The revised Guidelines for Transfer of Students Enrolled in Bachelor’s, Specialist and Master’s Degree Programmes at HSE University came into effect on January 1, 2026. The nearest possible internal transfer period at HSE University will run from 1 to 15 February, 2026 (provided the programme has set this period). Vacant places for transfer and specific application deadlines are published on the respective degree programme websites.

For Students – Russian Citizens and International Students (excluding those studying under government quotas)

Options for Transferring to Another Degree Programme

Students may transfer to another degree programme within HSE University in one of two ways:

• By transferring to a new degree programme and subsequently being dismissed from your previous programme (studying under only the new programme).

• By transferring to a new degree programme without being dismissed from your previous one (studying under both programmes at the same time).

Transfer from One Degree Programme to Another (Single Programme Studies)

General Information

At HSE University, there are designated transfer periods during which students may apply to transfer to another degree programme. Applications are accepted strictly within the timeframes set by each programme.

Annually, the faculty dean determines the transfer periods for the faculty's programmes, selecting two or three from the following: 1–15 October; 1–15 December; 1–15 February; 1–15 June; 1–15 August. Specific transfer periods are published on the degree programmes' websites.

Vacant places for transfer and specific application deadlines are published on the programme websites before the mandatory transfer periods, no later than one calendar day before the start of the transfer period, in the "Number of Students and Vacant Places" ("Число студентов и вакантные места") section.

Transfer Restrictions

● For first-year Bachelor’s/Specialist degree students: Transfer is only possible after the Module 2 exam period. Applications may be submitted during the December transfer period, but the transfer order will only be issued upon completion of the Module 2 exams.

● For first-year Master’s degree students: These restrictions do not apply.

● A student may submit transfer applications for a maximum of three (3) degree programmes within a single transfer period.

Factors Affecting Transfer Decisions

Key factors influencing transfer decisions include the student’s academic readiness to master the programme, their prior academic performance, and availability of vacant places.

Transfer to State-Funded Places

Such transfer is possible in the following cases:

• a state-funded place is available on the programme;

• the condition of not exceeding the standard study period on the new programme by more than one year is met;

• a competitive selection is held (if required) and the student secures a place based on the competition results;

• the assessment committee approves the transfer.

Otherwise, upon successful completion of the assessments, the student may be offered a fee-paying place (if available).

Transfer Only to a Fee-Paying Place

This applies in the following cases:

• absence of vacant state-funded places in the relevant year of the degree programme;

• transfer to degree programmes that have only fee-paying places;

• when obtaining a second or subsequent education of the same or a lower level, as well as when studying another programme in parallel;

• if the total duration of study exceeds the standard period of mastering the degree programme by more than one year;

• if the student is a foreign citizen or stateless person who is not eligible for a state-funded place under the legislation of the Russian Federation on education;

• if the student has one or two academic debts (failing grades) after the first retake and expresses a desire to retake the failed courses by postponing the second retake;

• in case of refusal to conclude a targeted training contract or unilateral termination of a targeted training contract before the first interim assessment, if the student was enrolled on a state-funded place within the targeted admission quota.

Credit Transfer of Courses

Previously completed courses may be credited upon transfer if their titles and credit loads match and if they are similar in content. The assessment committee decides whether courses are eligible for transfer.

Transfer Decisions

The student’s readiness for transfer is assessed by the assessment committee of the receiving programme, where composition and working periods are approved by the faculty dean (or programme manager, in cases outlined in the Regulations on Procedures for Evaluating and Transferring Results of Previous Education towards Programmes at the Bachelor’s, Specialist and Master’s Degree Level at HSE University). The final decision on a student’s transfer is made by the Vice Rector.

Transfer to a Second Degree Programme (Studying Under Multiple Programmes)

General Information

To study under two or more degree programmes, an HSE University student may transfer to a degree programme without dismissal from the programme where they are pursuing studies at the time of the transfer. Such transfer is possible only to vacant fee-paying places.

Application Procedure

The procedure for submitting and reviewing applications is analogous to the procedure for transfer for studying one degree programme.

Transfer for International Students Studying Under a Full Scholarship (Quota) of the Government of the Russian Federation

General Information

International students studying on a state-funded basis under a Russian Government quota may transfer only within the same integrated group^* of fields of study/specialisations (with or without a change in the specific programme). If changing the field of study within that group, the transfer is only possible with written approval from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation. Transfers to fee-paying programmes are allowed only if a vacant fee-paying place is available.

If the study referral issued by the Russian Ministry of Education and Science indicates that you are directed to study at one of the branches of HSE University, then transfer within one broad field of study group/specialisations (with or without a change in the field of study) is possible in the third quarter only with written consent from the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education.

^{* An integrated group of study fields refers to a classification that includes related programmes. For example, if you are enrolled in the Economics programme (field of study code 38.03.01), you may transfer to other programmes within the 38.00.00 group, but not to unrelated programmes like Design (field of study code 54.03.01).}

Timeframe for Transfers Without Changing the Field of Study (Within One Integrated Group of Study Fields)

Applications are submitted within the deadlines set by the degree programmes. Information is published on the degree programme websites in the section "Number of Students and Vacant Places" ("Число студентов и вакантные места").

For 1st-year students on Bachelor’s/Specialist degree programmes transfer is only possible after the Module 2 exam period. An application can be submitted during the December transfer period, but the transfer order will be issued only upon completion of the Module 2 exam period.

Timeframe for Transfers With a Change in the Field of Study (Within the Same Integrated Group of Study Fields)

In accordance with the requirements of the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education, transfer with a change in the field of study while retaining a state-funded place within the Government quota is carried out in the third quarter.

You can submit an application during the summer transfer period within the deadlines set by the programmes on their websites. Application deadlines are published before the start of the transfer period in the section "Number of Students and Vacant Places" ("Число студентов и вакантные места").

Procedure for Transfer to Another Degree Programme with Retention of a Quota Place

This section describes the procedure for transferring to another programme within one broad field of study group/specialisations without a change in the field of study.

Procedure for Transfer Without Changes in the Field of Study (Within the Same Integrated Group of Fields)

This procedure applies when a student is transferring within the same integrated group of fields of study with a change in the field of study.

Applications are only possible during the June transfer period within the deadlines set by the programme.

This limitation is related to the requirement of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation.

Regulations

Guidelines for Transfer of Students Enrolled in Bachelor’s, Specialist and Master’s Degree Programmes at National Research University Higher School of Economics and Students Enrolled in Bachelor’s, Specialist and Master’s Degree Programmes at Other Academic Institutions to National Research University Higher School of Economics (took effect 01.01.2026)

Regulations on Procedures for Evaluating and Transferring Results of Previous Education towards Programmes at the Bachelor’s, Specialist and Master’s Degree Level at HSE University

Contact

E-mail Student Service Centre at: studcentre@hse.ru