RSSU was founded in 1991 with the mandate to continue the core of the research and teaching activities of the former Higher School of the Communist Party.

Gradually, University activities extended into project work on social policy for State Institutions, as well as the education and support of acting administrators.

The current main building of the Russian State Social University starting from the 1920s there was a headquarters of International Academy for the Trade-Union Movement, where were built-up the members of Communist Parties from different countries, where these activities were banned.

In 1956, the main building on Wilhelm Pieck Street passed to the Higher Party School, which in 1959 was replaced by the Marx-Engels-Lenin Institute, existed there until 1991.

Russian State Social University receives more than a hundred students participating in the mobility programs annually from Europe, South America, Asia and CIS countries.