The leading Russian universities include Moscow State University, Saint Petersburg State University, Moscow State Institute of International Relations, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and Rostov State University.  Among these Moscow State University is considered to be the best Russian university. Founded in 1755 by the decree of Empress of Russia Elizabeth, MSU is regarded as the oldest university in Russia. In 1940 the university was re-named after Mikhail Lomonosov, a prominent Russian scientist.

With its 31,000 students, 7,000 postgraduates and 4,000 faculty members, the university has the status of the largest in the country. And it's easy to see why it's the best Russian university: it comprises 29 faculties and about 350 departments, 4 museums, 16 research institutes, a Library, a University Publishing House and a Science Park and the Botanical Gardens. The latest innovations within the university include the establishment of nine faculties, 47 departments and 22 research laboratories. The changes in the curriculum include the introduction of 200 new academic programs.

The students of the university have the possibility to choose among the Faculties of Mechanics and Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Soil Science, Fundamental Medicine, Philology, Philosophy, History, Economics, Law, Journalism, Psychology, Sociology, Foreign Languages, Public Administration, Education and Military Training. The main departments are located on Sparrow Hills, designed by the architect L.V. Rudnev. In the post-war period the main building of the university was the tallest in Europe. The most conspicuous institutions of the university include Skobeltsyn Institute of Nuclear Physics, Institute of Mechanics, A.N.Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Research Computing Center, Sternberg Astronomical Institute and others.

The best Russian university can also be proud of its alumni, who played an important role in the development of Humanities and Science in Russia. Since 1920 the university has awarded about 35,000 Doctoral degrees. Among the faculty members there are 6,000 Doctoral degrees holders, which confirm the position of the institution as the best Russian university. During XIX-XX centuries a large number of prominent scientists and scholars worked in the university, among them physicists and astronomers Stoletov, Umov, Lebedev; mathematicians Zhykovsky, Bygaev; chemists Luginin, Kablukov, Zelinsky; medical doctors Mudrov, Sklifosovsky, Zakharin; geologists Kovalevsky, Pavlov, Schurovsky; historians Nadezhdin, Pogodin, Soloviev; economists Babst, Yanzhul; philologists Buslaev, Storozhenko. Tracing the history of Lomonosov Moscow State University, one can find evidence of its leading position in learning and research. The university has made considerable contributions to the establishment of many Moscow museums, such as the Historical Museum, the Zoological Museum, the Polytechnic Museum, the Anthropological Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Zoological Gardens and the Botanical Gardens.

Yet despite Lomonosov Moscow State University being regarded as the best Russian university, this institution isn't sitting on its laurels. It is committed more than ever to have an educational impact on the students studying within its halls.