In 2005 NES admitted 103 students. Current year admission aims at recruiting till 110 students. For details please consult Admission page (in Russian)

The minimum requirement is four years of university education in any discipline. The majority come with a background in mathematics, economics, computer science or natural sciences.

Prospective students must pass the School’s stringent entrance examinations in Mathematics, English and Economics, for which NES provides preparatory courses to potential applicants in Moscow and in a number of regional cities. Competition to gain entry has been strong with the School attracting top students from the best universities of Russia and the now independent former Soviet republics.

Over the last several years, in accordance with the strategic plan, NES has been gradually adopting a tuition-based system, with the aim that ultimately most students should cover major share of their education expenses. Tuition was raised from US $2,000 in 2001 to $4,425-4,925 (difference in $500 arises if a student lives in dormitories provided by NES) starting in 2005. In addition, the number of students with tuition waivers has been reduced substantially. Simultaneously, NES offers various forms of financial aid to selectively accepted students. Financial aid is given out in three major forms:
(i) merit-based fellowships or grants distributed in the form of full or partial tuition waivers for the top students;
(ii) student loans;
(iii) need-based stipend together with a work-study program.

Since most of the students do not have the ability to pay for their full-time education, NES helps such students by arragning student loans. Until 2005 these loans were administered through the Moscow office of American Friends of NES, the US-based non-profit organization. Beginning 2005, the administration of this program has been taken over by the Russian Standard Bank. The terms of the loan are much more favorable to students than any other known loan schemes on the Russian financial markets. All admitted students have access to these loans, which have to be repaid with interest in the ten years following graduation. In 2005, 44 students (or 56%) of the 79 without full waivers chose to take out these loans.

Despite the intense program of study, the student body in each of the classes proved very active socially and provided the School with a very pleasant and supportive atmosphere.