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Regular version of the site

How Will the New Academic Year Start for International Students?

How Will the New Academic Year Start for International Students?

© Daniil Prokofyev

Classes will begin on-campus on September 1 (for some graduate programmes on October 1), and wearing masks in university buildings and dormitories will be mandatory for all students and teachers. HSE University will arrange online learning with mandatory support from professors for newly enrolled international students who are currently unable to travel to Russia.

Arriving in Russia: Testing and Quarantine

Before arriving to study in Russia, foreign students must purchase a medical policy, which covers a medical checkup and a PCR test for Covid-19. The list of insurance companies and the information about purchasing policies online can be found here.

It is also necessary to obtain a document confirming a negative PCR test result for Covid-19 in your country (you must have this document at hand ready for presentation at the airport, train station, and any border checkpoint, as well as in HSE dormitories). The document should be in English or Russian.

International students will be required to observe 14 days of self-isolation and get tested for the virus on the 11th day after arriving in Russia.

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During the two-week self-isolation period, international students will be required to stay in their dormitory rooms. You will be allowed to go only to the hospital, pharmacy, or a store for essential goods. In case of violations, the management of the dormitory has the right to take disciplinary measures. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to follow the instructions.

During this period, online education will be provided for international students, so be sure to bring your laptop with you.

What do I need to do?

Three days before the date of your arrival to the Russian Federation, which you must indicate in advance in your personal online account, you will receive a referral to check in to your dormitory with the exact address and room number.

When checking into the dormitory, you must present:

  • a copy of the test results for covid-19 by the polymerase chain reaction PCR method, made no earlier than 3 days before entering the Russian Federation in Russian or English;

  • medical certificate (form № 086/у) or the certificate according to a bilingual form from Appendix 8 of the PVRSO;

  • vaccination certificate issued by a medical institution;

  • original and copy of your ID and the migration card;

  • insurance policy purchased in the country of residence or in the Russian Federation * (except for persons subject to compulsory medical insurance in the Russian Federation), purchased at the expense of students.

Immediately upon arrival, you must register at the dormitory with your passport and migration card: be sure to contact the passport officer of the dormitory where you will be staying. Find more information here.

On the 11th (calendar) day after your arrival (if this day falls on Saturday / Sunday, then on Monday), you must go to the hospital covered by the medical policy that you purchased before arriving to Russia and get tested for Covid-19 a second time with a PCR test as well as get a medical checkup. 

To ensure safety, there will be temperature check points at all HSE building entrances, and regular air disinfection will be carried out in classrooms.

Detailed information has been sent to all foreign students preparing for their arrival to the Russian Federation at the emails indicated in their online HSE accounts.

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What if I can't travel to Russia because of the travel restrictions?

Due to the pandemic, many international students will not be able to arrive on campus by the beginning of the academic year, September 1 (October 1 for some graduate programmes). 

Online classes will be arranged for these students until they are able to travel to Russia. HSE University will ensure the full-scale implementation of programme curricula online thanks to the digital solutions and services available to all students. Moreover, all students have an approved curriculum that can include a remote learning option so that it is possible to complete the coursework online until students are able to arrive at HSE campus after the restrictions have been lifted.

International students will receive an email with detailed information about their online study shortly. Students can also contact their programme study offices or programme managers and clarify all the technical requirements for completing online coursework.

We look forward to welcoming you to HSE University - Saint Petersburg and wish you a successful start of the new school year!

If you have any questions or concerns about the  required documents and procedures, read our informational page. In case you still have any questions, contact International Student Support. Questions about the educational process organisation should be addressed to your programme office.