View source for Moscow State University

{{short description|Public research university in Moscow, Russia}}
{{redirect|MGU|the most general unifier|Unification (computer science)}}
{{Expand Russian|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox university
 | name                   = M. V. Lomonosov<br>Moscow State University
 | native_name            = Московский государственный университет имени М. В. Ломоносова
 | native_name_lang       = Russian
 | other_name             = 
 | former_name            = Imperial Moscow University
 | image                  = МГУ, вид с воздуха.jpg
 | image_size             = 250px
 | caption                = [[Main building of Moscow State University]]
 | motto                  = Наука есть ясное познание истины, просвещение разума
 | motto_lang             = ru
 | mottoeng               = Science is clear knowledge of the truth, enlightenment of the mind<br /> ''Scientia est clara cognitio veritatis, illustratio mentis (Latin)''
 | established            = {{Start date and age|1755|1|23|df=y}}
 | type                   = [[Public university|Public]] [[research university]]
 | founder                = Mikhail Vasilyevich Lomonosov [https://openday.msu.ru/en/history] and Ivan Shuvalov [https://www.prlib.ru/en/history/619712]
 | parent                 = 
 | affiliation            = 
 | officer_in_charge      = 
 | chairman               = 
 | chancellor             = 
 | president              = 
 | superintendent         = 
 | provost                = 
 | rector                 = [[Viktor Sadovnichiy]]
 | academic_staff         = 5,000
 | students               = 39,282<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ng.ru/education/2024-04-16/100_162209042024.html|title=Крупнейшие вузы России: анализируем востребованность российских университетов|publisher=ng.ru|language=ru|accessdate=2024-04-18}}</ref>
 | undergrad              = 
 | postgrad               = 
 | city                   = [[Moscow]]
 | country                = Russia
 | coor                   = {{Coord|55.7039|37.5286|type:edu|display=inline,title}}
 | campus                 = [[Urban area|Urban]]
 | former_names           = 
 | language               = [[Russian language|Russian]]
 | free                   = 
 | colors                 = {{Color box|#0b0026}}{{Color box|#14005c}}{{Color box|#1d00c3}}
 | affiliations           = [[Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs]] (cancelled in 2022)<br />[[Institutional Network of the Universities from the Capitals of Europe]] (suspended in 2022)<br />[[International Forum of Public Universities]]
 | website                = {{URL|https://msu.ru/en/}}
 | logo                   = Moscow State University CoA.png
 | logo_size              = 140px
 | footnotes              = {{Infobox building
| embed = yes
| name               = Moscow State University Main Building
| native_name_lang   = ru
| caption            = 
| start_date         = 
| completion_date    = 1953
| map_type           = Russia Moscow
| architectural      = {{convert|240|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| status             = 
| antenna_spire      = 
| top_floor          = {{convert|214|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}<ref name="MSU Height">{{cite web|url=https://www.latlong.net/place/lomonosov-moscow-state-university-moscow-russia-85.html|title=Where is Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia on Map Lat Long Coordinates|website=Latlong.net}}</ref>
| floor_count        = 42
| elevator_count     = 
| floor_area         = {{convert|1000000|m2|sqft|+3|abbr=on}} 
| developer          = 
| owner              = 
| website            = {{URL|https://msu.ru/en/}}
}}
}}

'''Moscow State University''' ('''MSU'''), officially '''M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University''',{{efn|{{langx|ru|Московский государственный университет имени М. В. Ломоносова|Moskovskiy gosudarstvennyy universitet imeni M. V. Lomonosova}}, {{IPA|ru|p=mɐˈskofskʲɪj ɡəsʊˈdarstvʲɪn(ː)ɨj ʊnʲɪvʲɪrsʲɪˈtʲet ˈimʲɪnʲɪ ɛmˈvɛ ləmɐˈnosəvə|IPA}}.}} is a [[public university|public]] [[research university]] in [[Moscow]], Russia.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Faculty of Physics |url=https://phys.msu.ru/eng/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20221104144110/https://phys.msu.ru/eng/ |archive-date=2022-11-04 |access-date=2022-11-04 |website=M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University Faculty of Physics}}</ref> The university includes 15 research institutes, 43 faculties, more than 300 departments, and six branches. Alumni of the university include past leaders of the [[Soviet Union]] and other governments. As of 2019, 13 [[List of Nobel laureates|Nobel laureates]], six [[Fields Medal]] winners, and one [[Turing Award]] winner were affiliated with the university.

==History==
[[File:Указ об основании Московского Университета.jpg|thumb|Decree on the foundation of the Moscow State University]]

===Imperial Moscow University===
{{main|Imperial Moscow University}}

[[File:Moscow Red Square rathaus, survey by Bove, 1816.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|The Principal Medicine Store building on Red Square that housed Moscow University from 1755 to 1787]]
[[Ivan Shuvalov]] and [[Mikhail Lomonosov]] promoted the idea of a university in Moscow, and [[Elizabeth of Russia|Russian Empress Elizabeth]] decreed its establishment on {{OldStyleDate|23 January|1755|12 January}}.<ref>{{cite book|last=Papmehl|first=K.A.|title=Freedom of Expression in Eighteenth Century Russia|location=The Hague|publisher=Nijhoff|date=1971|isbn=9789024711116|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9ba2BwAAQBAJ|page=21}}</ref>

The first lectures were given on {{OldStyleDate|7 May||26 April}}. [[Saint Petersburg State University]] and MSU each claim to be Russia's oldest university. Though Moscow State University was founded in 1755, St. Petersburg which has had a continuous existence as a "university" since 1819 sees itself as the successor of an academy established on in 1724, by a decree of [[Peter the Great]].{{citation needed|date=June 2022}} <ref>{{Cite web |title=Moscow State University - Wikispooks |url=https://wikispooks.com/wiki/Moscow_State_University |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=wikispooks.com}}</ref>

MSU originally occupied the [[State Historical Museum|Principal Medicine Store]] on [[Red Square]] from 1755 to 1787. [[Catherine II of Russia|Catherine the Great]] transferred the university to a building on the other side of Mokhovaya Street, constructed between 1782 and 1793, to a design by [[Matvei Kazakov]], and rebuilt by [[Domenico Giliardi]] after [[Fire of Moscow (1812)|fire consumed much of Moscow in 1812]].{{citation needed|date=June 2022}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lomonosov Moscow State University Faculty of Medicine, Russia – MBBSNEET.com |url=https://www.mbbsneet.com/lomonosov-moscow-state-university-faculty-of-medicine-russia/ |access-date=2025-07-11 |language=en-US}}</ref>

