Timetable

Daily classes are held in double periods of two academic hours: 1 double period = 2 academic hours = 80 minutes.

The following timetable is in operation on campus:

Academic Calendar

The academic year at HSE University is divided into modules rather than semesters. There are four modules, every module ending with an examination period:

Module 1: September 1 — October 30 (please note that certain Master’s programmes commence on October 1);
Module 2: October 31 — December 31;
Module 3: January 9 — April 2;
Module 4: April 3 — June 30.

Examination periods fall on the final week of each module.

An up-to-date academic calendar and class timetable can be found here.

You can find your timetable by using our mobile app for iOS and Android, in your personal account on the platform my.hse.ru, or by accessing the RUZ system (e-timetable).

Programme Offices

Should you have any questions regarding the academic process (examinations, timetable issues, ratings, etc.), contact the programme office of your degree programme.

Every programme has its own programme office – this is a team of specialists, who can assist you in effectively dealing with all organizational issues during your entire time at HSE University, so that you can focus on studies.

At the programme office, you can:

• receive consultation regarding all details of the academic process;
• get information on scholarships;
• confirm discounts on tuition costs;
• find out how to transfer from a fee-paying place to a government-funded one;
• request certificates;
• develop an individual curriculum (IC);
• restore access to corporate e-mail;
• find out about getting transport passes.

You can find your programme office’s contacts on the homepage of your programme.

Group Leaders and Curators

Who represents your group before the programme office? Who can immediately know about any changes to course timetables?

Group leaders ('starosta') are representatives of groups, who also act as contact persons for teachers and programme offices.
This person’s obligations include:

• attending meetings with the HSE University and faculty administration;
• informing fellow groupmates about important HSE University and faculty events;
• considering group accomplishments.

Group curators are second-year students, who can provide support to first-year learners so that they can adapt to life at HSE University, by offering their advice, as well as possible courses of action.

Wi-Fi and E-mail Services

All HSE University campuses have open Internet access. To access the Wi-Fi service, get connected to the HSE.Ext network, get authorized via SMS; you will be kept automatically signed in for two weeks, and after that you will need to complete secondary authorization.

During the entire duration of studies, HSE University provides each student with a corporate e-mail address.
To access your HSE University e-mail, you will need to follow this link:

• logins are generated as follows: first letter of your name + your last name + @edu.hse.ru;
• your password for initial entry consists of the letters «Edu» and the numbers of your student ID card (excluding the letters on your card!).

After initial entry into the system, you will need to change your password. If you have forgotten or lost your e-mail password – contact your programme office.

All important information from the programme office and your teachers will be sent to your address, so make sure to regularly check it!

Degree Programme Homepages and Academic Handbook

HSE University’s academic handbook brings together all key information about academic and social life on-campus, as well as describes the various rules currently in place at the University. We recommend that you read it, so that you can get immersed in the HSE University community as quickly as possible.

Furthermore, the homepage of your degree programme is one of the core sources for receiving important information and following the latest news on the programme and HSE University, as well as finding academic materials, staff contacts and much more.

Information Systems

The academic process at the St. Petersburg campus is implemented with the application of various information systems.

To avoid any confusions, all services essential for students can be found in the same place – on the platform my.hse.ru. To access the system, you can use the login and password of your student e-mail.

This platform is a marketplace for various services and operates as the one-stop-shop through which you can access various platforms.

Study materials for courses are posted on the SmartLMS platform. The platform allows its users to view all materials (e.g., videos, webinar recordings, presentations, lecture scripts, links to core and supplementary reading) in the same place, along with assignments and links to external resources. Furthermore, teachers may organize remote meetings with students, via chat or forums. Access to the platform is possible with your HSE University e–mail.

With respect to courses, during the academic year, teachers can post academic materials and assignments in the LMS system or in the new SmartLMS system. You will learn more about the latter in September when you take the courses in Health & Safety and Physical Education.

Teaching Quality Assessment

Teaching Quality Assessments (TQA) offer students the opportunity to assess their courses and teachers, thereby shaping course content and format in the future. Participation in the assessment process is obligatory and failure to do so may result in sanctions, including actual dismissal from the University. TQAs are held at the end of each module prior to the start of the examination period. You can learn more here.

