National Research Nuclear University MEPhI (Moscow Engineering Physics Institute)is the main university of the Russian nuclear industry. One of the main tasks of the university is the training of physicists, engineers, programmers, computer security specialists according to the needs of industry companies (Ministry of Defense and Rosatom Corporation). It is included in the top 100 world universities in physical sciences[1] and takes the 1st place in Russia among engineering universities[2].
LocationMoscow, Russia
Establishment year1942
Students7,297
International students657
The history of MEPhI
1942 – the Moscow Mechanical Institute of Ammunition opened. The initial task of the university was to train personnel for the military programs of the Soviet Union. The institute had three faculties: tubes and fuses, shells and mines, air bombs, rounds and cartridges. 1945 – reorganized into the Moscow Mechanical Institute, in accordance with the decree on the opening of the Faculty of Engineering and Physics for training the specialists in the nuclear industry. Over time, work on the step by step transfer of mechanical specialties to other institutes, and the expansion of the engineering and physical profile began. 1953 – renamed the Moscow Engineering Physics Institute and the creation of the first MEPhI branches in closed cities (modern Ozersk, Novouralsk, Lesnoy, and Sarov) for the training of field engineers. Later branches were opened in Obninsk, Snezhinsk, and Trekhgorny. The Institute trained nuclear specialists in all areas of specialization and gained worldwide fame. 1964 – while working at MEPhI, academicians Nikolay Basov, Alexander Prokhorov, and Charles H. Towns became laureates of the Nobel Prize in physics for research in the field of quantum electronics. Academician Nikolay Basov, who dedicated more than 40 years to work at MEPhI, received a monument on the territory of the institute in 2017. 2009 – renamed the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI[3]. Today NRNU MEPhI is a global leader in education, science, and innovation in the field of nuclear, radiation, sub-nano and nanotechnologies and their engineering.
Structure of MEPhI
NRNU MEPhI is an all-Russian scientific and educational complex with branches in all regions where the Rosatom State Corporation is present. The structure of the university includes:
11 strategic institutes (Moscow and regions);
3 lyceums (Moscow);
2 schools (Moscow),
6 colleges and technical schools (regions).
The faculty of Foreign Students, the Faculty of Advanced Training and Retraining, the Institute of General Professional Training and the Center for Pre-University Training also work at the Moscow Engineering Physics Institute.
Application and Operation of Automated Systems for Special Purposes
5 years
3,537 USD
12
10
Information Analysis Security Systems
5.5 years
3,537 USD
15
15
Information Protection Technologies in Law Enforcement
5 years
3,537 USD
10
10
Economics
4 years
3,137 USD
-
30
Business Informatics
4 years
3,137 USD
-
20
Economic Security
5 years
3,137 USD
-
15
International Relations
4 years
3,137 USD
-
60
System Analysis and Management
4 years
3,537 USD
10
15
Instrument Engineering
4 years
3,537 USD
10
-
Mechatronics and Robotics Technology
4 years
3,537 USD
15
15
Automation of Production Processes and Industries
4 years
3,537 USD
10
-
The number of paid and state-funded seats for international students is determined by the institution beyond the figures stated above. However, nationals of some countries still have the right to be admitted in general order[5].
Advantages of studying at MEPhI
Prestige and uniqueness of education. MEPhI is a leading engineering university and Russia's only nuclear research university. In international ratings, MEPhI occupies 52nd position in the category of natural sciences[6] and 78th in the category of physical sciences[7].
International education standards. MEPhI is officially recognized as a member of the Worldwide CDIO (Conceive — Design — Implement — Operate) Initiative to modernize engineering education[8]. About 40 educational programs are included in the list of engineering programs and specialties that correspond to the European level and are recognized in the EU[9]. MEPhI graduates receive an extra international diploma[10].
Technical equipment. The university is sponsored by federal programs for the development of high-tech industry. MEPhI has its own unique experimental facilities, 10 centers of excellence for training specialists for leading scientific organizations and industry companies in the field of nuclear energy and engineering, plasma, laser research and technology, etc.[11]
Demand for graduates. The main strategic partners are the Ministry of Defense and Rosatom[12]. About 30% of the specialists hired by the State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom are graduates of the Moscow Engineering Physics Institute[12]. The university takes 3rd place among technical universities in Russia in terms of the salaries of graduates[13].