[[File:mgu 1798.jpg|thumb|Main buildings of the university in Mokhovaya Street, 1798]]
In the 18th century, the university had three departments: philosophy, medicine, and law. A preparatory college was affiliated with the university until its abolition in 1812. In 1779, [[Mikhail Kheraskov]] founded a boarding school for noblemen (Благородный пансион) which in 1830 became a [[gymnasium (school)|gymnasium]] for [[Russian nobility]]. The [[university press]], run by [[Nikolay Novikov]] in the 1780s, published the newspaper in Imperial Russia: ''[[Moskovskie Vedomosti]]''.{{citation needed|date=June 2022}}

In 1804, medical education split into clinical (therapy), surgical, and [[obstetrics]] faculties. Between 1884 and 1897, the Department of Medicine built a medical campus in [[Devichye Pole]], between the [[Garden Ring]] and [[Novodevichy Convent]]; designed by {{ill|Konstantin Bykovsky|ru|Быковский, Константин Михайлович|vertical-align=sup}}, with university doctors like [[Nikolay Sklifosovskiy]] and Fyodor Erismann acting as consultants. The campus, and medical education in general, were separated from Moscow University in 1930. Devichye Pole was operated by the independent [[I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University]] and by various other state and private institutions.{{citation needed|date=June 2022}}

The roots of student unrest in the university reach deep into the nineteenth century. In 1905, a social-democratic organization emerged at the university and called for the overthrow of the Czarist government and the establishment of a republic in Russia. The [[Russian Empire|imperial]] government repeatedly threatened to close the university. In 1911, in a protest over the introduction of troops onto the campus and mistreatment of certain professors, 130 scientists and professors resigned ''en masse'', including [[Nikolay Dimitrievich Zelinskiy]], [[Pyotr Nikolaevich Lebedev]], and [[Sergei Alekseevich Chaplygin]]; thousands of students were expelled.{{citation needed|date=June 2022}}

===Moscow State University===
====1917–49====
After the [[October Revolution]] of 1917, the institution began to admit children of the proletariat and peasantry. In 1919, the university abolished tuition fees, and established a preparatory facility to help working-class children prepare for entrance examinations. During the implementation of [[Joseph Stalin]]'s [[First five-year plan (Soviet Union)|first five-year plan]] (1928–32), the university was expanded.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

====1950–99====
[[File:Moscow University stamp 1960.png|thumb|A 1962 Soviet stamp features Moscow State University.]]
In 1970, the university imposed a 2% quota on Jewish students.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://isgap.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Kosmin-Flashpoint-3.pdf |title=Resentment, Anxiety and Careerism: Accounting for Antisemitism in the Academy and Among the Intelligentsia|author=Barry A. Kosmin|website=Isgap.org|access-date=2022-07-25}}</ref> A 2014 article entitled "Math as a tool of anti-semitism" in ''[[The Mathematics Enthusiast]]'' discussed [[antisemitism]] in the Moscow State University's Department of Mathematics during the 1970s and 1980s.<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://scholarworks.umt.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1320&context=tme|journal=The Mathematics Enthusiast|volume=11|issue=3|date=2014|title=Math as a tool of anti-semitism|author=Jay Egenhoff|access-date=2022-07-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://momentmag.com/the-story-of-sergey-brin/|title=The Story of Sergey Brin|first=Mark|last=Malseed|website=Momentmag.com|date=May 6, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-oZY9GJW7YgC&dq=%22moscow+state+university%22+%22antisemitism%22&pg=PT32 | isbn=9781101151402 | title=Googled: The End of the World as We Know It | date=2009 | publisher=Penguin }}</ref>

In the mid-1980s, the Dean of MSU's law faculty was dismissed for taking bribes.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2aoMstjVWCMC&dq=%22moscow+state+university%22+corruption&pg=PA137 | isbn=9780792314363 | title=The Emancipation of Soviet Law | year=1992 | publisher=Martinus Nijhoff Publishers }}</ref> After 1991, nine new faculties were established. The following year, the university gained a unique status: it is funded directly from the state budget (bypassing the Ministry of Education).{{citation needed|date=July 2022}}

On 6 September 1997, French electronic musician [[Jean Michel Jarre]] used the front of the university as the backdrop for a [[List of Jean Michel Jarre concerts#Oxygen in Moscow|concert]]. The concert attracted a paying crowd of half a million people.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2015/5/mad-max-fury-road-ten-road-warrior-themed-world-records-378880|title=Mad Max Fury Road: Ten Road Warrior themed world records|date=May 15, 2015|website=Guinness World Records}}</ref>

====2000–2020====
[[File:RIAN archive 113828 Students' holiday, St. Tatyana's Day and the 250th anniversary of Moscow State University named after M. Lomonosov..jpg|thumb|left|Students celebrating the 250th anniversary of the university in 2005]]

In 2007, MSU Rector [[Viktor Sadovnichy]] said that corruption in Russia's education system was a "systemic illness," and that he had seen an ad guaranteeing a perfect score on entrance exams to MSU, for a significant fee.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LzOIDwAAQBAJ&dq=%22moscow+state+university%22+corruption&pg=PA190 | isbn=9780830865178 | title=Opening the Red Door: The Inside Story of Russia's First Christian Liberal Arts University | date= 2019 | publisher=InterVarsity Press }}</ref>

On 19 March 2008, Russia's most powerful [[supercomputer]] to date, the SKIF MSU ({{langx|ru|СКИФ МГУ}}; ''skif'' means '[[Scythian]]' in Russian) was launched at the university. Its peak performance of 60 [[TFLOPS]] ([[LINPACK]] – 47.170 TFLOPS) made it the fastest supercomputer in the [[Commonwealth of Independent States]].<ref>{{cite web|title=8th edition of the Top 50 list of the most powerful computers in Russia released |url=http://www.top500.org/blog/2008/04/16/8th_edition_top_50_list_most_powerful_computers_russia_released |publisher=TOP500 Supercomputing Sites |website=Top500.org |date=2008-04-16 |access-date=2011-10-29 |archive-date=2011-09-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927074613/http://www.top500.org/blog/2008/04/16/8th_edition_top_50_list_most_powerful_computers_russia_released |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.km.ru/glavnoe/2008/03/20/arkhiv/v-mgu-zapushchen-samyi-moshchnyi-v-sng-kompyuter|title=ru:В МГУ запустили мощнейший в СНГ компьютер|website=Km.ru|date=2008-03-20|access-date=2016-07-14}}</ref>

