The ITMO Mega-Olympiad
ITMO University in Saint Petersburg — one of Russia's strongest universities in IT (world champions in competitive programming more than once). Its Mega-Olympiad covers 25 tracks across all of the university's fields, and winners join the Master's without entrance exams — competitive and not guaranteed, like any olympiad.
Olympiads whose winners and prize-winners may apply for the Russian Government quota — master's list
Official file (PDF) ↗The timetable shown on the official site (season 25/26): registration and the qualifier 24 November – 13 January, the second stage 10 December – 14 January, and the final 2–6 February 2026. ⚠️ And the final requires separate registration — that's marked with an asterisk on the site, and it is not a detail. The new season's dates are updated on mega.itmo.ru and we'll add them as soon as they're confirmed.
We found official evidence supporting international-student eligibility, but the edition or time scope is not yet clear.
🏆 And there are two different statuses: whoever passes the qualifier and the final gets the status of “winner” (победитель), and whoever takes part in the school gets the status of “prize-winner” (призёр) — and both count as an advantage when applying to a Master's.
🎯 And the school route is easier to get into but it isn't a given: the regulation says there is no additional selection to enter the school and registration for it opens no later than 24 November — so anyone can join it. But the “prize-winner” status doesn't come from attending: it's decided by the points you earn on your work and presentations in the school, and there are no more than 30% of the participants in the closing session (9.2 · 9.7).
⚠️ And something you must verify yourself: the site says every track in the competition corresponds to a particular Master's programme — and that table lives in “the Master's admission rules”. So the advantage is tied to the programme you apply to; it isn't general.
↳ The official regulation «Положение о проведении Мегаконкурса» is published here (PDF) — we read it in full, and the clauses above and below are taken from it by number.
What is the Mega-Olympiad?
ITMO University's olympiad, open to Bachelor's students and graduates — including international ones — for admission to Master's programs. 25 tracks covering programming, artificial intelligence, photonics, physics, robotics, cybersecurity, management and more.
The format is online, in two stages (qualifying + final), with theoretical and practical tasks that vary by track — and you can take part in any number of tracks.
What could you gain?
The stages
On mega.itmo.ru — the number of tracks is unlimited, so choose wisely the ones closest to your background.
Theoretical and practical tasks depending on the track — try the demo versions and check each track's language before choosing it. And the regulation says: there is no appeal against the qualifier's result, and if a technical failure hits you mid-round you must email the organiser to be granted another attempt — without that email, there is no attempt.
The list of those admitted to the final is published on the portal at least 5 working days before the first day, and the final is held in a window up to 6 February. And separate registration for the final is required, within the deadline the organiser sets — if you don't register you will not be admitted, even if you passed the qualifier. The exam is under electronic proctoring with video and audio recording (7.6 · 7.11).
These are entry conditions, not recommendations: · A desktop or laptop only — and one monitor, no more. Graphics tablets are not allowed. · Two cameras: a webcam (built-in or external) in which your face must be clearly distinguishable · and a phone with a camera that must show you, your desk and your monitor together. · A microphone and speakers. · Browser: Google Chrome or Yandex Browser only. · OS: Windows 7+, macOS 10.12+ or Linux. · Internet at least 256 Kbit/s — and mobile internet is not recommended, as it may fail Proctoredu's equipment check. 🔴 And the regulation puts the responsibility on you for your machine, power and connection — if the video isn't recorded properly you are disqualified and your work is not marked.
the regulation: you must have your passport and show it to the proctor via your webcam. the regulation: a round lasts 180 minutes maximum, and you may submit early. ⚠️ And the regulation: you may not receive or send data to anyone (email, messaging, any internet service other than the portal), and you may not use any device other than the one you logged in from.
• the regulation: if it emerges that the year of study you registered under does not match your actual year, you are disqualified, your results are not published, and your diploma is annulled if you had received one. · the regulation: plagiarism, or the use of any generative AI tool for the substantive part of your solution, means annulment and disqualification — unless the track's own task permits it.
The tracks
25 tracks covering all of the university's fields — the official site names precise tracks such as «Physics: applied track», «Physics: fundamental track» and «Low-temperature systems and technologies». The main areas:
Who can take part?
According to the official site: Bachelor's and Master's students and graduates — including foreign citizens. So even if you're still studying, or graduated a while ago, you are eligible.
Tap any question to open the answer ▾
💬How many tracks can I enter?
💬Are there tracks in English?
💬What's this relocation package about?
💬How is it different from the regular quota?
💬Can I sit it on my phone?
💬Can I use ChatGPT or any AI tool?
💬I registered with more than one email — do the results get combined?
💬How many people make it to the final?
💬What if I registered the wrong year of study?
Know someone this could matter to?
Send it to them — a minute from you could change a year of theirs.
Pick your tracks and try the demos
As soon as the new season's dates are confirmed, you'll get an alert on the channel right away.