About us

The Open Doors offers limitless opportunities for education, self-development, and new academic career prospects in Russia for young talented individuals from around the globe. 

The Open Doors has been held annually since 2017. It is organized by the Association of Global Universities, a consortium of leading Russian universities, and is supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation and Rossotrudnichestvo.

Each year, over a hundred thousand talented and motivated young people from many countries participate in the Open Doors. The competition covers 14 interdisciplinary Subjects, ranging from engineering and medicine to economics and linguistics, with tracks available for bachelor's, master's, PhD, and postdoctoral candidates. Participation in the Open Doors is free of charge and the competition is held online. The working languages of the Open Doors are English and Russian. 

Winning the Open Doors gives admission to bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD programs, or secures a postdoc position in research projects at one of Russia's leading universities through a streamlined, one-stop process. Over the past seven years, more than 6,000 international students have enjoyed his opportunity.

What are the benefits for the winners of the bachelor’s, master’s or PhD tracks?

• Free tuition for the chosen study program, taught in English or Russian. Students who have selected a degree program taught in Russian are entitled to a year of complimentary Russian language training;
• The opportunity to choose a university and degree program through a streamlined, one-stop system;
• An engaging student life experience and vibrant campus environment;
• Ongoing support and assistance provided at every stage of the academic journey.

What are the benefits for the winners of the postdoctoral track?

• A postdoc position in a research project at one of Russia's universities;
• The opportunity to choose a university research project through a streamlined one-stop system;
• The opportunity to work under the guidance of world-renowned scientists, using state-of-the-art research equipment;
• Continuous support at every stage of their research work.

How many stages are there in the Open Doors?

There are two stages in the bachelor’s and master’s tracks:

The first stage is a portfolio review and an entrance test. The second stage is a completion of the Open Doors tasks.

There are three stages in the doctoral (PhD) and postdoctoral tracks:

The first stage for both tracks is a portfolio review and an entrance test.

The second stage for the PhD track is a completion of the Open Doors tasks; for the postdoctoral track — a video presentation of achievements in research activity.

The third stage for the PhD track is an interview with potential research supervisors, and for the postdoctoral track — an interview with the leaders of research projects.

Who can participate in the Open Doors?

Foreign citizens or stateless persons, including compatriots living abroad, who can verify the completion of the previous degree of education or who will complete it in the year the Open Doors is held, depending on the chosen track:

• Bachelor’s track – a completed general secondary education;
• Master’s track – a degree of higher education, at least that of a bachelor;
• PhD track – a degree of higher education, at least that of a master’s or specialist;
• Participants of the postdoctoral track should have a PhD or a candidate/doctor of science degree.

Seize this unique opportunity to start an educational or academic career in Russia!

For more detailed information, please refer to the Open Doors's Rules of Participation.

The Open Doors team is always available to address any questions that may arise.

Webinars with the Open Doors organizing universities

During webinars, the Open Doors participants will learn about the history and specialization of the universities, as well as programs offered to Open Doors winners and prize-winners. They will also get answers to questions about additional available scholarships, accommodation arrangements, employment opportunities during their studies and services for international students. 

Only registered Open Doors participants will be able to join the webinars in real time and communicate with the university representatives directly. They’ll get links beforehand via email. For everybody else we’ll publish the recordings after the webinars are finished. 

Webinars begin at 10.00 Moscow time (UTC +3) on the dates indicated.

11.09.2024 - Far Eastern Federal University, University of Tyumen. Tracks: master’s, doctoral.

13.09.2024 - National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, National Research Tomsk State University. Track: bachelor’s

16.09.2024 - Ural Federal University named after the first President of Russia B.N. Yeltsin, Novosibirsk State University. Tracks: master’s, doctoral

18.09.2024 - Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (National Research University), University of Science and Technology MISIS. Track: bachelor’s

23.09.2024 - HSE University, National Research Nuclear University MEPhI. Tracks: master’s, doctoral

25.09.2024 - Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, Samara University. Track: bachelor’s

27.09.2024 - Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba, First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University). Tracks: master’s, doctoral

30.09.2024 - Siberian Federal University, Southern Federal University. Track: bachelor’s

02.10.2024 - MGIMO University, Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education «Bauman Moscow State Technical University». Tracks: master’s, doctoral

07.10.2024 - Moscow Polytechnic University, Moscow State University of Civil Engineering. Track: bachelor’s

09.10.2024 - National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Kazan (Volga region) Federal University. Tracks: master’s, doctoral

11.10.2024 - Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University “LETI”, ITMO University. Track: bachelor’s

14.10.2024 - National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, National Research Tomsk State University. Tracks: master’s, doctoral

16.10.2024 - Far Eastern Federal University, University of Tyumen. Track: bachelor’s

21.10.2024 - Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (National Research University), University of Science and Technology MISIS. Tracks: master’s, doctoral

23.10.2024 - Ural Federal University named after the first President of Russia B.N. Yeltsin, Novosibirsk State University. Track: bachelor’s

25.10.2024 - Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, Samara University. Tracks: master’s, doctoral

28.10.2024 - HSE University, National Research Nuclear University MEPhI. Track: bachelor’s

30.10.2024 - Siberian Federal University, Southern Federal University. Tracks: master’s, doctoral

06.11.2024 - Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba. Track: bachelor’s

08.11.2024 - Moscow Polytechnic University, Moscow State University of Civil Engineering. Tracks: master’s, doctoral

13.11.2024 - Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education «Bauman Moscow State Technical University». Track: bachelor’s

15.11.2024 - Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University “LETI”, ITMO University. Tracks: master’s, doctoral

18.11.2024 - National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Kazan (Volga region) Federal University. Track: bachelor’s