From Eastern Europe to the Eurasian continent, Russia is a vast country. Ethnic Russians made up about half of the population, making it the most powerful Soviet republic since it is the largest country in the world.
Russia’s educational system has long been regarded as one of Europe’s best as it has always been on top of its education. The cost of studying and living in Russia is lower than in most European countries, making it an attractive option for students. Thus, international students in Russia can immerse themselves in a wide range of cultures.
Getting a business degree in Russia is a wise investment as the country consistently ranks among the world’s wealthiest. The country’s economy is constantly expanding, and you will be able to take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way.
We’ve compiled a list of the top institutions for studying business in Russia. Read more about them below.
Top Business Schools in Russia
1. St. Petersburg University
In 1993, St. Petersburg University’s (SPbU) Graduate School of Management was founded. It is an excellent business institution in Russia with a global vision that combines concepts, professionals, and institutions to educate leaders and generate and distribute managerial knowledge for societal and economic progress.
The school has a global vision and management competencies tailored to the Russian employment market; it is a business school with an exceptional learning setting and an ever-evolving team to develop leaders at each and every stage of their careers. International accreditations such as AMBA, ACA, and EQUIS show that SPbU’s Graduate School of Management is a leader in Russian business education.
The university offers business degrees ranging from bachelor’s to doctoral levels. In addition, it collaborates with other international schools to provide the best education possible.
2. Moscow State University
Moscow State University’s Business School is one of Russia’s most prestigious in business education. The university’s business school was founded in 1989 and is one of the country’s oldest institutions of higher learning.
The University prioritizes international cooperation and trains managers who can work effectively in a global context. Traditional MSU teaching methods are combined with cutting-edge approaches to business and management education. Bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs are all offered. MSU has a strong relationship with the Russian business community and can provide tailor-made corporate programs.
The business school consistently ranks at the top and is accredited by the EFMD Programme Accreditation System (EPAS) and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).
Check Also: Best Universities in Russia for International Students
3. Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration
In Moscow, Russia, a Presidential Decree was issued in 2010 to establish the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economics and Public Administration (RANEPA). It is Russia’s largest institution of higher education. The Institute of Business Studies Moscow is one of the best business schools in Russia that operates out of the RANEPA campus. In addition, the school’s collegiate school of business has direct access to the human resources and material resources needed to establish its educational programs, which ensures that it has the highest quality.
The school is also one of the renowned universities in Russia. It specializes in policymaking, social welfare, and business. Professional comprehension, expertise, potential, and capabilities are guaranteed to RANEPA students to help them obtain work in a position requiring postsecondary education. A highly regarded degree in business and management was made available to students so that they could learn how to manage, lead, organize, and adapt successfully in a variety of business contexts.
Furthermore, the university is one of the city’s best public universities as it places its rank as #801 in QS Global World Rankings 2022.
4. Moscow International Higher School of Business Institute
Founded in 1988, the Moscow International Higher Business School (MIRBIS) has grown to become a frontrunner institution for business in Russia.
The institute’s teaching methods include lessons and active engagement in the school environment. The mixture of instructors, expert educators, and practicing top executives ensures the quality of the programs offered. Lectures by visiting faculty, student participation, internships, and study trips to foreign companies and management development centers are just some of the features of their teaching process.
In the MIRBIS degree program, students will learn about strategic management, financial planning, risk management, data analysis, and consumer value management, among many other topics. Advisors and experts with years of experience in MBA education make up their faculty. The courses are geared toward people already working in the Russian business community or who plan to work there soon. They are a blend of Western business education and an understanding of Russia’s unique market conditions. Students in their long-term programs are required to complete an internship at a Russian or international organization. The institute is also prepared to provide exclusive expertise in training, advising, and assistance to those who want to enter the Russian market.
5. International Management Institute of St. Petersburg
International Management Institute of St. Petersburg (IMISP) was established in 1989, making it the first business school in St. Petersburg. It was one of the first in the Soviet Union to provide higher quality and practical-oriented products and services, making IMISP an excellent business school in Russia.
Aiming to help Russian and international businesses grow sustainably, IMISP’s task is to develop an academic, research, consulting, and expert environment that sets the stage for people and businesses’ growth and the success of their business endeavors. In order to assist students and businesses in creating and maintaining their curriculums, the school offers a broad spectrum of advisory and information assistance.
In terms of international recognition, IMISP is one of Russia’s best-known business schools. Five out of their twenty programs won Russia’s annual competition of academic programs. As a result of these accomplishments, they were granted international quality accreditation by the International Management Association and the British Association of MBAs.
6. State University of Management
The State University of Management (SUM) has been at the leading edge of management training in Russia for a century now. It is hailed as one of the country’s key strategic higher learning institutions. Since its inception, it has produced over a hundred thousand highly qualified alumni who work in various industries. Its facilities are the most modern and advanced in the country and are recognized as such by the Narodny Ranking of Business Schools in Russia. It is a member of the International Association of Universities (IAU), the Association of BRICS Business Schools (ABBS), the European Foundation for Management Development (EMFD), and other international organizations.