In November 2012, Mikhail Basharatyan, Deputy Dean of the MSU World Economy Department, was fired for taking a bribe from a pupil.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.vestikavkaza.ru/news/society/33275.html|title=Basharatyan fired from MSU for receiving bribe|website=en.vestikavkaza.ru|date=2 November 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2012/10/30/professors-caught-taking-hefty-bribe-a19046|title=Professors Caught Taking Hefty Bribe |date=October 30, 2012|website=The Moscow Times}}</ref> In February 2013, Andrei Andriyanov resigned as head of the [[Kolmogorov]] Special Educational and Scientific Center of the university, after an investigation concluded that he had included fake references in his doctoral thesis.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.science.org/content/article/scandals-envelop-two-russian-science-officials|title=Scandals Envelop Two Russian Science Officials; Allegations of a falsified dissertation lead to departure of head of special science high school|website=science.org}}</ref>

====2020–present====
In March 2022, Victor Sadovnichy, rector of Moscow State University and president of the Russian Union of Rectors, was the lead signature in a public statement endorsing the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]].<ref name="yaledailynews.com">{{cite web|url=https://yaledailynews.com/blog/2022/03/15/milta-russian-colleges-are-calling-for-war-will-yale-react/|title=MILTA: Russian Colleges are calling for war. Will Yale react?|date=March 15, 2022|website=Yale Daily News}}</ref><ref name="rsr-online.ru">{{cite web|url=https://rsr-online.ru/news/2022-god/obrashchenie-rossiyskogo-soyuza-rektorov1/|title=Обращение Российского Союза ректоров 04.03.2022|date=March 4, 2022|website=Российский Союз Ректоров|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307120502/https://rsr-online.ru/news/2022-god/obrashchenie-rossiyskogo-soyuza-rektorov1/ |archive-date=2022-03-07 }}</ref> In reaction, [[Academia Europaea]], a pan-European academy, suspended the membership of Sadovnichy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-europe-politics-2022-3-european-infrastructures-advised-to-block-russian-access/|title=European infrastructures advised to block Russian access|website=Researchprofessionalnews.com|date=March 17, 2022}}</ref> In response to the Russian invasion, that same month [[Yale University]], the [[Hamburg University of Applied Sciences]], [[University of Potsdam]], and [[University of Hong Kong|HKU Business School]] suspended their longstanding relationships with the university, and the [[University of St Andrews]] suspended a joint master's degree programme with the university.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://reees.macmillan.yale.edu/news/yale-daily-news-what-does-future-hold-russian-studies-yale|title=Yale Daily News: What Does the Future Hold for Russian Studies at Yale? &#124; Russian, East European, & Eurasian Studies at Yale|website=Reees.macmillan.yale.edu|date=May 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://ug.hkubs.hku.hk/exchange-partner|title=Exchange Partners &#124; Undergraduate – FBE – HKU|website=ug.hkubs.hku.hk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/russia-ukraine-war/article/scottish-universities-russian-links-come-under-urgent-review-rxrp358m2|title=Scottish universities' Russian links come under urgent review|first=Constance|last=Kampfner|website=[[The Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.haw-hamburg.de/fileadmin/PK/PDF/2022-03-10_To_all_HAW_Hamburg_employees_and_students_-_Solidarity_with_Ukraine.pdf|title=Solidarity with Ukraine / Tolerance on our international campus|website=Hasw-hamburg.de|access-date=2022-07-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uni-potsdam.de/en/international/profile/partnerships/university-partnerships|title=University Partnerships|first=Dr Phil Silke|last=Brodersen|website=Uni-potsdam.de}}</ref> [[Intel]] and [[AMD]], the largest chip manufacturers in the world, whose processors are used in the Moscow State University [[supercomputer]], as well as [[Nvidia]], reacted by suspending deliveries of their processors to Russia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://time.news/amd-and-intel-have-suspended-deliveries-of-their-products-to-russia-rbc/|title=AMD and Intel have suspended deliveries of their products to Russia – RBC|website=Time.news|date=February 26, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://gadgetonus.com/hot-news/18798.html|title=What are the supercomputers of Sberbank, Yandex and MTS, the operation of which will be affected by the ban on NVIDIA software|website=Gadgetonus.com|date=July 2022 }}</ref>

==Campus==
{{Main|Main building of Moscow State University}}

[[File:MSUSoilScienceFaculty1.JPG|thumb|Building of the Faculties of Biology and of Soil Science]]
Since 1953, most of the faculties have been situated on [[Sparrow Hills]], in southwest Moscow. In the post-war era, [[Joseph Stalin]] ordered [[Seven Sisters (Moscow)|seven tiered neoclassic towers]] to be built around the city. It was built using [[Gulag]] labour, as were many of Stalin's Great Construction Projects in Russia.<ref>Figes, O. (2013) 'Just Send Me Word – A True Story of Love and Survival in the Gulag' p. 192, Penguin Books: London.</ref><ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lZWHDAAAQBAJ&dq=%22moscow+state+university%22+%22gulag%22+built&pg=PA147 | isbn=9781403919458 | title=Stalinist Reconstruction and the Confirmation of a New Elite, 1945–1953 | date=2001 | publisher=Springer }}</ref><ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1AFH0yHI_MsC&dq=%22moscow+state+university%22+%22gulag%22+built&pg=PA13 | isbn=9780415351089 | title=Stalinism: Russian and Western Views at the Turn of the Millennium | year=2005 | publisher=Psychology Press }}</ref> The MSU main building was the [[List of tallest buildings in Europe|tallest building in Europe]] until 1990. The central tower is 240&nbsp;m tall, 36 stories high.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-09-07 |title=Как строились сталинские высотки |url=https://www.rbc.ru/photoreport/07/09/2017/59b030489a79477b73cf51c9 |access-date=2024-07-22 |website=РБК |language=ru}}</ref>

[[File:MoscowUniversityLibrary.jpg|thumb|The university library]]

Along with the university administration, the Museum of Earth Sciences and faculties of [[MSU Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics|Mechanics and Mathematics]], Geology, [[MSU Faculty of Geography|Geography]], and Fine and Performing Arts are in the main building. The building on Mokhovaya Street houses the [[MSU Faculty of Journalism|Faculty of Journalism]], the [[MSU Faculty of Psychology|Faculty of Psychology]], and [[Institute of Asian and African Countries]]. A number of faculty buildings are located near [[Manezhnaya Square, Moscow|Manege Square]] in the centre of Moscow and a number of campuses abroad in [[Ukraine]], [[Kazakhstan]], [[Tajikistan]] and [[Uzbekistan]].{{citation needed|date=September 2022}} The [[Ulyanovsk]] branch of MSU was reorganized into [[Ulyanovsk State University]] in 1996.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ulyanovskstateuniversity.ru/ulyanovsk-state-university/|title=Ulyanovsk state university, Fee structure 2022 Ulyanovsk State Medical University Admission|date=December 1, 2021}}</ref>

