• Multidisciplinary approach. Science of Learning and Assessment is the first program at NRU HSE that combines training in Education, Psychology, Neuroscience and Computer Science. The program employs professionals from the fields of neuroscience and cognitive science, psychometrics, assessment and measurement specialists, educators and education researchers working both in academia and in business. This program is a joint effort of the HSE Department of Psychology and Institute of Education. The interdisciplinarity of the program allows you to master the widest possible range of methods for studying a person, the characteristics of his development, learning, achievements and activities.
• Significant variability of the curriculum gives the opportunity to build an educational trajectory “for yourself”. Each student has the opportunity to choose disciplines, the topic for the thesis, projects, depending on their interests and career goals.
• Emphasis on research methodology. SOLA program gives students skills to ensure the reliability and validity of any research results and conclusions. The program pays a lot of attention to quantitative methods of data analysis, skills in developing high-quality assessment and measurement tools.
• Entrance to the academic and expert community. Students of the program are integrated into the life of the Institute of Education and the Department of Psychology of the National Research University Higher School of Economics. They have the opportunity to participate in academic and applied projects of the departments, find employment as research trainees, and also undergo internships and practice in partner organizations of the SOLA program and Institute.
• English-taught track. We expect both Russian and international students to benefit from an English-taught track offered by the program. Students enrolling into this track will be immersed in the context of international research and will have the opportunity to practice and prepare for further work in international organisations or continuing education abroad. Russian students should enroll with the interest to perform rigorous inter-disciplinary scientific research in addition to advancing their opportunities for presenting their work in English at international scientific conferences and publishing in international peer-reviewed journals. International students will be involved in rigorous inter-disciplinary scientific research in Russia, while being able to transition smoothly due to the English-speaking academic environment.

Graduates from this program will be able to contribute to industries associated with issues of learning and development across the lifespan, work in various testing centers and in the field of education quality assessment, psychometrics and analysts in EdTech, HR, participate in startups at the intersection of neurosciences and education and continue to develop in the academic environment.

Graduated student of SOLA program:

• Gains key knowledge in psychometrics and human developmental sciences, knows how to apply them in scientific and practical fields.
• Critically evaluates scientific literature related to both basic and clinical samples, applies knowledge in solving specific research problems in the field of social science and education, and independently carries out his or her own scientific research.
• Applies advanced statistical, psychometric methods, or machine learning technology to analyze data obtained from various research and practical contexts.
• Gains proficiency in neuroimaging and neuroscience methods and applies them in various research and practical contexts.
• Constructs measuring tools (tests, questionnaires, scenarios, games) for assessing various characteristics and competencies, including complex constructs, in the field of social sciences, education and clinical practice.
• Is able to formulate problems, goals and objectives of the study, based on an analysis of the achievements of modern psychological science and practice, substantiate hypotheses, develop a program and methodological support for research (theoretical, empirical).
• Ready to present research results in various forms (publications, reports, presentations) and accompany their implementation.

The program consists of five blocks:

• Major - compulsory courses,
• Elective major - courses associated with the chosen trajectory,
• Seminars – research seminar, mentor seminar,
• MagoLego - elective courses from the general pool of disciplines of the National Research University Higher School of Economics and the Institute of Education,
• Practice - project work, term paper, internship and thesis.

The core of the SOLA program consists of 4 compulsory disciplines on measurements (Methodology of Measurement in Psychology and Education, Statistics, Test Development in Psychology, Psychometrics) and a big course in Developmental Sciences. These courses are aimed at developing the key competencies of a graduate of our program. This core is complemented by mandatory technical courses in programming and machine learning. Further, the student can create an individual learning trajectory by choosing an elective major. It could be the field of psychometrics and assessment, or cognitive science and neuroscience. However, it is also possible to combine items from these two areas within the available credits. Relevant practice will allow you to apply the acquired skills and knowledge in real context. MagoLego courses from the university-wide pool and the Institute of Education make it possible to make the student's learning path even more individual. Additionally, there is the possibility of obtaining a diploma in two areas of training: Psychology and Pedagogical Education. To do this, students must master the major courses from the "Pedagogical Education" master program. Thanks to the individual curriculum, mastering the major of both programs is possible within the standard terms of mastering the program. Language of instruction for "Pedagogical Education" courses is Russian.

This degree programme of HSE University is adapted for students with special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities. Special assistive technology and teaching aids are used for collective and individual learning of students with SEN and disabilities. The specific adaptive features of the programme are listed in each subject's full syllabus and are available to students through the online Learning Management System.

All documents of the degree programme are stored electronically on this website. Curricula, calendar plans, and syllabi are developed and approved electronically in corporate information systems. Their current versions are automatically published on the website of the degree programme. Up-to-date teaching and learning guides, assessment tools, and other relevant documents are stored on the website of the degree programme in accordance with the local regulatory acts of HSE University.

I hereby confirm that the degree programme documents posted on this website are fully up-to-date.

Vice Rector Sergey Yu. Roshchin

Summary of Degree Programme 'Science of Learning and Assessment'