ISSEK Master's programme becoming more popular
The new academic year has experienced a significant increase in students’ interest for the English-language Master’s programme "Governance of Science, Technology and Innovation": While 30 students were enrolled in 2014, this year 44 applicants showed outstanding performance in the tough application competition. Among them, there are 10 international students who arrived from Ghana, Italy, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, the USA, Uzbekistan, South Korea and France.
In total, this year, the programme received twice as many applications from foreign students as in the previous year. A survey showed that foreign students had learnt about the programme from friends who are currently enrolled at HSE or during the Open Doors Day at HSE. One of the students who arrived in Moscow for student exchange became interested in the programme profile and finally decided to get his Master’s degree from the Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge. International students highly appreciate the unique opportunity to take part in double diploma programmes and specially designed student exchange programmes in cooperation with 5 leading European and Asian universities.
Russian applicants experienced an even more intense competition: there were over three applicants per place. This year, the admission selection procedure has slightly changed: first, candidates’ portfolios were assessed, and then only those who had successfully passed the first step were invited for step 2 — an interview in English. As a result, 34 candidates from different Russian cities, such as Moscow, Novosibirsk, Kazan, Saratov, Tyumen, Orenburg, Izhevsk, Gorno-Altaisk, Tomsk, were enrolled in the program. Among them — economists and lawyers, international relations specialists and managers, journalists and linguists as well as chemists and physicists. About 90% of students are recent holders of Bachelor’s degree at the age of 20–25.
Among the key motivation factors, the majority of Russian and foreign students quote studying in English, an opportunity to learn from the leading Russian and foreign professors, student exchange partnerships and double diploma programmes in cooperation with foreign universities, a growing demand for the acquired skills, and promising career perspectives.
Many students are planning to obtain PhD diplomas later and/or pursue an academic career. Some of them have already showed their interest in ISSEK research projects.
In October, three students are going to join the double diploma programme within the framework of the concluded agreement between the Master’s programmes of Technische Universität Berlin and Higher School of Economics. Other students will enter the double degree programme with Maastricht University or participate in the student exchange programmes.
Text: Anna Rodionova
Photo: Andrey Kucherov