State University - Higher School of Economics
Encyclopedia
The National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE), colloquially known as “Vyshka” (“Highie”, also literally watchtower), is a Russian University specializing in social sciences. It was founded in 1992 as an MA
training centre but soon offered Bachelor
programmes in economics
. In 1996 HSE expanded into other social sciences
and began educating managers, lawyers and sociologists. In October 2009 the HSE received the status of a National Research University.
The HSE is based in the city of Moscow
, Russian Federation. The original campus was the former Gosplan
Institute building, on Kochnovskyi, 3 but today the School uses many buildings throughout Moscow with the central office on Myasnitskaya street, in the centre of the city. There are also three subsidiaries located in the cities of St. Petersburg, Nizhniy Novgorod and Perm
, where about 9000 students currently study.
, Yaroslav Kouzminov, Revold Entov, Oleg Ananyin and Rustem Nureev with funding provided by the European Union Committee. These founders were well known Russian economists who believed in market reforms and the HSE was established to support the new Russian reformist government plans.
“Vyshka” aimed to renew the training of the Russian business society in economics. In the Soviet Union
the teaching of political economy
was dominated by Marxist ideology and could not meet international standards. From the mid 1980s Kouzhminov, Entov, Nureev and Ananyin introduced new courses in mathematics, economics and statistics in the leading Russian universities. Later some of the students who attended these courses became HSE tutors. Nonetheless, Soviet education in economics was believed not to reflect market standards and a new type of education in social sciences needed to make new Russian scientists, officials and businessmen understand the market economy
. In 1991 with the support of the Russian Government a new University was established. Today the University continues expanding into such areas as mathematics, philosophy and political studies.
The School has established and maintained connections with international research and educational institutions including the London School of Economics
, the Erasmus University Rotterdam, DAAD
and many others.
. It took a part in introducing the State Final Examination system aimed to reform admissions to the Russian universities. It was one of the first Russian universities to use these exams as part of the admission process.
The university is one of the only Russian universities to have internationally trained academics on its full time staff.
There is also the International College of Economics and Finance which is an autonomous department within the HSE, run with the participation of the London School of Economics
(LSE). Its graduates receive a double degree from both HSE and LSE.
Each faculty usually consists of several departments gathering tutors in some specific field, such as the departments of banking and macroeconomics
at the faculty of economics, the departments of economic sociology
and social theory
at the faculty of sociology etc. There are also the so-called basic departments of large companies in the HSE offering specific applied courses necessary to work in these particular companies. Basic departments (or 'departments of vocational relationships') provide students with opportunity to apply for an internship and to start their career in a prominent company tp obtain practical knowledge in some particular sphere.
It is considered in the University that knowledge of mathematics, statistics and economics is vital for all social researchers and therefore, students of all HSE faculties receive intensive training in mathematics, with the possible exception of Faculty of Law. The education also includes an extensive number of economical courses ranging from micro-
and macroeconomics
to institutional economics
and industrial organization
. It is proudly said in HSE that the faculty of economics students are taught more maths than some technicians.
At the core of the HSE teaching there are two basic principles. The first principle is the individual work of a student. One of the key HSE goals is to educate a highly qualified professional with independent thinking, able to conduct the necessary research and to make conclusions himself. To achieve this the HSE students have to make a lot of independent homework, individually or in groups, while the tutors only guide and consult them. The second core principle of the HSE teaching is control. The academic year, beginning in September and ending in June, is divided into four terms (modules). At the end of every module the students have to pass exams. Most of the exams in HSE are in written form, often implying both multiple choice test questions and problems for which written solutions are to be provided. In addition, there is a special emphasis on written analytical works of varying importance and volume. Students have to write one or two essays during most courses. The activity during practical studies (speeches, presentations and general participation in discussions) often plays an important role in defining the final mark for the course.
and the faculty of economics MBA programme with the participation of Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam. The HSE was the first to teach economic history
and institutional analysis
in Russia. Among the other courses pioneered by the HSE are econometrics
, micro- and macro- economics, economic sociology and many others. Most of these disciplines were started in Russia by the researchers now teaching them in the HSE. For example the first Russian course in institutional analysis was developed by the HSE rector Yaroslav Kouzminov.
HSE Summer Schools were established in the mid-1990s and from that time they have been held regularly. There are several Summer Schools in the HSE, each one dedicated to a specific field, including the Summer School for Institutional Analysis, the Summer School on the Labour Market Economy etc. Each Summer School offers about 15 subjects based on the regular courses of the HSE. These Summer Schools take place in July and August each year and last for one or two weeks. Some of the Summer Schools are international, for example, the 2008 Summer School “The Baltic Practice” aimed to support global student collaboration.
