New Double Degree with EHESS Paris

HSE and L'École des hautes études en sciences sociales (EHESS) have signed an agreement for the provision of a double degree track for the HSE’s Master's programme in Comparative Social Research. This is the second double degree track being offered to students of this programme. Earlier this year, a similar agreement was signed with the Free University of Berlin.

The double degree track with EHESS starts in September 2018. It will include the exchange of an equal number of students each year from the participants in HSE’s Comparative Social Research programme and the Sociology programme in Paris. In the first year, two students will take part - one from each side. In the future, the number of participants will increase. As Christian Fröhlich, Academic Supervisor of the programme, notes: 'EHESS is one of the world’s leading universities in social sciences and a new double degree programme will give our students an excellent opportunity to see how social research is done at a global level. It will also put them in contact with an international academic community and globally-focused atmosphere. In Germany, France, or England, there are different schools of thought, which place a different emphasis on various methodological issues and so on. A double degree track also enables students to widen their social networks so that they can explore new places and meet potential supervisors for PhD research. In Paris (as well as in Berlin), we cooperate closely with people who specialize in East European studies, while our programme focuses more on issues of methodology. Our focus is generally not on Russia. So, by participating in the double degree programme, students can broaden their professional expertise and obtain additional knowledge in the more specialized area of Eastern European studies. For students from France, the programme offers them an opportunity to obtain in-depth education in methodology, which is our strong suit.’

Christian Fröhlich, Academic Supervisor of the programme / HSE

First year Master’s students from both universities can apply for the double degree track. They must submit a motivation letter and a project proposal for a thesis. In addition, they need to gain 60 ECTS during their first year of studies. The deadline for applications to start studies in September 2019 is May 1, 2019. Applications are processed within a month. Students who make the cut will spend one or two semesters at a partner university. They will be required to visit the partner university for their third semester but they can also opt to stay for the fourth semester to write a thesis. Upon graduation, participants will receive two diplomas – one from HSE and one from EHESS.

There is no tuition fee for the double degree track but students will need to cover their living and transportation expenses. There is, however, an opportunity for Russian students to receive competitive scholarships from the French Embassy. Moreover, there is a mobility fund at HSE for outgoing students which can cover some of the transport expenses (on a competitive basis). For foreign students at HSE, Moscow has an additional advantage of being very attractive in terms of cost of living. The HSE dormitory fee is extremely low, and with current exchange rates, living expenses in the city have decreased substantially.

In addition to the double degree track, the agreement with EHESS also foresees professional exchanges. For instance, this September, Françoise Daucé, Director of Studies at EHESS, will be delivering a course for HSE students during the first module. Then, in May 2019, Christian Fröhlich will be giving a series of lectures at EHESS.

International admissions for HSE’s Master’s programmes are open until July 15, 2018. You can apply online at the webpage.