At the end of the academic year, it is traditional at HSE University for students to choose best teacher. This selection process is done through TQAs. Every learner may nominate no more than two lecturers and no more than two seminar/practical class teachers.

In addition, you can also assess the quality of how your programme is administered. You can express your opinion regarding contacts with academic supervisors and programme office staff.

Furthermore, feedback from students is very important for HSE University. So, take advantage of this opportunity and don’t forget to take part in the TQA process.

Grading and Course Syllabi

HSE University uses a 10-point scale to grade knowledge. So, now’s the time to stop relying on the five-point-scale thinking. Grades are assigned based on the results of ongoing assessment (tests, assignments, essays, examinations, etc.), as well as a student’s active participation in lectures and seminars.

The following grading scale is used at HSE University vs. grades familiar from the school years:

Ratings

A rating is a sorted list of students, ranking them in terms of their success in mastering course materials for a particular period.

Rating positions are used for determining approaches to encourage students’ motivation. For instance, fee-paying students, who rank high in the rating, may receive a tuition discount, or even a full tuition fee waiver.

Your place on the rating may also influence your options for registering for popular electives, minors, and open optional courses, as well as your eligibility for grants for academic mobility.

Learning Tracks

Each student at HSE University can shape up their own academic path, by selecting one or several educational tracks. Furthermore, during different years of study, you can select from a wide range of interesting courses, including minors and optional courses. 

All obligatory courses under a curriculum, as well as elective and optional courses, are included in your individual curriculum (IC). The IC is drafted for one academic year and should be worth at least 60 credit units. If you wish, you can increase the workload up to 80 credit units per year, by supplementing your IC with courses or projects on a fee-paying basis.

HSE University puts special emphasis on project work. Here, you can test your skills in research, applied and services projects during the entire year. All projects are posted on the website of HSE University’s Project Fair. Follow the updates on the website and get involved in a suitable project!

Independent Assessments

During your Bachelor’s studies, you will need to take several important examinations to confirm your proficiency in English and digital skills. Examinations are developed by independent experts and held under the same format for all HSE University learners. If a student receives an unsatisfactory grade on an exam, this shall be considered an academic failure. So, prepare thoroughly for these examinations so that you can succeed!

Academic Standards

HSE University has its own Statement of Values. This a key document, which you should read at the start of your studies.

In addition to striving for the truth, cooperation, academic freedom, responsibility and self-discipline, we also hold honesty and transparency in high regard. This means that HSE University treats any violation of academic integrity as a serious infraction, including: plagiarism, forgery, fabrication of research outcomes, copying/cribbing, etc.

During the entire duration of your studies at HSE University, you will need to take part in various assessments: from essays to term papers, from reports to verbal examinations. When taking assessment elements, it is important to follow academic standards and not commit any misconduct so as to avoid any possible disciplinary sanctions.

• Disciplinary Sanctions

  teachers issue students an «Unsatisfactory» grade («0» on a 10-point scale);

• the relevant teacher shall draw up a memo, describing the violation committed and indicating the volume of copied/borrowed text and its sources, attaching respective documentary evidence;

• students may submit a written explanation regarding the given incident in order to help investigate the facts stated by the teacher in their memo;

• the Student Council may issue its informed opinion on subjecting the student to disciplinary measures;

• the respective faculty dean and HSE University’s administration shall decide as to the imposition of disciplinary measures on the student as a result of their violation.

Library

An electronic pass is a single HSE campus card. All you have to do is sign up online using the following link and you can use the card to borrow books on library subscriptions. You can also books online pre-order from the library's book collection. In the reading rooms, you can use computers to work or read a book in peace and quiet.

You can book the group study rooms. Registration form for group study rooms booking here.

Access to electronic resources (full-text e-books, journals, Dissertations & Theses, statistics, etc.) is provided from any computer on campus connected to a local network, as well as in remote access mode from outside the campus. To get a login/password to work with electronic resources in remote mode, it is necessary to fill out an application by following the link.

Additionally, you can use the corporate printing service. Multifunctional printers (Xerox devices) are located in all HSE St. Petersburg campus buildings.

The library staff is always happy to provide you with qualified assistance! Detailed information is available on the library's website.

For any assistance please contact library staff via e-mail: library-spb@hse.ru