What is Skoltech?
The Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech) is a private research and academic institute located in the Moscow Region by Skolkovo village. Founded in 2011 with MIT’s collaboration, Skoltech will be responsible for preparing a new generation of researchers and entrepreneurs, expanding the range of scientific knowledge, and stimulating technological innovation with the goal of solving important technological research problems that Russia and the rest of the world may face in the future. The Institute facilitates its own research utilizing the best traditional educational and research practices from Russia and the international sphere. The Institute pays particular attention to innovation and entrepreneurship possibilities through utilization of the top investigative approaches of the 21st century. For more information about Skoltech, click here.
Where can I find more information about the Skoltech faculty’s scientific areas of interests?
To learn more about our faculty’s areas of scientific interest, please visit the corresponding page.
Can we visit Skoltech?
We highly recommend visiting Skoltech during the Open Doors days where you will be able to get detailed information about the program you are interested in, meet and talk to the faculty members and current students, visit laboratories, etc., as on regular days you will only be able to talk to the administration by phone or e-mail. Please follow our website to check the dates of the Open Doors days. Questions regarding visiting Skoltech should be addressed to the Admission Office email at .
What are the admission requirements?
Master’s Programs
An appropriate Bachelor’s degree, or its equivalent, from a recognized university.
Doctoral Programs
An appropriate Master’s degree, or its equivalent, from a recognized university.
Who can apply?
Applications are open to domestic and international students. Applicants must be in their final year of their undergraduate studies or hold a higher education degree (bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or specialist degree) in one of the following areas of study: mathematics, technical science, applied science, physics, chemistry, biology, or related areas. Additionally, you must have a record of success in your studies as well as a knowledge of English.
Skoltech focuses on acquiring the highest levels of talent and applicants must meet at least the minimum requirements. Those who hold a degree in humanities or social sciences must have extended knowledge in one of the five areas of study offered by Skoltech.
As Skoltech receives more applications each year from excellent candidates than we have placements available, meeting the minimum admissions requirement does not necessarily guarantee admission.
The minimum admissions requirements set by Skoltech can also be found on the Requirements page.
What is an appropriate bachelor’s degree”?
An appropriate admitting degree is one that satisfies the following criteria:
a) The issuing institution must be recognized as having degree granting authority by the appropriate jurisdictional authorities.
b) The degree must be the standard first entry degree which gives access to advanced research-based graduate programs in the country of origin.
When should I apply?
Different application deadlines apply to different types of applicants. Please visit Skoltech’s admission requirements page for the exact date. Make sure you comply with the admission requirements.
I might miss the application deadline; can I have an extension?
All applications should be received by the deadline.
I am interested in applying for an MSc program at Skoltech. How should I apply?
Admission to an MSc program at Skoltech involves a two-round process. Round One consists of completing an online admissions application. Applicants should consult the Skoltech requirements website to ensure they meet all required deadlines and submit all essential materials such as:
Round Two consists of online testing, Round Three is “Selection Weekend”.
What is “Selection Weekend”?
Selection Weekend is the second round of admission process at Skoltech. Students, who have been selected in the first selection round (which is online test result and the application review), are invited to be part of “Selection Weekend”. During the “Selection Weekend”, participants go through two days of interviews, written examinations, and an English test.
I would like to apply to Skoltech. Where should I get the application form?
To apply, you must complete an online admissions application available on Skoltech’s webpage. Please carefully read the instructions, requirements and deadlines before submitting an application.
Do I have to list all the schools and institutions I have attended?
Yes. It is required that you list all post-secondary institutions you have attended. You do not need to submit any information or documents related to secondary school.
How much is the application fee?
Please be advised that there is no application fee required for admission to Skoltech.
Can students who already have a master’s degree apply to Skoltech?
Yes, we will consider master’s degree holders for entry.
How many recommendation letters are required for admission?
Skoltech requires two letters of recommendation from people who know your academic and professional qualifications. They should consist of a contact phone and/or e-mail of the recommender; if the letters are in Russian please make your own translation in English, scan in one file with the original and upload this way.
Who can I speak to regarding the application process?
All questions regarding the application process can be addressed to the Admission Office at: admissions@skoltech.ru.
How should I submit my official academic transcripts?
For Round Two, applicants should bring their original academic transcripts to the Student Recrutiment Team of Skoltech. An English translation of documents that are not in English or Russian should be also submitted. Also, transcripts can be uploaded in the online application form.
