Skip to main content
Russia Scholarships

RUSSIA: MBA Programme in Subsoil/Mineral Resources Management 2026

About the Scholarship

The International Competence Centre for Mining Engineering Education under the auspices of UNESCO, in partnership with Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University, invites applications from African professionals for the Master of Business Administration (MBA) Programme in Subsoil/Mineral Resources Management for the 2026 academic year.

This intensive one-year, full-time programme is designed to equip professionals with advanced knowledge and practical skills required to manage mineral resource projects across the entire value chain, from exploration and resource assessment to extraction, logistics, processing and sustainable resource management.

The programme aims to strengthen capacity within African ministries, agencies, universities, research institutions and industry by developing professionals who can integrate technical expertise with economic, legal, environmental and managerial considerations.

Degree level

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Language of Instruction

English

Deadlines

30 June 2026

Who can apply?

Applicants must:

  • Be a resident of an African country;
  • Be employed by a ministry, industry company, public university, research centre or specialised organisation;
  • Hold a Bachelor's degree;
  • Demonstrate English language proficiency at a minimum B1 level;
  • Have at least one year of professional work experience;
  • Obtain a recommendation from a relevant national specialised ministry;
  • Successfully complete the selection interview process.

Programme Content

  • Technological Module:

    • Fundamentals of prospecting, exploration and evaluation of solid mineral deposits
    • Mineral exploration using geophysical and geochemical methods
    • Modern technologies of geological exploration
    • Oil and gas geology
    • Digital technologies in geology and mining
    • Fundamentals of mining
    • Fundamentals of mineral processing
    • Fundamentals of metallurgical production
    • Environmental foundations of natural resource management

  • Economics and Management Module

    • Economics of mineral resource management
    • Strategic management in the mineral resource complex
    • Corporate finance
    • International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
    • Human resource management
    • Legal regulation and international legislation in the field of mineral resource management
    • Risk management in the mineral resource complex
    • Project and innovation management

  • Internships and Practical Training

    Participants will undertake practical training and internships at:

    • Leading Russian companies and research centres;
    • Operational mineral resource facilities;
    • Federal ministries and government agencies.

  • Additional Training

    • Russian language module

 What the scholarship offers

Successful candidates will receive a grant that covers from the university:

  • Full tuition fees;
  • Educational and methodological materials;
  • Access to university research, laboratory facilities and infrastructure;
  • Participation in internships and practical training throughout the programme.

Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) Support

  • International travel costs
  • Top-up monthly stipend
  • Once-off settlement allowance
  • Annual allowance
  • Visa costs
  • Pre-departure support and ongoing student support

Application process

Step 1: Applications must be submitted online via the application portal: https://clck.ru/3LGp72.
Step 2: Complete the DHET application form.
Step 3: Submit the DHET application form and supporting documents via email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Contact

For enquiries, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Documents and links

Saint Petersburg Mining University website

Brochure

Application portal

Note

Please note that this opportunity is not offered by the Department of Higher Education and Training. Applicants are required to undertake their own research into programmes and institutions and are responsible for ensuring that the qualifications will be recognised in South Africa by contacting the South African Qualifications Authority and the relevant professional bodies. If there are any discrepancies in the details provided, the information given by the sponsor supersedes the details provided above. No additional financial support will be provided by the Department of Higher Education and Training.