MBA in Russia for Indian Students 2025 – Top Universities, Fees, Admission Process

Like many other countries, pursuing an ‘MBA in Russia’ is the best option for career aspiring students. Those who want to start their own business in Russia can choose to study Master of Business Administration in Russia which will give them a clear understanding of the country's realities related to the business and business complexities.

Everything that relates to a business administration is a rapidly developing field of knowledge such as ‘MBA in Russia’. The MBA syllabus in Russia is such that students learn not only practical skills, but they also get a serious theoretical basis.

In Russia, for teaching a course in Master of Business Administration, very highly qualified staff gets appointed such as business consultants, heads of organizational units, working professionals etc., due to which a student would be easily able to adapt to almost any working condition regardless of its complexity.

MBA in Russia: Course Overview

The table below show the key highlights of pursuing an MBA degree from Russia.

Advantages of Studying MBA in Russia for Indian Students

The list below mentions some of the top benefits of studying MBA in Russia.

• Russia is best known for its strong academic schools in Physics, Mathematics and Natural sciences and students can acquire in-depth knowledge in all subjects in Russia.
• Russian universities are much cheaper than the equivalent universities from USA, Canada and UK. Level of training at the MBA colleges in Russia and other Russian universities is far better than the educational institutions in the west.
• International students can get the opportunity of getting free education through several thousands of MBA scholarships and other scholarships which the Russian Government offers.
• Russian language courses, summer schools and distance learning programmes are offered by Russian best B-Schools. Thus, 10.5 million foreigners are regularly learning Russian. The Russian government always encourages foreigners to learn Russian.
• Students can take an MBA degree through the English medium of education.
• By studying in Russia, students can receive dual diplomas, a Russian diploma as well as a diploma from a European university as Russia has signed the Bologna declaration in 2003.
• Russian MBA colleges have highly equipped laboratories, best study facilities and scientific centers. They also provide students with comfortable and well equipped dormitories.
• Students in Russia can get discounts on public transport, for visiting museums, concert halls, theatres, parks, libraries and other entertainment and public facilities. Thus, for Indian students studying MBA in Russia would be an unforgettable experience.

Top MBA Universities in Russia

The table below shows some of the top management colleges in Russia with their QS World Ranking.

Eligibility Criteria to take MBA Admission in Russia

A student must fulfill following eligibility criteria in order to be able to take admission to a MBA degree course in Russia:

• A student must have completed a bachelor’s degree in any discipline.(That is, he/she must have completed 14 to 16 years of education.)
• A student must be able to prove his or her proficiency in English language by giving English language proficiency tests like TOEFL or IELTS.
• If students have not given TOEFL/IELTS tests then MBA colleges in Russia have an option of an English language interview. These interviews can also be arranged on Skype.

Scope of Studying MBA in Russia

The scope of studying MBA in Russia is listed below:

• There are a large number of multinational companies in Russia. MBA Schools in Russia give equal importance to MBA graduates from Russian universities as other candidates from European universities.
• The category of jobs which require extremely highly skilled professionals are often offered to foreigners. These jobs are at the management or senior management level.

MBA Scholarships Programmes

Russia offers 3 types of scholarships for international students, those are:

Government Funded Russian Scholarships - To study in Russia, a set number of state scholarships are available for international students. It includes free tuition for the entire duration of the chosen programme, maintenance allowance, and dormitory accommodation. In 2018, 15,000 such spots for scholarships have been granted. The scholarship amount is 1,500 rubles per month (or Rs.1,665/month).

