Moscow Higher School of Economics

History

Moscow Higher School of Economics was founded in 1992 as a private research university, initially focused on economics education. It was the first Russian educational institution to successfully introduce bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, revolutionizing Russian higher education structure. Early years saw the university merge with the Moscow Institute of Electronics and Mathematics, expanding expertise beyond economics to computer science, electronics, and telecommunications. Subsequently, the university opened a faculty of computer science in collaboration with Yandex, a major Russian technology company. This strategic partnership enabled development of programs in software engineering, data analysis, and artificial intelligence. The university maintains a unique distinction as Russia’s only research and education center specializing in spatial development of cities and regions, conducting comprehensive basic and applied urban research. HSE has evolved into one of Russia’s largest research universities with four campuses in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Perm, and Nizhny Novgorod, plus an online platform.

Current Position and Infrastructure

Moscow Higher School of Economics ranks among Russia’s leading research universities and stands as one of Eastern Europe’s most prestigious institutions in economics and social sciences. The university offers over 223 undergraduate and graduate programs across four campuses, with more than 32,000 students enrolled annually. Faculty and researchers represent over 90 countries, creating a truly international academic environment. HSE operates more than 100 research institutes and centers, including 30 international laboratories directed by renowned scholars, including Nobel laureates and Fields medal recipients. The university was instrumental in developing Russia’s modernized Unified State Exam. HSE is recognized as a national research university by the Russian government. The institution offers 34 programs taught entirely in English, facilitating international student access. Modern facilities support teaching, research, and student development across multiple disciplines spanning humanities, sciences, technology, economics, and management.

Foreign Student Opportunities

Moscow Higher School of Economics actively welcomes international students and maintains partnerships with universities from over 90 countries. Faculty, researchers, and students from diverse nations create a cosmopolitan academic environment. The university offers 34 English-taught programs at both undergraduate and master’s levels, eliminating language barriers for international applicants. HSE provides comprehensive visa support services and international student mobility programs including exchange agreements facilitating semester-abroad experiences. The university operates international laboratories with world-renowned scholars providing research opportunities. International students benefit from world-class facilities, experienced faculty, and vibrant Moscow location. HSE offers specialized programs in urban development, technology, economics, and humanities. The university maintains exchange agreements with prestigious institutions worldwide.

Departments and Faculties

Architecture (4-5 years)

City Planning
Prototyping Future Cities
Transportation Planning
Urban Development and Spatial Planning

Asian and African Studies (4-5 years)

Biblical Studies and History of Ancient Israel
Astrology
Asian and African Studies
Indian Language and Literature
Southeast Asian Languages and Literature
Japanese Language and Literature
Socio-Economic and Political Development of Modern Asia

Biology and Biotechnology (4-5 years)

Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology

Art and Fashion (4 years)

Design
Fashion
Artistic Cultural History and Art Market
Curatorial Practices in Contemporary Art

Computer Science and Information Technology (4 years)

IT and Computer Hardware and Software
Software Engineering
Information Security
Cybersecurity
Information and Communication Technologies and Systems
Computer Systems and Networks
System and Software Engineering
System Programming

History, Archeology and Cultural Studies (4 years)

Art History
Contemporary Art
Classical Studies
History
Classical and Eastern Archeology
Modern World History
Medieval Studies
Cultural Studies
Visual Culture
Cultural and Intellectual History

Mathematics and Physics (4 years)

Mathematics
Applied Mathematics
Applied Mathematics and Information Science
Data Science and Business Analytics
Physics
Chemistry
Data Analysis in Biology and Medicine

Psychology and Social Sciences (4 years)

Psychology
Sociology
Sociology and Social Informatics
Social Studies

Media, Communications and Journalism (4 years)

Journalism
Media Communication
Advertising and Public Relations
Data Journalism
Integrated Communication
Multi-Platform Film Production

Economics and Business (4 years)

Business Informatics
Public Administration
Marketing and Analysis
World Economy
Business
Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Management and Digital Innovation
Economics
Economics and Statistics

Law (4 years)

Law
Private Law

Languages and Literature Studies (4 years)

Foreign Languages and Intercultural Communication
Philology
Basic and Computational Linguistics
Computational Linguistics
Language Theory and Language Definition
Russian and Comparative Literature
Digital Humanities
Language Policy in Ethnic Cultural Diversity
Philosophy, Ethics and Religion Studies