, Kazakhstan
and Latvia
. In recent years however, there have been students from other regions, including the EU countries, the USA and Japa
n. One of the HSE’s main goals is to make strong connections between the students and tutors and there is already a community of HSE students, graduates and tutors. There are many organizations of HSE students and graduates. Each faculty has its own elected Student Council, which works as an intermediary between the students, the faculty administration and the tutors. HSE students work with some international student organizations such as the AIESEC
and the AEGEE. Although the HSE is a very young University, it already has two alumni organizations. The HSE alumni club aims to maintain connections between the alumni and to provide them with support in their careers. The HSE business club’s goal is to establish high standards of business culture in Russia and to help HSE graduates achieve the best results in business and commerce. During their study in the university the students have the opportunity to participate in many different leisure activities, such as sport, drama, debating societies and many others. Since 2006, many sporting competitions have been held, including the regular ‘Spartakiad’.
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
training centre but soon offered Bachelor
Bachelor
A bachelor is a man above the age of majority who has never been married . Unlike his female counterpart, the spinster, a bachelor may have had children...
programmes in economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
. In 1996 HSE expanded into other social sciences
Social sciences
Social science is the field of study concerned with society. "Social science" is commonly used as an umbrella term to refer to a plurality of fields outside of the natural sciences usually exclusive of the administrative or managerial sciences...
and began educating managers, lawyers and sociologists. In October 2009 the HSE received the status of a National Research University.
The HSE is based in the city of Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
, Russian Federation. The original campus was the former Gosplan
Gosplan
Gosplan or State Planning Committee was the committee responsible for economic planning in the Soviet Union. The word "Gosplan" is an abbreviation for Gosudarstvenniy Komitet po Planirovaniyu...
Institute building, on Kochnovskyi, 3 but today the School uses many buildings throughout Moscow with the central office on Myasnitskaya street, in the centre of the city. There are also three subsidiaries located in the cities of St. Petersburg, Nizhniy Novgorod and Perm
Perm
Perm is a city and the administrative center of Perm Krai, Russia, located on the banks of the Kama River, in the European part of Russia near the Ural Mountains. From 1940 to 1957 it was named Molotov ....
, where about 9000 students currently study.
History
The HSE was founded on November 20, 1992, by Yevgeny YasinYevgeny Yasin
Yevgeny Grigoryevich Yasin is a Russian economist. He was the Russian Minister for the Economy between 1994 and 1997. He is currently a research director at the National Research University Higher School of Economics...
, Yaroslav Kouzminov, Revold Entov, Oleg Ananyin and Rustem Nureev with funding provided by the European Union Committee. These founders were well known Russian economists who believed in market reforms and the HSE was established to support the new Russian reformist government plans.
“Vyshka” aimed to renew the training of the Russian business society in economics. In the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
the teaching of political economy
Political economy
Political economy originally was the term for studying production, buying, and selling, and their relations with law, custom, and government, as well as with the distribution of national income and wealth, including through the budget process. Political economy originated in moral philosophy...
was dominated by Marxist ideology and could not meet international standards. From the mid 1980s Kouzhminov, Entov, Nureev and Ananyin introduced new courses in mathematics, economics and statistics in the leading Russian universities. Later some of the students who attended these courses became HSE tutors. Nonetheless, Soviet education in economics was believed not to reflect market standards and a new type of education in social sciences needed to make new Russian scientists, officials and businessmen understand the market economy
Market economy
A market economy is an economy in which the prices of goods and services are determined in a free price system. This is often contrasted with a state-directed or planned economy. Market economies can range from hypothetically pure laissez-faire variants to an assortment of real-world mixed...
. In 1991 with the support of the Russian Government a new University was established. Today the University continues expanding into such areas as mathematics, philosophy and political studies.
The School has established and maintained connections with international research and educational institutions including the London School of Economics
London School of Economics
The London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university specialised in the social sciences located in London, United Kingdom, and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
, the Erasmus University Rotterdam, DAAD
German Academic Exchange Service
The German Academic Exchange Service or DAAD is the largest German support organisation in the field of international academic co-operation....
and many others.
Current activity
The University’s President, Alexander Shokhin, was the Russian Vice-Prime Minister for economy and finance in 1998, while the Academic Advisor, Evegeniy Yasin, was one the major economic advisors to the Russian government in late 1980s and early 1990s. The School conducts research for major public sector and educational reform. The HSE was the first Russian University to introduce the 4 + 2 system and strongly supported Russian participation in the Bologna processBologna process
The purpose of the Bologna Process is the creation of the European Higher Education Area by making academic degree standards and quality assurance standards more comparable and compatible throughout Europe, in particular under the Lisbon Recognition Convention...
