‘A Chance to See the World’: HSE University–St Petersburg to Open Call for Academic Mobility in September
From September 1 to October 1, HSE University–St Petersburg students will be able to apply for exchange studies at international universities in the 2026 spring semester. There are more than 40 universities available in 20 countries, from Armenia to Mexico.
Academic mobility is an opportunity to spend a semester or more at an international university, explore a different educational system, and improve your foreign language skills. Students can choose from four types of international exchange programmes:
partner programmes of HSE University–St Petersburg
university-wide agreements (programmes organised by HSE University–Moscow for students of all campuses)
double-degree programmes (which allow students to get two higher education diplomas: one at the home university and one at a foreign partner university)
free mover programmes (independently organised studies at any university on a fee-paying basis without any quotas or scholarships)
Depending on their duration, the programmes can be short-term (up to three months) or long-term (starting from three months).
Daria Sanochkina
Head of the International Student Mobility Office
'We are happy to announce a new call for spring mobility in 2026. The contest will take place from September 1 to October 1. Students will have a choice of universities in Italy, Turkey, France, Japan, Brazil, and many other countries. More detailed information is available on our Study Abroad Opportunities website. In September, the International Student Mobility Office will hold orientation meetings and consultations. We're looking forward to our students' applications!'
The contest is open to bachelor's students, starting from the second year of studies, and master's students after the second module of the first year. In considering applications, priority is given to those candidates who have not participated in academic mobility under international agreements.
To apply to one of HSE University–St Petersburg's international partner universities, a student must prepare a package of five documents:
A formal application to participate in the exchange programme confirmed and signed by the head of the study office and the programme academic supervisor. In this document, you can specify up to three universities to which you would like to apply, in priority order. The list of all partner universities is available on the Study Abroad Destinations website.
An individual study plan for each selected track, approved by the head of the study office and the programme academic supervisor, with at least 9 ECTS (system of academic credits) per quarter / 18 ECTS per semester.
A free-form motivation letter of around 500 words.
Expenses Estimation Form (approximate expenses can be found at NUMBEO).
Language Proficiency Evidence (not lower than CEFR B2)
Students of English-taught programmes at HSE University–St Petersburg are awarded B2 level of English language by default and are exempt from this requirement (for English language only).
'When writing a motivation letter, be honest: share your story and specify your reasons for choosing the university, country, and academic mobility programme in general. It's vital to show a clear connection between your academic and professional goals and your individual plan. Show your readiness to adapt to a new environment and culture and your level of training: thoroughly describe your term papers, research, and language which will help you study abroad,' recommends Daria Sanochkina.
In her third year of studies, Sofia Vazhenina, student of the Bachelor's programme 'Political Science and World Politics,' went to Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) in the Chinese city of Suzhou. There, she managed to delve into the research of political processes and find new friends from all over the world.
'When you go on such a trip, you never know how it will end. It was hard at first, but at the university, there were enough people who were happy to help with any questions. Thanks to the host university, I managed to try my hand at new spheres, look at political science from a new perspective, and choose my priority areas for a master's degree. The trip also introduced me to a lot of like-minded people both among the Russian students at XJTLU, who supported me during the adaptation to the new culture, and foreigners with whom I still keep in touch and share experience—we even help each other in international projects,' said Sofia.
In addition to long-term mobility programmes, HSE University–St Petersburg offers winter and summer schools abroad. Ekaterina Evzelman, second-year student of the Bachelor's programme 'Political Science and World Politics,' spent three weeks attending a summer school at the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics.
'The majority of classes were interactive: professors not just explained the material but held discussions with students, which helped us stay engaged in the educational process. We also had an eventful cultural programme: classes on Chinese calligraphy and intercultural communication, a boat trip along the Huangpu River, and a tour of the Shanghai Tower. The university also organised several trips to the Dishui Lake AI Innovation Hub, a focal point of the artificial intelligence industry.
Another important aspect is international communication. I not only met lots of people from various countries but also made friends with Chinese students who helped with any problem and spent their free time with us to help us dive into the Shanghai atmosphere,' shared Ekaterina.
Another type of academic mobility is a double-degree programme, which is designed for one academic year. Students of three master's programmes ('Arts and Culture Management,' 'Modern Social Analysis,' and 'Comparative Politics of Eurasia') can go to Italian educational institutions—the University of Trento and the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Milan.
To participate in the double-degree track, one has to be a first-year master's student and have a certificate confirming their English language proficiency (including a certificate based on an HSE University–St Petersburg internal exam). The application and motivation letters are considered by the Academic Committee.
Students of the double-degree programme get a thesis co-supervisor from their host university and prepare their thesis according to the requirements of both universities. At the end of their studies, students have to demonstrate Italian language proficiency of at least A2 level.
Elizaveta Smirnova, second-year student of the master's programme 'Arts and Culture Management,' completed the double-degree programme at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Milan. According to her, the mobility programme allowed her to engage in familiar routines and university studies in a totally new setting.
'Over this year, I realised what it was like to be an international student: everyone spoke a foreign language, while you were trying to figure out how everything was arranged. For instance, it turned out that you could take one exam three times on different days, and they would count the best result. A mobility programme is not just about studies. It's a completely different culture, climate, and people. You enter another world and adapt to its conditions. It's hard but very interesting!
Thanks to the trip, I got access to courses on fashion and the management of luxury brands. Studying such disciplines in Milan, the renowned fashion capital, with prominent, vastly experienced professors is incredibly valuable. Once, I even had a chance to have dinner with the director general of Gucci! I am proud that I was selected for the double-degree programme and studied in Milan for an entire year. I gained valuable experience and contacts, undertook an internship at a fashion brand, and went on business trips to Nice and Monaco,' shared Elizaveta Smirnova.
In the 2025 autumn semester, eighty-three HSE University–St Petersburg students will go on academic mobility programmes. The majority of them, 67 people, were selected through the contest of HSE University–St Petersburg, 8—through the general contest across all HSE campuses, 5—on double-degree programmes, and 3 decided to arrange their own academic mobility.
'Very soon, HSE University–St Petersburg students will go to partner universities to spend the autumn semester in different parts of the world. It is a very exciting stage of life because the students will have to face adaptation and the language barrier. But at the same time, they will gain new life and academic experience, lots of new acquaintances, and opportunities to travel,' sums up Daria Sanochkina.
More information about the necessary documents, participation rules, and requirements for candidates is available here. If you have any questions regarding applications for academic mobility, please contact outgoingspb@hse.ru.