==Faculties==
[[File:Viktor Sadovnichiy 2023.jpg|thumb| 220px |Rector [[Viktor Sadovnichiy]]]]
[[File:Msu-Languagebuilding-seabhcan.JPG|thumb|The first Humanities Building]]
[[File:Moscow 05-2012 Mokhovaya 05.jpg|thumb|{{As of|2015}}, the Old Building housed the Department of Oriental studies.]]
As of 2009, the university had 39 faculties and 15 research centres. A number of small faculties opened, such as [[MSU Faculty of Physics and Chemistry|Faculty of Physics and Chemistry]] and [[MSU Higher School of Television|Higher School of Television]]. The full list of faculties is as follows:<ref name=structure>{{cite web|url=https://www.msu.ru/info/struct/|title=Подразделения МГУ|website=Msu.ru}}</ref>
* [[MSU Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics|Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics]]
* [[MSU Faculty of Computational Mathematics and Cybernetics|Faculty of Computational Mathematics and Cybernetics]]
* [[MSU Faculty of Physics|Faculty of Physics]]
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Msu-stalinweddingcake-seabhcan.JPG|thumb|Statue of a student in front of the Main Building]] -->
* [[MSU Faculty of Chemistry|Faculty of Chemistry]]
* [[MSU Faculty of Materials Science|Faculty of Materials Science]]
* [[MSU Faculty of Biology|Faculty of Biology]]
* {{ill|MSU Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics|lt=Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics|ru|Факультет биоинженерии и биоинформатики МГУ}}
* {{ill|MSU Faculty of Soil Science|lt=Faculty of Soil Science|ru|Факультет почвоведения МГУ}}
* {{ill|MSU Faculty of Geology|lt=Faculty of Geology|ru|Геологический факультет МГУ}}
* [[MSU Faculty of Geography|Faculty of Geography]]
* [[MSU Faculty of Fundamental Medicine|Faculty of Fundamental Medicine]]
* [[MSU Faculty of Space Research|Faculty of Space Research]]
* [[MSU Faculty of History|Faculty of History]]
* {{ill|MSU Faculty of Philology|lt=Faculty of Philology|ru|Филологический факультет МГУ}} 
* {{ill|MSU Faculty of Philosophy|lt=Faculty of Philosophy|ru|Философский факультет МГУ}}
* [[MSU Faculty of Economics|Faculty of Economics]]
* {{ill|MSU Faculty of Law|lt=Faculty of Law|ru|Юридический факультет МГУ}}
* [[MSU Faculty of Journalism|Faculty of Journalism]]
* [[MSU Faculty of Psychology|Faculty of Psychology]]
* [[Institute of Asian and African Countries]]
* {{ill|MSU Faculty of Sociology|lt=Faculty of Sociology|ru|Социологический факультет МГУ}}
* {{ill|MSU Faculty of Foreign Languages and Area Studies|lt=Faculty of Foreign Languages and Area Studies|ru|Факультет иностранных языков и регионоведения МГУ}}
* {{ill|MSU Faculty of Public Administration|lt=Faculty of Public Administration|ru|Факультет государственного управления МГУ}}
* {{ill|MSU Faculty of World Politics|lt=Faculty of World Politics|ru|Факультет мировой политики МГУ}}
* [[MSU Faculty of Political Science|Faculty of Political Science]]
* [[MSU Faculty of Fine and Performing Arts|Faculty of Fine and Performing Arts]]
* [[MSU Faculty of Global Studies|Faculty of Global Studies]]
* [[MSU Faculty of Education|Faculty of Education]]
* [[MSU Graduate School of Business Administration|Graduate School of Business Administration]]
* [[MSU Faculty of Physics and Chemistry|Faculty of Physics and Chemistry]]
* [[MSU Moscow School of Economics|Moscow School of Economics]]
* [[MSU Higher School of Translation|Graduate School of Translation and Interpretation]]
* [[MSU Higher School of Public Administration|Graduate School of Public Administration]]
* [[MSU Higher School of Public Audit|Graduate School of Public Audit]]
* [[MSU Higher School of Administration and Innovations|Graduate School of Administration and Innovations]]
* [[MSU Higher School of Innovative Business Administration|Graduate School of Innovative Business Administration]]
* [[MSU Higher School of Contemporary Social Sciences|Graduate School of Contemporary Social Sciences]]
* [[MSU Higher School of Television|Graduate School of Television]]
* [[MSU Center of Military Training|Center of Military Training]]

=== Institutions and research centers ===
* [[Skobeltsyn]] [[Skobeltsyn Institute of Nuclear Physics|Institute of Nuclear Physics]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sinp.msu.ru/|title=НИИЯФ МГУ|website=www.sinp.msu.ru}}</ref>
* [[Institute of Mechanics]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.imec.msu.ru/|title=НИИ механики МГУ|website=www.imec.msu.ru}}</ref>
* [[Sternberg Astronomical Institute]]
* [[A.N. Belozersky]] [[Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.genebee.msu.su/|title=GeneBee|website=www.genebee.msu.su}}</ref>
* [[Research Computing Center]]<ref>[http://www.srcc.msu.su/ Research Computing Center]</ref>
* [[N.N. Bogolyubov]] Institute for Theoretical Problems of Microphysics
* [[White Sea Biological Station]]
* [[Moscow University Herbarium]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://plant.depo.msu.ru/|title=Депозитарий живых систем|website=plant.depo.msu.ru}}</ref>

==Academic reputation==
{{Infobox university rankings
| ARWU_W = 101–150 | ARWU_W_year =2024 | ARWU_W_ref = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shanghairanking.com/institution/moscow-state-university|title= Moscow State University – Shanghai Ranking|website=Shanghai Ranking}}</ref>
| THE_W = =107 |THE_W_year =2025 | THE_W_ref = <ref>{{cite web |title=World University Rankings 2025: Russian Federation |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/latest/world-ranking#!/length/25/locations/RUS/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/scores |publisher=Times Higher Education (THE) |language=en |date=4 October 2024}}</ref>
| QS_W = =105 | QS_W_year =2026 | QS_W_ref = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/lomonosov-moscow-state-university/|title=Top Universities|website=Top Universities}}</ref>}}

[[File:Moskva MGU 1.jpg|thumb|The main building in winter]]

In world rankings, MSU was ranked 101st–150th by the [[Academic Ranking of World Universities]] 2024,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Moscow State University – Shanghai Ranking |url=https://www.shanghairanking.com/institution/moscow-state-university |access-date=2022-12-03 |website=www.shanghairanking.com |ref=shanghairanking}}</ref> and 105th by ''[[QS World University Rankings]]'' 2026''.''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lomonosov Moscow State University |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/lomonosov-moscow-state-university |access-date=2025-08-09 |website=Top Universities |language=en |ref=qsranking}}</ref>

The university has contacts with universities throughout the world, exchanging students and lecturers. It houses the [[UNESCO]] International Demography Courses and Hydrology Courses. In 1991 the French University College, the Russian-American University, and the Institute of German Science and Culture were opened.{{citation needed|date=June 2022}}

The institution's academic reputation was severely undermined because of its support for the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]].<ref name="yaledailynews.com"/><ref name="rsr-online.ru"/> (See: [[Sanctions on Russia|sanctions]]).