I have not completed my current degree yet; what should I do?
If you have not completed your bachelor’s degree (or master’s degree if applicable), you can apply to Skoltech, provided, however, that by the time you are issued an admission offer you will receive your bachelor’s degree diploma (or master’s degree diploma if applicable). In your application, please indicate the expected date of graduation. You should also attach your academic records currently available to date in e-format. If you are issued an admission offer from Skoltech prior to the beginning of the academic year you should provide university transcripts.
My academic records are in a language other than English or Russian. Should I also submit translations of my documents?
English translations are required for all documents written in a language other than English or Russian. Translations do not replace original documentation. Both the original documents and translations must be submitted. If your organization for higher education does not provide documents in English, English translation of such documents is desirable, as it will facilitate the review of your application by our English-speaking faculty.
What is online testing?
All applicants will pass an online test; the better you pass it, the more chances you will have to get to the next step.
You can check the admission exam samples of 2018 here.
Is TOEFL/IELTS required?
All applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English, the language of instruction at Skoltech. A score of 80 on the TOEFL iBT, 450 on the TOEFL ITP or 6 on the IELTS is desired; the language certificate is valid for 2 years after the test date (TOEFL or IELTS score is not required if applicant received a university English-language degree). Other English language test scores are not accepted. Skoltech’s institutional code for the TOEFL iBT is 2909.
When do I need to take TOEFL/IELTS?
Submission of either TOEFL or IELTS results is strongly recommended. Applicants who did not get a chance to take any of these official tests will be required to take the English language proficiency test during “Selection Weekend” at Skoltech.
Do I need to take the GRE exam?
Submission of a General GRE score is not a requirement of the Skoltech application. However, it is encouraged and may enhance your application. For further information on the GRE test please visit the ETS website for test locations, dates, and times. Skoltech’s institutional code for the GRE is 1294.
What is the minimum required GPA for Skoltech?
There are no minimum GPA requirements, however the average student GPA for 2017 was between 4.8 and 5.0. This means that while some students received higher marks than average, others received just below 4.7. The application committee looks at the application package as a whole. Due to the large international pool of applicants, the faculty is aware of a variety of grading scales.
Where can I get an application form for financial aid?
There is no separate application for funding. All applicants are automatically considered for funding. For every admitted MSc student, Skoltech will provide a fellowship including a monthly stipend and medical insurance.
What is the tuition fee?
The applicants who have successfully passed the admission process and are enrolled at Skoltech do not pay for their studies. The cost is fully covered by the university; for students, education is free of charge.
Will Skoltech provide stipends for master’s and graduate (PhD) students? What is the amount of the scholarship?
Skoltech aims to provide the maximum financial aid to its students. All admitted master’s and PhD students will receive an academic stipend as well as full tuition and medical insurance. The standard stipend is 40,000 rubles for master’s students. For graduate students, this can be upwards of 70,000 rubles. Any further funding will be decided on a case by case basis by the admissions committee.
If a student already receives a scholarship from another source, is that student eligible for funding from Skoltech?
Students who have scholarships that provide supplementary support are eligible for Skoltech funding. Questions related to the receipt of scholarships from other sources should be addressed to: admissions@skoltech.ru.
What is the admissions process? How will I know about the final decision?
Upon completion of your application, you will receive an update from the application committee regarding your submission. The application committee will then look at your application in the context of the program that you have applied for. Those who have passed the first application round will then be notified of their invitation to the Selection Weekend. Those applicants will have to spend a day at Skolkovo for testing and interviews. After the Selection Weekend, all applicants will receive notice of the final decision regarding their application.
How will I know about the status of my application?
To find out about the status of your application, please open it online by following this link: http://apply.skoltech.ru. You are welcome to contact the Student Recruitment Team to ask about the status of your application.
Will Skoltech provide feedback for students who have been rejected?
Due to a large number of applications the Student Recruitment Team receive each year, we unfortunately cannot accommodate requests for personalized feedback on your application. Admission to Skoltech is very competitive and students who meet or even exceed our minimum requirements may not necessarily receive an offer.
I have been admitted. However, I have a few questions before I make the final decision. Who do I need to contact?
Please feel free to contact the Student Recruitment Team if you have any questions before making a decision about the admission offer.