Bachelor’s level: new programs, partners, and procedure

ITMO University offers 27 Bachelor’s degree programs in five subject areas: physics, information technologies, economics & innovation, engineering, and life sciences. Among these, 11 programs are related to artificial intelligence and data science.

2026 sees the introduction of two new programs:

Game Design and Production (implemented by ITMO Game Development School). Students of the program will undergo practical training with such partner companies as Lesta Studio, VK Play, Astrum Entertainment, Game Art Pioneers, Watt Studio, and others.

MLOps: AI Systems Management is a program that trains AI developers familiar with the full development cycle: from training to integration. In their third year, students choose between two tracks: Platform Engineering and AI Automation or Financial Technologies and AI. Meanwhile, the program’s partners – Selectel, Ozon Bank, Cian, and CROC – will welcome up to 80% of the students as interns.

Another key addition this year is Drawing and Composition, a contest for applicants to the subject area Design (Bachelor’s program Computer Technologies in Design). The contest is held remotely and consists of two stages: a still life drawing and a digital composition with the use of a typeface.

Overall, there will be 1,580 tuition-free and around 1,400 fee-based Bachelor’s positions available in 2026. Educational programs are implemented with support from Yandex, Sberbank, VK, Gazprom Neft, Avito, and other high-profile tech companies. During their studies, students will undergo practical training and internships at partner companies; upon successful completion of internships, they’ll be able to receive a job offer even before graduating.

Master’s level: 80 programs and 2,000+ tuition-free spots

As of today, there are 80 Master’s degree programs at ITMO, including 10 that focus on training artificial intelligence experts. Students are taught to design AI products, release them as products, apply AI in fintech and industry, and protect systems from cyberthreats. Almost all programs are offered in collaboration with industrial partners: Yandex, Gazprom Neft, Napoleon IT, Positive Technologies, VK, X5 Group, and others.

This year, the Master’s program Public Health Sciences has introduced a new track called Health Data (link in Russian). Within the track, students will learn to collect, standardize, and harmonize various medical data in order to make it compatible with AI algorithms. Classes will take place online, and applicants may enroll via interview or by submitting their portfolio. Graduates of the track will be able to work as data engineers, data analysts, or developers of medical data compatibility solutions.

Another new Master’s program is Advanced Food Systems: Digital Solution-Based Production and Management. It combines fundamental training in food science with applied training focused on digital technologies in the development and production of foods.

Specialists who’d like to learn to build IT infrastructure for the real economy should consider the newly-introduced Master’s program Management of IT Infrastructure for Business. Meanwhile, the program Digital Finance: Innovations and Business Solutions will teach students to make managerial decisions in the context of the digital transformation of the finance sector. Studies will also be based on real cases provided by partner companies.

Overall, there will be 2,800 tuition-free and around 450 fee-based Master’s positions available in 2026.

 

Learn more about ITMO University’s Master’s programs on its official admissions website.

PhD level: 46 specializations for researchers

Applicants wishing to continue their higher education as PhD students can choose from 46 specializations in 13 subject areas: IT and telecommunications, computer science, physical sciences, biotechnologies, chemical technologies, materials science, and more. ITMO University has 13 in-house thesis councils (academic bodies that conduct thesis defenses and issue corresponding degrees – Ed.) for 35 scientific specializations, as well as Russia’s only fully-digital system for thesis defense.

Overall, there will be 254 tuition-free and 141 fee-based PhD positions available in 2026.

 

Learn more about ITMO University’s PhD programs on its official admissions website.

How to apply

You can submit your documents to ITMO in three ways: online, in person at the Admissions Office on Kronverksky Pr. 49, or by registered mail. Original copies of documents are not required – only the applicant’s consent to enrollment.

In St. Petersburg, the Admissions Office’s business hours are 10 AM to 5 PM on workdays and 11 AM to 3 PM on Saturdays. You can also get in touch with university staff by phone at +7 (812) 480-04-80 or email at abit@itmo.ru.

International students may apply online via abitlk.itmo.ru/en. You can also get in touch with the International Educational Programs Department via international@itmo.ru.

Key deadlines

Bachelor’s programs. Prospective students may submit their applications starting on June 20 and through July 15 if taking internal entrance exams. Those who apply via Unified State Exam results or entrance competitions may submit their forms through July 25. Applicants to fee-based positions should submit their documents by August 18.

Ranked lists of applicants will be available on the official website and information stands on July 27. Those applying within special admission quotas must confirm their enrollment by 12 PM (GMT+3) of August 1. Enrollment confirmations will be published on August 2. For those taking entrance exams, the deadline for confirmation of enrollment is August 5, 12 PM (GMT+3). Lists of applicants admitted to fee-based positions will be published on August 20.

Master’s programs. Applications to tuition-free positions may be submitted through August 20, and to fee-based positions – through August 28. Ranked lists of applicants will be available on the official website and information stands on August 23. The deadline for confirmation of enrollment is August 24, 12 PM (GMT+3). Official lists of enrolled students will be published on August 25 for tuition-free positions and on August 30 for fee-based positions.

PhD programs. Applications may be submitted until August 5. Lists of enrolled students will be published on August 27. The deadline for confirmation of enrollment to tuition-free positions is August 28, 6 PM (GMT+3). Official orders of enrollment will be published on August 29 for tuition-free positions and on August 31 for fee-based positions.

Staying up to date

All official updates on the admissions campaign, ranked lists, and enrollment orders are published on ITMO’s admissions website. You may also keep track of news on the university’s social media pages: for Bachelor’s applicants – VK, MAX, and Telegram; for Master’s applicants – VK, MAX, and Telegram; for PhD applicants – VK and Telegram. International applicants can follow the university’s English-language pages on VK and Telegram.