Teaching staff. More than 70% of teachers have academic degrees and titles, 24% of MEPhI teachers are doctors of sciences[14].
Project activity. From the 1st year the educational process is designed in such a way that the fundamental preparation of students is complemented by involvement in research and participation in real projects initiated by industry companies.
Point-rating system. MEPhI has a credit-modular system and an international 100-point credit system ECTS. When calculating the credit score, the following factors are taken into account: attendance, results of midterm control tests, work in the classroom (oral answers, laboratory, reports), results of exams and/or tests[15].
Sub par language learning. In the curriculum of bachelor’s and specialty programs, there are only 4 academic hours of a foreign languages per week. This does not allow students to obtain sufficient knowledge of the language to read professional literature, participate in innovative projects and academic mobility programs (Megascience Projects, internships at leading Russian and foreign universities and research centers).
Student reviews. Students talk about problems with equipment in research centers and laboratories (for example, the MEPhI nuclear reactor has not been working for more than 7 years), the conservative nature of older teachers, and the administration’s indifference towards students[16].
Applicants from other countries can only be enrolled in the first year of bachelor’s, specialty or graduate courses. Training is possible both on a paid and state-funded basis (according to quotas and in the framework of international agreements). The latter is implemented through Rossotrudnichestvo representative office or to the Russian Embassy in your country. Check the procedure here.
The application process for the fee-paying seats starts on June 15 and finishes on August 21. There is a seperate deadline for foreign applicants coming from countries with visa requirements and applying for English-taught programs – 18 October. All the applicants must pass at least 2 entrance tests conducted by the Moscow Engineering Physics[17]. The schedule is available on the official website. These can be organized in remote format in some cases[17].
Application form in Russian with a color photograph;
Passport and certified translation into Russian;
A copy of the education certificate, a transcript indicating the subjects and points obtained;
Medical certificate proving the absence of contraindications for training in the Russian Federation;
Negative HIV and AIDS test results;
Certificate of nostrification;
Copies of documents confirming individual achievements.
How to prepare for admission
Applicants who do not speak Russian should be trained at the preparatory department of the Faculty of Foreign Students in Moscow or Obninsk. The standard duration of preparatory courses is one year, from September 1 to October 15. Optionally, you can take training for 1.5 years, from February 1 to October 15. In addition to the Russian language, extra subjects are studied in the courses, depending on the direction (engineering, economics, biomedicine, humanities). Students who successfully pass the final exams can continue their studies at the MEPhI in their chosen specialty.
Competitions to admission to a master's degree
Students of MEPhI and other universities can take part in the international contest organized by the Association Global Universities[19]. Winners and prize-winners of the contest can continue their studies at the master’s program at MEPhI. Contests, results of which are accepted: physics, mathematics, computer science, biology. The event is carried out remotely in 2 stages: qualifiers, for which it is necessary to provide a portfolio, and the main stage (assignments). More olympiads
Study programs
Natural Sciences & Mathematics
Radiation Technologies in Life Sciences
Study formFull-time
Duration48 months
Study field
Natural Sciences & Mathematics
Engineering & Technology
Study start date01.09.2023
Engineering & Technology
Nuclear Technologies
Study formFull-time
Duration48 months
Study field
Engineering & Technology
Study start date01.09.2023
Radiation Technologies in Life Sciences
Study formFull-time
Duration48 months
Study field
Natural Sciences & Mathematics
Engineering & Technology
Study start date01.09.2023
Other
Research Nuclear Reactors - Physics and Technologies
Every year the university accepts about one and a half thousand foreign students. The share of foreign teachers and researchers at MEPhI is about 17% of the total number of employees. Under international agreements, university students participate in scholarship programs for internships and project activities[20][21].
Joint Master's study programs
In total, students can choose one of 38 master's programs implemented by MEPhI together with partner universities. In some cases, it is possible to get 2 diplomas at the end of the training[22].
