How can I apply for a student mobility programme if my university is not in the list of the partner universities?
You can apply as a free mover student by filling in the Nomination Form. Within the following month you will receive an email from us with all the further details about your exchange period. You will get a list of documents you are required to provide for application process. If your application is approved, we start the process of enrollment.
What are the deadlines for a free mover application?
Autumn semester and full academic year:
Nomination deadline – April 20
Application deadline – May 1
Spring semester:
Nomination deadline – October 1
Application deadline – October 15
Please note that the deadlines are also defined by the sending university and they are prior to the dates mentioned above. If you missed the deadline, please contact us and we will see what can be done (you should take into consideration that obtaining a Russian study visa may take up to 1,5 month).
How much is the tuition fee for free movers?
We expect free mover students to take at least 12-15 ECTS per semester (3-4 courses). For the free mover each course is charged at a rate of 9,000 RUB per 1 ECTS. For example, a 4 ECTS course costs 36,000 rubles.
What is the study mode for the 2025-2026 academic year?
Most of the courses are offline with possible online elements. HSE has also a limited number of online intercampus courses.
Which courses are available for free movers?
As an international student at HSE University - Saint Petersburg, you will be able to choose from a range of undergraduate and graduate courses in English and Russian languages. Please check the HSE Course Catalogue and apply the filters (campus Saint Petersburg, academic year) to find the most relevant to your study programme. As a rule, exchange students attend courses within our educational programmes, the list of the programmes can be found below.
How to apply for the Russian student visa?
For the Russian student visa application you need to receive an invitation letter. More detailed information could be found in Invitation Letter and Russian study visa. Please read carefully the information about entering the Russian Federation in Visa & Immigration Support.
HSE Saint Petersburg Educational Programmes
Russian-taught programmes (with some courses in English)
Exchange students can attend courses within the following programmes:
English language proficiency level: B2 level according to CEFR or higher (for studying in English)
Russian language proficiency level: С1 according to CEFR or higher (for studying in Russian)
Application process
All nominated students will be contacted by International Student Mobility Office and provided with instructions on the application process.If students need to apply for a Russian visa, we strongly recommend to submit the application before the deadline.
Documents to be provided for application process:
Passport - Double page spread, no watermarks or drawings are allowed. Your passport must be valid for at least 18 months from the proposed start date of the visa.
CV in English or in Russian.
1 picture 3x4 - Your face takes up 70% to 80% of the photo, head is centered in the image and you look directly at the camera and show your full face. If you normally wear glasses, your eyes are clearly visible in the photo. Photo must have sharp focus and a good color balance. The photo is colour with white or off-white background that is not patterned or busy.
Motivation Letter - Written in English or Russian only; 300-500 words long.
Transcript of records - An official document issued by your Home University with a sign and a stamp. Submitted in English or Russian only. - free mover students can substitute it with a scan of diploma
*Reference Letter - Written by a person who is familiar with your academic performance (a professor/a research supervisor/a teaching assistant). Submitting Reference Letter is optional, however, students are sometimes asked for it when enrolling for courses.
*English Language Certificate for students who will study in English - IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 87, Cambridge FCE or higher. It may be substituted with equivalent proof document approved by Home University.
*Russian Language Certificate for students who will study in Russian - Language certificates confirming strong B2/C1 level. Confirmation document from you Home University can also be accepted in some cases.
At the end of Application process you will receive a letter from us with the results of selection period.