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Five Frequently Asked Questions about the MA Programme ‘Business and Politics in Modern Asia’

Five Frequently Asked Questions about the MA Programme ‘Business and Politics in Modern Asia’

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In 2019, HSE University − St Petersburg started admissions to an updated version of the Master's programme ‘Business and Politics in Modern Asia’. HSE News Service asked Svetlana Krivokhizh, the academic supervisor of the programme, to answer prospective students' most frequently asked questions.

— What have been the most important changes that were made to the programme? 

There are three main changes. First, the programme is now taught 100% in English, and students will also write their MA theses in English. Second, the programme will have a stronger focus on studying East and Southeast Asia: China, Japan, Korea and Vietnam. Third, there are now more applied courses, which are very popular among students: they will learn to develop a promotion strategy for Asian markets, to protect their interests when working in Asia, and even to check the reliability of Asian partners. 

— Have there been any changes to the faculty of the programme?

Of course. We invited unique experts from Saint Petersburg, Moscow, Canada and the USA. They are political scientists and economists, specializing in Asian Studies, as well as practising specialsts with experience doing business in Eastern Asia. 

— Is it possible to have an internship or a study abroad period in Asia while studying in the programme? 

Yes, lately HSE University has significantly expanded its ties with Asian universities, and now our students can spend a semester in China, Korea, Japan, Indonesia, or Vietnam. The best time to go abroad is during the first semester of the second year, but first-year students can already start checking out the details here

— Will students have a chance to study Asian languages? 

Starting this year we will offer students the opportunity to study an Asian language as an elective extra-curricular course. Students should bear in mind that studying Asian languages is a really time-consuming activity, so we suggest that every student decides for him or herself whether to include this element in the curriculum or not. 

— What are the possible careers students can pursue after graduation?

It depends on each student's preferences. The majority of courses are elective, so students are free to forge their own academic and professional path. 

If they are interested in careers in analysis or policy advising, we suggest focusing on academic courses, which help student hone their skills in analyzing, evaluating, and forecasting political and economical processes in modern Asia. These skills are crucial for working in consulting, mass media, and research. 

For those interested in business, we suggest focusing on applied courses and choosing a topical subject for the MA thesis. We support students in choosing different subjects, such as applied research in marketing or management in Asia, for example. In this case you'll be ready to work in companies and corporations working closely with Asia. 

Admissions to HSE’s programmes are now open. International students can apply online. To learn more about HSE University, its admission process, or life in Moscow, please visit International Admissions website, or contact the Education & Training Advisory Centre at: inter@hse.ru,  or via WhatsApp at: +7 (916) 311 8521.