About the Programme
Programme overview
Having a significant math and IT component, the Bachelor's programme ‘Economics’ offers a broad training in economic theory, econometrics, statistics, and empirical research. In the senior years of study, students choose tracks taught in English—either ‘Economics and Mathematics’ or ‘Business Economics’.
Key features
The main goal of the Bachelor’s programme ‘Economics’ is to prepare graduates who have an advantage in continuing their studies at the best universities or beginning their career in leading international companies. Unlike specialised programmes, the Bachelor’s programme ‘Economics’ at HSE University – St Petersburg develops analytical and business skills as well а spacious mind that allow graduates to be successful in any field.
What the Bachelor’s programme ‘Economics’ is all about:
− Substantial mathematical and IT training, financial, management and business disciplines, business cases.
− Higher academic load for winners of the competitions who are offered in-depth study of the main subjects and an opportunity to choose additional disciplines and electives.
− A comfortable switch to English: during the first years of study the training is delivered in Russian. By the 3rd year students are able to study in English and participate in the mobility programmes abroad.
− A professional team of Russian and foreign teachers and researchers as well as visiting practitioners from banks, real sector enterprises, consulting companies.
− Active research work carried out by three laboratories headed by world’s scientists. Students are invited to undertake internships and research projects in the Centre for Market Studies and Spatial Economics headed by Kristian Behrens and Jacques-Francois Thisse, International Laboratory of Game Theory and Decision Making headed by Hervé Moulin,International Centre for Health Economics, Management, and Policy headed by Ekaterina Alexandrova.
− Implementation of business projects at the request of the university’s business partners, including EY, Deloitte, KPMG, Lenta, Rostelecom, VTB group, Gazprom, Yandex and JetBrains.
What will you be studying?
Having received at the 1st and 2nd year of study basic economic and mathematical knowledge, students then choose between 2 tracks—‘Economics and Mathematics’ and ‘Business Economics’.
‘Economics and Mathematics’ is a research track where students have an intensive training in economic disciplines―Game Theory, Econometrics, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics; they also learn courses that help them prepare for case championships, student research paper competitions as well as the best graduate programmes.
‘Business Economics’ includes a wide range of disciplines in order to develop knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for doing business or managing a company, doing analytical work, making significant economic and financial decisions, or working in private sector and public corporations.
International mobility
Pompeu Fabra University (Spain), University College London (UK), Mannheim School of Business, University of Mannheim (Germany), Higher School of Commerce (France), and more than 80 HSE SPb partners invite our students to take part in the international mobility programmes. After the 2nd year of study students can spend a semester or a year at host university abroad.
Additional info is available at the Study Abroad Opportunities for HSE SPb Students website.
Internships
Career centre helps students of the programme in finding internships as well as writing resume and getting ready for an interview.
Students interested in research or academic career can join the projects carried out by international research laboratories of the university.
Business partners of the university from different sectors of the economy offer internships for those who want to get acquainted with business world and learn the basics. Among the partners are such companies as EY, KPMG, PWC, Deloitte, VTB Bank, Promsvyazbank, Sberbank, Baltika, Kelly Services, Gazpromneft, Lenta, Technopark of the city of St Petersburg, Pulkovo airport, etc.
Tracks
Economics and Mathematics
Headed by Sergey Kokovin, the track in ‘Economics and Mathematics’ is meant to be а research direction.
The main goal of the track is to provide students with analytical skills and prepare them for admission to the best universities in the world as well as employment to the leading consulting companies.
Students receive an intensive training in economic disciplines―Game Theory, Econometrics, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics; they also learn courses that help them for case championships, student research paper competitions as well as applying for the best graduate programmes.
This track develops abilities rather than teaches how to use ready-made patterns. Research is an independent creative search, and the principle of overlearning that is written in the textbook does not work there. Students need to understand, discover, prove and find answers by themselves. Research skills can and should be developed, and this track offers such opportunity. The track ‘Economics and Mathematics’ is about studying modern methods of analysis, and acquisitioning skills to be able to use those methods in a wide range of applications such as business, market analysis, economic policy, or innovation.
Economic disciplines
Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Econometrics, Theory of Industrial Markets, Panel Data, Finance, Labour Economics, etc.
IT disciplines
Business Informatics, Internet Economy (bilateral markets), Information Economy.
Special economic disciplines
International Trade, Public Sector Economics, Models of Economic Growth, Analysis of Economic and Social Networks, International Finance, Behavioural and Experimental Economics, Discrete Consumer Choice Models, Risk Management Models, etc.
Case club
Although Case club classes are not included in the curriculum and do not bring credits, they are an essential facultative activity. Visiting professors of practice teach students to win case championships and get offers from the best companies such as McKinsey or BCG.
Business Economics
Headed by Ekaterina Aleksandrova, the track in ‘Business Economics’ is a business-oriented direction.
Modern market creates an increased demand for graduates who have both economic tools and management skills as well as the ability to work with data. ‘Business Economics’ track is aimed at enhancing these competencies.
The track includes a wide range of disciplines in order to develop knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for doing business or managing a company, doing analytical work, making significant economic and financial decisions, or working in private sector and public corporations.
The principles of business processes are applicable to every sector of the economy, and even to certain personal matters. That is why this interdisciplinary track comprises a wide range of courses.
The track includes courses in Economics, Mathematics, Finance, and Management― from personnel management to international trade, and from ethics of business negotiations to government regulation. The flexibility of the modular system allows students to reach any career heights they choose.
The track is entirely taught in English. The courses of the track are accredited by ICAEW and ACCA.
Each of the disciplines develops certain skills the combination of which is crucial for business environment.
Financial disciplines allow to carry out business valuation and evaluate performance: Theory of Finance, Corporate Finance, Financial Management, Accounting, etc.
Business disciplines provide a complex understanding of business processes, regardless of industry or company size: Business Planning, Digital Business Models, Consumer Behaviour, etc.
Economic disciplines offer study of profound tools and mechanisms based on big data analysis: International Trade, Economic Policy Assessment, Data Analysis, Time Series, R, Stata, EViews. etc.
Management disciplines help to develop communication skills, implement positioning and behaviour strategies: Human Resource Management, Organisational Behaviour, Corporate Governance, Strategic Management, etc.
Future profession
Academic career
Every year, a number of graduates continue their studies at the HSE and other leading universities all over the globe:
- Russian Economic School, Russia
- HSE International College of Economics and Finance, Russia
- Pompeu Fabra University, Spain
- Bocconi University, Italy
- Paris School of Economics, France
- CERGE-EI (Center for Economic Research and Graduate Education – Economics Institute), Czech Rupublic
- New York University, USA
- University of St Gallen, Switzerland
- Université Catholique de Louvain (postgraduate studies), Belgium
- Penn State University (postgraduate studies), USA
- Stanford University (postgraduate studies), USA
Business career
Graduates of the programme get offers from major Russian and international companies such as KPMG, Deloitte, EY, PWC, Danone Russia, Coca-Cola, Baltika Brewery, Mars, Philips as well as banking institutions.