Moscow: Semester at HSE

A range of English-language courses are offered each semester in economics, language, informatics, math, sociology, history, literature, and more. Courses in Russian are more numerous. Contact us for the upcoming course list.

Courses in Russian are taken with Russian-speaking students. Courses in English are with a mix of international and Russian students. All courses are part of BA or MA degree programs at HSE.

To maintain full-time status at home (especially for financial aid) most students need to take at least 24 ECTS (12 US semester credits). If you are opting to not take any language, that would mean you would need to take 6-8 courses.

Optional Language Courses

LAN 100/200/300/400 Russian Language
Russian grammar and vocabulary with speaking, reading, and listening practice. Class size is small (8-12 students).
3 credits

Cultural programming in Moscow is designed to be an intensive, hands-on, sensory introduction to the wide diversity of Russia and Eurasia. It is meant especially for those students interested in diplomacy, international relations, and modern Russian identity. Events have typically included:

1. Central Asian, Georgian, and Soviet dinner-seminars
2. Tour of the Kremlin: Behind the Red Walls
3. Masha's Dacha (cultural and culinary day trip)
4. Tour of Moscow's Cathedral Mosque
5. Socials with Locals: Mixers wtih young Russians
6. Walking Seminar: The Origins of Modern Russia
7. Yasnaya Polyana (Tolstoy's Historical Estate)
8. Seminar: Russian Politics and Policy
9. Tour of Red Square: Lenin's Mausoleum and St. Basil's
10. Cultural Performance (Night at the Ballet or Folk Dancing)
11. St. Petersburg (weekend trip)
12. Survival Russian (Russian language and culture in practical situations)

Other events will be held based on student interest and my include visits to NGOs, think tanks, archives, orrelated events. Visits in the past have included Memorial, Carnegie Moscow Center, PIR Center, Human Rights Watch, and others.

This program is hosted in Moscow by the Higher School of Economics.

Housing

Dorms are near the city center and usually a metro ride from class. Students typically commute about 30-60 minutes daily between classes and the dorms.

Location

As Europe’s largest city, Moscow is a bustling metropolis and the heart of a new, modern Russia. Glass skyscrapers and green, outdoor spaces combine with the vibrant symbols of the past to create a constantly innovating landscape that reflects the fast-paced energy and power of the city. This is where 10% of Russia's population lives, where its domestic and foreign policies are decided, and where some 35% of its GDP is generated. To understand Russia's ambitions and potential, you must understand Moscow.

Click here to read a short history of Moscow up to the present day from GeoHistory.
Click here to read more about what our students do while in Moscow.

This program does not allow sufficient time for internships or outside, focused research. Informal volunteer opportunities are also possible if you want to be more involved with your local community abroad. We can connect you with opportunities to pursue independently at no cost.

This program is hosted by the Higher School of Economics. The optional School of Record is Stetson University (Florida, USA) which can provide a US-based trascript for an additional program fee of $350.

Credit transfer to your home institution in both cases is usually possible. However, a US School of Record means that your program is supported by and documented by an accredited US university. The School of Record will issue an American transcript, making credit transfer relatively routine.

For more on transcripts, credit transfer, and other academic issues, click here.

SRAS Home and Abroad Scholars can recieve up to $10,000 toward fall and spring sessions of this program.

SRAS Challenge Grants are stackable grants that can provide up to $3,500 toward this program.

Other, non-SRAS funding sources may also be applicable to this program. SRAS provides a wide list of possible outside funding sources.

* Students who study for a full academic year in any location receive a $1000 discount applied to the second semester. For academic year students the cost breakdown for the second semester is $7,510 (no language) or 13,210 (language) for education costs; $1,200 for housing (which includes dormitory stay during the interim period between semesters), $275 for insurance (which also covers the period between semesters), and there are no associated visa costs (your visa will simply be extended to cover the second semester). For academic year students, the total cost for the second semester is $8,985 (no language) or $14,685 (language).
** Estimate is based on r.t. US East Coast departure.

For more detail on living expenses in Moscow, click here.