walk for about 21 minutes.
- "Lomonosovsky Prospect" metro station, then take buses 1, 113, 715 to the stop "DK MGU", or walk for about 17 minutes.
HEALTHCARE
Information on health insurance policy and the provision of medical care. Click here for more information.
BUDDY HELP
Apply for a buddy
By clicking the button, you agree to data transferring and processing
Buddy is usually a senior year volunteer student from your Faculty/Department or any other MSU faculty. Buddy will be able to give you some useful information when you are preparing for departure and provide assistance upon your arrival in Moscow (if necessary).
Buddy can:
✓ Explain to you how the class schedule works;
✓ Teach how to use MSU online services
✓ Help you to find the study materials you need;
✓ Tell you how to get to the dormitory, or, if necessary, meet you at the Aeroexpress train station in Moscow;
✓ Give you some useful information and lifehacks about the MSU campus, student life and life in Moscow;
✓ Suggest whom to contact to solve organizational and household issues.
✓ Explain to you how the class schedule works;
✓ Teach how to use MSU online services
✓ Help you to find the study materials you need;
✓ Tell you how to get to the dormitory, or, if necessary, meet you at the Aeroexpress train station in Moscow;
✓ Give you some useful information and lifehacks about the MSU campus, student life and life in Moscow;
✓ Suggest whom to contact to solve organizational and household issues.
To apply for buddy, please, fill in this form.
PREPARING FOR DEPARTURE
- 1Inform MSU mobility coordinator of the date of your planned arrival and buy a ticket.
- 2Apply for a voluntary medical insurance policy that will be valid for the entire period of your stay in Russia for the purpose of study. Click here for the information on health insurance requirements.
- 3Send an email to the International Office of your MSU Faculty with the following information:
- Your full name (in English and Russian);
- Date of arrival
- Airport of arrival
- Flight number
- Time of arrival
- The number of the voluntary medical insurance policy and the name of the insurance company
- Your contact number (Mobile, WhatsApp).
- 4Take a PCR* test for COVID-19 no earlier than 2 calendar days before arriving in Russia. You will be asked to present a certificate confirming a negative PCR test result for COVID-19 at the border control when entering Russia and during accommodation in a dormitory.
* PCR (polymerase chain reaction) is a test method that allows you to detect the presence of a virus in a body. For the analysis, a swab is taken from the nose and throat. - 5If you have a buddy from MSU, please, send them an e-mail and let them know when you arrive.
Starting mobility program
Information about the rules for entering Russia and how to get to the MSU dormitory.
Information on check-in at the dormitory, initial migration registration, extension of a visa, extension of migration registration, as well as on the procedures for medical examination, mandatory fingerprint registration and photographing.
During mobility program
Orientation session
MSU Department for Internationalisation will hold an orientation session during the first week of your mobility program. During the session you will be able to ask all the questions regarding your mobility program. You will be informed about the date and time of the session in advance.
STUDY PROCESS
Information on academic year, format and schedule of classes, progress assessment, grading scale, MSU student documents. Click here for more information.
Learning Russian
In order to provide exchange and visiting students with an added value to the mobility program, as well as to awaken an interest in the language and culture of the host country, MSU offers Russian language courses for exchange and visiting students. If you wish to learn Russian, you will have to take a test in Russian. Based on its results you will be granted a number of Russian language classes. If you want to learn Russian, be sure to inform your MSU mobility coordinator about it.
STUDENT LIFE
Information on student organizations, clubs and studios, sports. Click here for more information.
CAMPUS
Information on facilities, places to visit, virtual tour of the campus. Click here for more information.
Finishing mobility program
Transcript of records and credits
An official transcript of records and credits (with detailing achieved examinations results), is issued to the students taking part in the exchange program. Here are the 4 steps to obtain the transcript of records:
- 1Contact the International Office of your faculty and inform them about your decision to take exams for the taken courses.
- 2The International Office of your faculty will prepare an examination paper that consists of a list of the taken courses.
- 3Take this paper to the exam and give it to the professor or the lecturer.
- 4After exams, give this examination paper to the Faculty International Office. Based on the paper, the Faculty International Office will prepare a certificate and a transcript or records.
Contacts
MSU mobility COORDINATORS
VOLKOVA Elena Viktorovna
E-mail: volkova@rector.msu.ru
Tel.: +7 (495) 939 3668
Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Czech Republic
Tel.: +7 (495) 939 3668
Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Czech Republic
GAVRINA Alla Borisovna
E-mail: gavrina@rector.msu.ru
Tel.: +7 (495) 939 5131
Belgium, United Kingdom, Denmark, Ireland, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada
PENZINA Svetlana Nikolaevna
E-mail: s.penzina@rector.msu.ru
Tel.: +7 (495) 939 2121
France, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Switzerland
SERGEEVA Dana Dmitrievna
E-mail: dana.sergeeva@rector.msu.ru
Tel.: +7 (495) 939 5131
Germany, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Austria, Benin, Cape Verde,Tanzania, Somalia, Ethiopia, Angola, South Africa, Madagascar, Mozambiquе
Tel.: +7 (495) 939 5131
Germany, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Austria, Benin, Cape Verde,Tanzania, Somalia, Ethiopia, Angola, South Africa, Madagascar, Mozambiquе
ZHDANOVA Polina Vladimirovna
E-mail: zhdanovapv@my.msu.ru
Tel.: +7 (495) 939 1719
Spain, Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Portugal, Costa Rica, Colombia, Cuba, Peru, Uruguay, Chile, Panama, Mexico, Ecuador
Tel.: +7 (495) 939 1719
Spain, Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Portugal, Costa Rica, Colombia, Cuba, Peru, Uruguay, Chile, Panama, Mexico, Ecuador
IVANOVA Sofia Igorevna
E-mail: ivanson@rector.msu.ru
Tel.: +7 (495) 939 5131, +7 (985) 717 8645
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, South Korea, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan
NEMKINA Nikol Igorevna
E-mail: nemkina@rector.msu.ru
Tel.: +7 (495) 939 2121
China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Mongolia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, North Korea, India
PROKHOROVA Daria Alexandrovna
E-mail: prokhorovada@my.msu.ru
Tel.: +7 (495) 939-22-64
Egypt, Turkey, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Israel, Iran, Lebanon, Nepal, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Iraq, Yemen, Qatar, Kuwait
Tel.: +7 (495) 939-22-64
Egypt, Turkey, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Israel, Iran, Lebanon, Nepal, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Iraq, Yemen, Qatar, Kuwait
Lomonosov Moscow State University Department for Internationalisation
Address: Leninskie Gory, 1, Moscow, 119991, Russian Federation
International Information Center - sector B, room 101
Тел: + 7 (495) 939-22-64
E-mail: studentin@rector.msu.ru
Address: Leninskie Gory, 1, Moscow, 119991, Russian Federation
International Information Center - sector B, room 101
Тел: + 7 (495) 939-22-64
E-mail: studentin@rector.msu.ru