Transfer of students within HSE University

Options for transfer to another degree programme

You may transfer to another degree programme within HSE University by one of two ways:

• with subsequent dismissal from a previous degree programme for studies under a single (new) degree programme;
• without dismissal from a previous degree programme for studies under two programmes simultaneously.

Main information

HSE University has various periods of transfer, during which students can transfer to a preferred degree programme. Applications for transfer may be submitted strictly by the deadlines set by the programmes themselves.

Transfers are carried out in December and June of the current academic year, within the deadlines set by each degree programmes and as long as vacant (state-funded or fee-paying) places are available. Furthermore, programmes have the option of setting a third (additional) period for transfer.

Vacant places for transfer and the actual deadlines for receiving applications are published prior to the obligatory transfer periods (November 30 and May 31, respectively), as well as prior to the additional periods, on the programme’s websites in the section “Число студентов и вакантные места’. 

Transfer restrictions

For first-year Bachelor’s/Specialist degree students:  transfers are only possible after the Module 2 examination period. Applications may be submitted during the December transfer period, however, directives on transfers can only be issued after the completion of the examination period in Module 2.

For first-year Master’s degree students: those restrictions which are in place for Bachelor’s/Specialist degree students above are not in effect for Master’s degree students

Factors impacting decisions on transfers

A student’s readiness to master a degree programme, his/her previous academic performance and the availability of vacant places for transfer serve as deciding factors for transfer.

An obligatory condition for deciding on the transfer of a student to a vacant fee-paying place is that the general length of the student’s studies under a state-funded place should not exceed the timeframe set by the HSE University curriculum for the degree programme by more than one academic year.

Transfer of results for courses towards a new programme

Upon transfer, the results for courses, which are compatible as per designation and total credit load, or similar in terms of content, may be counted towards a new programme. The option for transfer of results should be determined by the evaluation committee.

Decisions on transfer

The evaluation committee should confirm a student’s readiness for a transfer to a programme, while the committee’s membership and timeframe is confirmed by the faculty dean /manager of the programme for an academic year in those instances set out in the Regulations on Evaluation Committees of degree programmes and evaluation procedures at HSE University.

The Vice Rector charged with coordinating academic activities shall make final decisions on transfers.

Check for vacant places and deadlines for application submission

Information on the date prior to the obligatory deadlines for transfer (November 30 and May 31, respectively) and prior to the additional period for transfer (if applicable) shall be published on the websites of degree programmes in the section “Число студентов и вакантные места.

Submit an application for transfer within the set deadlines

• With dismissal from previous degree programme: in the “Transfer” module in the LMS personal account (applications are reviewed within 3 (three) working days, the date of an request’s submission is not the date of the application for transfer);  
• Upon reinstatement with subsequent transfer: requests should be personally submitted to the programme office of the degree programme where the student plans to transfer (within the transfer deadlines);
• Upon return from an academic or other type of leave and subsequent transfer: requests are submitted by students in person to the programme office of the degree programme where the student plans to transfer (within the transfer deadlines);

Obtain notification with the request template

If your application receives a positive evaluation during initial expert review, the request template with information on subsequent steps shall be sent to the e-mail one uses to access LMS.

Sign and send a request to managers of both degree programmes (new and initial) and one’s academic supervisor

Via your student e-mail, it is necessary to send a message with a scan of the transfer request to the academic supervisor and manager of your degree programme, in order to obtain the supervisor’s decision on transfer to another programme. The manager of the preferred programme must be properly copied on this e-mail message.

Wait for the decision of the academic supervisor

In a response, the academic supervisor shall send information on their approval/reasons for declining a transfer to another degree programme.

Undergo evaluation examinations (if applicable) and wait for a decision

Receive from the manager of the preferred programme information about the decision reached with due consideration of the evaluation outcome (including course (module), place, where it is possible to transfer, and draft of an individual curriculum).

If a positive decision is made, the evaluation committee will determine:

• list of curricular elements, which can be transferred towards a new programme of study;
• list of courses to be studied or subject to re-evaluation;
• year of study to be pursued by student;
• type of place.