The State University of Management is an advanced, multi-tier research institution. It has 14 bachelor’s programs, 11 master’s programs, and 8 postgraduate programs. Composed of 7 institutes with over 40 departments and research units, the SUM provides training to about four thousand management professionals and experts each year. Students seeking a bachelor’s degree in business may enroll in programs such as Business Informatics, Management, and Economics among others. Those who are looking for a master’s degree may choose among several programs, such as Management, Finance and Credit, Business Informatics, and HR Management. Students from outside Moscow are also offered dormitory accommodations to help facilitate a more comfortable learning experience.
7. Kazan Federal University
The Higher School of Business (HSB) of the Kazan Federal University (KFU) was founded in Russia only in 2000. While the HSB may be considered quite a young institution in terms of year of establishment, it finds its roots in the prestigious and revered KFU which was established in 1806. One of the premier business schools in Russia, KFUSHB has consistently produced alumni who are distinguished in various fields of business all over the country and the world, attesting to the quality of its education and the strength of its programs.
Purposefully created to cater to the needs of students seeking to strengthen and enhance previous business education and knowledge, the KFUHSB offers various programs for discerning international students. They offer master’s programs in Business and Finance, Business Management, Information Technology Management, and Project Management, as well as MBA, executive MBA, and doctoral programs. It has partnerships with 245 institutions from 58 countries, giving students an edge in terms of opportunities to experience international cultures of education.
The KFUSHB accepts international students and devotes efforts to ensure that non-Russian students can assimilate seamlessly into their academic community through inclusive initiatives such as their International Friendship Club which has been standing for fifty years now.
8. Plekhanov Russian University of Economics
Another top-notch Russian business school, the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics is a 100+-year-old university that exclusively specializes in education in economics and related fields of knowledge, with the goal of creating and sustaining a multilevel system of continuing education that meets the needs of the state, Russian society, and the individual student. While rooted in the classic and time-honored Russian tradition of teaching economics and business, it continuously innovates and adapts to the realities and challenges of the modern world.
Students at the university will experience their unique educational model which is a combination of practice-based economics and management education based on strong statistical and legal training, as well as intensive incorporation and use of information technology across all programs and activities. The learning experience is also characterized by profound experiences in commodity science, trade business, enterprise management, economy, and other linked disciplines.
The institution also offers programs for basic courses, master’s, and MBA for both Russian and international students.
9. St. Petersburg State University of Economics
The St. Petersburg State University of Economics (UNECON) is one of the top-rated universities in Russia with over a hundred years of experience in educating professionals in business, economics, and management. Acknowledged as a leading university in the nation by several ranking entities, it is ranked in fifth place by the Future Leaders Fund, twenty-second by Forbes, and 33rd by RAEX analytics.
UNECON offers programs for bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the fields of economics, finance, international business, accounting and audit, insurance and banking, and management, among others. They have partnered with more than 250 international cooperators, with whom they conduct educational exchange programs, and international scientific projects, and offer double degrees as well.
10. Baikal International Business School
The Baikal International Business School (BIBS) specializes in the development and implementation of international business and management educational projects for international students. This exceptional business school offers programs for bachelor’s, MSc, and MBA degrees through their Siberian-American School of Management and the School of Business Management.
The BIBS caters exclusively to international students, and its educational model is characterized by robust integration with the international business environment, in-depth interaction with real-life businesses, strong incorporation of information technology across all aspects of academic life, and cooperation with leading national and international business schools and universities.
Since 1991, the BIBS has been partnered with the University of Maryland University College (UMUC), and its Siberian-American School of Management is also known as the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC). UMGC offers programs that foster individuality and independent learning patterned after American educational models, where students are expected to study course materials on their own time.
FAQs: Business Studies in Russia
Which Business School is the Best in Russia?
When it comes to the business degrees that are available in Russia, it is clear that St. Petersburg University is among the most popular universities for this degree. This university is ranked among the highest in the country, but it is also at the top of the list on an international scale. The popularity of this university is because it offers great educational opportunities that are supported by a well-respected staff with multiple years of experience. The acceptance rates are quite high for this university and others in the same field as they tend to provide students with the opportunity to succeed.
Russia is an educational destination that you should consider if you are looking for a university in which to study business. Despite the current political issues surrounding the country, it cannot be denied that they have some of the best business schools with unique and interesting advantages that you might find beneficial for your international education journey. If you are interested in this field of study or other fields that may be relevant, feel free to check out the best subjects available to study in Russia.
We hope this article on the best business schools in Russia was helpful and has helped you move forward in choosing the best business school for you! Make sure to also check out the Study in Russia and Available Business Programs for International Students pages for more informative articles.