==Staff and students==
The university employs more than 4,000 academics and 15,000 support staff.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}} Approximately 5,000 researchers work at the university's research institutes and facilities.<ref name="auto3">{{Cite web|url=http://www.journ.msu.ru/eng/about/|title=About MSU|website=www.journ.msu.ru}}</ref> More than 40,000 undergraduates and 7,000 advanced degree candidates are enrolled.<ref name="auto3"/> Annually, the university hosts approximately 2,000 students, graduate students, and researchers from around the world.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

==Notable people==
{{Main|List of Moscow State University people}}

{|class= style="border:1px solid #ddd; margin:1em auto;"
|-
!style="background:#f5f5f5; padding:5px;"|<span style="margin:0 10px 0 20px;">Notable alumni of Moscow State University</span>
|-
|{{Gallery
|width=135
|File:Vladimir Arnold-1.jpg|[[Vladimir Arnold]]
|File:VanMeetin-AntonChekhov.jpg| [[Anton Chekhov]]
|File:Виталий Лазаревич Гинзбург.jpg| [[Vitaly Ginzburg]]
|File:RIAN archive 850809 General Secretary of the CPSU CC M. Gorbachev (crop).jpg| [[Mikhail Gorbachev]]
|File:Landau.jpg|[[Lev Landau]]
|File:Grigory Margulis (2006).jpg|[[Grigory Margulis]]
|File:Boris Pasternak 1958 photo.jpg|[[Boris Pasternak]]
|File:Andrej_Nikolajewitsch_Kolmogorov.jpg|[[Andrey Kolmogorov]]
|File:RIAN archive 25981 Academician Sakharov.jpg| [[Andrei Sakharov]]
|File:Igor Tamm.jpg|[[Igor Tamm]]
|File:TurgevevI-foto (cropped).jpg| [[Ivan Turgenev]]
}}
|}
As of 2017, 13 Nobel laureates, 6 Fields Medal winners and one Turing Award winner had been affiliated with the university. It is the alma mater of writers [[Anton Chekhov]], [[Boris Pasternak]], and [[Ivan Turgenev]]; politicians [[Mikhail Gorbachev]], [[Mikhail Suslov]], and [[Ruslan Khasbulatov]]; and mathematicians and physicists [[Vladimir Arnold]], [[Boris Demidovich]], [[Vladimir Drinfeld]], [[Vitaly Ginzburg]], [[Andrey Kolmogorov]], [[Grigory Margulis]], [[Andrei Sakharov]], and [[Yakov Sinai]].

== Religious organizations ==
[[File:Orthodox-kiosk-in-Moscow-State-University-(Main-building-2016).jpg|thumb|Information Center of the House Church of the Martyr Tatiana at Moscow State University (Main Building, 2016)]]
Russian legislation prohibits<ref>«В государственных и муниципальных образовательных учреждениях, органах, осуществляющих управление в сфере образования, создание и деятельность организационных структур политических партий, общественно-политических и религиозных движений и организаций (объединений) не допускаются» ([http://www.consultant.ru/popular/edu/ Закон РФ от 10.07.1992 № 3266-1 (ред. от 12.11.2012) «Об образовании»] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130308062056/http://www.consultant.ru/popular/edu/}}, ст. 1, п. 5; действовал до 1 сентября 2013 г.).</ref><ref>«В государственных и муниципальных образовательных организациях создание и деятельность политических партий, религиозных организаций (объединений) не допускаются» ([http://www.rg.ru/2012/12/30/obrazovanie-dok.html Федеральный закон Российской Федерации от 29 декабря 2012 г. № 273-ФЗ «Об образовании в Российской Федерации»] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211050444/http://www.rg.ru/2012/12/30/obrazovanie-dok.html}}, ст 27.12).</ref> the activities of religious organizations directly at universities, but they operate at Moscow State University. Religious literature and objects of worship are also traded on the territory of Moscow State University.

=== The Russian Orthodox Church ===

; Orthodox churches at Moscow State University

There are two Orthodox churches at Moscow State University: the house church of the Martyr Tatiana at Moscow State University and the church of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Cyril and Methodius at Moscow State University.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Храм свв. равноапп. Кирилла и Мефодия при МГУ |url=http://hram-mgu.ru/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921073722/http://hram-mgu.ru/ |archive-date=2019-09-21 |accessdate=2019-09-19 |publisher=hram-mgu.ru}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Во временном храме Кирилла и Мефодия прошла первая литургия |url=https://ramenki-gazeta.ru/vo-vremennom-xrame-kirilla-i-mefodija-proshla-pervaja-liturgija |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025185958/https://ramenki-gazeta.ru/vo-vremennom-xrame-kirilla-i-mefodija-proshla-pervaja-liturgija |archive-date=2018-10-25 |accessdate=2019-09-19 |publisher=ramenki-gazeta.ru |language=ru}}</ref>

In 2011, Patriarch Kirill appealed to the rector of Moscow State University with a request to support the initiative to erect an Orthodox "chapel temple on the territory of the university complex on Vorobyovy Gory," which, in his opinion, would contribute to "solving many important issues related to the patriotic and spiritual and moral education of Russian youth.".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Святейший Патриарх Кирилл обратился к ректору МГУ с просьбой поддержать инициативу возведения православного храма на Воробьёвых горах / Новости / Патриархия.ru |url=http://www.patriarchia.ru/db/text/1442748.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190928073559/http://www.patriarchia.ru/db/text/1442748.html |archive-date=2019-09-28 |accessdate=2019-09-19 |publisher=Патриархия.ru |language=ru}}</ref> The proposal caused a mixed reaction on social networks and the media.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Нужен ли православный храм в храме науки? — Троицкий вариант — Наука |url=https://trv-science.ru/2011/04/26/nuzhen-li-pravoslavnyj-xram-v-xrame-nauki/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722202347/https://trv-science.ru/2011/04/26/nuzhen-li-pravoslavnyj-xram-v-xrame-nauki/ |archive-date=2019-07-22 |accessdate=2019-09-19 |language=ru}}</ref>

; Interaction of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia with Moscow State University

