Student Profiles
The HSE Banking Institute welcomes international students from around the world who have expressed growing interest in our Financial Analyst Master’s program, which is conducted entirely in English and is the only such programme in Russia and the CIS to be recognized by the CFA Institute as a Program Partner. The Banking Institute provides both exchange and Master’s students the opportunity to study best global practice in the areas of investment and financial analysis from a truly global perspective.
At present, exchange students from Austria, China, Germany, Italy, Finland, and France have already joined our program, giving classrooms a multicultural atmosphere. We believe that students benefit from the programme’s cultural diversity through unique opportunities to make life-long friendships with students and faculty from around the world.
Zhou Yang, Beijing, China
I got my first master’s degree (MA) at a university in Beijing. But I’ve always been interested in finance. So in 2015 I decided to join the Financial Analyst MA program offered by the HSE Banking Institute.
The program is mostly taught in English and is very suitable for foreign students. The teachers are all very friendly and experienced. While studying on this programme I have not only enhanced my understanding of the theoretical side to finance, but also come to learn about the best financial practices. It also offers students numerous opportunities to participate in a range of research and practical activities related to financial sector.
I'm sure that what I have learned on this program will help me significantly in my career and that it will also help me better understand the Russian economy and finance.
Vladimir Botoev, Ulan-Ude, Republic of Buryatia, Russia
I am a final year student of Financial Analyst Master’s program of the Banking Institute of HSE and currently I hold one of the top places in cumulative rating of students from my group. While studying at this programme I had a lot of opportunities to take part in a number of international projects. In January 2016, I took part in international competition on risk management - PRMIA Risk Management Challenge - and our team won 3rd prize at Russian Final. In February 2016, I participated in the International Master Course Week on Educating for Global Competence, which was organized by the University of Applied Sciences bfi Vienna. In April 2016, as a member of HSE student team I took part in the International Intensive Program ‘Sustainable Banking and Finance’, which was organized by a consortium of European universities conducted at the University College of Ghent, Belgium.
The CFA Program Partner status of the Financial Analyst Master’s program enabled me to successfully pass the CFA Level I Exam on the first attempt. In October 2016, I was selected out of 30 candidates for the HSE student team that will represent our university at an international student competition on financial analysis - CFA Institute Research Challenge 2016/2017.
I am certain that the Financial Analyst Master’s program enhances my chances of achieving my goals through a solid education on financial analysis, financial markets, corporate finance, and macroeconomics based on the CFA Institute Curriculum.
Alexey Kretov, Moscow, Russia
I am a holder of two undergraduate degrees from the Higher School of Economics and the University of London, a privilege offered by the HSE International College of Economics and Finance. In 2015, I won the Olympiad for students and university graduates organized by the Higher School of Economics and currently I am a second-year student of Financial Analyst Master’s program.
In joining this program, I strived to further enhance my practical skills in the fields of economics and finance and apply this expertise to real-life tasks. In my view, studies in the Banking Institute have helped me to improve three skills essential for the success in the world of finance:
- fundamental skills gained through handling practical financial tasks, such as financial modelling and the use of specialized financial software;
- communication (soft) skills resulting from extensive teamwork activities in the form of case studies;
- presentation skills enhanced through regular public speeches, addresses and presentations during our studies.
I believe that the Financial Analyst Master’s program is instrumental when it comes to increasing one’s knowledge of the best global practices in the field of investments and financial analysis and adding to one’s value on the international labour market.