12 Russian universities training AI specialists

In 2025, the Ministry of Digital Development approved a list of universities that will train specialists in the field of artificial intelligence. It includes 22 institutes in 13 regions of Russia. They’re divided into two levels: Data Science (which focuses on fine-tuning and training models) and Top Data Science (whose graduates participate in scientific research and the creation of AI models). These universities offer 72 top-tier AI-related programs. Students complete internships at technology companies and industry enterprises and participate in AI research.

Starting in 2023, ‘Alliance for Artificial Intelligence’ has been ranking universities  that train specialists for the AI sector. It includes universities offering bachelor’s degree programs. The ranking takes into account the employability of graduates, the relevance of the AI curriculum, the student experience at the university, and the university’s partnership programs.

1. Higher School of Economics, Moscow

The Higher School of Economics is home to an AI Center, whose staff are conducting four global and more than thirty applied research projects in this field. The Department of Computer Science offers an AI Engineering track as part of its bachelor’s program in ‘Applied Mathematics and Computer Science’. And at the St. Petersburg campus, the School of Informatics, Physics and Technology offers a bachelor’s program in ‘Applied Data Analysis and AI’. The university also offers an online master’s program.

2. ITMO National Research University, St. Petersburg

ITMO (Information Technologies, Mechanics and Optics) University is home to the ‘Institute of Artificial Intelligence’ (IAI) https://iai.itmo.ru/, the largest of its kind in Russia. The Faculty of Artificial Intelligence collaborates with the ‘Strong Artificial Intelligence in Industry’ research center and the ‘National Center for Cognitive Research’. Master's programs are available in ‘Big Data’ and ‘Machine Learning’, ‘AI in Industry’ and ‘AI and Behavioral Economics’. There’s also a bachelor's program in AI engineering. Students from their first year can gain real-world experience at the SIAI Research Center (https://sai.itmo.ru/) and the National Center for Cognitive Research. The university also offers a comprehensive online master's program.

3. Moscow Institute of Physics & Technology (‘MIPT’), Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region

The university's School of Applied Mathematics offers a master's program in ‘Advanced AI Methods’. Only state-funded places are available. Students receive training in machine learning, generative networks and data science. Additionally, students can also receive a grant to access the computing resources of tech giants. The MIPT master's program focuses on fundamental methods and multimodal AI. Incidentally, this university near Moscow was the first to allow mathematics students to use AI to formulate problems, check solutions and detect logical errors when preparing homework assignments.

4. Innopolis, Kazan

The university offers courses in the mathematical foundations of AI, data engineering and the creation of robotic systems using AI, machine learning and computer vision. There is also an English-language program focused on data analysis and artificial intelligence for software development.

5. Southern Federal University (‘SFedU’), Rostov-on-Don

SFedU admitted its first class of students into its AI programs in 2025. The undergraduate program at Southern Federal University offers two tracks in the field of AI. The first is for those who wish to engage in cutting-edge research in this area: fundamental research and the design of neural network architectures. The second is for future developers of applied solutions and AI tuners for specific tasks.

The program is offered at two university campuses: the Vorovich Institute of Mathematics, Mechanics, and Computer Sciences in Rostov-on-Don and the SFU Institute of Computer Technologies and Information Security in Taganrog. 

6. St. Petersburg State University (‘SPbU’), St. Petersburg

Since last year, educational programs in the field of AI have been offered at St. Petersburg State University. It’s one of only five Russian universities offering a program called ‘Mathematics of Machine Learning’. It combines mathematical education with machine learning and industrial practice. For future developers, there is a program called ‘Artificial Intelligence and Data Science’. Specialists in systems analysis and management are trained in the ‘Applied Computer Technologies and Artificial Intelligence’ program. Students can complete internships at leading Russian technology companies, including ‘Yandex’, ‘Sber’ and ‘VK’. Courses are taught in Russian and English.

7. Bauman Moscow State Technical University (‘BMSTU’), Moscow

AI specialists are trained at the Faculty of Informatics and Control Systems. Students study AI in automated information processing and control systems, the development of big data systems and the creation of platform solutions for intelligent big data analysis.

8. Ural Federal University, Yekaterinburg

At Ural University, faculty and students are officially permitted to use neural networks and AI tools in their academic, research and administrative work. This allows them to automate routine tasks, personalize curricula and free up time for creativity.

Future developers of recommender systems and AI engineers follow personalized tracks. Their difficulty level is determined by the results of the Unified State Exam scores or internal testing and assessments and, starting in the second year, students themselves choose the set of courses they need to study.

9. Patrice Lumumba Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (‘RUDN’), Moscow

The Faculty of Artificial Intelligence has been operating for two years. Students study machine learning, neural networks, computer vision and big data analysis. AI is an integral part of the educational process. It’s used to create personalized study plans, match students with academic advisors, suggest research topics and automate the grading of homework assignments.

10. Financial University, Moscow

The university offers three AI-related programs: a bachelor's and master's degree in ‘Applied Machine Learning’ and a doctoral program in ‘Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning’. The AI ​​Department houses a computer vision laboratory and a research data analysis laboratory, which is also creating ‘LLM City’ – a virtual model of a city where residents are represented using large language models.

11. Skoltech, Moscow

The Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology offers several master's programs related to AI research and the development of applied models, as well as – in partnership with ‘Yandex’ – intelligent models in robotics. The programs are taught in English. To apply, you must submit an application. Tuition is free and successful applicants receive a scholarship from Skoltech.

12. Institute of Nuclear Physics and Technology (‘MEPhI’), Moscow

Students at the nuclear institute study the modeling of cognitive processes in the design and development of information systems. There are also specialized programs in extreme programming and artificial intelligence engineering. Master's program in ‘Chemoinformatics and Computational Biochemistry’ trains specialists at the intersection of several sciences: artificial intelligence, applied chemistry, experimental biology and machine learning methods.