Established in 1946, Universitatea de Stat din Moldova (Moldova State University) is a non-profit public higher-education institution located in the rural setting of the large city of Chisinau (population range of 500,000-1,000,000 inhabitants). Officially recognized by the Ministerul Educatiei a Republicii Moldova (Ministry of Education of the Republic of Moldova), Universitatea de Stat din Moldova (USM) is a large coeducational Moldovan higher education institution. Universitatea de Stat din Moldova (USM) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. This 76 years old Moldovan higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic record and grades. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment. USM also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.