Double-Degree Tracks: How Students of HSE University-St Petersburg Can Get into Foreign Universities
At HSE University-St Petersburg, students of some programmes have the opportunity to get two diplomas after graduation: one from HSE and one from a foreign partner university. Find out which programmes offer double-degree tracks and which foreign universities are involved.
Master's Programme 'Arts and Culture Management'
Students of the Master's programme 'Arts and Culture Management' can go to the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart (Milan, Italy) under a double-degree programme.
Those interested must apply to the competitive selection process, prepare the required documents, and pass an interview. The key selection criteria are motivation and academic performance, but other factors such as active project participation, research activities, English proficiency, and more are also considered.
Elena Zelenskaya
Academic Supervisor of the Master's programme 'Arts and Culture Management'
Many students do not fully understand the difference between a mobility programme at a foreign partner university and a double-degree programme. When you go to another country under a mobility programme, you receive valuable cross-cultural experience. But a double-degree track gives you not only the experience of studying in another country, but also a diploma from a foreign partner university. This allows you to enter the international market right away or apply for a PhD programme.
The double-degree track of the 'Arts and Culture Management' programme is a unique opportunity to study in Milan for a year and get two diplomas—from HSE University and the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart. I think that culture and art is a field in which boundaries are blurred and where there is a demand for international projects. Graduates of the double-degree track will gain experience working with art institutions in St Petersburg and Milan. It is an undeniable competitive advantage for their future careers.
Master’s Programme 'Finance'
Students of the Master's programme 'Finance' also have the opportunity to spend a year at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart. To do so, students in the first year of the programme must submit an application along with a motivation letter, a language certificate (IELTS 6.0 or above or TOEFL iBT 80 or above), a resume in English and a document stating their highest average grade. The results of English testing confirmed by HSE University-St Petersburg are accepted as an alternative to language certificates. Find out more about the application process here.
Polina Vishnevskaya
Studied on the double-degree track of the Master's programme 'Finance' at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart (Milan)
I am glad that I studied on the double-degree track and I'm grateful to HSE University for this opportunity, as an Italian diploma opens new horizons.
While studying, students make a great number of potentially useful professional connections. For instance, one of the optional courses on business modelling was taught by the EY consulting team. Another course on real estate was delivered by managers of the largest real estate appraisals agencies in Italy. Also, the lecturers are often working professionals. Some professors from the faculty are members of the European Securities and Markets Authority.
Many of the courses here were interesting to me. Many of them revised things I already knew. But I want to single out the course 'Market Microstructure', which was compulsory for students of the double-degree programme. It included a lot of theory on market microstructure and its characteristics, and I learnt a lot of new things. It is a highly complex course because of the amount of theory we had to understand by the end of the semester.
Italy itself is wonderful. While studying in Milan, I managed to visit many cities in Italy and realised that for me, Milan was one of the most comfortable Italian cities for living. Plus, the opportunity to visit other European countries cheaply and quickly is very appealing. With the help of student associations, you can visit popular events and festivals.
Read the full article about Polina's impressions here (in Russian).
Master’s Programme 'Comparative Politics of Eurasia'
Students of the Master's programme 'Comparative Politics of Eurasia' can go to another foreign university—the Italian University of Trento—to study on the 'European and International Studies' programme. They can spend the third semester there or the whole second year (the third and fourth semesters).
The double-degree programme is available to first-year students of the Master's programme who study well and have a certificate confirming their level of English proficiency (IELTS 6.0 or above or TOEFL iBT 88 or above). Alternatively, certificates confirming the results of internal HSE University-St Petersburg English exams are also accepted.
Applicants must also submit a motivation letter. The top students will be selected by the Academic Council. Find out more about the requirements here.
Master's Programme 'Modern Social Analysis'
Students of the Master's programme 'Modern Social Analysis' also have the opportunity to go to the University of Trento under a double-degree programme. There, they will be enrolled in the Master's programme 'Sociology and Social Research'. Students can study there for the whole second year or just the third semester.
Students wishing to enrol in the programme must submit an application and pass the competitive selection process. Applicants must have a good GPA and a high place in the student rating. They must also provide a motivation letter and an English language certificate (TOEFL iBT 80 or above or IELTS 6.0 or above) or the results of internal HSE University-St Petersburg exams. Find out more about the double-degree track here.
Vasily Khodakovskiy
Graduate of the Master's programme 'Modern Social Analysis', studied at the University of Trento (Italy)
It was a very interesting experience. I think Italy is a wonderful country to spend several months or even years. As a sociologist, I am very interested in immersing myself in another culture and communicating with other people, changing my lifestyle, and living in a completely different way.
The educational process here is very different from studies at HSE University. There is no curriculum with obligatory subjects as such; you can choose almost all the courses yourself, which is really great. I also like studying at the University of Trento because of the opportunity to communicate and exchange experiences with people from different European countries.
To all students who want to participate in an exchange programme, I would recommend applying and participating in the competition. Of course, the most important thing is not to be afraid of anything. Everything will work out!
Read the full interview with Vasily about studying in Italy here.