The Ultimate Guide to Open Doors Scholarship in Russia
Your golden opportunity to study at top Russian universities without traditional entrance exams
📌 Scholarship Overview
The Open Doors International Olympiad is the first and largest free international academic competition organized by the Global Universities Association in cooperation with the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation and Rossotrudnichestvo.
It offers winners 100% tuition-free education under the quota of the Russian Government. The entire selection process is conducted online without requiring prior travel.
🎓 Academic Tracks & Age Requirements
The scholarship covers 4 academic tracks with specific age criteria and academic prerequisites as of the registration opening date:
📚 14 Available Subject Areas
The competition covers over 80% of academic programs across 14 subject fields:
📋 Requirements & Eligibility Criteria
- Citizenship: Foreign citizens, stateless individuals, and Russian expats living permanently abroad.
- Language Certificates: Not required (No TOEFL or IELTS certificates needed).
- Stage 1 (Portfolio):
- Identity documents (Passport).
- Academic certificates and transcripts (translated into English or Russian).
- Motivation Letter.
- Academic achievements, certificates of participation, conference presentations, or work experience (if available).
- Stage 2 (Online Exam): A computer with a working camera, microphone, and stable internet connection to take online proctored exams.
🏛️ Full List of 24 Participating Universities
Winners can choose to study at one of Russia's 24 top-tier universities participating in the Olympiad:
- 🏫 HSE University
- 🏫 Tomsk State University (TSU)
- 🏫 ITMO University
- 🏫 Moscow Institute of Physics & Tech (MIPT)
- 🏫 MEPhI National Research Nuclear University
- 🏫 RUDN University
- 🏫 NTMU MISIS
- 🏫 Ural Federal University (UrFU)
- 🏫 Novosibirsk State University (NSU)
- 🏫 Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University (LETI)
- 🏫 Sechenov University
- 🏫 St. Petersburg Polytechnic University (SPbPU)
- 🏫 Tomsk Polytechnic University (TPU)
- 🏫 Siberian Federal University (SFU)
- 🏫 Kazan Federal University (KFU)
- 🏫 Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU)
- 🏫 Lobachevsky University (UNN)
- 🏫 Samara National Research University
- 🏫 Southern Federal University (SFedU)
- 🏫 South Ural State University (SUSU)
- 🏫 University of Tyumen
- 🏫 Pavlov University
- 🏫 Bauman Moscow State Technical University (BMSTU)
- 🏫 Moscow State University (MSU - participating faculties)
⏳ Official Schedule & Key Dates
Registration & Portfolio Submission (Stage 1)
Register an account, fill out the portfolio, select preferred subjects and universities, and upload all required documents.
Portfolio Evaluation
Scientific committees evaluate portfolios and publish the list of candidates qualified for Stage 2 exams.
Stage 2: Online Proctored Exams
Online exams for Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral track participants under proctored supervision.
Winner Announcements (Bachelor's & Master's)
Official publication of final results and winners for Bachelor's and Master's tracks.
Stage 3: Online Interviews (PhD & Postdoctoral)
Online interviews with potential academic supervisors for PhD and Postdoctoral candidates.