. It took a part in introducing the State Final Examination system aimed to reform admissions to the Russian universities. It was one of the first Russian universities to use these exams as part of the admission process.
The university is one of the only Russian universities to have internationally trained academics on its full time staff.
Faculties and structure
There are 19 faculties and schools in the HSE.- Faculty of Economics (including the School of Statistics and Data Analysis)HSE Faculty of EconomicsThe Faculty of Economics - the oldest faculty of the university was founded in 1993, aimed at providing education in Economics to future high-profile managers and analysts for commercial enterprises, governmental bodies, research centres, as well as the staff of higher education institutions.There...
- Faculty of World Economics and International AffairsFaculty of World Economics and International AffairsThe Faculty of World Economics and International Affairs was set up in 2006 as the process of the Faculty of World Economics' enlargement, which was originally founded in 2002...
- Faculty of Business Informatics (including the School of Software Engineering and the School of Applied Mathematics)
- Faculty of Management (including the School of Logistics)
- Faculty of Public Administration
- Faculty of Political Science (including specialization in Advertising and the School of Business and Political Journalism)
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Sociology
- Faculty of Psychology
- Faculty of Philosophy (including the School of Cultural Studies and the School of Oriental Studies)
- Faculty of Mathematics
- Faculty of History
There is also the International College of Economics and Finance which is an autonomous department within the HSE, run with the participation of the London School of Economics
London School of Economics
The London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university specialised in the social sciences located in London, United Kingdom, and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
(LSE). Its graduates receive a double degree from both HSE and LSE.
Each faculty usually consists of several departments gathering tutors in some specific field, such as the departments of banking and macroeconomics
Macroeconomics
Macroeconomics is a branch of economics dealing with the performance, structure, behavior, and decision-making of the whole economy. This includes a national, regional, or global economy...
at the faculty of economics, the departments of economic sociology
Economic sociology
Economic sociology studies both the social effects and the social causes of various economic phenomena. The field can be broadly divided into a classical period and a contemporary one. The classical period was concerned particularly with modernity and its constituent aspects...
and social theory
Social theory
Social theories are theoretical frameworks which are used to study and interpret social phenomena within a particular school of thought. An essential tool used by social scientists, theories relate to historical debates over the most valid and reliable methodologies , as well as the primacy of...
at the faculty of sociology etc. There are also the so-called basic departments of large companies in the HSE offering specific applied courses necessary to work in these particular companies. Basic departments (or 'departments of vocational relationships') provide students with opportunity to apply for an internship and to start their career in a prominent company tp obtain practical knowledge in some particular sphere.
Subsidiaries
The University has three subsidiaries located in St. Petersburg, Nizhniy Novgorod and Perm. Each subsidiary is an autonomous higher educational institution under the central governance of Moscow.Studying in the HSE
Normally it takes four years to study for a Bachelor degree and two years to study for a Master degree. About 90% of HSE undergraduates apply for a postgraduate course. For the first two years all students studying at the same faculty attend a large number of compulsory courses and several elective courses. During this time, the class sizes are relatively small (usually between 90 and 120 students). This allows a more hands-on approach than many other institutions. After the second year of studying students choose the field they want to specialize in. At that time there are still all-faculty courses taught to all students but for most of the time students study in separate groups of 20–30, on courses in narrower fields and conducting their own research on chosen topics.It is considered in the University that knowledge of mathematics, statistics and economics is vital for all social researchers and therefore, students of all HSE faculties receive intensive training in mathematics, with the possible exception of Faculty of Law. The education also includes an extensive number of economical courses ranging from micro-
Microeconomics
Microeconomics is a branch of economics that studies the behavior of how the individual modern household and firms make decisions to allocate limited resources. Typically, it applies to markets where goods or services are being bought and sold...
and macroeconomics
Macroeconomics
Macroeconomics is a branch of economics dealing with the performance, structure, behavior, and decision-making of the whole economy. This includes a national, regional, or global economy...
to institutional economics
Institutional economics
Institutional economics focuses on understanding the role of the evolutionary process and the role of institutions in shaping economic behaviour. Its original focus lay in Thorstein Veblen's instinct-oriented dichotomy between technology on the one side and the "ceremonial" sphere of society on the...
and industrial organization
Industrial organization
Industrial organization is the field of economics that builds on the theory of the firm in examining the structure of, and boundaries between, firms and markets....
