In a statement posted on its official X platform on Saturday, October 17, the embassy said registration for the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) International School Olympiad for Foreign Citizens is open to students from African countries, with applications closing on October 31, 2026.
“Dream of studying at MGIMO for free? The International School Olympiad is open to foreign students, including those from African countries! Register by 31 October 2026!” the embassy posted.
Kenyan Students Get Chance to Join Russian University Through International Olympiad
The MGIMO International School Olympiad is a competition for students from foreign countries who want to study at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, the university of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
It is one of Russia’s best-known institutions for international relations, diplomacy and international law.
Under the competition rules, winners can qualify for tuition-free places in eligible bachelor’s degree programmes taught in Russian or English, as well as the university’s preparatory programme for foreign students.
Participation in the competition is free, and students must apply individually.
The competition assesses students in English, Russian, geography, world history and international relations. The subjects taken depend on the participant’s country and the competition requirements.
Students from Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries must take Russian, while the competition also includes English and interdisciplinary testing.
The Olympiad has two stages. The qualifying round takes place online through the official competition website, while the final round can be held in person or remotely, depending on arrangements made by the organisers for each country.
The schedule for the 2026/2027 competition sets the qualifying round for November 2026 and the final round for March 2027.
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Who Can Apply?
The competition regulations state that applicants must be citizens of eligible countries and enrolled in secondary education programmes. African countries are included in the list of eligible regions.
This means the opportunity is aimed at students still in secondary school, including eligible students in their final years of study.
The competition is intended to identify academically talented students and select capable candidates for admission to MGIMO.
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Courses Available to Winners and How to Apply
Students who win first-degree diplomas can qualify for tuition-free places at MGIMO, subject to the university rector’s decision and applicable Russian regulations.
The eligible fields of study include International Relations, Journalism, Area Studies, Political Science, Public and Municipal Administration, Economics, Law, Sociology, Advertising and Public Relations, Commerce, and Environmental Management and Natural Resources.
The benefit also covers the university’s preparatory programme for foreign students.
Participants who receive second-degree diplomas can apply for fee-paying bachelor’s degree places through a priority portfolio-based selection process.
Competition diplomas awarded to winners and prize-winners remain valid for two years after the year the competition is held.
However, the tuition-free benefit does not automatically cover accommodation, travel, meals, and other living expenses.
Interested students can register for the MGIMO International School Olympiad on the official website: https://int-olymp-mgimo.com/. The application deadline is October 31, 2026.
After registering, applicants can access sample questions through their personal accounts to prepare for the tests.
Students can find more information about the competition rules and admission requirements on the website. For enquiries, they can email the organisers at [email protected].
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