Legalization of education documents:
When enrolling to a Russian university, an international applicant must submit an original education document, which was legalized in the country of issue. Legalization - is a procedure of affixing a special stamp on the document in the country of issue, after which it can be legally used abroad.
No legalization of education documents is required if the country of issue and the Russian Federation have executed a bilateral treaty on legalisation. As of 2023, there are 34 countries in the list:
Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Vientnam, Greece, Egypt, Spain, India, Iraq, Iran, Italy, Yemen, Cyprus, China, North Korea, Cuba, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Mongolia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tunisia, Finland, Croatia, Montenegro, Czech Republic, Estonia.
Further country-specific information could be found at the website of the National Information Center, Main State Center for Education Evaliation.
How to legalize an education document in your home country:
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General (consular) legalization
It is carried out in 2 stages:
- a certification of the document (depending on the requirements of the legislation of the issuing country: as a rule, the original, in some countries – copies,) the competent authorities of foreign affairs (MFA) of the country of issue of the document – appropriate stamps and seals are affixed with the indication of the position and the signature of the certifying person;
- certification by the consular services of the Russian Federation (consulate or representative office of the Russian Federation) in the country of issue of the document – appropriate stamps and seals are affixed indicating the position and signature of the certifying person.
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Simplified legalization (apostille)
If your country has joined the Hague Convention of 1961, you will have an apostille affixed to your document. In this case it will be considered valid in more than 100 countries, including Russia. You can find if your country has joined the Hague Convention on the Convention’s official website.
To affix an apostille, find out what authority (ministry of justice, ministry of foreign affairs, ministry of education, district court, etc.) in your country provides such services. Apostilles could be either affixed directly to the document or issued electronicaly.
Procedure for Recognition of Foreign Education and (or) Qualifications:
The procedure of recognition occurs after the documents are legalized. Applicants whose education documents have been issued outside of Russia need to complete a procedure recognition of their education documents. Recognition of foreign diplomas and/or qualifications is a prerequisite for admission to the MSU.
When recognition is not required:
- if a country of diploma issue and Russia have signed a bilateral agreement recognizing education documents;
- if education documents were issued by a university which is recognized in the Russian Federation (Order of the Government №186-р dated 30.01.2023). The text could be found here (in Russian).
Moscow State University is among 49 universities in Russia who have the right to independently recognise eduation documents. When an applicant will be enrolled to MSU, they will address the issue of recognition directly with the Faculty.
From March 1, 2021 all foreign applicants may apply for diploma recognition via MSU AIS “Recognition” platform.
Guidelines for working with the platform (both are in English):
Written manual АИС «Признание» (msu.ru)
Video instructions Info Session about Recognition of Foreign Education at MSU - YouTube.