Non-government Russian Scholarships for international students -

1. The school of Russian and Asian scholarships (SRAS)
2. Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarships
3. BP in Russia Research Scholarships
4. American Councils Scholarships
5. Open Doors: Russian Scholarship Project

University-Specific Russian Scholarships for international students - These are the scholarships which are awarded by individual universities for excellent academic performances of the students. Some scholarships may provide stipend to students, while some may provide free tuition or accommodation to students, some scholarships can provide students all the three, that is, stipend, free tuition and free accommodation. Some of such universities which provide scholarships are:

1. Moscow institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT)
2. National Research University
3. Tomsk State University
4. Saint Petersburg Polytechnic University
5. Russian International Olympic University

Russian Student Visa (for MBA Program in Russia)

International applicants who want to study in Russia need a passport and a visa. Through the Russian embassy or Russian Consulate in the country of residence of a student, student visas can be obtained.

A student visa which is valid for 3 months will be issued first. Students should apply for visa extension after this period of 3 months. At the time of extending a student visa, students will get a 1 year extension. This extension will be every time when students extend their visa. This process should be carried out for the duration of their academic programme.

Documents Required for Students Visa to Russia

The following are the important documents required while applying for a student visa to Russia.

• A copy of the front page of the international passport.
• A copy of the original official invitation letter from the concerned college or university for entry to Russia.
• Visa application form.
• A latest passport size photograph (3.5 x 4.5 cm).
• Certificate of HIV with HIV negative status.
• Parental consent to travel certified by a notary is required for applicants who are under 18 years of age.
• A receipt or something as a proof of the payment of tuition fees.

Transport Facilities in Russia

• In Russian cities and towns, one can get around by bus, trolleybus, tram, metro and private taxi. In Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Nizhny Novgorod, Kazan, Volgograd, Samara and Yekaterinburg there are underground systems of transport available.
• Students who are studying any full time courses at Russian universities can get discounts on purchase of tickets on public transport.
• Students in Russia can get a student travel card or student social card by using which monthly travel would cost a student 5 times less than a regular ticket.
• Students can also get discounts on intercity travel using student cards or student social cards.

Accommodation Facilities For Students In Russia

While studying MBA in Russia, students can get 3 types of accommodation options which are a university’s hostel, a host family or a rental apartment. Students can find the best option as per their budget.

Most importantly, academic success of a student depends upon the choice of a place of a student where he/she would stay.

University Hostel (Dormitory)

• It is the most affordable option from a student’s point of view. At most of the top business schools in Russia, these dormitories are located on the campus or not far from the university. A room is shared by 2 to 4 students.
• A dormitory room typically consists of chairs, closets, beds and nightstands, bookshelves, writing desks etc.
• Dormitories are well equipped where students can get access to shared kitchens, recreation rooms, gyms, laundromats and canteens.
• The accommodation fee can vary between 500 to 5,000 roubles per month depending on the selected university and the city where the university is located. But it is a much cheaper option compared to a rental apartment.
• Students can make the payment on a monthly basis or termwise or they can make full payment in advance for the whole academic year.

Rental Apartment

• If the university which is selected by a student does not have a dormitory facility then he/she can look for a rental apartment or a room.
• This option will be more expensive but students can get to stay at a location of their choice and they can also get a level of comfort.
• The most expensive apartments in Russia are in Moscow and St. Petersburg. The rent of an apartment in a city depends upon the size of the city and its distance from the other major cities.

Host Families

Universities also help students in finding lodging options which includes finding host families.

Cost of Living in Russia

The following list shows the annual expenses for a student pursuing MBA in Russia.

• Depending on the region, university and discipline, the tuition fees at the top MBA colleges in Russia can vary from $1,900 - $11,000 (₹1.14 Lakhs/Year-₹6.60 Lakhs/Year).
• Students would need to spend 500 to 35,000 roubles per month (₹1,000-35,000/month) on lodging, depending upon the region, location and type of lodging (such as dormitory, rented room or apartment or host family).
• Students can go for a medical insurance policy which is optional and which costs $60-$180 per year (that is, ₹3,600-₹10,800/Year).
• The cost of a minimum shopping basket in Russia which contains bread, fish, pasta, meat, milk, sugar, fruit, vegetables etc. is 4209 roubles (₹4,672) for a month.
• The cost for Moscow subway’s single journey is around 55 roubles (₹61.05), while 747 roubles (₹829.17) is the cost of a 20-journey travel card. Thus, for Indian students, an MBA in Russia would cost an additional amount of ₹3.60 Lakhs-₹4 Lakhs/Year as a cost of living in Russia.

