Russia’s MGIMO Olympiad Offers Free Study Chance to Students
MGIMO Olympiad 2025 (Image Russian MFA)
The Russian MFA-backed competition offers high school students from Asia, Africa, and Latin America a chance for tuition-free bachelor’s studies in international relations, diplomacy, and world affairs at MGIMO University.
By AMIT KUMAR
NEW DELHI, September 17, 2025 — The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has announced the opening of registrations for the MGIMO International School Olympiad for Foreign Students 2025, expanding its global reach to include students from India, African nations, and Latin America for the first time.
Organized by MGIMO University, the prestigious training ground for Russia’s diplomatic corps, the Olympiad is aimed at high school students interested in pursuing studies in international relations, diplomacy, world history, and global affairs. Winners will receive full tuition-free admission to MGIMO’s bachelor’s programs (offered in Russian or English), along with places in preparatory courses for international students.
Prize-winners will also enjoy priority admission for tuition-based programs through MGIMO’s portfolio system, further enhancing access to one of Russia’s most renowned institutions.
The competition will be conducted in two stages: an online qualifying round in November 2025, followed by the final round in February–March 2026, held in a hybrid format both online and in-person in Moscow. Participants will be assessed in Russian (mandatory for CIS students), English, and general knowledge of geography, world history, and international relations.
Registration will remain open until October 31, 2025.
Founded in 1944, MGIMO University (Moscow State Institute of International Relations) has historically produced Russia’s top diplomats and foreign policy experts. Often referred to as the “Harvard of Russia”, MGIMO has been expanding outreach to students worldwide amid Moscow’s push for educational diplomacy and stronger ties with the Global South.
In recent years, Russia has actively promoted scholarship programs and cultural exchanges as part of its soft power strategy, particularly in countries across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The inclusion of these regions in the Olympiad is seen as part of a broader effort to attract young talent and deepen academic ties beyond the traditional post-Soviet space.
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