Quanto di Stella is a vocal studio, the participants of which not only sing and play various instruments, but also organize mini-plays as part of their performances. You can listen to them at all celebrations of the university. In addition, the studio participates in festivals and gives concerts in orphanages.
United Council of Students (CCA). MEPhI student self-government body, in which you can develop managerial and organizational skills and take part in volunteer projects.
Rosatom Career Center. One of the main potential employers of graduates regularly holds events for students. Information on vacancies and internships is published on the official website. At MEPhI, Career Days are held, where you can learn in detail about the company, its needs for new personnel and targeted admission. Each year, hundreds of students form student groups which participate in the construction of nuclear facilities and have the opportunity to get acquainted with the industry from the inside. At the initiative of Rosatom, the tournament for young professionals TeMP is being held – a project to attract talented students to the development and implementation of industry innovations.
MEPhI has educational, service, scientific and military facilities on its territory. The main building, located at 31 Kashirskoye Shosse, holds offices of the university’s leadership, a library and classrooms, where most classes take place. The buildings are interconnected by a system of corridors and underground communications, allowing you to move around the university without going outside. The territory of MEPhI also includes physical, computer and electrical laboratories, a canteen for students and teachers, a sports complex, and an industrial park. In addition, there is a nuclear reactor, a neutron generator, radiation accelerator, laser and nanocenters. In the basement of the main building of the university, an Orthodox house church was created[23].
Dormitories. MEPhI has 26 dormitories with a capacity of more than 10,000 beds. The campus includes 5 buildings, 2 of which are a 15-minute walk from the main building (Moskvorechye St., 2, buildings 1 and 2). The cost of living in an apartment-type dormitory for state-funded students is 13 USD/month, including utility bills, and a hostel one is 9 USD/month. For students that pay tuition, the price for accommodation varies from 26 USD to 47 USD per month.
The library. The collection contains about 1 million copies of publications in various fields of science. The library offers the following services to students and professors of MEPhI:
A unique printed collection of materials on natural sciences;
Electronic catalogs, ordering literature online;
Reading rooms equipped with computers with Internet access.
Sports. MEPhI has several sports halls, gyms and games rooms, a swimming pool, tennis courts and outdoor fields and tracks. Students can join one of the 30 clubs, among which are both traditional (athletics, swimming, skiing) and quite rare, for example, historical fencing or the Russian military art "Sobor".
LibraryYes
Sport FacilitiesYes
Interesting facts about MEPhI
A complex of 57 buildings and structures of the university covers an area of 19 hectares. The total area of educational and research buildings is more than 96000 m2.
MEPhI is a participant in international collaborations at construction of Megasience facilities – high-tech international physical scientific and research complexes.
Since 1994, a group of scientists at NRNU MEPhI has been participating in an international project to study the first moments after the Big Bang and the formation of the Universe.
MEPhI Academic Men's Choir, which is attended exclusively by students and graduates of the university, is one of the most famous amateur choirs in Russia. The team has repeatedly become the laureate of international and Russian competitions.
Scientists at the MEPhI Engineering Center have developed a device for painless endoscopy using the special “Landysh” capsule[24].
Famous graduates
Sergei Vasilievich Avdeev (1956) – astronaut, Hero of Russia, who made 3 space flights. For a long time he remained the world record holder for his stay in space, repeatedly went into outer space.
Nikolai Nikolaevich Ponomarev-Stepnoy (1928) – Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, leading specialist in the field of nuclear energy. Since 2010 – scientific consultant to the General Director of Rosenergoatom.
Kirill Gennadievich Korniliev (1961) – Vice President of Industrial Solutions Business Development in Central and Eastern Europe at IBM. Graduate of the Faculty of Cybernetics.
Mikhail ValerievichParakhin (1977) – director of technology at Yandex (2014 – present). Under his leadership, the company launched Alice’s voice assistant and created Tolok’s crowdsourcing platform.
Ivan Vasilievich Zorin (1959-2020) – Russian writer, publicist and video blogger. Member of the Union of Writers of Russia, laureate of the Russian Gulliver Prize.
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