Student Rating and Other Comparative Measures of Learning Outcomes
The updated Regulations on the Rating System for the Comprehensive Assessment of Learning Outcomes Attained by Degree Students at HSE University took effect on 16 October 2025. In 2026, all ratings are calculated under the updated rules. The main changes affect norming and the way certain courses and curriculum elements are taken into account when calculating ratings. For most students, rating positions are now distributed more fairly, reflecting the variability of individual curricula and degree cohorts. In addition, new rules on anonymising personal data in open access ratings have been introduced.
About
Rating represents a student’s position in a sorted list (a rating group) and shows their academic achievements in comparison with other students from the same year of study and the same degree programme, or rating group, over a given period.
Another important concept is the percentile, which indicates the share of students in the same group whose learning outcomes are better than those of a given student. For example, a percentile of 10% means that the student is among the top 11% of their group.
Purpose of Ratings
The system of comparative indicators of learning outcomes, including a student’s position in the rating, is used when allocating various student benefits.
● For students who pay tuition fees, a high rating position may result in a tuition fee discount.
● Rating positions may affect access to popular electives, minors, and open optional courses.
● When decisions are made about awarding international academic mobility grants, a student’s rating may play a role.
Types of Rantings
At HSE University, there are two main types of ratings: current and cumulative.
Current rating compares students’ learning outcomes over the most recent semester, calculated separately for Modules 1–2 and Modules 3–4. It is an indicator of ongoing academic performance and takes into account grades for all courses included in the student’s individual curriculum (IC; as shown in the electronic gradebook), for which exams or other forms of interim assessment were completed during the relevant period. This includes repeated courses and courses taken as part of academic mobility. Open optional courses and courses taken in excess of the programme credit load are not included. Current ratings are used when awarding tuition fee discounts and allocating places on minors in Bachelor’s and Specialist programmes.
- Current rating before retakes reflects grades as awarded during the regular examination periods, including retakes granted for valid reasons and grade improvements scheduled before the retake period. Students who did not attend an exam or received a failing grade are assigned "0" for the relevant curriculum element.
- Current rating after retakes is calculated using the grades obtained during retakes.
Cumulative rating compares students’ academic achievements over their entire period of study at HSE University. It is a cumulative indicator to which new courses are added twice a year, starting from the first year of study, once a course has been completed with a passing grade. The cumulative rating includes all elective courses, optional courses taken beyond the standard curriculum volume, initiative practical training elements (PTEs), final state certification (FSC) results, and courses taken as part of a degree programme.
How Some Curriculum Elements are Included in Rating
When Ratings Are Published
Rating tables are compiled after the winter and summer examination periods, as well as after retake periods.
During the academic year, students gain access to their rating positions no later than the following deadlines:
● Current rating before retakes, 1st semester – January 15
● Current rating after retakes, 1st semester – February 20
● Current rating before retakes, 2nd semester – July 5
● Current rating after retakes, 2nd semester – October 20
● Cumulative rating – February 20 and October 20
How to View your Rating Position
Ratings are published on degree programme websites (For Students → Ratings) and in the electronic gradebook.
They are also available in the official HSE App X (download in App Store, Google Play, and AppGallery). Students receive a push notification from the app when the new ratings are posted.
How Ratings Are Calculated
1. A rating group is formed. Each faculty determines which students are to be compared with one another. As a rule, these are students from the same year of study within the same degree programme, although groups may also be formed within a single majoe or across several degree programmes.
2. Parameters are calculated for each student. For every student in the group, two key indicators are calculated for the relevant study period:
- Credit-weighted score: the sum of each grade multiplied by the credit value of the corresponding curriculum element. For example, if a student studied English (4 credits, grade 8), Mathematical Analysis (5 credits, grade 7), and Russian History (3 credits, grade 10) over a half-year, the credit-weighted score is calculated as (4 × 8) + (5 × 7) + (3 × 10), giving a total of 97.
- Total credit volume: the sum of credits for all curriculum elements included in the rating for the given period.
3. Normalisation is applied for the current rating. Since each HSE student follows an individual curriculum with varying credit loads, especially in later years of study, a normalisation algorithm is used to ensure fair comparison. The system identifies the most common credit load for the rating group in that semester, for example 30 credits. If a student’s credit volume does not exceed this load, their result remains unchanged. If it exceeds it, the total score is multiplied by a coefficient equal to the ratio of the typical credit load to the student’s actual load. As a result, scores of students with heavier-than-average loads are proportionally reduced, allowing fair comparison with students following a standard study plan.
4. The rating list is formed. All credit-weighted scores are sorted in descending order. The higher the score, the higher the student’s position in the ranking list. If several students have identical scores, they are assigned an interval rating (e.g., positions 5-7).
5. Publication and verification take place. Ratings are calculated centrally by the Degree Programmes Department based on the data in HSE information systems. The data is entered manually by programme office staff on the basis of assessment record sheets, which have been signed by instructors who had administered examinations. Since there’s a manual component to this process, technical errors are possible. With this in mind, rating tables will be presented to students within a set timeframe, and if a student identifies a mistake (e.g., incorrect course or grade information), they may submit an electronic request within two working days. After the request is reviewed and corrections are made, the rating is recalculated. Once finalised, the results are fixed and used for all administrative decisions, including the allocation of tuition fee discounts.
Have you spotted a typo?
Highlight it, click Ctrl+Enter and send us a message. Thank you for your help!
To be used only for spelling or punctuation mistakes.