The aim and objectives of the Student Graduation Thesis are the accumulation and application of all mastered professional research skills: the ability to independently formulate a research problem and substantiate its relevance, substantiate the research methodology, conduct a competent historiographical analysis, demonstrate mastery of strategies and methods for systems analysis and forecasting development of Asian and African countries: modes and methods for expert analysis of Eastern countries; evaluation of social, political, economic and ecological risks and military threats in Eastern countries; analysis of mass media and public opinion; short-term forecasting of development of Eastern societies; multiple factor analysis and forecasting development of relations between Russia and Asian and African countries.
By April 9 of the current academic year at the latest, the student must submit the complete interim version of the Graduation Thesis to their supervisor through the Electronic Information and Educational Environment (EIEE) of HSE University. The submission shall contain all required structural components: the completed introduction, chapters, conclusion, and the list of references and literature.
The supervisor of the Graduation Thesis will evaluate the submitted document using a binary “pass/fail” assessment.
In the event of a “fail” assessment, the student is entitled to the first and second retakes within the retake period designated for the graduating year.
If a retake is necessary (scheduled for April 19 and April 27), the draft version of the FQW must be submitted via the faculty’s supplementary portal, following the provided instructions.
Main Milestones:
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Selection of the thesis topic and scientific supervisor
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by November 1
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Uploading of a draft version of the Thesis to the supervisor
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Determined by the supervisor |
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Change of the Thesis topic or supervisor
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by March 1
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Uploading of the Thesis file for the thesis preparation exam
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no later than 23:59 Aptil 9 |
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Uploadingof the final version of the text
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23:59 May 12 |
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Thesis defense
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In Module 4, according to the approved schedule |
State Final Attestation
The State Final Attestation for students of the Master’s Programme “Modern Asian and MENA studies” includes the defence of the Graduation Thesis. The preparation and defence of the Student Graduation Thesis by the programme’s students are carried out in accordance with the following documents:
- Regulations on Practical Training of Students under Core Bachelor’s, Specialist and Master’s Programmes at HSE University
- Regulations on Final State Certification of Students in Bachelor’s, Specialist and Master’s Degree Programmes at National Research University Higher School of Economics
Guidelines for Master’s Thesis Preparation (DOCX, 47 Кб)
Students who have successfully completed the theoretical course of study are admitted to the State Final Attestation. The list of students admitted to the GIA is approved by an official order.
The topic of the Graduation Thesis is approved by an official order based on the student’s application. The same order also appoints the academic supervisor and the reviewer. In some cases, a consultant may also be appointed by order.
Students have the right to appeal the results of the GIA.
The submission of the Graduation Thesis must be completed no later than 23:59 on 12 May 2027
In order to submit the Graduation Thesis , the student is required to upload, via their personal LMS account, a file containing the full and final version of the thesis. The file must be in DOC or PDF format and must be uploaded by 23:59 on 12 May 2027.
***Please note that students who miss the Graduatin Thesis submission deadline will be subject to dismissal for failing to complete the State Final Attestation
Defense of the Graduation Thesis will take place in June 2027, in accordance with the schedule specified in the official order on the conduct of the State Final Attestation
Procedure for the Graduation Thesis defense:
* The defense begins with the student’s presentation on the Graduation Thesis topic. The presentation must last at least 20 minutes.
* The student must present the main content of their thesis fluently, without reading from a written text. During the presentation, the following may be used (a computer-based presentation of the Graduation thesis; visual aids (tables, diagrams, etc.); other materials illustrating the key points of the Graduation thesis.
* The student has the right to upload the presentation and/or supporting materials for the defense no later than two calendar days before the Graduation Thesis defense. This should be done via their personal account in the Learning Management System (LMS), in the "Graduation thesis/Term paper» module". These materials will be made available for preliminary review by the members of the State Examination Commission.
* After the student’s presentation is completed, members of the local State Examination Commission ask questions. These may include questions directly related to the Graduation thesis topic; questions closely associated with the topic. During the Q&A session, the student has the right to refer to their Graduation thesis when answering questions.
* The participation of the Graduation thesis supervisor and/or the Graduation thesis reviewer in the local examination commission meeting is not mandatory.
* After the discussion phase, the student is granted a final statement. In this statement, the student should respond to any comments or critiques made by the Graduation thesis supervisor (in their review); address any remarks from the Graduation thesis reviewer (as stated in the official review document), if such comments were provided. Once the student’s final statement is completed, the Graduation thesis defense procedure is considered concluded.
A student who has failed the State Final Attestation due to failure to attend the state attestation examination for a valid reason is entitled to take the State Final Attestation within six months after completing the State Final Attestation, without being expelled from the Higher School of Economics. The procedure for confirming absence due to a valid reason is available on the Educational Programme’s website, in the relevant section.
Useful links:
Master’s thesis title (DOCX, 13 Кб)
Application form for approval of Graduation Thesis topic (DOCX, 19 Кб)
Application form for change of Graduation Thesis topic (DOCX, 17 Кб)
Application Form for Change of the Graduation Thesis Supervisor (DOCX, 18 Кб)
Supervisor’s Review (DOC, 44 Кб)
Review (DOC, 43 Кб)
