Enrollment opportunities for international students

Greetings to our coolest, smartest, most talented prospective international students!

Want to enroll at ITMO with no exams or tuition fees (or both) involved?

We offer a world of such opportunities, both for Bachelor’s and Master’s studies. Whether you’re a maths or programming ace, a Russian language connoisseur, or a prospective student with unique accomplishments, you’ll find something for you!

Here you go!

OPPORTUNITIES FOR BACHELOR'S PROGRAM APPLICANTS

Government Scholarship

Foreign citizens have the right to enroll in tuition-free positions of ITMO University’s Bachelor’s programs through the Rossotrudnichestvo federal agency as part of a Russian Government scholarship.

You can submit your application via the state information platform Education in Russia.

Application deadline: January 15, 2025

For other questions, please contact the Rossotrudnichestvo office at the Russian Embassy or a Russian House (Russian Center of Science and Culture) in your country or call the Rossotrudnichestvo hotline at +7 (985) 870-21-27 to learn more about the government scholarship for international students.

Your application should include: 

  • a 3x4 cm photo;
  • a scanned copy of your ID (passport);
  • a scanned copy of your degree certificate or certificate of study with grades;

All the listed documents must be translated into Russian and notarized.

ITMO University only participates in the second selection stage. This means that the university only accepts or rejects applications that have passed Rossotrudnichestvo’s selection process.

Many CIS countries distribute their scholarships independently and collect the approved candidates’ applications and other paperwork in preparation for the second stage.

In its consideration of the applications, the University assesses the following:

  • the candidates’ current academic performance: their academic transcript with an emphasis on their average score and proficiency in the subjects relevant to their chosen area of study;
  • personal achievements: certificates and diplomas of recent competitions, publications, participation in conferences;
  • participation in various scientific and educational programs.

As of now, the University does not receive information about the points acquired through Rossotrudnichestvo’s exams.

Once their application has been approved, the candidate receives an educational invitation, which allows them to be enrolled on the date of their arrival to the university (regardless of deadlines of the general admissions campaign and without additional exams).

A visa invitation should also become available in the Rossotrudnichestvo system, which the candidate can use to request a student visa at their nearest Russian Embassy/Consulate.

At the moment of enrollment, the candidate must choose an educational program from the list of programs in their chosen subject area.

In the course of their education, students enrolled on the government scholarship can only transfer between programs within the scope of their subject area.

ITMO.STARS Contest

Are you a talented and motivated prospective Bachelor’s student with a good command of Russian and a desire to study at the world-class education and research center that is ITMO University? ITMO.STARS contest gives you a one-off opportunity to get free tuition at the program of your choice.

Please note that the contest is held in Russian. 
 

Learn more!
Open Doors Scholarship Project for Prospective Bachelor’s Students

International academic competition Open Doors gives international prospective Bachelor’s students a unique opportunity of early enrollment in one of ITMO University’s cutting-edge Bachelor’s programs without entrance examinations and with tuition fees covered by the Russian Federation’s state funding.

All of the competition rounds are held online, and it is open for participation to citizens of any country in the world (except Russia).

Submit your portfolio, solve competition tasks, and be the first to get admitted to ITMO University’s Bachelor’s program of your choice!

Learn more!

OPPORTUNITIES FOR MASTER'S PROGRAM APPLICANTS

Government Scholarship

Foreign citizens have the right to enroll in tuition-free positions of ITMO University’s Master’s programs through the Rossotrudnichestvo federal agency as part of a Russian Government scholarship.

You can submit your application via the state information platform Education in Russia.

Application deadline: January 15, 2025

For other questions, please contact the Rossotrudnichestvo office at the Russian Embassy or a Russian House (Russian Center of Science and Culture) in your country or call the Rossotrudnichestvo hotline at +7 (985) 870-21-27 to learn more about the government scholarship for international students.

Your application should include: 

  • a 3x4 cm photo;
  • a scanned copy of your ID (passport);
  • a scanned copy of your degree certificate or certificate of study with grades;

All the listed documents must be translated into Russian and notarized.

ITMO University only participates in the second selection stage. This means that the university only accepts or rejects applications that have passed Rossotrudnichestvo’s selection process.

Many CIS countries distribute their scholarships independently and collect the approved candidates’ applications and other paperwork in preparation for the second stage.

In its consideration of the applications, the University assesses the following:

  • the candidates’ current academic performance: their academic transcript with an emphasis on their average score and proficiency in the subjects relevant to their chosen area of study;
  • personal achievements: certificates and diplomas of recent competitions, publications, participation in conferences;
  • participation in various scientific and educational programs.

As of now, the University does not receive information about the points acquired through Rossotrudnichestvo’s exams.

Once their application has been approved, the candidate receives an educational invitation, which allows them to be enrolled on the date of their arrival to the university (regardless of deadlines of the general admissions campaign and without additional exams).

A visa invitation should also become available in the Rossotrudnichestvo system, which the candidate can use to request a student visa at their nearest Russian Embassy/Consulate.

At the moment of enrollment, the candidate must choose an educational program from the list of programs in their chosen subject area.

In the course of their education, students enrolled on the government scholarship can only transfer between programs within the scope of their subject area.

Open Doors Scholarship Project for Prospective Master’s Students

International academic competition Open Doors gives international prospective Master’s students a unique opportunity of early enrollment in one of ITMO University’s cutting-edge Master’s programs without entrance examinations and with tuition fees covered by the Russian Federation’s state funding.

All of the competition rounds are held online, and it is open for participation to citizens of any country in the world (except Russia).

Submit your portfolio, solve competition tasks, and be the first to get admitted to ITMO University’s Master’s program of your choice!

Learn more!
Portfolio Contest

Developed by ITMO in collaboration with leading universities from all over the world, our International Master’s programs aim to deliver knowledge and experience in a global environment. By participating in our Portfolio contest for international prospective Master’s students, you can be enrolled into one of these innovative Master’s programs without having to go through additional admissions tests. A golden opportunity if there ever was one!

Learn more!
Master’s Scholarship in Advanced Quantum and Nanophotonic Systems

ITMO’s Faculty of Physics offers a full scholarship for international students wishing to pursue their Master’s degree in advanced quantum and nanophotonic systems.

The scholarship covers tuition and dormitory fees for the entire duration of study and includes a monthly allowance in the amount of 10,000 rubles. Students who will demonstrate great academic achievements will be offered an assistant position at the laboratory.

Application deadline: July 12, 2024.

You can learn more about the Master's program here and find all the essential information for the application here.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR PhD PROGRAM APPLICANTS

Open Doors Scholarship Project for Prospective PhD Students

The Open Doors international academic competition for international prospective PhD students is supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation. The competition is organized by the Association of Global Universities. 

ITMO University is a co-organizer of the competition and has been an active contributor to the project since its inception. Click here to learn more about ITMO University, and here to discover beautiful St. Petersburg, the home of ITMO.

In 2024 two new tracks were added to the competition for Bachelor's students and postdoctoral researchers.

Winners of the PhD track will be able to study for free on postgraduate programs at ITMO University.

Learn more!