Applying to MGIMO Master Programs
Am I eligible to apply for MGIMO Master’s programs?
To be eligible for admission to MGIMO’s MA programs you must hold a bachelor’s degree or any post-graduate degree.
Do I need to choose the same major when applying for MGIMO Master’s programs?
Being free to pursue any Master’s programs is what makes graduate education so advantageous. This is why you can choose whatever Master’s program there is available.
How many MGIMO Master’s programs can I apply for?
You may apply for no more than two Master's Degree programs at the same time. If you choose to apply for two programs, it will be required to prioritize the programs.
It is important to understand the rules of prioritizing. If you get the passing score at the entry challenges for both programs you have chosen, you will be automatically and exclusively recommended for admission to the program of the first choice and will not be able to revise your preferences at that point.
How do I apply for MGIMO Master’s programs?
The online application for the MGIMO Master’s programs taught entirely in English is already available.
To start your application, create an applicant account at the MGIMO Master’s programs online application page first and then submit the application form.
Please, use your active personal email address for the applicant account, so that it could pass trough verification and serve as a solid means of communication between you and MGIMO’s International Admissions Committee.
You will receive an email in confirmation of successful signing up to the applicant account.
After that, you will need to fill in the online application form and upload scanned copies of the following supporting documents:
- Consent form to processing your personal data;
- Passport or another identifying document;
- Notarized translation or your passport or ID into the Russian language;
- Passport style photograph (portrait oriented; in color or black and white; taken within the last 12 month, clear and in sharp focus). Your face should be in the center of the photo with a plain light background;
- Selfie with your passport (or ID) in your hand with the data page open. That way, we will be able to verify your identity. Please, take a close-up photo in a well-lit room;
- Diploma and an academic transcript.
Given that your diploma and your academic transcript are issued outside the Russian Federation and in a foreign language, you will need to check whether your educational documents require legalization (a consular one or with an “Apostille”) so that they could gain legal status in Russia. When that is complete, you will be required to have these documents translated into the Russian language and authenticated by the Russian notary. You can find more information regarding legalization and notarized translation of foreign documents in the answers to the next four questions. Since this process needs some time, manage it wisely before submitting your documents
NB In case you have not received your diploma yet, you can download a scan of a letter by the Dean’s Office of your university/another academic institution stating the date when you receive the diploma / the graduation date;
- Portfolio (the requirements are listed on the webpages of specific Master’s programs).
When filling in the application form and uploading the supporting documents is done, you should `print the form, sign it by hand where it is needed, scan it and upload back into the system as a single multi-page PDF document.
Uploading the scan is a finalizing action that locks the application form and means that the application is submitted for verification by the Admissions Committee.
In case of successful verification you will receive an email from the Admissions Committee confirming that your application has been accepted.
How should I prepare my foreign documents for application to MGIMO?
While applying for Master’s programs at MGIMO you will be asked to provide a number of supporting documents along with your signed application form. A copy of your passport or ID and educational documents are among those.
A copy of your passport must have a notarized translation into Russian.
Educational documents, a diploma (a degree certificate) and a transcript of records (or a diploma supplement) need to be legalized and have a notarized translation into Russian.
You can read about legalization and notarized translation of the foreign documents in more detail in topics below.
Why do I have to legalize my educational documents and how do I do it?
Legalization of documents refers to assigning legal status in a given country to a document issued in another country.
It is important to note that documents may only be legalized in the same country where they were issued.
Depending on bilateral agreements between the Russian Federation and the country where the document was issued and the latter nation’s participation in the Hague convention of 1961 there are two types of legalization procedures:
- Consular legalization
This procedure is carried out in 2 stages:
- Authentication of documents by competent authorities of foreign affairs (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) of the country of issue of the document (generally the original, in some countries - copies) – the corresponding stamps with the indication of the position and the signature of the assuring person are affixed to the document;
- Authentication of documents by consular services of the Russian Federation (consulate or embassy of the Russian Federation) in the country of issue of the document– the corresponding stamps with the indication of the position and the signature of the assuring person are affixed to the document.
