Address: 31 Kashirskoe shosse, Moscow, 115409, Russia
Nuclear Physics, Engineering Physics, Information Technology
MEPhI, formally the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, is a state university in Moscow with roots in the Second World War. It was founded in 1942 as a mechanical institute for ammunition, and the name Moscow Engineering Physics Institute, from which the abbreviation MEPhI comes, followed later.
In 2009 the institution was recognised as a national research university and took its present name. Its institutes include the Institute of Nuclear Physics and Engineering, the Institute for Laser and Plasma Technologies and the Institute of International Relations, among others. The university also has branches outside Moscow.
Six Nobel Prize winners have worked at MEPhI or studied there: Nikolay Basov, Pavel Cherenkov, Ilya Frank, Andrei Sakharov, Nikolay Semyonov and Igor Tamm. Those considering study or research there should consult the English pages of the university for current programmes and requirements.
Domains taught:
AI and Machine Learning, Engineering, Materials, Nanotechnologies, Physics, Process Control, Software Engineering
Diplomas*:
Bachelor, Doctor, Master
Status:
Public
Partnerships:
Strong ties with Rosatom State Corporation, CERN, ITER, and other major international research organizations and universities in the field of nuclear science and technology.
Research:
Pioneering research in nuclear energy, particle physics, nanotechnology, laser physics, biophysics, cybersecurity, and materials science.
Famous Alumnis:
Nikolay Basov, Igor Kurchatov, Anatoly Alexandrov
International recognition**:
Number of staff***:
5000
Current students***:
7500
Foreign students***:
20%
Cumulative former students***:
70000
Pros
Top-tier research in nuclear science and engineering, strong government support, excellent career prospects in specialized and high-demand fields.
Cons
Highly specialized curriculum, very intense academic environment, some research areas may have security restrictions.
Best For
Nuclear engineering, physics research and cybersecurity
Moscow Power Engineering Institute in Moscow offers power, electrical and thermal engineering for those who want an engineering-led alternative in the same city.
Tomsk Polytechnic University in Tomsk lists power engineering, chemical engineering and materials science.
National Research Tomsk State University, also in Tomsk, covers physics, chemistry and information technology.
Karlsruher Institut für Technologie in Germany combines mechanical engineering, computer science, physics and materials, with a strong technical focus.
Paul Scherrer Institut in Switzerland is a research institute for materials science and energy research.
Tokyo Tech in Japan is a technical university teaching mechanical, electrical and computer engineering.
In South Korea, Pohang University of Science and Technology is centred on materials, mechanical engineering and physics.
Warsaw University of Technology in Poland offers mechanical, electrical and computer science engineering in the capital.
*our own picks (our criteria: a mix between domains, diploma delivered, reputation and size), but obviously too many criteria for an apple-to-apple ranking.
FAQ
What does the abbreviation MEPhI stand for?
It comes from Moscow Engineering Physics Institute, the older name of the university. The current official name is National Research Nuclear University MEPhI.
How did the university begin?
It was founded in 1942, during the Second World War, as a mechanical institute for ammunition in Moscow. It later became the Moscow Engineering Physics Institute.
What changed in 2009?
A government decision of that year gave the university the status of a national research university. It is reflected in the present name.
Which institutes does the university have?
Among them are the Institute of Nuclear Physics and Engineering, the Institute for Laser and Plasma Technologies and the Institute of International Relations. The full list of institutes and faculties is on the official site.
Which Nobel laureates are linked to MEPhI?
The university and Wikipedia name six: Nikolay Basov, Pavel Cherenkov, Ilya Frank, Andrei Sakharov, Nikolay Semyonov and Igor Tamm. They worked at the university, and Basov is also a graduate.
Does MEPhI operate outside Moscow?
Yes, it has branches in other towns in addition to the Moscow campus. Contact details of each branch are on the university website.
Cybersecurity, Engineering, Information Technology (IT), Materials Science, Nuclear Physics, Nuclear Technologies, Renewable Energy, Research and Development
*: without any judgment of the quality, readers are strongly encouraged to check the official status of the exact diploma envisioned as many universities have a mix of recognized diplomas, not recognized, “co-delivered,” “equivalent to”, “some pathways” (…), can change over time, and can be named differently from one country to another.
**: international reputation: is based on some criteria that do not mean much in some domains or specialties (number of researchers, of scientific publications, on budget ….). Our approximate 1-4 scale:
known locally
known locally and internationally
is listed in some of the world university’s classifications
is listed among the 20 firsts in some of world university’s classifications
***: estimated numbers, based on online sources and/or feedbacks. The numbers can vary greatly depending on school organisation (ex.: school is part of a group, it employs internal staff or external consultants or has public staff without employing them …). Refer to all the links provided to have accurate and updated numbers.
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