Application Requirements

The composition and criteria for evaluating the portfolio (for foreign prospective students): 

Portfolio composition (for foreign prospective students) 2024 (DOCX, 11 Kb) 

More information about international admissions you can find via link 

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An application to this programme will be reviewed by the admissions committee within 2 weeks after submission.

International students must submit applications, as follows:

November 1, 2023 – August 11, 2024

Please note that the committee’s decision, which shall be made upon reviewing your application, will be posted in your personal account. The review of your application should take up to 2 weeks. 

All applicants must provide the following documents:

a) Photo

b) Scan of the ID page (often the 1st page) of the passport

c) Academic transcript (and diploma)

Please include a photocopy/scan of your diploma if you have received any (e.g. Bachelor’s diploma).

d) Motivation letter

This letter should describe your reasons for applying to this programme, in the context of your long-term career goals and background. The motivation letter (especially, Section 3) is critical for the evaluation of your application. The committee will evaluate whether you i) are motivated, ii) are competent, and iii) possess scientific or applied potential in the area of cognitive science. The motivation letter should include the following sections and sub-sections:

• Section 1 (less than 300 words): write about your research interests and why have you decided to apply for a Master’s degree.

• Section 2 (less than 400 words): 

2.1.     Please write about your research projects if you have done any (e.g. your thesis work). It should be a brief summary of their topics and their results. If you published a project or presented it at a conference, provide their reference information (APA format). Any other scientific accomplishments (e.g. scholarships or grants that you might have received) should be described as well in this section;

2.2.     Please write about your job experience (if any), especially if it was somehow related to your application.

This section (Section 2) must not be a copy of your CV – it should rather be an addition to it.

• Section 3 (less than 600 words):

3.1.     Please describe what areas of cognitive science you would like to study.

3.2.     Please formulate a possible research question or topic that you would like to work on as your master project at HSE with details;

3.3.     Please list a few teachers and researchers in the programme with whom you want to work with based on their specialty and past studies. Please describe why you choose them (visit the program’s website https://www.hse.ru/en/ma/cogito/ to find the programme’s teachers and researchers);

• Section 4 (less than 200 words): write about your motivation and personal characteristics that will demonstrate your willingness to study diligently. 

e) Letters of recommendation

Two letters of recommendation are required. Please include at least one letter from someone familiar with your academic work. 

Note that your referees can send the letters directly to the committee. Please specify in your CV if this is the case and the admissions committee will contact the referees.

f) Publications (and other documentation)

Please include your papers in academic journals or/and your proceedings in academic conferences if you have any. These publications should be listed in your CV with their details. Please also include your theses (e.g. Bachelor’s thesis) if you have any. 

g) English certificate

Native speakers of English and students who have completed an entire degree exclusively in English do not need to submit proof of their English ability. All other applicants should submit test results no more than two years old.

The programme requires substantial amounts of coursework in English. All applicants must undergo the English Test at HSE or provide an English Language Proficiency Certificate (IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo English Test).  Our minimum requirements:

h) Resume (CV)

Please submit a standard CV, including, at a minimum, your educational achievements, work and research experience, publications (if any), and language proficiency, contact details (mailing address, e-mail, phone), place of work, grants, and internships.

i) Presentations at academic conferences and events

Please include information about your presentations in academic conferences or/and academic events if you have any. These presentations should be listed in your CV with their details.

j) Other achievements

Portfolio evaluation

1)   Academic background (0-20)

2)   Publications (0-8)

3)   Research experience (0-10)

4)   Reference letters (0-15)

5)   Academic achievements (0-12)

6)   Motivation letter (35)