Student Ranking

What is the student ranking?

Twice a year, all HSE students have the opportunity to see how they rank among their classmates.

The ranking is a list of students demonstrating achievements in subjects from the curriculum over a certain period.

HSE distinguishes between current and cumulative rankings. We also compile rankings before repeated exams and after repeated exams.

• Current ranking – allows student achievements to be compared over half a year (two study modules or one semester). The current ranking is an interim indicator of a student’s achievements and is renewed each time and includes results in subjects from the last half year (there are usually 5-8 results).
• Cumulative ranking – compares students’ achievements over the entire period of studies at HSE. Twice a year, new subjects are added to the cumulative ranking, in addition to all subjects taken by the student since the first year of study. Before graduation, a student’s cumulative ranking will include results in all elements of the curriculum: subjects, term papers, projects etc. (there are at least 30 results in undergraduate programmes, and at least 12 in Master’s programmes).
• Ranking before repeated exams (both current and cumulative) – takes into account students’ grades as they were given during the exam period in a given period. For those students who miss the exam or receive unsatisfactory grades, the relevant elements of the curriculum are graded as zero.
• Ranking after repeated exams – takes into account the grades received on repeated exams.

Why is the ranking assigned?

The ranking system improves students’ motivation to engage in active and balanced learning.

The ranking provides differentiated and diversified information on educational quality and efficiency, as well as on personal achievements of students. This information can be used for administrative solutions.

How is the ranking calculated?

1. The ranking is assigned as follows:
2. Each faculty makes a decision on which students will compete with one another. It’s possible to compare students studying in one year of one programme, or several programmes.
3. For each student, grades for each element of the curriculum are multiplied by its credit weight, and their sum is calculated. For example, during a half year, a student was studying English (4 credits), mathematical analysis (5 credits), and history (3 credits). That student received the following grades for them: 8, 7, and 10. For this student, the ranking will be calculated as follows: 4*8+5*7+3*10 = 97. 
4. Since each HSE student has an individual curriculum, the older the year, the more varied the curricula are for each student. And the sum of credits earned by students can differ, which is why, for a more precise comparison, the ranking sums are normalized by a maximum sum of credits among all the compared students. To view the exact formula, see the ‘Regulations on the ranking system of complex evaluation of student knowledge’, points 3.1.5 – 3.1.6.
5. The list of normalized rankings is sorted in descending order. The larger sum a student has, the smaller his or her number is in the list, and the better his or her personal ranking is.

If, during the half year, a student chooses more subjects than are required by the programme curriculum (for example, has taken not three, as offered, but four or five electives), the current ranking will not include all the elements of the curriculum. Students can oversee the inclusion of extra elements from the variable part of the curriculum. Students should inform their programme’s study office on what elements should be taken into account in the current ranking (in writing or via email). The results on term papers, obligatory subjects, and a recommended number of optional courses are included in the current ranking.

The cumulative ranking stores all the achievements, both in the variable part and in the additional courses, regardless of the student’s wishes. Since the cumulative ranking reflects all learning activities, some students can find themselves ahead of their classmates who are leading the current ranking.

The ranking table is formed using data on student grades in the HSE information system. These data are added manually by the study offices’ staff using records signed by lecturers who conduct examinations. The table is calculated automatically based on the principles common to all HSE faculties and campuses.

Since the process includes a ‘manual’ part, some technical errors are possible, which is why the ranking tables are given to students within certain terms, and, if a student finds errors (incorrect grades or subjects), they have an opportunity to inform the study office of the error within two working days.

When are the rankings prepared?

The ranking tables are prepared after the summer and winter examination periods, as well as after the repeated exam periods.

Students are informed of different types of rankings during the academic year within the following timeframes:

• Current ranking before repeated exams for the first half year – January 20;
• Current ranking after repeated exams for the first half year – March 10;
• Current ranking before repeated exams for the second half year – July 20;
• Current ranking after repeated exams for the second half year – October 25;
• Cumulative ranking – March 10 and October 25.