On November 18, 2011, the Academic Council of Moscow University decided to award Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia the title of Honorary Doctor of Moscow State University "for his outstanding contribution to the spiritual education of young people and close cooperation." On September 28, 2012, during the Patriarch's visit to Moscow State University, Viktor Sadovnichy presented him with the diploma of honorary Doctor of Moscow State University.<ref>[http://www.interfax.ru/news.asp?id=268063 Патриарх Кирилл стал почётным доктором МГУ] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928222007/http://www.interfax.ru/news.asp?id=268063}} // [[Интерфакс]], 28.09.2012</ref> According to some media reports, before the patriarch's arrival at Moscow State University, students complained that they were being forcibly escorted to a meeting, but the student council and the press service of Moscow State University denied this.<ref>[http://www.trud.ru/article/27-09-2012/1282616_studenty_mgu_zajavili_chto_ix_sgonjajut_na_vstrechu_s_patriarxom.html Студенты МГУ заявили, что их сгоняют на встречу с патриархом] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929024930/http://www.trud.ru/article/27-09-2012/1282616_studenty_mgu_zajavili_chto_ix_sgonjajut_na_vstrechu_s_patriarxom.html}} // [[Труд (газета)|Труд]], 27.09.2012.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Патриарх Кирилл приехал в МГУ, ему присвоено звание почётного доктора университета |url=https://www.gazeta.ru/social/news/2012/09/28/n_2548161.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815085043/https://www.gazeta.ru/social/news/2012/09/28/n_2548161.shtml |archive-date=2020-08-15 |accessdate=2019-09-19 |publisher=[[Газета.Ru]] |language=ru}}</ref> At a meeting with representatives of the student council, Rector Viktor Sadovnichy admitted that the facts of coercion were.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Новости / Радиостанция «Вести FM» Прямой эфир/Слушать онлайн |url=https://radiovesti.ru/news/category/all/19-09-2019/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126043110/https://radiovesti.ru/news/category/all/19-09-2019/ |archive-date=2020-11-26 |accessdate=2019-09-19 |publisher=radiovesti.ru |language=ru}}</ref>

== Criticism ==
O. A. Zinovieva, a cultural critic at the Moscow State University Faculty of Arts, published a book in 2009 claiming to involve GULAG prisoners in the construction of the first stage.<ref>''Зиновьева О. А.'' Символы сталинской Москвы. — М.: ТОНЧУ, 2009. — С. 95.</ref> The theory has no scientific confirmation, as it is presented without any evidence and is criticized by experts working with archival historical documents.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Серьезная статья о метро, заключенных и рептилоидах |url=http://voms.ru/articles/sereznaya-statya-o-metro-zaklyuchennykh-i-reptiloidakh/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128103326/https://voms.ru/articles/sereznaya-statya-o-metro-zaklyuchennykh-i-reptiloidakh/ |archive-date=2023-01-28 |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=voms.ru |language=ru}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=Russos |date=2021-03-05 |title=Строили заключенные первую очередь метро? |url=https://dzen.ru/a/YD-hgg6jrl1M-h-B |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=sso.passport.yandex.ru |language=ru}}</ref> There is no mention of this in the fundamental work of the German sociologist Dietmar Neutatz "The Moscow Metro from the first projects to the great construction of Stalinism," in which he examines the social composition of the builders of the subway.{{sfn|Нойтатц|2013}}

=== Criminal case for bribery ===
In October 2012, a criminal case was opened against Mikhail Basharatyan, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of World Politics at Moscow State University, and Viktor Baris, Head of the Department of Philosophy and Political Science at the Academy of Labor and Social Relations, under the article "receiving a large-scale bribe by a group of individuals by prior agreement".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-11-02 |title=Арестованному замдекана факультета МГУ предъявлены обвинения во взяточничестве |url=https://www.vedomosti.ru/library/articles/2012/11/02/arestovannomu_zamdekana_fakulteta_mgu_predyavleny_obvineniya |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=Ведомости |language=ru}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-11-02 |title=Предъявлено обвинение замдекана факультета МГУ |url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/2058532 |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=www.kommersant.ru |language=ru}}</ref>

The criminal case was opened in accordance with paragraphs "a" and "b" of part 5 of Article 290 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=В отношении замдекана факультета МГУ возбудили уголовное дело за взятку |url=https://www.vesti.ru/article/1911773 |website=Вести. Телеканал Россия-1}}</ref> In mid-October 2012, a young man applying to graduate school contacted the police. In his statement, he indicated that he was offered to pay 30,000 euros for successful admission and subsequent defense of his thesis at the university.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Замдекана одного из факультетов МГУ задержали за крупную взятку |url=https://www.vesti.ru/article/2002093 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203180933/https://www.vesti.ru/article/2002093 |archive-date=2024-12-03 |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=Вести. Телеканал Россия-1}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Замдекана факультета мировой политики МГУ, арестованному за получение взятки, предъявили обвинение |url=https://www.gazeta.ru/social/news/2012/11/02/n_2599329.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103102118/http://www.gazeta.ru/social/news/2012/11/02/n_2599329.shtml |archive-date=2012-11-03 |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=Газета.ru}}</ref>

The young man wanted to enter the postgraduate program of the Academy of Labor and Social Relations. For 30 thousand euros, Basharatyan and Baris promised to ensure admission and postgraduate studies, and also assured that he would have no problems with his PhD thesis and with its defense at Lomonosov Moscow State University.<ref>{{Cite web |last=ntv.ru |title=Сотрудники двух московских вузов обвиняются в миллионной взятке // Новости НТВ |url=https://www.ntv.ru/novosti/361963/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250123163449/https://www.ntv.ru/novosti/361963/ |archive-date=2025-01-23 |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=НТВ |language=ru}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=ntv.ru |title=Следователи назвали имена преподавателей-взяточников // Новости НТВ |url=https://www.ntv.ru/novosti/361199/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140410124614/http://www.ntv.ru/novosti/361199/ |archive-date=2014-04-10 |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=НТВ |language=ru}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Коррупционерам из МГУ предъявили обвинение |url=https://www.vesti.ru/article/1948261 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207191208/https://www.vesti.ru/article/1948261 |archive-date=2022-12-07 |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=Вести. Телеканал Россия-1}}</ref> On October 30, as part of the previously reached agreements, the suspects received 1 million rubles as a bribe. At the time of receiving the money, the criminals were caught red-handed.<ref name="автоссылка2">{{Cite web |title=Преподавателям МГУ и АТиСО предъявлено обвинение в получении взятки |url=https://www.m24.ru/articles/korrupciya/02112012/8406 |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=m24.ru |language=ru}}</ref>