Safety in Russia

• Russia is not as dangerous as any other developed country. It is safe for students to live here. But everyone including students should not forget to take basic safety measures when away from home.
• One should be alert about the possibility of theft, mugging or pickpocketing.
• Stay alert at public places, in the crowd and in public transport.
• You should not carry large amounts of cash with you when travelling.

Climate in Russia

Climate in Russia mostly depends on the region. It is a quite comfortable place to live in as most of Russia lies in a moderate climate zone.

Summers in Russia are warm to hot and in some areas winters get very cold. In winters, temperatures can fall up to -30 degree celsius with heavy snowfalls. December, January and February are the winter months. Winters can be very cold almost everywhere in Russia. In early October, the first snow generally falls.

About Russia

• Russia is located across eastern Europe and Northern Asia. It is the largest country in the world with an area of 17098.242 thousand square kilometres.
• ‘Moscow’ is the capital of Russia.
• The two most important cultural and financial centers in Russia are Moscow and St. Petersburg.
• Population of Russia is about 143.800 million people and it ranks seventh in terms of population.
• Russian is the official language of Russia.
• In Russia, mostly there are believers of Christianity. Old Believers and the Molokans are included in it. The second most common religion in Russia is Islam. Buddhism, Judaism and Protestantism are the other common religions on the territory of Russia.
• ‘Ruble’ is the currency of Russia.

MBA in Russia: FAQs

Ques: How much does it cost to do an MBA in Russia?

Ans: The average cost of an MBA in Russia ranges from $1,900 - $11,000 per year, depending on the university. Top institutions like Moscow State University or HSE may charge higher fees for international students.

Ques: Is an MBA from Russia worth it?

Ans: Yes, an MBA from Russia is worth it if you’re looking for affordable education, global exposure, and European-standard curriculum. It offers good ROI, especially in fields like international business, energy management, and finance.

Ques: What is the duration of an MBA in Russia?

Ans: An MBA in Russia usually takes 1.5 to 2 years to complete. Some executive or fast-track MBA programs may be completed in 12 months, depending on the university and course structure.

Ques: Is GMAT required for MBA in Russia?

Ans: Not always. Many Russian universities do not require a GMAT score for admission into their MBA programs, especially for international students. However, top-tier business schools may ask for it as an added qualification.

Ques: What are the eligibility criteria for MBA in Russia?

Ans: To apply for an MBA in Russia, you typically need a bachelor’s degree, some work experience (1–3 years preferred), a valid passport, and English or Russian language proficiency, depending on the program’s medium of instruction.

Ques: Is an English-taught MBA available in Russia?

Ans: Yes, many top Russian universities offer MBA programs in English, especially in cities like Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Kazan. English-taught programs are designed specifically for international students.

Ques: Can I work in Russia after completing my MBA?

Ans: Yes, international students can apply for a work permit after completing an MBA in Russia. The government has eased post-study work rules, allowing students to stay and work legally after graduation.

Ques: What are the top universities for MBA in Russia?

Ans: Some of the best universities for MBA in Russia include Skolkovo School of Management, Moscow State University, Higher School of Economics (HSE), St. Petersburg State University, and RANEPA.

Ques: What is the average salary after MBA in Russia?

Ans: The average salary after completing an MBA in Russia is around $12,000 to $25,000 per year. Salaries may vary based on specialization, experience, and the city in which you work.

Ques: Is Russia safe for international MBA students?

Ans: Yes, Russia is generally safe for international students, especially in major cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg. Universities also offer hostel facilities, security, and student support services to ensure a comfortable stay.