Russian National Research Medical University

Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University (formerly known as Russian State Medical University or RSMU) is a medical education institute in Moscow, Russia founded in 1906. It is fully accredited and recognized by Russia’s Ministry of Education and Science and is currently under the authority of the Ministry of Health and Social Development.

Named after Russian surgeon and pedagogue N.I. Pirogov (1810-1888), it is one of the largest medical institutions in Russia and Europe.

It was the first university in Russia to allow women to acquire a university degree. It established the world’s first pediatric faculty in 1930, and the world’s first faculty of biomedicine in 1964.

The first ever lecture was delivered on September 26, 1906). The course was at that time called HMCW (Higher Medical Course for Women). The course listeners were called "medichki". The first "medichki" graduation was in spring 1912.

Due to the popularity of the course, the entrance competition was very high. In 1906, the medical faculty students numbered 206 and in 1907-1908 there were 285. Therewith, 2128 applicants for study were rejected. So, the entrance competition equaled almost 9 people for one position.