After his detention, Basharatyan was arrested, and the case was brought to court in 2014. At the same time, Basharatyan was not a member of any university dissertation council, so he could not influence the result of the defense of postgraduate works.<ref name="автоссылка2" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=ntv.ru |title=Замдекана факультета МГУ взят под стражу из-за миллионной взятки // Новости НТВ |url=https://www.ntv.ru/novosti/361818/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203180910/https://www.ntv.ru/novosti/361818/ |archive-date=2024-12-03 |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=НТВ |language=ru}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Замдекана факультета МГУ пойдет под суд за взятку в миллион рублей |url=https://www.m24.ru/articles/kriminal/18032014/40199 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130041050/https://www.m24.ru/articles/kriminal/18032014/40199 |archive-date=2024-11-30 |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=m24.ru |language=ru}}</ref>

=== Fake dissertations ===
According to the Dissernet online expert community for 2014, MSU is one of the largest dissertative corporations in Russia that produce fake dissertations.<ref>{{cite web |author=Волихамов М. |date=2014-02-25 |title=МГУ и диссергейт: опасные связи |url=http://trv-science.ru/2014/02/25/mgu-i-dissergejjt-opasnye-svyazi/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313103705/http://trv-science.ru/2014/02/25/mgu-i-dissergejjt-opasnye-svyazi/ |archive-date=2014-03-13 |accessdate=2014-03-21 |publisher=«[[Троицкий вариант — Наука]]» № 148, c. 5 |language=}}</ref> Community experts note that the main sources of such dissertations at Moscow State University are the Faculty of Public Administration under the leadership of V. A. Nikonov and the Faculty of Sociology under the leadership of V. I. Dobrenkov.<ref>{{cite web |author=Волихамов М. |date=2014-03-11 |title=МГУ и диссергейт. Часть II |url=http://trv-science.ru/2014/03/11/mgu-i-dissergejjt-chast-ii/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701191320/http://trv-science.ru/2014/03/11/mgu-i-dissergejjt-chast-ii/ |archive-date=2014-07-01 |accessdate=2014-03-21 |publisher=«[[Троицкий вариант — Наука]]» № 149, c. 14 |language=}}</ref>

According to Dissernet data on 12/19/2020, Moscow State University ranks 4th among Russian universities in terms of the number of employees convicted of dishonesty (232), significantly behind the leader in this nomination, Plekhanov Russian University of Economics (382 cases).<ref>{{Cite web |title=РОССИЙСКИЕ ВУЗЫ ПОД ЛУПОЙ ДИССЕРНЕТА |url=http://rosvuz.dissernet.org/vuz/index?Vuz_sort=NumCases |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128160227/http://rosvuz.dissernet.org/vuz/index?Vuz_sort=NumCases |archive-date=2020-11-28 |access-date=2020-12-19}}</ref>

=== Threats of expulsion and insults ===
In early March 2021, the media reported on insults and threats of expulsion of students related to the MSU Initiative Group. Lyudmila Grigorieva, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Fundamental Physico-Chemical Engineering at Moscow State University, demanded that students join the harassment of one of the MSU eco-activists, demanding that students write negative comments on the activist's wall on social networks.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Преподавательница МГУ назвала активистов «либерастами», «гадящими свиньями» и пригрозила отчислением |url=https://vot-tak.tv/novosti/06-03-2021_mgu/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306134554/https://vot-tak.tv/novosti/06-03-2021_mgu/ |archive-date=2021-03-06 |accessdate=2021-03-09 |website=Вот Так |language=ru}}</ref> In the process of communicating with students, Grigorieva called the MSU Initiative Group a "gang" and "Western liberals who are being fed by the West.".<ref>{{Cite web |title=«Хрюкают, ползают и гадят»: «Инициативная группа МГУ» выложила аудиозапись, на которой замдекана назвала студентов «западными либерастами» |url=https://theins.ru/news/239969 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307135530/https://theins.ru/news/239969 |archive-date=2021-03-07 |accessdate=2021-03-09 |website=The Insider |language=ru}}</ref> "They are against the country, against the university... They are given some crumbs and some leftovers there [in the West]. And so they grunt here for these scraps, crawl and shit all the time," Grigorieva said about the activists' activities.<ref>{{Cite web |author=TV Rain Inc |date=2021-03-06 |title=«За объедки хрюкают, ползают и гадят постоянно»: замдекана из МГУ назвала студентов «западными либерастами» |url=https://tvrain.ru/teleshow/vechernee_shou/zamdekana_mgu_nazvala_studentov_zapadnymi_liberastami-525840/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210328032837/https://tvrain.ru/teleshow/vechernee_shou/zamdekana_mgu_nazvala_studentov_zapadnymi_liberastami-525840/ |archive-date=2021-03-28 |accessdate=2021-03-09 |website=tvrain.ru}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=«Инициативная группа МГУ» выложила аудиозапись, на которой преподавательница вуза назвала их «бандой» и «западными либерастами» |url=https://zona.media/news/2021/03/06/msu |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308103856/https://zona.media/news/2021/03/06/msu |archive-date=2021-03-08 |accessdate=2021-03-09 |website=Медиазона |language=ru}}</ref><!--=== Scandals ===
According to the well-known oppositionist [[Navalny, Alexey Anatolyevich|Alexei Navalny]], "MSU is a terribly corrupt institution, but there are many honest students and graduate students there.»<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://navalny.com/p/4354/|title=Katerina Putin continues to collect posts|publisher=Alexey Navalny|accessdate=2019-09-19}}</ref>. As confirmation, he reports on the 33-year-old daughter of [[Putin, Vladimir Vladimirovich|Vladimir Putin]], who holds the position of deputy vice-rector, as well as director of the National Intellectual Development Foundation and the National Intellectual Reserve Center, working together under the Innopraktika brand. A. Navalny gives examples of dubious contests won by this foundation<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://navalny.com/p/4185/|title=Being Putin's daughter|publisher=Alexey Navalny|accessdate=2019-09-19}}</ref>. It is also known that this foundation participates in a large-scale construction project [[Technological Valley of Moscow State University|Technological Valley of Moscow State University]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rbc.ru/investigation/business/28/01/2015/54c8b4659a794730dbef8851|title=RBC investigation: who is behind the expansion of Moscow State University|publisher=RBC|accessdate=2019-09-19}}</ref>. At the same time, the RBC publication emphasizes that it was unable to find the leaders of Innopraktika among the authors of scientific articles and participants in scientific conferences.

