Kenyan Students Can Apply for Tuition-Free University Places in Russia
2 min read
The Russian Embassy in Kenya has announced an opportunity for Kenyan secondary school students to compete for tuition-free university places in Russia.
The opportunity is offered through the International School Olympiad for Foreign Citizens organised by the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO).
In a notice shared on October 17, 2026, the embassy said students from African countries can register for the competition. The application deadline is October 31, 2026.
Who Can Apply for the Russia University Opportunity?
The competition targets students who are citizens of eligible countries and are still enrolled in secondary school.
Kenyan students who meet the eligibility requirements can participate in the academic competition, which aims to identify talented students for university admission.
The competition tests students in subjects such as English, Russian, geography, world history and international relations, depending on the applicable requirements.
Courses Available at MGIMO
Students who win the top competition diplomas may qualify for tuition-free places in eligible bachelor’s degree programmes, subject to the university’s admission rules and applicable regulations.
The courses include:
- International Relations
- Journalism
- Political Science
- International Law and other Law programmes
- Economics
- Sociology
- Area Studies
- Public and Municipal Administration
- Advertising and Public Relations
- Commerce
- Environmental Management and Natural Resources
Eligible winners may also qualify for the university’s preparatory programme for foreign students.
However, winning the competition does not mean that every participant will automatically receive a scholarship. Admission and tuition-free placement depend on the competition results and the university’s applicable requirements.
How to Apply for the Russia University Competition
Interested Kenyan students can register through the official MGIMO International School Olympiad website:
Application website: https://int-olymp-mgimo.com/
The registration deadline is October 31, 2026.
Participation in the competition is free, and students are required to submit their applications individually.
After registering, applicants can access sample questions through their personal accounts to help them prepare for the competition.
The qualifying round is scheduled for November 2026, while the final round is expected in March 2027. The final may be conducted online or in person, depending on the arrangements made by the organisers.
Students should read the official competition rules carefully to confirm their eligibility, examination requirements and the documents needed.
For further enquiries, applicants can contact the organisers via int.admissions@id.mgimo.ru.
Important: The tuition-free opportunity covers eligible tuition fees. Students should confirm separately whether they will need to pay for air tickets, accommodation, meals, visas and other living expenses.
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