Abstract. The paper examines the popularity of massive open online courses (MOOCs) in Russian universities, motivation to learn in such courses, and the attitudes of students and faculty towards the possible substitution of MOOCs for traditional courses. Results of a survey carried out within the framework of the Monitoring of Education Markets and Organizations Project are used to identify the factors of demand for MOOCs among students and faculty of Russian universities. Findings show that the likelihood of learning in MOOCs or planning to do so is higher among active and high-performing students and faculty involved in research activities and upgrading their skills in summer schools. Studying in a top university has a strong positive impact on the probability of student participation in MOOCs. However, the same effect for university faculty is ambiguous.