Back in 2009, in a report [[Nemtsov, Boris Efimovich|B. Nemtsova]] "Luzhkov. Results — 2" told about the participation of Moscow State University in the corrupt construction project of the residential complex "Shuvalovsky" by the company "[[Inteko]]", owned by the wife of the current mayor of Moscow at that time [[Luzhkov, Yuri Mikhailovich|Yu. Luzhkova]] [[Baturina, Elena Nikolaevna|To Elena Baturina]]<ref>{{Cite web|url =http://www.luzhkov-itogi.ru/doklad//title ="Luzhkov. Results – 2": independent expert report|author =|work =|date =|publisher =|accessdate =2015-08-02|archiveurl =https://web.archive.org/web/20101204073752/http://www.luzhkov-itogi.ru/doklad//archivedate =2010-12-04|deadlock =yes}}</ref>. The report notes that this project has raised questions from the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation.

There were reports that people living in the main building of Moscow State University could not privatize their apartments, register their children, get the necessary documents, etc. D.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.svoboda.org/a/24390981.html|title=You cannot register at Moscow State University|publisher=Radio Liberty|lang=ru|accessdate=2019-09-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ria.ru/20110301/340784992.html|title=The Gardener: apartments in the Moscow State University high-rise building are not subject to privatization|date=2011-03-01|publisher=[[RIA Novosti]]|lang=ru|accessdate=2019-09-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vedomosti.ru/realty/articles/2013/05/08/ vladimir_putin_postavil_tochku_v_spore_za_kvartiry_v_mgu|title=Vladimir Putin has put an end to the dispute over apartments at Moscow State University|author=Vedomosti|date=2013-05-08|publisher=www.vedomosti.ru|accessdate=2019-09-19}}</ref>.

On the eve of the [[FIFA World Cup 2018|FIFA World Cup 2018]] in Russia, students protested the organization of a fan zone near the Main Building of Moscow State University. Activists claimed that noisy fans would interfere with exam preparation, and landscaping the territory for the fan zone would destroy the historical appearance of the MSU campus and Vorobyovy Gory<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.change.org/p/%D0%BD%D0%B5%D1%82-%D1%84%D0%B0%D0%BD-%D0%B7%D0%BE%D0%BD%D0%B5-%D0%BF%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B4-%D0%B3%D0%BB%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%BD%D1%8B%D0%BC-%D0%B7%D0%B4%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B5%D0%BC-%D0%BC%D0%B3%D1%83|title=Sign the Petition|publisher=Change.org|lang=ru|accessdate=2018-04-26}}</ref>. Following the results of all discussions, the Chairman of the Russia-2018 Organizing Committee, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation [[Dvorkovich, Arkady Vladimirovich|Arkady Dvorkovich]] confirmed the approval of the fan zone at Moscow State University<ref>{{Cite news|title=Dvorkovich announced the approval of the placement of the 2018 World Cup fan zone next to МГУ|url=http://www.interfax.ru/moscow/610088|work=Interfax.ru|date=2018-04-25|accessdate=2018-04-26|language=ru}}</ref > 300 meters further than the original plan, and the General director of the organizing committee "Russia-2018" [[Sorokin, Alexey Leonidovich|Alexey Sorokin]] reported, that its capacity will be reduced<ref>{{Cite news|title=Sorokin: The capacity of the 2018 World Cup fan zone at Moscow State University will be reduced|url=http://tass.ru/sport/5157001|work=TASS|accessdate=2018-04-26|language=ru}}</ref>.

In May 2018, Viktor Sadovnichy, Rector of Lomonosov Moscow State University, announced that the university's territory would be closed to fans during the World Cup. He clarified that we are talking about the square formed by Lomonosovsky, Michurinsky and Universitetskiy Avenues, as well as Vernadsky Avenue.

"All my orders have been issued that both the session and the vacations will proceed in the usual prescribed manner. Moreover, the children from the dormitory, who may be disturbed by noise, are offered to move to new dormitories on Michurinsky Prospekt," Sadovnichy added.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rbc.ru/society/10/05/2018/5af4616d9a794723f32b0aa5?from=main|title=Sadovnichy promised not to let fans into Moscow State University during the World Cup|publisher=RBC|accessdate=2018-05-10}}</ref>

MSU students studying on a fee-based basis decided to file a class action lawsuit against the university demanding a recalculation of tuition fees in connection with the transition to a distance learning format. The cost of studying at Moscow State University, according to the website of the admissions committee, varies from 240 thousand rubles to 570 thousand rubles per year. Currently, about 38 thousand students study at the university, one in five of them, according to Rector Viktor Sadovnichy, on a fee-based basis. In the statement of claim, the students note that technical failures often occur during distance learning. According to them, this affects the quality of the knowledge gained. The students demand that part of the payment for the spring and fall semesters be refunded to them, and also declare that the university should provide a discount on tuition fees if it continues in a distance format.<ref>{{Cite web|lang=ru|url=https://novayagazeta.ru/articles/2020/11/18/88015-eto-ne-obrazovanie-a-samoobrazovanie|title="This is not education, but self-education"|website=Novaya Gazeta — Novayagazeta.ru/accessdate=2020-11-20 }}</ref>-->

== Moscow State University in philately ==
{{Main|ru:Московский государственный университет#МГУ в филателии}}
 
<gallery perrow="5" widths="150" heights="150" caption="Russian and Soviet stamps">
Stamp of USSR 1576g.jpg|<small>1950 postage stamp: <br /> the project of the 26-storey building of Moscow State University</small>
Stamp of USSR 1837.jpg|<small>1955 postage stamp: <br /> the old university building</small>
Stamp of USSR 1838.jpg|<small>1955 postage stamp: <br /> the new university building</small>
Stamp of USSR 2047.jpg|<small>1957 postage stamp: <br /> Moscow Festival of Youth and Students</small>
1958 CPA 2173.jpg|<small>1958 postage stamp: <br /> V Congress of the [[International Union of Architects]]</small>
1958 CPA 2198.jpg|<small>1958 postage stamp: <br /> X Congress of the [[International Astronomical Union]] in the new university building</small>
Rus Stamp-MORF_200.jpg|<small>2002 postage stamp: <br /> 200th anniversary of the [[Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation]]</small>
Rus Stamp-MGU_250.jpg|<small>2005 postage stamp: <br /> 250th anniversary of Moscow State University</small>
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[Education in Russia]]
*[[List of early modern universities in Europe]]
*[[List of universities in Russia]]
*[[List of rectors of the Moscow State University|List of rectors of Moscow State University]]
*[[List of honorary professors of the Moscow State University]]

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website}}

{{UNICA}}
{{International Forum of Public Universities}}
{{APSIA}}
{{BRICS Universities League}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Moscow State University| ]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures built in the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Stalinist architecture]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Moscow]]
[[Category:Public universities and colleges in Russia]]
[[Category:1755 establishments in the Russian Empire]]
[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1755]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges established in the 18th century]]