The total credit units (CU), which may be included in a student’s individual curriculum for a single year shall be determined according to the educational standard, as per which the programme was devised. If courses cannot be transferred towards a new programme of study or any courses (sections of a course) are found that were not taken, these courses may be added to a student’s individual curriculum in addition to the standard list of curricular elements for the given year to which the student is being transferred.

Make a decision on transfer

If the evaluation committee reaches a positive decision on your transfer, inform the manager of the preferred degree programme about the decision or recall your request.

Approve an individual curriculum and pay tuition (upon transfer to a fee-paying place)

If a positive decision is made, approve a draft of an individual curriculum, received from a manager of the degree programme; sign an agreement for the provision of paid educational services and pay the tuition fee (upon transfer to a fee-paying place).

Wait for the issue of a directive and start classes

A directive shall be issued within 5 (five) working days from the date when an individual curriculum signed by a student is received (for subsidized students), after paying for an agreement for the provision of paid educational services (for tuition-paying students).

If so desired, students may address a request to the dean of the faculty with a request to attend classes while a relevant directive on dismissal is being drawn up (decision to be made by the faculty dean).

Main 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 he/she is pursuing studies at the time of the transfer.

Such a transfer is possible without the results of interim examinations, i.e., prior to December of the first year of study and only to vacant fee-paying places.

Submission of requests for transfer

It is necessary to fill in a request for transfer and submit it to the programme office of the preferred degree programme.

The deadlines for submitting requests for such transfers are not set and, as such, such requests can be reviewed at any time (unlike transfers from one programme to another with subsequent dismissal).

Main information

Transfers of international students, who are studying under full scholarship provided by the Government of the Russian Federation, are possible within one group of fields of study or specializations* (in any other field of study / in the same field of study).

If you decided to change field of study (within one group of fields of study or specializations), the transfer is possible only with the written approval of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation.

* Example – if you are studying under the “Economics” programme, field 38.03.01 Economics, it would be possible to transfer to degree programmes, which are provided for fields of study starting from the 38.00.00 range (thus, transfers to the “Design” programme for field of study 54.03.01 Design is impossible).

Timeframe for transfers under the same field of study

Applications shall be submitted within the dates set by degree programmes. Periods for transfers will be published on November 30 and May 31 on the websites of degree programmes in the section “Transfer and reinstatement to an educational program”.

For first-year Bachelor’s/Specialist degree students: Transfers are possible only after the examination period in Module 2. Applications can be submitted in December, but the transfer order will be issued only upon completion of the examination period in Module 2.

For first-year Master’s students: There are not any restrictions.

Timeframe for transfers with a change in field of study (within one group of fields of study or specializations)

Applications can only be submitted during the transfer period in June within the dates set by degree programmes. It is the requirement of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation. 

Procedure for transfer to other degree programme in the same field of study/specialization (within one group of fields of study or specializations)

Step 1. Select a degree programme in the same field of study/specialization

HSE University Bachelor’s programmes https://www.hse.ru/en/n/education/bachelor  

HSE University Master’s programmes https://www.hse.ru/en/n/education/magister 

Step 2. Fill in an application for transfer via LMS

Please use the link to the Online Service for Transfer.

Step 3. Receive an information letter with a request form

If a positive decision has been made after reviewing your application, a request form and information about further steps will be sent to your corporate e-mail address.

Step 4. Sign the request and send it to both degree programme managers and your academic supervisor

To obtain the academic supervisor’s decision, please send an email with a scanned copy of your request to both degree programme managers and your academic supervisor.

Step 5. Pass the examination (if needed)

Step 6. Wait for final decision of the programme

If a positive decision on your transfer has been made by the evaluation committee, please inform the manager about your decision, or cancel your application.

Step 7. Approve your individual study plan and wait for the transfer order

Manager of the new programme will send you via email a project of individual study plan. You should submit it, and then wait for the transfer order. Bingo – start your classes. 

Applications can only be submitted during the transfer period in June within the dates set by degree programmes. It is the requirement of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation. 

This information will be updated.

Regulatory documentation

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 Economic

If you have further questions

e-mail us at: studcentre@hse.ru