- «Apostille» – a simplified legalization procedure
The “Apostille” stamp or sticker on the official document, proceeding from bodies and organizations of member countries of the Hague convention of 1961, which abolishes the requirement of consular legalization of foreign official documents:
- is affixed to the original of the document or to a separate sheet, which is attached to the document and could be in official language of the body which is giving it out;
- is given out by competent authorized bodies of the country of issue of the document (for example, State Secretary, Department of Education, Ministry of Education, educational institutions and others).
There are some cases when legalization is not needed.
If documents are issued in member countries of the multilateral or bilateral agreements, which abolish the requirement of legalization of documents, those documents are accepted without legalization. The list of countries, with which the Russian Federation has signed such international agreements, can be found here.
What are the requirements for the notarized translation of the foreign documents?
A document should be translated in whole, line by line, including all the stamps, stickers, signs, codes and numbers if they are present on the document. The translation should be attached to the copy of the original document.
If translation contains several pages, all of them should be numbered and joined.
The translation should be signed and dated by the translator.
According to the Russian civil legislation, translations of the foreign documents require authentication by a notary in the Russian Federation. Outside the Russian Federation territory, the consular departments of the Russian embassies or Russian general consulates act as the Russian notary and in that capacity authenticate translations of foreign documents.
If the country where the document was issued has a treaty on legal aid and legal relations in civil cases with the Russian Federation (or is a party to the Minsk Convention of 1993) and the translation was made in that country, then the translation might be as well notarized there by the local notary. In that case, the local notary must use the Russian language for the authentication.
Please note that upon arrival, some departments of the Ministry of Internal Affairs may require the translation of passport made and notarized in the territory of the Russian Federation. Therefore we recommend you make all notarized translations at the embassy / consulate of the Russian Federation.
We also suggest that you do notarized translation of your documents after their legalization (when it is required).
Can I apply for Master’s programs at MGIMO with my foreign diploma?
Yes, you can apply for Master’s degree programs at MGIMO with a foreign diploma if the level of your foreign education and your qualification by your diploma is recognized in the Russian Federation as equal to the Russian’s graduate or post-graduate degree.
The foreign education and (or) qualifications recognition in the Russian Federation means the official confirmation of level of education and (or) qualifications acquired abroad with granting academic, professional, and (or) other rights to the holders.
In order to apply for the recognition procedures, educational certificates (degree certificate, degree diploma, academic records, transcript of records etc) must be legalized and have notarized translation into Russian.
Foreign education recognition should not be confused with foreign documents legalization.
The recognition procedure might be not required if:
- an academic degree and (or) qualification was awarded by the university listed here;
- the country where the degree was granted is a signee of a mutual agreement on recognition with Russia.
In other cases you need to apply to National Accreditation Agency represented by National Information Centre for a recognition procedure.
I am experiencing technical difficulties with the application. What should I do?
In order to move successfully through the application procedure, we advise you to use a PC or laptop with either Firefox or Google Chrome browsers.
You should upload your documents — a scan of a consent form to processing your personal data, a scan of your ID or passport, scans of your legalized diploma and academic transcript with notarized Russian translations, a portfolio and a scan of a signed application form —as a multi-page PDF-document each. As for your selfie and a passport style photo, please upload them as JPEG-files.
If you are experiencing technical issues while submitting your documents, please contact us at admissions@my.mgimo.ru. Do not forget to attach screenshots of the problem you are having, and describe which gadget, OS, browser and software version you are using.
Please remember that you must upload all the necessary documents and your portfolio only through your personal account, not via admissions@my.mgimo.ru.
What are the tuition fees for Master’s students?
The tuition fees for MGIMO Master’s programs of the next academic year 2025—2026 will be announced in May 2025 on this page.
Do you provide accommodation for Master’s students?
Foreign students can apply for accommodation at the MGIMO dormitories. If you need accommodation during your studies at MGIMO, fill in the application form. You can also read additional information regarding student accommodation on the page of the MGIMO Division responsible for accommodation.
What is the accommodation fee?
The average monthly cost of student accommodation starts at 10,000 Russian rubles per month and may be higher depending on dormitory location and other details.