. It is proudly said in HSE that the faculty of economics students are taught more maths than some technicians.
At the core of the HSE teaching there are two basic principles. The first principle is the individual work of a student. One of the key HSE goals is to educate a highly qualified professional with independent thinking, able to conduct the necessary research and to make conclusions himself. To achieve this the HSE students have to make a lot of independent homework, individually or in groups, while the tutors only guide and consult them. The second core principle of the HSE teaching is control. The academic year, beginning in September and ending in June, is divided into four terms (modules). At the end of every module the students have to pass exams. Most of the exams in HSE are in written form, often implying both multiple choice test questions and problems for which written solutions are to be provided. In addition, there is a special emphasis on written analytical works of varying importance and volume. Students have to write one or two essays during most courses. The activity during practical studies (speeches, presentations and general participation in discussions) often plays an important role in defining the final mark for the course.
Programmes and admission
The HSE offers about 50 Bachelor Programmes, about 20 MBA programmes, 1 MPA programme and 4 MA programmes. Among them is a notable International College of Economics and Finance BS programme offering degrees from the HSE and the London School of EconomicsLondon School of Economics
The London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university specialised in the social sciences located in London, United Kingdom, and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
and the faculty of economics MBA programme with the participation of Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam. The HSE was the first to teach economic history
Economic history
Economic history is the study of economies or economic phenomena in the past. Analysis in economic history is undertaken using a combination of historical methods, statistical methods and by applying economic theory to historical situations and institutions...
and institutional analysis
Institutional analysis
Institutional analysis is that part of the social sciences which studies how institutions—i.e., structures and mechanisms of social order and cooperation governing the behavior of two or more individuals—behave and function according to both empirical rules and also theoretical rules...
in Russia. Among the other courses pioneered by the HSE are econometrics
Econometrics
Econometrics has been defined as "the application of mathematics and statistical methods to economic data" and described as the branch of economics "that aims to give empirical content to economic relations." More precisely, it is "the quantitative analysis of actual economic phenomena based on...
, micro- and macro- economics, economic sociology and many others. Most of these disciplines were started in Russia by the researchers now teaching them in the HSE. For example the first Russian course in institutional analysis was developed by the HSE rector Yaroslav Kouzminov.
HSE Summer Schools were established in the mid-1990s and from that time they have been held regularly. There are several Summer Schools in the HSE, each one dedicated to a specific field, including the Summer School for Institutional Analysis, the Summer School on the Labour Market Economy etc. Each Summer School offers about 15 subjects based on the regular courses of the HSE. These Summer Schools take place in July and August each year and last for one or two weeks. Some of the Summer Schools are international, for example, the 2008 Summer School “The Baltic Practice” aimed to support global student collaboration.
Students
Today there are more than 16 000 students in the HSE, about 7000 in Moscow and 9000 in its subsidiaries. About half of them are state funded. Most HSE students are Russian citizens, with about 140 international students, mostly coming from the former USSR countries, such as BelarusBelarus
Belarus , officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, bordered clockwise by Russia to the northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Its capital is Minsk; other major cities include Brest, Grodno , Gomel ,...
, Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan , officially the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a transcontinental country in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Ranked as the ninth largest country in the world, it is also the world's largest landlocked country; its territory of is greater than Western Europe...
and Latvia
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
. In recent years however, there have been students from other regions, including the EU countries, the USA and Japa
Japa
Japa is a spiritual discipline involving the meditative repetition of a mantra or name of a divine power. The mantra or name may be spoken softly, enough for the practitioner to hear it, or it may be spoken purely within the recitor's mind...
n. One of the HSE’s main goals is to make strong connections between the students and tutors and there is already a community of HSE students, graduates and tutors. There are many organizations of HSE students and graduates. Each faculty has its own elected Student Council, which works as an intermediary between the students, the faculty administration and the tutors. HSE students work with some international student organizations such as the AIESEC
AIESEC
AIESEC is a global youth organisation that develops leadership capabilities through their internal leadership programmes and engaging students and graduates in international student exchange and internship programmes for profit and non-profit organisations. Its international office is in...
and the AEGEE. Although the HSE is a very young University, it already has two alumni organizations. The HSE alumni club aims to maintain connections between the alumni and to provide them with support in their careers. The HSE business club’s goal is to establish high standards of business culture in Russia and to help HSE graduates achieve the best results in business and commerce. During their study in the university the students have the opportunity to participate in many different leisure activities, such as sport, drama, debating societies and many others. Since 2006, many sporting competitions have been held, including the regular ‘Spartakiad’.