‘Embarking on This Journey Has Truly Changed Me in the Best Possible Ways’
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Students of the English-language master's programme ‘Population and Development’ study issues related to the impact of demographic processes on a country's social development, as well as learn how to develop the relevant administrative measures to ensure sustainable development. Below, the programme's academic supervisor and international students provide more information about the programme and studies in Moscow.
Yassir Mohammed, 37, Sudan
I am a research assistant at the HSE Vishnevsky Institute of Demography. I specialise in migration studies.
I learned about HSE University from a scholarship listing website where I read a lot of good things about the university. Then I googled HSE University, created a profile and applied. In 2019, I received two admission offers, but ultimately decided to choose HSE. I chose the Population and Development programme because of its design and the prospective outcomes I could gain after graduation. One of the most exciting things about the programme is its strategy.
In my first year, I studied various courses including the Theory and Practice of Public Administration, Public Economics, Demography, Statistical Analysis and Statistical Packages, Population Change, and Economic Development. In the second semester, we were given the opportunity to choose four elective courses. I selected Gender and Development, Migration and Development, Sustainable Development, and one MAGOLEGO course—Psychology of Sustainability. In my second year, I chose four different courses: Humanitarian Action, Non-Governmental Organisations as Agents of Development, Health Systems and Health Policy, and Ethnoconflictology.
I took advantage of the opportunity to study Russian language free of charge with HSE University, which was very helpful
I enjoyed all of the courses that I chose. However, during my first year, I suggested that we extend the demography course as it was one of the best courses that I had studied, and I believed that it would be useful in the future based on my previous work experience. Unfortunately, we only had one semester to cover the material, which felt rushed. Despite this, all of the classes were well-structured and easy to follow, although there were many homework assignments. All of the teachers were excellent, and I appreciate them all, especially Vladimir Kozlov, who was my supervisor. Sadly, he has since left the university. I would also like to mention the programme manager, Ekaterina Cheklina, who is an exceptionally hard worker with excellent administration skills.
My initial difficulties were learning the Russian language and adapting to the teaching methods used in HSE's Russian classes. I currently reside in the Lyublino doctoral dormitory in Moscow and have enjoyed living here for the past two years. During this time, I have explored many new places in the city and have become familiar with various locations to visit. I frequently go out with my friend Musa from Nigeria to take photos.
Now I am studying Russian at a low intermediate level and I am planning to strengthen my language skills for my future plans. My goal is to become an official HSE lecturer
I would like to share my new experience, as challenges make you better. I would suggest that when you come to a new country, try to work on the language if it is not your mother tongue. One of the common feelings that many students experience when they come to this university is not understanding what other students or lecturers are saying due to differences in educational backgrounds.
Lana Al-Halabi, 28, Syria
I learned about HSE completely by chance while doing an online search for good graduate programmes around the world. Upon stumbling onto HSE University, I was intrigued by its diverse programmes and community. And what really convinced me to go for it was the promise of adventure and culture that awaited me in Moscow.
I chose the Population and Development programme due to the various perspectives and methods that are taught throughout the course, and that was indeed the most exciting part about it
Even though the programme was challenging, the professors' assistance and guidance has been extremely valuable. It's tough to choose a favourite class from the fascinating array we were offered, but if I had to, I would select Global Political Economics, Time in Social Sciences, Humanitarian Actions, and Public Sector Economics since they were immersive and equipped me with essential critical thinking skills.
Moscow, with its gorgeous architecture and colourful spaces, has become perhaps one of my favourite cities in the world. One of my favourite things about it is that wherever you go, you will hear music being played in the streets
Unfortunately, my Russian is not so great—I am a beginner at best, but that is because I was unable to live in Russia continuously throughout my programme. However, I have made a vow to myself to continue to learn the language as I believe it to be an asset. Speaking of my plans for the future, I hope to begin my own development consulting agency and have it flourish in ten years’ time to become an international entity.
Embarking on this journey has truly changed me in the best possible ways. I will forever be grateful for the time I spent with HSE and will always look fondly on my time here in Moscow.
Alexander Larionov, Academic Supervisor, master’s programme in Population and Development
Students in our programme study subjects related to three key aspects: population, public administration, and development. This allows them to use their knowledge to achieve population development goals after graduation. Graduates of the programme receive a master’s degree in ‘Public Administration’.
The education is entirely in English, which allows students not only to gain specialised knowledge in the field of managing demographic processes, but also to improve their English skills. Students gain a unique experience of learning in a foreign language.
Most of our learners are international students. Communication between students from different countries increases social capital and broadens horizons through getting to know various cultures
The courses taught on the programme are aimed at studying current demographic and social issues and include such subjects as 'Public Sector Economics', 'Demography', 'Population and Development', 'Measurement of Poverty and Inequality'. Economic disciplines are also taught, allowing students to acquire skills in quantitative and qualitative analysis. As a result, students possess a wide range of tools for analysing various problems in the field of population and social development.
Students of the programme engage in research, as well as applied projects. A list of projects is specifically developed for students on our programme, including assignments by the Semashko Research Institute, Moscow State University, and Sechenov University on the topics of public administration, quality of life, and public health.
Participation in the projects allows students to gain practical skills in problem-solving that are in demand among various employers
Graduates of the programme work in governmental bodies and non-profit organisations that tackle social problems. A significant share of graduates continue their education to pursue a PhD.