Open Doors: Russian Scholarship Project

About the Olympiad

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.

Benefits for the winners

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.

Stages of the Olympiad

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 and stateless persons, including compatriots living abroad, are eligible to participate in the Olympiad depending on the track:

For the Bachelor’s track, individuals who have completed or are completing their full secondary education in the year of the Olympiad.

For the Master’s track, individuals who have obtained or are completing a Bachelor’s degree in the year of the Olympiad.

For the Doctoral (PhD) track, individuals who have obtained or are completing a Master’s or Specialist’s degree in the year of the Olympiad.

For the Postdoctoral track, individuals under the age of 39 who hold a Candidate of Sciences, Doctor of Sciences, or PhD degree as of the start date of the Olympiad registration.

Tuition is completely free.

Remote admission: all you need is a computer, internet access and your knowledge.

The Olympiad is held in Russian and English.

Olympiad exam dates

The registration start date for the Olympiad is 1 September 2025.

Registration for participants in the bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and postdoctoral tracks is open from 1 September to 16 November 2025.

The bachelor’s and master’s tracks include two stages.

The doctoral and postdoctoral tracks include three stages.

The first stage is held remotely from 1 September to 28 November 2025 for all tracks. This initial (screening) stage involves a portfolio competition and entrance testing.

The second stage for the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral tracks will take place from 1 to 15 December 2025, conducted with identification and proctoring to ensure independent completion of tasks, according to a schedule published on the Olympiad website and participants’ personal accounts.

The second stage for the postdoctoral track will be held from 1 December 2025 to 21 January 2026 and will involve a video presentation of participants’ scientific results.

The third stage for both the doctoral and postdoctoral tracks will take place from 27 January to 26 February 2026 as online interviews with potential supervisors and heads of research projects, scheduled accordingly.

Sechenov University

Sechenov University is the largest medical research university in Russia with an international reputation, holding leading positions in training specialists for the healthcare system both within the country and abroad. Over its more than two-and-a-half-century history, the university has graduated over 100,000 doctors who are now employed successfully all around the world. Nowadays, out of approximately 26,000 students, around 20% are international citizens from 90 countries.

The university staff currently consists of 8,200 personnel, with more than 1,300 doctoral candidates. According to monitoring results published by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia, the university ranks among the top three in Russia for the number of defended doctoral theses. In terms of the concentration of scientific potential involved in research and development, the university employs 47 academicians of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 653 Doctors of Sciences, 1,536 Candidates of Sciences, 543 professors, and 2,335 teaching staff, placing it on par with leading European medical universities.

The Biomedical Science and Technology Park (BSTP) is a centre for cutting-edge scientific development that combines nine institutes and numerous modern laboratories, including ‘mirror’ laboratories partnered with foreign universities. Both fundamental and applied research projects are conducted here in different fields, such as: 3D printing of tissues and organs, engineering technologies for health restoration, laser biomedicine, nanomedicine, and the application of artificial intelligence in diagnostics. The main objectives of BSTP are the creation and implementation of new pharmaceuticals, bioproducts, medical devices, and equipment. To achieve these goals, a scientific production engineering centre and a gene therapy research centre operate within the park.

The Health Sciences Clinical Centre, the largest in Russia and Eastern Europe, is undergoing extensive transformation to become a modern technological platform for conducting interdisciplinary research and deploying the latest medical technologies. The centre employs over 5,000 staff, has 3,500 beds available, and treats more than 500,000 patients annually. It offers specialised and high-tech medical care across over 50 profiles, making it a unique clinical and technological facility.

Admission and Study Features for International Students

«International applicants are required to submit notarised translations of their documents along with their application package. Educational documents must be legalised in accordance with Russian Federation legislation.

Applicants from neighbouring and distant countries may undertake preparatory courses in the Russian language. During their studies in the preparatory department for foreign nationals in Moscow, students learn Russian, scientific writing styles, and specialised subjects depending on their chosen programme.

Employment opportunities

«International students at Sechenov University have the right to work during their studies. The Sechenov University Career Centre provides comprehensive support for international students in employment, professional guidance, and practical training.

For more detailed information about employment opportunities and the work of the Career Centre, please visit the official Career Centre page.

Sechenov University’s global achievements

Sechenov University holds a leading position among medical universities in Russia in terms of the number of foreign students enrolled.

Currently, about 5,000 foreign nationals from 90 countries study at the I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University. The majority of these students come from Iran, Azerbaijan, China, Iraq, Egypt, India, South Africa, Malaysia, as well as other countries across Asia, Africa, America, and Europe.

In 2024, the international QS World University Rankings by Subject placed Sechenov University among the world’s top 100 universities in Pharmacy and Pharmacology.

Since 2019, Sechenov University has been part of the Premier League. In 2024, the First MSMU achieved top scores in many rankings, including:

1. National University Ranking — Interfax.
2. “First Mission” Ranking (based on the “Best Educational Programmes of Innovative Russia” project).
3. RAEX University Rankings.
4. Hirsch Index Ranking.
5. Performance Monitoring Ranking.
6. Quality of Education Ranking.
7. Professional and Public Accreditation Ranking.
8. International Recognition Ranking.
9. Forbes Ranking.
10. National Recognition Ranking.

