Moscow State Institute of International Relations

[Acy]

I've recently been accepted in a Master of Political Science program at MGIMO-University (Moscow State Institute of International Relations). Does anyone have any experience with this school? I know very little about it aside from it being renowned for its faculty and alumni throughout Europe. Anything would be helpful.

[Bukharan]

MGIMO is Russia's premier school. Full stop. Lots and lots of members of political elite of Russia, former Soviet states and probably many Eastern European countries either graduated from there or wished they did. The masses of those countries think of MGIMO as something ... very elitist and hardly reachable.

What its reputation is in the Western academic circles, that I don't know.

[bigpapavich]

Hi,

I saw your post about getting accepted to MGIMO. Congrats. I have also been accepted there, and I'm from the United States as well. I was wondering, are you doing the program in English or in Russian? My program is the "Master's in Politics and Economics in Eurasia." Is that the same as yours?

[Zahar Berkut]

I expect far fewer people will know about the school's sterling reputation in the States. Those who work regularly with Eastern Europe might, but that's a question you'll want to investigate in accordance with your future plans. You should also make sure that the reputation lives up to the quality of education you'd receive. Tons of Europeans still wish they could get their education in the US.

[edvolkov]

MGIMO is Russia's premier school. Full stop. Lots and lots of members of political elite of Russia, former Soviet states and probably many Eastern European countries either graduated from there or wished they did. The masses of those countries think of MGIMO as something ... very elitist and hardly reachable.

What its reputation is in the Western academic circles, that I don't know.

Just my 2 cents. Maybe you are talking about Soviet Union, but nowadays the reputation of MGIMO in Russia can be expressed as "A lot of boast and bad education" (in Russian the abbreviation of this phrase is MGIMO). Also it is excellent example that demonstrates the level of corruption in Russia. Of course there exist some smart people, but their percentage is extremely small.

[Acy]

Just my 2 cents. Maybe you are talking about Soviet Union, but nowadays the reputation of MGIMO in Russia can be expressed as "A lot of boast and bad education" (in Russian the abbreviation of this phrase is MGIMO). Also it is excellent example that demonstrates the level of corruption in Russia. Of course there exist some smart people, but their percentage is extremely small.

Is this really true? I've been told by Professors at my current university that this is, indeed, Russia's premier school for the study of liberal arts. The main attraction for me is really the language program...who else offers over 50 languages? I've been accepted by several American universities, but the opportunity to learn Russian as well as, say Pashtun or Tajik, seems rather tempting.

If MGIMO's reputation is really on the decline in Russia, then what school is taking its place? Moscow State? How does it demonstrate the level of corruption in Russia?

[ringo-ring]

That's is not about MGIMO reputation only, the reputation of higher education itself is on the decline in Russia. There is a common opinion among us that our universities can only take bribes not teach. That's why everyone is trying to get an education abroad. But maybe that's all just rumors and wrong? I would look at the level of expertise of individual professors at MGIMO, where did they publish in last years, which conferences do they attend and etc. to figure out their reputation in the international community. That will matter for your job prospects after you finish. Do you want to stay in Russia for good? If you plan your further career to be in Russia then definitely you better get education here. But for other cases, examine the situation carefully before making decision.

[edvolkov]

Is this really true? I've been told by Professors at my current university that this is, indeed, Russia's premier school for the study of liberal arts. The main attraction for me is really the language program...who else offers over 50 languages? I've been accepted by several American universities, but the opportunity to learn Russian as well as, say Pashtun or Tajik, seems rather tempting.

If MGIMO's reputation is really on the decline in Russia, then what school is taking its place? Moscow State? How does it demonstrate the level of corruption in Russia?

Yes, there exists very common and very widespread opinion about bribes in this Univeristy. But that opinion is only about undergraduate school. And who knows, maybe it's wrong, but I don't think so. BTW it is MGIMO parking place http://apikabu.ru/img_preview/535245.jpg (each of these cars worth about 300k dollars)

And I agree with previous poster that you should carefully inspect publications at top tier conferences in your field to get the sence of its real reputation.

Also - think about living in Moscow - that's really awful nowadays. The public transportation system reminds me about being packed like sardines. And the traffic jams are unbelievable.

[Fishseasun]

I think this thread could use a comment from a current MGIMO student.

MGIMO really does have stellar reputation when it comes to langages - 53 languages are taught, including languages like Africaans, Amharic, Farsi, Thai, etc...

MGIMO also does have a reputation for being the best in Russia in the study of International Relations. The problem here is that the emphasis is more on the study of the history of International Relations than anything else. There are almost no professors working on quantitave methods in IR. And few professors publish in English.

I am not sure what kind of reputation, if any, MGIMO has in the US.

[bigpapavich]

You say you're a current MGIMO student. Do you know of about the M.P.S. "Politics and Economics of Eurasia" program there? It's supposed to be a new program taught in English. Can you tell us anything about it?

[Fishseasun]

I am an undergraduate student, so I am afraid I cannot be of much help with graduate programs, especially seeing how the program you mention is a new one.

I can only point to the description of the program on the university website (http://www.mgimo.ru/master/peinea/index.phtml), but you have likely already seen it.