These leading positions in Russia’s National Aggregated University Ranking demonstrate Sechenov University’s prominent role in the country’s educational landscape.

In 2024, RAEX placed Sechenov University 15th in the ranking of the best universities in Russia.

Sechenov University actively collaborates with 150 universities from 48 countries worldwide in the fields of science and education.

Education programmes at Sechenov University for the winners of the Olympiad profiles

Master’s Programmes Description

Participant of key government programs: Priority 2030 Strategic Academic Leadership Program, World-Class Science Center Development Program (WCSC), Advanced Engineering School Program (AESP)

WCSC "Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare" with priority areas: oncology and cardiology.

The University has established the "Intelligent Theranostics Systems" AESP to solve engineering problems at the intersection of high technology and the needs of practical healthcare.

Learn more about training:: https://masters.sechenov.ru/#enroll

PhD Programmes Description

The international recruiting platform of Sechenov University is your assistant in finding a job and building a career at the university.

On the portal you can familiarize yourself with current vacancies, get information about structural divisions, keep abreast of announced competitions for vacant positions of scientific and pedagogical staff, send CVs and documents on the vacancy and/or competition you are interested in.

Link to the platform: https://ir.sechenov.ru

Clinical Medicine & Public Health

Postdoc track information

The postdoc track is a tool to attract the most motivated and capable young people to participate in research projects.

1. Participate in international conferences
2. Publish on behalf of an authoritative source
3. Conduct research on state-of-the-art equipment with outstanding experts.

Areas of science and research areas of available research projects by track:

Welcome to Moscow

Moscow is not just the capital of Russia, but a unique metropolis with a rich history and abundant opportunities for living and studying. The city is situated in the heart of the European part of the country, along the picturesque banks of the Moskva River, and covers an area of over 2,560 square kilometres. This vast space allows residents and visitors to experience a wide variety of cultures and modern amenities.

For those arriving from abroad, it is important to know that Moscow hosts Sheremetyevo, the largest international airport in Russia, which operates direct flights to dozens of countries and serves millions of passengers annually. This makes travel convenient for incoming students and their visitors.

Moscow is home to over 13 million people representing diverse nationalities and cultures. While embracing the pace of the 21st century, the city carefully preserves its history and traditions. The climate is moderately continental, with winters that can be harsh, featuring snow and frost, and summers that are warm and pleasant. Such weather allows for enjoyment of winter sports as well as summer strolls.

The cost of student living in Moscow is approximately 440 US dollars per month. This basic budget includes accommodation in student dormitories ranging from 29 to 62 dollars, combined meals in student canteens and home cooking amounting to around 250 dollars, and transportation costs, excluding taxis, at about 11 dollars. Additionally, communication expenses, stationery, everyday purchases, and incidental costs total roughly 150 dollars. This budget allows students to live comfortably and focus on their studies in Russia’s capital.

Moscow offers young people a wealth of leisure opportunities. VDNKh is a vast park featuring amusements, scientific exhibitions, and an aquarium where friends can enjoy their time together. Zaryadye Park invites visitors for walks with breathtaking observation decks and an ice cave. The Moscow Zoo is a gathering place to see animals from around the globe. Space and science enthusiasts will appreciate the Moscow Planetarium with its interactive displays. Sparrow Hills (Vorobyovy Gory) offers stunning views of the city and ski opportunities in winter.

Moscow is a city of contrasts, where historic landmarks like the Kremlin and cathedrals coexist with modern skyscrapers and innovation centres. It is a city full of opportunities for students of Sechenov University, blending academic pursuits with a vibrant cultural and social life.

Dormitories

Sechenov University provides a comfortable environment for study and relaxation through its student dormitories. The cost of accommodation ranges from $114 to $235 per month.

The university does not assist with finding housing off-campus, as dormitory places are allocated to all international students.

More information about student dormitories can be found on the Administration page.

International students about Sechenov University

Student life

Sechenov University hosts a wide range of student organisations designed to help every student discover their potential and explore new opportunities. These include the Student Council, the Primary Student Professional Union Organisation, the Volunteer Centre, the Student Media Centre "First Med Media", the Centre for Scientific Career, the N.I. Pirogov Student Scientific Society, the "Burevestnik" Student Sports Club, the Cultural Centre of Sechenov University, and many others.

Thanks to these organisations, a multitude of diverse events take place within the University, such as "Spring on Pirogovskaya", "Pies on Pirogovskaya", the "Sechenovets" Sports and Wellness Camp, the "Zvenigorod" Student Sports Camp, among others.

Services for International Students and Applicants at Sechenov University

«The Institute of International Education at Sechenov University is responsible for working with international students and applicants.

Address: Moscow, Trubetskaya Street, 8 building 2

Email: intstudents@staff.sechenov.ru